Monroe Louisiana Neighborhood Study

Small Center Engagement

Students in Small Center’s Engaged Urban Design seminar worked with Mayor Friday Ellis and the City of Monroe to envision improvements to the Southside Business District. Design ideas focused on primary corridors with improvements for local residents and visitors alike. The short study includes bike, pedestrian, lighting, and landscape improvements intended to improve residents’ quality of life and connectivity, and encourage low-carbon transport options. Suggested architectural and visual improvements aim to increase business visibility and patronage and provide access for all modes of transit.

Partner Organization

Monroe, LA (pop. 47,702) is a vibrant city focused on support for small businesses, revitalization of its downtown, and equitable access to municipal amenities for all residents, including parks and affordable housing.

Outcome

The City is utilizing the design ideas to seek additional infrastructure funding, engage business owners to
discuss the need for impactful yet achieveable design guidelines, and consider additional branding and
signage needs of the district. The study was utilized as part of Mayor Ellis’ participation in the Mayors’ Institute on City Design’s Just City Mayoral Fellowship.

The completed study was presented to the City of Monroe in Spring 2023, and can be seen here.

Collaborators

City of Monroe

• Mayor Friday Ellis
• Councilwoman Kema Dawson
• Councilman Carday Marshall, Sr.
• Kelsea McCrary
• DJ Fortenberry
• Meghan Risinger