MONROE, LA (AP) — If you love a comeback story, then downtown Monroe is for you.
Over the past few years, the downtown area has been seeing a huge resurgence with businesses, restaurants, housing and events for everyone.
"Since 2009, we have seen many changes in the downtown area," Downtown Economic Development District Executive Director Myra Gatling-Akers said. "New restaurants and other businesses have opened and more are on the way. The companies in the downtown area continue to add employees. We currently have 5,379 employees."
Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo touted the investment of local businesses and residents as the reason why DoMo, as some call it, is on the up-and-up.
"There has been more activities in downtown Monroe in the last couple of years than we've had in the last three decades," he said. "When you consider the RiverMarket, Art Alley, the investment from private businesses like Vantage, Michael Echols, St. Francis, Melody Olson, the city and residential buildings, we're seeing a lot more traffic."
There are all sorts of events in DoMo that are captivating audiences. The RiverMarket offers arts and crafts from local vendors. BrewFest is a festival focused on craft beer. If you're in the mood for a movie, the Downtown Cinema offers a movie on select evenings.
And that's just some of the bigger events. There's also a food truck festival, holiday events, concert series, the Monroe Farmer's Market, a motorcycle festival, several food festivals and pub crawls.
Gatling-Akers said she receives a lot of requests from people looking to live downtown.
Michaela Bailey moved to 141 Lofts in downtown Monroe six months ago and said she's seen several changes in the short amount of time.
"It's improving fast," she said. "It's gotten a lot better. I know they're trying to modernize it a little bit."
Bailey said she enjoys that the lofts are on Art Alley, which hosts an Art Crawl every month.
"I'm a college student so I'm more into the restaurant and bar scene as well," she said. "They're a little bit smaller, but everybody knows everybody. So you know you're going to have a good time because you're going to see people you know. They're definitely smaller, but that's not necessarily a bad thing."
Not only are the activities fun, but so are the people.
"People are really nice and friendly," Bailey said. "There's a lot of family-oriented people and they're very open-minded. There's definitely a variety."
The Downtown Economic Development District has developed a sort of slogan for the area, "Do it in DoMo."
"DoMo is the heart of our city and has so much to offer," she said. "We are your entertainment destination and we are growing. We have some of the best award-winning restaurants around, great nightlife with live music, art and culture.
"There are many events that occur in downtown because people like being in the downtown area. Others enjoy the historic downtown and enjoy our walking tour. Enjoy the scenic views of the beautiful Ouachita River from our Riverwalk. This is a great place to relax."
– by AP/ Reporter Kaleb Causey with The News-Star
