Council adopts Vision 2050; consultant outlines redevelopment plan as Invent seeks zoning for expansion
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Summary
Lamarque City Council accepted a 2050 strategic vision prepared by consultant Collaborate and heard a presentation from Invent seeking reapproval of zoning to reopen a 40,000-square-foot facility and add jobs; council directed staff to proceed with planning and rezoning steps.
Council members accepted Vision 2050 on July 28, 2025, adopting a long-range economic and land-use strategy prepared by consultants Collaborate that recommends redevelopment of the city’s Renaissance District, a new city center, and up to 400 additional multifamily units over time. The council also heard a separate presentation from Invent, a manufacturing company seeking zoning clearance to reopen a Lamar facility and add jobs.
The plan, presented by Chris Kaye of Collaborate, frames Lamarque as a “gateway to the Gulf” and recommends clustering new housing, retail and civic functions around a proposed new city center and a revived Renaissance District. The consultants identified strengths including available developable land and proximity to regional assets and called for public-private partnerships to finance infrastructure and mixed-use redevelopment.
Invent representative Steve Sweats told council the company has expanded rapidly and wants to return to a 43,000-square-foot site in Lamarque for warehousing, fabrication and light industrial work. Sweats said the company expects to hire “30 to 40 people” for the reopened facility and asked the council for expedited help with zoning and permits to allow the move. Council members said the request appears to be a rezoning and directed that the planning and zoning process begin; no rezoning vote was taken that night.
Council members praised the consultants’ work and approved the Vision 2050 document in a voice vote. The plan’s recommendations include prioritizing infrastructure improvements, encouraging infill and mixed-use development in the historic district, and identifying sites for new public safety and municipal facilities. Council members said the document will guide upcoming master planning and developer outreach.
What happens next: staff will place specific zoning and replat items before the planning commission and city council for formal rezoning votes if Invent or other property owners file applications. Collaborate said a full final report and appendices will be published soon.