Envisioning Our Future Together
Imagine an Abbeville that is full of life—a vibrant and healthy community growing from the heart of downtown and reaching across every neighborhood.
Our city holds a rich history and undeniable charm, much like other treasured downtowns across the country. But now we are looking forward, reimagining what Abbeville can become.
Through partnerships with regional and state planning experts, and with input directly from the people who live and work here, we have begun a journey to create a bold shared vision for the future of our city. Open conversations and community involvement are shaping this plan every step of the way.
The result is a detailed Master Plan built around what truly matters to Abbeville, intended to attract thought-out development, supporting local businesses, and blending our historic identity with new ideas and innovation.
Imagine Abbeville is more than just our downtown. It’s about imagining a better future for the entire city and every neighborhood, every park, every corner where people live, work, and gather. It’s about building a stronger, more connected Abbeville that thrives for generations to come.
This is more than buildings and sidewalks. It’s a vision for a community where downtown becomes a lively hub of culture and opportunity, and every part of Abbeville has the chance to grow, shine, and flourish. It’s where our proud past meets a bold and exciting future—for all who call Abbeville home
What's Next?
Planning & Zoning Meeting April 28, 2025 at 5:30pm. The plan will go for review and approval, and then move to the City Council for final action.
Access the full draft by scanning the QR code or pick up a printed copy at City Hall.
WHEN & WHERE: April 11, 2024
Abbeville's Master Plan
Planning for the Future
BUILDING ABBEVILLE’S FUTURE
Downtown Road construction Project
How it Started
In July 2023, the City of Abbeville executed an Act of Transfer with the Louisiana Department of Transportation to take over deteriorating state highways downtown. After a series of pedestrian accidents, city leaders launched a walkability and traffic calming study.
With a Walkability Grant, Abbeville and the LSU Ag Center began walk audits and collected speed data. These findings led to a month-long Complete Streets demonstration in December 2023. Traffic lights were replaced with 4-way stops, bike lanes added, and angled parking tested. Community input drove changes like switching back-in to front-in parking.
Mayor Roslyn White actively engaged residents through Q&A sessions and open houses, and refinements were made based on feedback—including lane width adjustments and improved signage.
The final plan went to bid, and in April 2024, construction began.
The result: a safer, more vibrant and accessible downtown that supports tourism, business, and community pride.
Together, we’re building a brighter future for our city.
Downtown Project Timeline
November 2024 - Milestone Celebration & Final Touches
The Downtown Revival project has set off a ripple effect of transformation across Abbeville. The October 17 ribbon-cutting ceremony marked a major milestone, made possible by the dedication and collaboration of countless partners and community members.
Mayor Roslyn White expressed gratitude to the Region 3 team at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), as well as Representative Ryan Bourriaque and Senator Bob Hensgens for their crucial support in advancing the road transfer program that made this project possible. She also recognized the efforts of planning partners, community stakeholders, the City Street Team, Abbeville Police Department, and Abbeville Fire Department, whose work was instrumental throughout the demonstration and construction phases.
While major progress has been achieved, a few final elements—such as permanent signage and pavement striping—are still being completed to bring the project to 100%.
Already, downtown has welcomed its first large-scale event on the improved streetscape, drawing one of the biggest festival crowds in Abbeville’s history—a strong sign of the renewed energy in the heart of our city.
The Downtown Revival is more than just an infrastructure project—it’s a catalyst for community, connection, and future growth.
October 2024 - Downtown Revival Ribbon Cutting
Over the past several months, Downtown Abbeville has undergone a remarkable transformation! The Downtown Revival project was designed to enhance accessibility, improve safety, and elevate the overall experience in our city center—and we’re proud to share the progress made.
Project Highlights
While a few final touches are still in progress, the majority of work is now complete. This project goes beyond infrastructure—it’s about revitalizing our community and making downtown a welcoming, inclusive space for all.
Improved Accessibility
ADA-Compliant Crosswalks: Installed throughout downtown for improved pedestrian visibility and safety
Handicap Parking: New accessible spaces added at key locations, including the Courthouse, Magdalen Square, and St. Charles Street
Enhanced Safety Features
Bike Lanes & Sharrows: Dedicated bike lanes and shared lane markings now offer safer travel for cyclists
All-Way Stops: Former traffic signals on St. Charles Street have been replaced with all-way stop signs to calm traffic and improve flow
New Additions & Special Touches
Single-Lane Roadways: Adjusted traffic flow along North State and St. Charles Streets with safety-focused lane reductions and bike lanes
Piano Crosswalk on Concord Street: A unique, community-inspired artistic feature led by Mayor Roslyn White—a symbol of local creativity and identity
New Brick Pedestrian Plaza: The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on October 17 in front of the Courthouse, celebrating the completion of this incredible milestone
The Downtown Revival isn’t just a construction project—it’s a statement of who we are and where we’re headed. A safer, more beautiful Abbeville is already taking shape, and this is only the beginning.
