Pineville council authorizes purchase, says $1.6M grant will fund new riverside community facility

Pineville Mayor Maher announced on Feb. 10 that the City Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to negotiate the purchase of property near the Gillis Long Bridge and pursue construction of a new riverbank community facility.

Mayor Maher told the council the project is backed by grant funding: “This this is gonna cost we have $1,600,000 from the Red River Waterway Commission is giving us a grant to build this,” and described the facility as a space for cheer competitions, arts and crafts shows, music festivals and other community events.

Council moved the item up the agenda to allow members and the public to see the plans. The motion to authorize the mayor to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the Red River/Atchafalaya authority carried on a unanimous voice vote.

City officials said the city will purchase the property from the Red River Atchafalaya Levee District and then begin construction; details such as a construction timeline, final design, and the exact terms of the purchase were not specified at the meeting.

Why it matters: Council members emphasized the project as a way to leverage external grant funding to expand downtown recreational and event space along the riverfront, noting potential community uses and the opportunity to improve downtown Pineville’s riverbank amenities.

What’s next: The resolution authorizes negotiations and a purchase; council must later accept any finalized purchase agreement and subsequent construction contracts, and staff must return with implementation details and timelines.