A New Mandeville Lakefront Development
A new age-restricted community was approved called Sucette Harbor which will house 201-unit apartments, an events venue, restaurant, marina and an 82-room boutique hotel all along Mandeville’s lakefront. The Mandeville Planning and Zoning Commission approved the plans so now it will be up to the Mandeville City Council to say yes to the 55 and older development.
The land is being leased by Woodward Interests, who is the developer, from LSU Health Foundation. Al Copeland’s family dedicated the land to the LSU Health Foundation. The proceeds from the leased property will be split up with 60% going to cancer research and 40% going to scholarships.
Although the development will help with a good cause, residents in Mandeville have some questions and concerns. There is a concern out there that the development would attract enough older residents to the area that qualify to live in the age-restricted apartments. Another big concern is the traffic it will bring to the community and the removal of old southern oaks.
Many commission members are also concerned about the project. Claire Durio suggested reducing the size of the hotel but this was shot down. Mike Pierce also agrees that the project might be too big for the community calling Sucette Harbor an anomaly that doesn’t fit with the older surrounding neighborhoods and fails on compatibility.
Other commission members say the development will be an asset to the community. Nixon Adams feels that it is a better option than just leaving the land vacant. He says that the area needs a hotel because there is not one in the area. He also suggested the city bring a walking and biking path to the lakefront which will open up the lakefront.
