1. Downtown Monroe
Past, Present and Future

2. Historic Downtown
Monroe

3. Historic Downtown Monroe
Humble Beginnings
 Monroe traces its origins to Fort Miro and its
associated Spanish Post.
 In 1782 Spain Commissioned Don Juan Filhiol to
establish a fort along the Ouachita River.
 Fort Miro was built in 1790, and became the center
of commerce and activity for residents.
 In 1811 Filhiol donated a parcel of land to serve as
the courthouse site. The town began to develop
around the courthouse square.
 Major processing center for cotton and cotton
products.

4. Historic Downtown Monroe
A City is Formed
 Monroe was granted a charter as a town in
1820 and incorporated as a city in 1871.
 History books provide two theories on how
Monroe adopted its name.
 President James Monroe -Steamboat
Monroe
 Two pre-1890 buildings remain in the
district,
Clerk of Court’s office and the Isaiah Garrett
Law Office

5. Historic Downtown Monroe
Period of Industrial and Economic
Growth
 Railroad Construction
 Population Growth
 Mayor Andrew Forsythe “Father of Municipal
Ownership
 Ouachita Coca-Cola Bottling Company
 Monroe Natural Gas Field
 Municipal Street Railway System
 St. Francis Medical Center
 Delta Air Lines

6. Downtown Trolley

7. Bustling Business District

8. A View Down Desiard St.

9. What Happened to Our Downtown?
 Increased Automobile ownership led to the
relocation of many businesses.
 Twin City Shopping Center.
 Sears Roebuck and JC Penny where the first
to relocate
 Eastgate Plaza.
 One by one businesses began moving from
Downtown to other lying shopping centers
on Louisville Avenue

10. Downtown Monroe
(Present)
Vacant Lots

11. Downtown Monroe
(Present)
Vacant Buildings

12. First Floor Vacancy

13. Second Floor Vacancy

14. Underutilized Space

15. Infill Space

16. What Will Save Our Downtown?

17. How can this Program Help?
 Supports Current Community Efforts
 Preserve our Historic Treasures
 Complements our Current Efforts
 Base for Future Growth and Development

18. Proposed Main Street District

19. Two Story Mixed Use Buildings
Office, Residential, Art Galleries

20. Old Ouachita Bank Building/Vantage
Health Plan

21. Old Sears and Roebuck
Building/Willstaff Worldwide

22. JS Bloch Building (Ferd-Levi Building)
National Register

23. The Boardwalk Building

24. Preserving Downtown’s Historic
Character

25. Downtown Trolley Line

26. Support our Local Artist

27. Events and Festivals
Downtown Art Fest

28. Cultural Events Committee
‘Tis the first weekend in
December and all through
the town several events
are happening everywhere
you look around.
 Working to create a
calendar of events.
 Promotional Process
 Support Existing Events
 Attract Tourist

29. Beautification Committee
 Litter Prevention
 Regular Maintenance
 Paint Curbs and
Sidewalks
 Spotter

30. Downtown News Star Ad

31. Downtown News Star Ad

32. Downtown Monroe
Looking Towards the Future

37. Support Our Cultural Assets

38. Our Time is Now!
(Support Organizations)
City of Monroe
Downtown Economic Development District
Monroe Chamber of Commerce
Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau
Monroe Renaissance
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Northeast Louisiana Arts Council
Louisiana Tech School of Architecture
Monroe Jaycees
CenturyTel
Opus Broadcasting
The News Star
Historic Preservation Commission
North Delta Planning and Development

39. Presentation Created and Performed
By
Cynthia Crosby
678-600-4316
cynthiac@poshconcepts.net
www.poshconcepts.net