The recipient entity's physical address:
           17048 Savannah Drive
Prairieville, LA 70769

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           17048 Savannah Drive
Prairieville, LA 70769

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          ROBERT CHARLEVILLE
President
35136 COTTON DRIVE
DONALDSONVILLE, LA 70346
KATHRYN HEBERT
Secretary/Treasurer
14496 AIRLINE HWY. APT. 113
GONZALES, LA 70737

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  1472

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $250,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Bobby Charleville, Chair, 35136 Cotton Drive, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Lee Melancon, Secretary/Treasurer, 6095 Royal Palms Drive, Gonzales, LA 70737
Juanita Dorsey, Trustee At Large, 205 Madewood Drive, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Donna Latino Barbier, Trustee At Large, 112 Sugarlane Drive, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Bernard P. Mistretta, Trustee At Large, 1300 E.Bayou Road, Donaldsonville LA 70346
Rodney Vega, Trustee At Large, 202 Lessard Street, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Sidney Vega, Trustee At Large, 121 Lessard Street, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Natausha Gaudin, Trustee At Large 2117 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie, LA 70002
Michael Buturla, Trustee At Large, 11130 Industriplex Blvd., Baton Rouge LA 70809
Responsible Parties
Chief Officer, Bobby Charleville, Chair, 35136 Cotton Drive, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Executive Director, Lee Melancon, Secretary/Treasurer, 6095 Royal Palms Drive, Gonzales, LA 70737

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Donaldsonville Area Foundation respectfully requests a $250,000 Louisiana Direct Cash Appropriation to complete the Chinese Laundry Restoration and Cultural Arts Center on historic Railroad Avenue in downtown Donaldsonville. Architectural concepts, a proposed floor plan, nonprofit stewardship, and substantial donated services demonstrate that the project is ready for its next funding phase. State funding would close the identified construction gap and bring a long-planned public asset to completion.
The site recalls a Chinese laundry documented in Donaldsonville by 1883 and later associated with Tom Dak, an Asian American entrepreneur whose story reflects the underrecognized contributions of Asian Americans to Louisiana commerce. Because the original structure was demolished, historically informed reconstruction will restore its presence and interpret Donaldsonville’s multicultural history. The completed center will offer flexible, accessible space for art exhibitions, live music, cultural demonstrations, school programs, historical interpretation, genealogical research, and community events. Existing design concepts feature a multipurpose art/music venue opening onto an outdoor gathering area. Remaining work includes building completion, utilities, accessibility, life safety, and interior finishes, subject to final plans and approvals. This investment also advances a coordinated downtown revitalization strategy. Together with the nearby Mistretta Store Restoration Project—planned as a regional Italian Cultural and Heritage Center—the Chinese Laundry will establish a walkable heritage destination celebrating Donaldsonville's Asian, Italian, Irish, and other cultural traditions. Together, they will support Main Street investment, tourism, longer visitor stays, and downtown business activity. The center also provides a timely connection between historic Asian heritage and the international business relationships anticipated with the Hyundai-POSCO steel investment at RiverPlex MegaPark. The return on public investment extends beyond the building. Construction will generate work for local trades and suppliers; operations will support opportunities for educators, artists, performers, tour guides, event vendors, and hospitality businesses. Partnerships with schools and workforce organizations can build skills in preservation, arts administration, tourism, and entrepreneurship. Illustrative projections anticipate 1,500–3,000 additional visitors annually, generating approximately $141,000–$424,000 in annual regional spending, or $1.4–$4.2 million over ten years. These are planning estimates, not guaranteed outcomes. Increased visitor activity would also support retail and restaurant sales, City sales tax collections, and regional hotel/motel occupancy tax revenues.
The Foundation is a regional 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to historical, cultural, architectural, and genealogical preservation. The preliminary project budget is approximately $1.04 million, subject to final construction pricing. The Foundation reports more than $1 million in volunteer contributions and donated in-kind services, demonstrating substantial community commitment; those contributions are distinct from cash construction funds. The identified remaining cash need is $250,000. The requested appropriation will fund the final construction and public-opening work, with expenditures tied to documented, eligible project costs. This is a targeted request to finish a clearly defined project, not finance an open-ended concept. Louisiana's $250,000 investment will leverage extensive local participation, establish a lasting educational and cultural venue, advance downtown economic growth, and preserve a story that deserves a permanent place in the State's heritage. Completing the Chinese Laundry will turn preservation planning into measurable public value for Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, and Louisiana.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $250,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The Donaldsonville Area Foundation, a regional 501(c)(3) nonprofit, seeks a $250,000 Louisiana Direct Cash Appropriation to complete the Chinese Laundry Restoration and Cultural Arts Center as a publicly accessible resource serving Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, the River Parishes, the Greater Baton Rouge region, and visitors from across Louisiana and beyond. Although located on historic Railroad Avenue, the project's public purpose is regional: to safeguard underrepresented Louisiana heritage, expand access to arts and historical education, support cultural and genealogical research, and turn preservation into lasting economic opportunity across South Louisiana.

