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Iowa council approves appraisal and engineering steps to advance N Bowers Avenue project
Summary
Council authorized an appraisal and potential purchase of 613 Railroad Avenue to create the N Bowers evacuation route and unanimously approved applying for Calcasieu Parish Road & Drainage Trust Fund assistance and appointing Domingue, Szabo & Associates for engineering services for Phase I.
Mayor Douglas N. Watkins described the purchase of property at 613 Railroad Avenue as necessary to create the N Bowers evacuation route and improve emergency and school access. Council Member Julie Fontenot moved, and Vernessa Guillory seconded, to order an appraisal for the parcel at 613 Railroad Avenue, to permit entering a purchase agreement for an amount at or below appraised value, and to authorize Mayor Watkins to execute all documents related to the purchase. The motion passed unanimously.
The council also adopted Resolution 2025-06 requesting participation from the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Road and Drainage Trust Fund for Phase I of the N Bowers Avenue development, citing improved daily and emergency access, bridge crossing needs, and connectivity to school campuses. The resolution notes a portion of funding has been committed by the town.
Finally, the council unanimously approved appointing Domingue, Szabo & Associates to provide engineering services for the N Bowers Avenue Phase I project under a referenced as-needed contract dated Aug. 29, 2023.
What it means: The actions clear preliminary procedural steps—appraisal, funding application, and engineering appointment—to advance right-of-way acquisition and design work for a new collector street intended to improve emergency access and school connectivity.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with appraisal and application processes; engineering services are authorized to support design and Phase I work.
