By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
Roads, infrastructure along with parks and recreation are the top focuses for Youngsville Mayor Ken Ritter in 2023.
Ritter advised it is important for growth in Youngsville to not outpace infrastructure. The upcoming new term for Ritter and the city council members will be addressing expansions and to continue addressing quality of life issues that benefit the residents of Youngsville. Addressing these issues helps to make Youngsville a desirable community to live. Ritter stated the goal is not to just talk about these things, but to plan for it to make it happen.
One of the road expansions will be the Youngsville Highway, formerly known as Highway 89, to widen it to four lanes. The process will start during the first quarter of 2023 and will take approximately two years to complete.
Youngsville has a Transportation Master Plan in place for road infrastructure in and around the city. As stated on the Youngsville web site, the master plan addresses current and future traffic conditions, improved connectivity, preserves corridors to accommodate future growth and minimize impacts to traveling public and identifies strategies for safe movement of traffic. Existing roadways within Youngsville are to be maintained based on a level of priority.
The Youngsville Sports Complex (YPC) will be expanded in 2023. The expansion will be on 46.5 acres of city land located east of the current location and Detente Road. The expansion, as stated on the YSC website, is to include four high school / collegiate baseball fields, amphitheater, pickle ballpark, cornhole park, jogging trail / fitness station, children’s play area and free play area, eight-hundred additional parking spaces, all LED (light emitting diode) lighting and concession / restrooms. View the rendering of the master plan.
Water and sewage are on the scope for expansion as to keep up with the growth of Youngsville. A new water well will be assessed for feasibility.
The Youngsville Veterans Memorial Gateway Park on Highway 92 and the St. Blaise Dog Park on St. Blaise Lane are in the works for 2023. Groundbreaking was held for the Veterans Park on November 10, 2022.
Ritter said he is honored, bless and grateful for the opportunity in serving the residents of Youngsville once again. His third term as mayor begins on January 1, 2023. Four City Council members – Kayla Menard Reaux, Lindy Bogliano, Matthew Romero and Ken Stansbury – are returning in 2023. The fifth member, Simon Champagne is newly elected however had previously served a non-consecutive term. Ritter is excited to work with the city council members which he said he considers a good leadership team who understands the needs of the community.
Ribbon Cutting, Open House and Swearing In
The City of Youngsville will be having a ribbon cutting with an open house for their new Youngsville Municipal Complex along with a swearing in ceremony for the mayor and council members. This will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 10 a.m. on the steps of City Hall at the new complex at 201 Iberia Street in Youngsville. The Youngsville Police and Fire departments will be there to help celebrate and will be providing jambalaya and gumbo for the occasion.
