The City of Natchitoches and the Cane River Waterway Commission initiated a large-scale redevelopment project along the banks of the Cane River in downtown Natchitoches. Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixson, Inc. played a significant role in providing professional engineering and surveying services for the Rue Beauport Riverfront project and served as the civil, site and structural engineer, along with providing partial inspection services and topographic surveys. CARBO, a Louisiana based landscape architecture firm, guided the $4 million redevelopment of approximately five acres of land centrally located on the heavily used Cane River waterfront in historic downtown Natchitoches. The Rue Beauport Riverfront project’s purpose was to revitalize the downtown riverbank area and create a destination for both locals and tourists, improving the quality of life in the local community. The project included new restrooms on the south end of the riverbank, introducing accommodations for handicap access down to the riverbank with new stairways and an ADA compliant ramp built into the existing slope, a new 40’ x 60’ stage and pavilion with amphitheater style seating, and a riverfront promenade that visually and physically connects the entire riverfront together. The design process included community engagement and was fast-tracked to meet important deadlines and worked around major civic events taking place at the project site.
