Location: Opelousas, LA

The New Life Center project was completed as part of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s (LDEQs) Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) program.

Background:  The New Life Center site is part of the downtown Revitalization Plan being developed with the City of Opelousas, the Acadiana Planning Commission (APC), and the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) and a target property fro a Local Foods, Local Places grant.  The City is currently working on a lease agreement for a micro-distillery / restaurant concept for the first floor that would use locally sourced foods and provide a much-needed quality food option to workers and visitors for the nearby Opelousas General Hospital.  The City is also working with APC to develop the remaining building as a mixed-use development (commercial/residential) including needed affordable housing for artist and public art gallery space.  The building will serve as a catalyst project for downtown Opelousas and is located in an Opportunity Zone.

Site Assessment:  Leaaf was contracted to prepare a combined Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP), Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), and Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan (HASP) for soil and groundwater assessment, as well as asbestos, lead-based paint (LBP), and mold assessment to support renovation and redevelopment of the New Life Center site.  Following approval of the SAP/QAPP, Leaaf conducted a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) at the site.  The assessment consisted of soil and groundwater sampling for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) fractions, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) as well as inspections for asbestos, lead, and mold.  Conclusion and recommendations including typical costs for cleanup were reported in the final Phase II ESA report.

The City of Opelousas is currently requesting bids for redevelopment of the site.