April 2024 - Phase 1 Construction Begins
Phase 1 of Abbeville’s major roadway improvement project is officially underway. This phase includes work on portions of former Highway 14 and Highway 82, which were part of the road transfer agreement with DOTD executed in late 2023. Altogether, approximately 1.7 miles of roadway within city limits will undergo repairs, with project completion anticipated by Fall 2024.
Streets Included in Phase 1:
Pere Megret Street – from Main Street east to Magdalen Square
All roads surrounding Magdalen Square
Concord Street
All roads around the Courthouse
North State Street – from south of LA Hwy 14 Bypass to Peace Street
North St. Charles Street – from Peace Street to Graceland
This collaborative effort between local and state partners reflects a strategic shift—reallocating responsibility for roads to better meet local needs and priorities. The City extends its sincere thanks to our local legislators for securing essential funding, and to DOTD Region 3 for their continued partnership.
Looking ahead, this is just one part of a larger plan to improve approximately 12 miles of streets citywide, including routes in every district. These upgrades will not only enhance safety and accessibility but also address long-standing connectivity challenges across Abbeville.
What to Expect:
As work continues, we’ll keep residents informed about construction timelines, traffic changes, and key milestones. An option to sign up for email updates will also be available soon.
More than just resurfacing roads, this effort is about laying the foundation for a more vibrant, connected, and resilient Abbeville. Transparency and community input remain at the heart of this transformative journey.
March 2024 - Council Greenlights Downtown Improvements
At the March 19 City Council Meeting, a pivotal decision was made that will help shape the future of downtown Abbeville. After careful consideration, the council voted to advance construction plans for a comprehensive road improvement project aimed at revitalizing the city’s core.
Project Scope
The improvements will focus on several of downtown’s most traveled and historic roads, including:
North State Street
North Saint Charles Street
Peace Street and Tivoli Street (courthouse square)
Concord Street
All streets around Magdalen Square
Pere Megret Street, from Main Street to Magdalen Square
These upgrades are part of the DOTD Road Transfer Agreement, and the City—thanks to the support of state legislators—successfully secured $1.3 million in state funding for the project.
“This is a safety project first, but it will also set a statement about where we are going with the city in the future,” said Mayor Roslyn White.
“The downtown is our calling card. When people come to our downtown, they should know they are in a special place.”
Safety & Vision
The project prioritizes both safety and aesthetics, ensuring that downtown becomes more navigable and welcoming for pedestrians and motorists alike. But more than that, it’s a vision for Abbeville’s future—a statement about civic pride and a commitment to meaningful progress.
The targeted completion window for construction is seven months, with the City committed to providing regular updates to keep residents informed and engaged every step of the way.
This is more than roadwork—it’s a transformation. Together, we’re shaping a safer, more connected, and more beautiful Abbeville.
January 2024 - Community Feedback Shapes Final Design
As the Complete Streets demonstration wrapped up, the City of Abbeville continued to gather valuable feedback from the community. Over the course of the month-long pilot, residents shared their thoughts through surveys, one-on-one conversations, phone calls, studies, and by attending a well-received Open House at the LSU AgCenter.
Thanks to support from the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX), the City received a set of visual renderings to help imagine what a permanent redesign of our downtown streets could look like. These concept drawings offered a powerful glimpse into how safety and accessibility improvements might take shape if implemented.
Following the Open House, Mayor Roslyn White addressed residents during a City Council meeting, where she emphasized the critical role of community engagement in shaping public infrastructure. She highlighted the city’s ongoing commitment to transparency and collaboration, encouraging residents to stay informed and involved.
📺 In case you missed it, all council meetings are available to watch anytime on the City of Abbeville’s official YouTube channel.
As we move closer to finalizing plans, every question, concern, and idea shared by the public is being thoughtfully considered. This feedback will directly inform the decisions that shape the next chapter of downtown Abbeville.
