Hache Grant Association Receives Approval for Bandstand Construction

The Hache Grant Association was formed to revitalize Downtown Houma, and one of the original projects was to re-construct a bandstand downtown at the courthouse square. The ordinance was accepted at this week’s parish council meeting and the association couldn’t be more excited.

Hache Grant Association President Noah Lirette was present at the meeting and addressed the council to share the history of the bandstand. At one time, there was a bandstand in the courthouse square, and Lirette said it was built by the public, for the public, and for the public’s enjoyment. He said the bandstand represented community and it’s something the community needs right now in the wake of recent struggles. Councilwoman Jessica Domangue, Council District 5, said,” you guys are doing a bang-up job. Y’all just really have shined this year, and ever since the hurricane and everything y’all have done, we really appreciate it.” She said she also knows that President Dove has made it one of their priorities to move forward and to start investing downtown. “We really look forward to working with you guys,” Domangue said.

Lirette said, “the bandstand to us symbolizes community and it symbolizes quality of life which is the purpose of the Hache Grant Association, to be able to facilitate specific and actionable projects to enhance the quality of life in Terrebonne Parish. That’s why we chose the bandstand, and also it’s a part of revitalization for downtown too because it once sat in the courthouse square. We want to return it to its home.”

He said the association has been fortunate to have had a great deal of support from the parish in their initiatives and they are grateful for the partnership with the parish supporting them to do the projects. “I feel the public and the private sector need to work together if we’re really going to get our downtown main street back on track…It’s a little project, but little projects snowball and it gains momentum, and that’s how things change. What we’re going to do with HGA is keep chipping away and doing projects like this, and one day it’s going to add up to a really beautiful site downtown.”