October 2023

Tallulah Mayor Charles Finlayson expressed gratitude for
the opportunity to reclaim and repurpose some of the city’s
blighted properties. “We’re excited to have these new resources
and look forward to returning the use and benefit of these
places back to the people of Tallulah.”
Public input will be an important part of the remediation process
and, in fact, has already begun.
In mid-September, Mayor Finlayson
joined Dr. Sutherlin and LDEQ Brownfield
Program Coordinator, Rebecca
Otte, in leading the first of several
planned public hearings concerning
the town’s pending brownfields work.
With input from local residents, this
money will fund the selection and
assessment of seventeen potential
brownfield sites. Both consultants and city officials agree that
inviting and including public opinion just makes sense.
“You may have ideas from the mayor, and you may
have ideas from the council,” said Tallulah Executive
Administrative Assistant Yvonne Lewis. “But a good
idea can come from anywhere, and when the public
buys into something, they’re more apt to support it.”
Tallulah residents’ participation will continue
throughout the project. “There are numerous opportunities
made for public comment, and even ‘charrettes,’”
explained Sutherlin, referring to interactive
community events where locals can give direct feedback
on published workplans and site renderings.
In the case of the former auto repair shop on Mulberry
Street, ideas for future use include its redevelopment
as a new city fire station. The big bay doors
and ample interior space suggest such use could be
ideal once the building has been properly assessed
and renewed.
“This process takes time, money, imagination, and
expertise,” said LaMATS Executive Director, Cliff Palmer.
“It wouldn’t happen without the combined efforts
and partnership of our host cities and dynamic champions
like [DEQ’s] Rebecca Otte and Dr. Sutherlin.”
The Tallulah project’s Phase 2, when remediation begins,
will rely heavily on information gathered from
the assessment phase, which is expected to last three
to six months. Another six months may be needed for completion
of the full workplan, funded in part by additional monies
requested through state and federal agencies as part of the
established brownfields application process.
For now, at least seventeen abandoned properties await
their chance for
renewal and a return
to the lives of
local citizens. With
forward-thinking
leadership, partnership,
and strong
public participation,
the future of
historic Tallulah,
Louisiana, looks
brighter today.
by Cliff
Palmer
LaMATS Executive
Director
Palmer leads the Louisiana Municipal
Advisory and Technical Services Bureau
(LaMATS) - a subsidiary of LMA. He can
be reached at cpalmer@lamats.net.
The true spirit of Tallulah. Brownfields remediation efforts underway will help this beautiful city to shine.
LMR | OCTOBER 2023 Page 25