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Leeville has been battered by hurricanes, eaten away by salt water, tinged by oil and completely bypassed by the LA 1 Expressway, but locals and politicians hope a new boat launch will breathe life back into the area.
“This is going to be a great day in Lafourche Parish and for the community of Leeville,” said Lafourche Parish Councilman Daniel Lorraine. “We have been waiting for this for years. First, we are going to have lunch, then we are going to have a launch.”
Lorraine, councilman for the Leeville area, was one of several local and state politicians and about 100 others, including local artisans, on hand for a press conference and luncheon last Friday to celebrate the announcement of the planned boat launch.
The small fishing community was also the first town in the parish to be named an official Cultural District, a designation that will help with revitalization by creating a center of cultural activity. The classification will allow income and corporate franchise tax credits for eligible expenses for rehabilitation of owner-occupied or revenue generating historic structures in the area. Proceeds from the sale of original, one-of-a-kind works of art from businesses in the area will be exempt from sales and use taxes.
Plans for the boat launch have been in the works since last year, and locals are hopeful the launch will revitalize the area.
“This launch is the result of lots of hard work from a lot of people,” Lorraine said. “I am really happy that this is going to happen.
“I have dealt with Janet Rhodus (who championed the campaign for the boat launch) on many occasions. She is a pit bull. She will let you know that she wants something and she is coming.”
After the opening of the LA 1 Expressway, Leeville businesses saw an economic downtown because travelers were turning onto the elevated roadway before seeing stores, bait stands, restaurants and other businesses the community had to offer. Rhodus, who has fished in the area since 1991, spearheaded Launch Leeville, a campaign and nonprofit organization to help get a boat launch built in the area and bring customers back to local businesses.
“This is a huge, symbolic moment for Leeville,” Rhodus said. “People care for the future of Leeville. I want to thank friends, the Leeville vendors and those who funded the project.
“This small, tightknit community can rely on this boat launch. Leeville will be better than ever.”
Construction on the $1.2 million project, which will include a fishing pier, boat launch and kayak launch, is slated to start after the beginning of next year and be completed by the spring. The launch is funded by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries through the Wallop-Breaux Fund, Lafourche Parish Government and the Port Commission and will be located at the dead end of La. Highway 1 where the old bridge across the bayou was located.
Henri Boulet with the Louisiana Seafood Festival Foundation board also presented Rhodus with a $12,000 grant check to go toward the project.
“I am here today as a representative of the Louisiana Seafood Festival Foundation board of directors,” said Boulet, who is also executive director of the LA 1 Coalition. “This grant will provide people with access to commercial and recreational fishing.”
Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph and parish councilman Jerry LaFont also shared their hopes for the new launch.
“Leeville has faced 220 years of trials and tribulations,” LaFont said. “This boat launch will get it going and provide easy access to fishing. Some of the local charter captains will only have to go 100 yards from this launch to catch fish.
“This will put Leeville back on the map.”
“This is so symbolic for Lafourche Parish,” Randolph said. “We must remember Leeville for all it has provided for us in the past. This will rejuvenate Leeville, and this is where we will begin. This is an important part of Lafourche Parish and a major area for recreation.”
Randolph welcomed Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, who was visiting Leeville for the first time and even fished in the area that morning.
“This is a great opportunity to make Leeville a destination,” Dardenne said. “It just goes to show what a little initiative can accomplish when you start from the bottom up. I want to thank Janet for the push to make sure great things happen. People in government listened. Three government entities contributed to this, and that doesn’t happen all the time.
“This is very threatened part of Louisiana. Little towns like this are part of our history and culture. This is an exciting time for Leeville. Leeville’s greatest days are ahead.”
“Before you go, here are your white boots,” Rhodus said as she handed Dardenne a pair of white shrimper’s boots. “In Leeville, you’ve got to have your white boots.”
Janet Rhodus, founder of Launch Leeville, speaks during a press conference and luncheon in Leeville. Rhodus has championed a campaign to get a public boat launch built in the community following years of economic downturn in the area, and construction on the launch will begin next year.
