Feature
January
12
Chili Cook-Off Benefits Downtown Beautification
by Terry Trahan Jr.
Administrators and volunteers in Terrebonne Parish are hoping a few pots of chili will be enough to spark interest in beautification projects planned for downtown Houma.
Chili and beautification? That’s right.
The Main Street Program and the Downtown Development Corporation will host the 2012 Courthouse Chili Cook-Off, which will begin at noon Jan. 28 in Houma’s courthouse square, to raise funds benefiting the Beautification Main Street project.
While 13 teams have already committed to the cook-off, organizers are hoping at least 20 teams will show off their savory recipes for the cause.
“We’re trying to let people know that we have a nice downtown,” said Anne Picou, Main Street manager for Terrebonne Parish.
Though chili may be the featured entrée this time around, the cook-off is just one of several ideas organizers have considered to attract locals and visitors to the downtown area.
If the event proves successful, the cook-off may extend to feature other culinary favorites like gumbo and jambalaya later this year. These small, cultural events are being held to increase foot traffic downtown. And that’s exactly what’s at the heart of the DDC’s ultimate goal of increasing the retail presence in that part of the city.
It all starts with making an organized effort to beautify the area so that it becomes more inviting to visit. To kick-start that effort, both the Main Street Program and the DDC plan to dedicate 100 percent of the money collected during the cook-off to a project that would enhance the streets of downtown Houma.
Through the addition of bulb-outs, or curb extensions, the streets and their accompanying sidewalks would be enhanced with greenery and vegetation that would mask much of the gray concrete that currently blankets the area.
While some of the streets may lose a bit of their width, sidewalks can be widened to allow for benches and adequate lighting, pedestrian crosswalks would become easier to identify and bike lanes can be added, among other improvements.
“It’s an enhancement,” Picou said. “For example, the courthouse is used by pedestrians, but it isn’t always pedestrian-friendly. We need to identify where they should be walking. It just makes everything more visible for the pedestrians.”
The bulb-outs are part of a larger plan that would give the downtown area a noticeable facelift over the next few decades. Architect firm Dana Brown and Associates drafted the plans that call for enhancements along Barrow, Main and Church streets, and on the corners of Church and School streets, Grinage and Main streets, Roussell and Belanger streets, and Barataria Avenue and Main Street. While the current parish administration supports the effort, the leaders also recognize that the Houma community has other pressing needs as well.
And the Main Street Program and DDC understand that. But they also understand the support is needed to eventually convert the vision into reality.
“We’re just excited that we get to bat and play at all,” Picou said. “These are all pieces of the larger puzzle.”
Estimates have shown that each bulb-out could cost between $3-5,000 depending on size and purpose. Organizers of the chili cook-off hope to collect $5,000 to begin moving forward with plans for an enhancement behind the courthouse, Picou said. They expect the projects to take a while to complete because of permit requirements and time needed to complete other projects in the parish, but Picou hopes to have one done each year as downtown Houma adapts its attractive new look.
Until then, teams of local chefs will compete in the cook-off for bragging rights of having the best chili in town. The cost per team is $100, and each team should prepare enough chili for 50 servings of about 4 ounces each. The deadline to register is 3 p.m. Jan. 13.
A $5 wristband allows the wearer to sample the participants’ chili. Hot dogs and beverages will also be available, in addition to live entertainment.
For complete rules and registration information, including a downloadable application, visit the parish’s website at www.tpcg.org, or call Picou at 985-873-6408.
