reuse of legacy structures, and a steady calendar of events that draws locals and visitors downtown week after week. DOWNTOWN FIRST: SAFETY, SIDEWALKS, AND STOREFRONTS Covington’s historic core—a little over 200 years old—has been the focus of practical improvements that keep people coming back. Public safety was an early priority (“the foundational element of economic growth,” as the mayor puts it): full police staffing, visible presence, and a downtown where residents “park, stroll, and never look over their shoulder.” Next came the basics beneath your feet. The city doubled and then doubled again its annual sidewalk budget—moving from $50,000 to $200,000 per year—ultimately investing about $1 million over five years to eliminate trip hazards and improve accessibility across the district. Cleanliness and presentation matter, too: businesses were asked to sanitize and screen dumpsters, and code enforcement keeps alleys and service areas tidy and discreet. A favorite civic reuse story: the city purchased an abandoned 1960s service station on Main Street solely for public parking. Instead of leveling it, Covington is restoring the building in classic Route 66 style and converting its bays into city storage— while opening the site as free parking for downtown visitors. An Architectural Historic Commission stewards the look and feel of the district, ensuring signage, new buildings, and renovations respect the character that makes Covington distinctive. A CULINARY SCENE WITHOUT CHAINS From the Southern Hotel (1910) restoration—a project many view as the downtown’s tipping point— to today’s bustling culinary map, Covington’s core now boasts 24 restaurants within a five-block radius, none of them national chains. Local standouts include Bear’s Po’ Boys (“the best roast beef po’ boy in South Louisiana—maybe the world,” Mayor Mark smiles), Dakota (elegant dining with a famed crab-and-brie soup), Buster’s for oysters on the half shell and chargrilled favorites, and Vasquez, annually celebrated for the best Cuban sandwich on the Northshore. Sushi, fine dining, and casual favorites round out a lineup that has become a regional magnet—especially on Thursday through Saturday nights. FESTIVALS, MUSIC, AND TRAILS: EXPERIENCE IS THE ANCHOR Covington leans into culture as an economic engine. The calendar is packed: block parties, art walks, 71 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 COVINGTON, LA
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