Berwick’s year highlighted by development of new property

The highlight of 2014 in Berwick was the sale of 18 acres of land to a Lafayette developer to construct 57 sorely needed residential lots.
Mayor Louis Ratcliff noted that not only does Berwick have the only municipally-built subdivision in the state, but that it also attracted a new developer because of the five-phase Renwick Subdivision.
The 57-site subdivision adjacent to Renwick Subdivision is in the initial planning phase by Fernand Privat, owner of Privat General Contractors in Lafayette.
Privat’s subdivision, adjacent to the western edge of Renwick, will be accessible from Cloverdale and Victoria drives in Renwick and will be developed with the same concept as Renwick. The contractor said publically he wouldn’t change a formula that is working in the community.
Renwick’s fifth phase was 33 lots which went on sale in June 2013 and all have been sold.
Ratcliff said previously that inquiries have been made regarding another expansion of the subdivision, and the town is exploring all options, but at this time there are no plans for the expansion.
“We’re out of the land business. All the lots are sold,” Ratcliff said.
Ratcliff highlighted numerous other capital projects that occurred in Berwick during the year including:
—Resurfacing Pattie Drive from La. 182 to Berwick High during the Thanksgiving holidays. Ratcliff said it is in the town’s budget for the coming year to complete the work to Fairview Drive.
—Paving a parking lot at Pharr Park utilizing a state grant.
—State resurfacing of La. 182 from the U.S. 90 bridge to the traffic light by A.J. Dohmann.
—Completion of Hogan Street ditch improvements to correct bank erosion and to assist with drainage flow in the area.
—Completion of the walking trail on the levee near Fairview using state grant money.
—Site work construction for a new playground in Renwick Subdivision.
—Currently installing new playground equipment under the U.S. 90 bridge by town hall.
—Awarded $1.2 million of state capital outlay money to upgrade sewer service at the town’s western boundary near Cameron.
Although not a town capital project, Ratcliff noted that $8.6 million in residential, commercial and industrial building permits was approved in 2014. In that total were $5 million in residential permits and $3.2 million in industrial, Ratcliff said.
Meanwhile, the town offered numerous cultural and recreational opportunities during 2014.
A Celebration of Life and Light celebrating everything old in Berwick was held in October.
Residents gathered at the Brown House Museum to celebrate 217 years of Berwick history before heading to the Southwest Reef Lighthouse to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Everett S. Berry Lighthouse Park.
The oldest residents of the town were honored, and the town’s antique fire truck “Betty G” was on display as firefighters re-enacted an old-time bucket brigade.
The Tour du Teche festival, celebrating the end of a three-leg paddling race, also was held at the Everett S. Berry Lighthouse Park in October.
The International Lighthouse Event, in conjunction with the Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service (BEARS) organization, was held in August at the Everett S. Berry Lighthouse Park. Plans are to have this become an annual event for the community.
Also near the lighthouse, the Berwick Town Market is held the second Saturday morning of each month.
The Town of Berwick hosts numerous recreational opportunities as well, including baseball, softball, Pop Warner football, AYSO soccer and biddy basketball. The Tri-City Track Club offers fun-runs, competitive runs and a triathlon for the athletes.
For those who like to camp, Berwick has the Cypress Lake Campground in Berwick that offers campsites for overnight camping.