New Lakefront Dining District Planned for Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana - A new waterfront dining and entertainment district could soon be coming to the Lake Charles lakefront. The project, called Lognion’s On The Lakefront, was announced Wednesday.

There has been much debate and talk about what should or should not be placed along the Lake Charles lakefront, but the common consensus is that SOMETHING should go along the waterfront in Downtown Lake Charles. It needed to be something that everyone could enjoy whether you're a local from Southwest Louisiana or travelling across I-10 from out of town.

LC City Council Votes To Allow To Move Forward With Lakefront Project

The Lake Charles City Council voted unanimously to allow the city to move forward with the project. The vote does not mean construction will start right away. Instead, it allows city officials and Lognion Investments to begin working on partnership agreements, a ground lease, and other details needed to move the project forward.

What is the Lognion's on the Lakefront Proposal?

The proposed development would include 10 independent restaurant spaces in one waterfront destination. The goal is to give people more reasons to visit the Lakefront throughout the day and throughout the year. That could include morning coffee, lunch with friends, family outings, dinner at sunset, live music, and weekend events.

The vision is to create a permanent place where people can eat, listen to live music, and spend time with family and friends along the Lakefront.

The project would also feature covered outdoor seating, a central bar and pavilion, a courtyard, lawn areas, and a stage for entertainment. The spaces are designed to give families and groups a place to gather while still allowing everyone to choose different food. One feature of the project would allow customers to scan one QR code to see menus from all 10 restaurants. People could order from different restaurants and have their food brought to their table. Customers would also still be able to order directly from the individual restaurants.

The project is also designed to give local restaurant owners and food truck operators a chance to have a permanent location on the Lakefront without having to build an entire restaurant on their own.

The plan is based on a public-private partnership. The City of Lake Charles would help prepare the site and coordinate things such as utilities, access, drainage, parking, and approvals. Private partners would handle the development, construction, operation, maintenance, and marketing of the destination. According to the project website, no ongoing City-funded operation is being proposed.

The developers also want the Lakefront to have activities throughout the year. Plans could include coffee and brunch in the morning, lunch and acoustic music during the day, dinner and live music in the evening, and larger events on weekends.

The project is still in the planning stages, and the renderings shown so far are conceptual. Final designs, entertainment schedules, and other details will still need to be worked out.

Now that the City Council has approved moving forward, the next steps include site planning, design work, partnership agreements, a ground lease, financing, permitting, and final approvals. Construction would come later if those steps are completed and approved.

The goal is to create a new gathering place that brings more people to the Lake Charles waterfront, gives local businesses new opportunities, and connects the Lakefront with the rest of the community.

Here are some of the photos shared on the project website...