December 2023 - Complete Streets Demonstration Debuts
Thanks to a grant from Well-Ahead Louisiana, the City of Abbeville partnered with the LSU Ag Center and CPEX to launch a Complete Streets demonstration—a design approach focused on making streets safer and more accessible for people of all ages and abilities, whether walking, biking, driving, or using mobility aids.
The demonstration was set up along North State Street and around the courthouse square, with key changes that included:
🚲 Dedicated bike lanes
🚶 Enhanced pedestrian crosswalks
🚗 Back-in angled parking (later adjusted based on feedback)
Residents were invited to explore the new features firsthand and share their experiences. Public input was gathered through an online survey, open houses, and community conversations, all aimed at refining the final design. Within a few weeks, based on community feedback, back-in angled parking was switched to front-in angled parking for improved comfort and usability.
Throughout the demonstration, Mayor Roslyn White remained engaged with the public—responding to questions, addressing concerns, and explaining the city’s goals. This open dialogue played a key role in shaping the project’s next steps.
Together, through hands-on participation and shared feedback, Abbeville residents helped lay the groundwork for a safer, more connected downtown.
June 2023 - Planning Begins After Transfer Agreement
The City of Abbeville, in collaboration with DOTD, is undertaking a comprehensive road improvement initiative encompassing downtown and surrounding areas. This joint effort involves prioritizing road repairs and the transfer of certain streets’ authority back to local governance.
Established to optimize the State Highway System, the DOTD Road Transfer Program facilitates the transfer of roads deemed incongruent with the state’s highway network role, along with corresponding funds, to local administrations. Participation in this program is voluntary, ensuring roads are rehabilitated before transfer, with receiving local governments credited for 40 years of maintenance.
Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White affirmed plans to gradually assume control of select state highways, predominantly south of LA HWY 14 ‘Bypass’, pending funding allocation. This phased approach aims to integrate a total of 6.8 miles of state roadways into the local system, with associated enhancements planned over several years. Additionally, approximately 5.8 miles of local streets are earmarked for future overlay, leveraging state maintenance credits.
Street selection adheres to DOTD criteria, with priorities dictated by existing road conditions. Finalization of the agreement with DOTD is pending, allowing flexibility to adjust street allocations until construction funds are secured. Upon completion, an estimated 12 miles of streets within the city limits will undergo improvements over an approximate 8-year period, leveraging around $5.6 million in road transfer credits.
Mayor White emphasized the inclusivity of the agreement, ensuring improvements span all districts. Moreover, the deal relinquishes DOTD authority over downtown and other city areas, empowering local leaders to address community concerns expediently.
Mayor White highlighted the significance of local autonomy in addressing community issues promptly and effectively. Enhanced planning and resource allocation enable the leveraging of local funds and other financial sources for capital improvements, ultimately benefiting the community at large.
In tandem with the Road Transfer Program, the City Council and Mayor are collaborating with legislators and other stakeholders to secure additional funding for road enhancements. Initiatives include pursuing Louisiana Community Development Block Grants and State Capital Outlay funding. Mayor White expressed optimism regarding the combined efforts yielding positive outcomes for the community.
Phase 1 of the transfer includes Highway 14 through downtown, with potential expansions pending funding approval. Future phases will progressively transfer additional roads as construction funding becomes available.
Downtown Revitalization:
Learning and Launching in Abbeville2022
The City of Abbeville collaborated with the Acadiana Planning Commission, Louisiana Dept. of Environmental Quality, and Kansas State University – Technical Assistance to Brownfields, alongside local community members and businesses, to conduct a thorough study of Downtown Abbeville and brainstorm innovative uses for vacant spaces. This inclusive process included specialized focus groups and culminated in a city-wide Town Hall Meeting, providing residents with the opportunity to review and vote on their favorite ideas.
While we are waiting for the Environmental Assessment Engineer’s report, we anticipate gaining crucial insights into the condition of affected areas, informing our restoration efforts. Simultaneously, we proactively initiated grant applications to secure financial support vital for revitalizing Downtown Abbeville, transforming it into a vibrant community hub.
In November 2022, Abbeville hosted a public meeting featuring Jeffrey Smith from Holly & Smith Architects, who shared the success story of Hammond’s Downtown Development District’s preservation-based commercial revitalization. Mayor White encouraged the community to draw inspiration from Hammond’s achievements, envisioning Abbeville as a similarly thriving destination.
Like Hammond, Abbeville prioritizes community engagement as pivotal to our success. Smith detailed Hammond’s history, the development of its Downtown Development District, associated incentives and benefits, and outlined how Abbeville could replicate this success.