The Foundation's mission is to preserve the history, culture, and architecture of the Donaldsonville area through restoration and public-serving programs. Its broader charitable purposes include supporting educational, scientific, social, and cultural activities; research and publications; architectural tours and exhibitions; and the revitalization of endangered historic assets. Led by volunteer trustees and preservation specialists, the Foundation works with municipal, regional, and statewide partners to advance these purposes. The Chinese Laundry is a tangible demonstration of this regional commitment.

Chinese laundry operations were documented in Donaldsonville by 1883, and the property is associated with Tom Dak, an Asian American laundryman whose history illuminates immigrant-descended entrepreneurship and Louisiana's multicultural commercial development. The original structure was demolished following deterioration. Its historically informed reconstruction will preserve and interpret an important place-based story rather than represent new construction as surviving original fabric.

The requested state funds will support eligible remaining construction and public-use improvements, including building systems, accessibility, life-safety measures, interior completion, and visitor facilities, as confirmed by final plans, cost estimates, and state requirements. The finished center will provide flexible space for exhibits, visual and performing arts, school visits, genealogy research, heritage interpretation, and affordable community programming. Public access, educational use, and responsible stewardship—not private commercial gain—are the project's central purposes.

Linked with the nearby Mistretta Store restoration and its planned regional Italian Cultural and Heritage Center, the Chinese Laundry will help establish an interconnected cultural corridor recognizing Asian, Italian, Irish, and other communities that shaped South Louisiana. Coordinated programming will draw schools, researchers, arts organizations, heritage travelers, and families from multiple parishes; strengthen local vendors and hospitality employment; and offer new reasons to visit and spend in Donaldsonville and the surrounding region. The project also provides a meaningful cultural bridge as international industry expands in Ascension Parish.

The state appropriation addresses an identified $250,000 completion need within a preliminary $1.04 million project budget. The Foundation reports more than $1 million in volunteer and in-kind support, which will be independently documented and distinguished from cash construction expenditures. State participation would convert substantial community effort into a durable, accessible public asset with benefits extending well beyond the city where it stands.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The Foundation's overarching goal is to complete and activate a historically informed, publicly accessible Chinese Laundry Restoration and Cultural Arts Center that serves as a regional anchor for heritage preservation, cultural education, creative workforce opportunity, and tourism-based economic development.

Objective 1 — Complete a defined public capital project. Apply the requested $250,000 Direct Cash Appropriation to the verified remaining, eligible construction scope. Confirm site control, reconcile the project budget and donated in-kind contributions, secure final architectural and engineering documents, obtain required reviews and permits, procure work appropriately, and complete approved structure, utility, accessibility, life-safety, restroom, interior, and visitor-access improvements. Close out expenditures with inspections, records, and a public-opening plan.

Objective 2 — Preserve and interpret a significant regional history. Research the site's Chinese laundry history, including the documented 1883 laundry and the later history of Tom Dak, and distinguish confirmed facts from interpretation. Present credible exhibits, photographs, oral histories, and genealogy resources that explain how Asian Americans and other immigrant-descended communities helped shape commerce and culture in South Louisiana. Use preservation professionals and culturally representative advisers to guide interpretation.

Objective 3 — Establish an inclusive regional cultural and educational venue. Open flexible space for art exhibitions, performances, demonstrations, school field trips, teacher-led activities, community discussions, historical research, and genealogical workshops. Develop programming partnerships with school systems, colleges, museums, arts organizations, historical societies, and community groups across Ascension Parish, neighboring parishes, and the Greater Baton Rouge region. Adopt posted public hours, accessible visitor services, a program calendar, and policies that keep public benefits central.

Objective 4 — Connect heritage destinations and strengthen regional tourism. Coordinate visitor experiences with the nearby Mistretta Store's planned Italian Cultural and Heritage Center, creating walking tours, joint exhibits, genealogy events, and multicultural heritage programming that recognize Asian, Italian, Irish, and other histories. Work with tourism organizations and downtown businesses to increase cross-parish visitation, length of stay, purchases from local retailers, restaurant spending, and potential overnight accommodations. Track visits, attendance, referrals, and partner participation. An illustrative planning scenario anticipates 1,500–3,000 additional visitors annually; this is a target for validation, not a guaranteed forecast.

Objective 5 — Create workforce and economic opportunity. Use construction to support regional trades and suppliers, and build pathways for artists, teaching professionals, historians, tour guides, cultural entrepreneurs, and hospitality workers. Pursue internships, volunteer training, and small-business/vendor partnerships. Prior planning assumptions contemplated 5–10 temporary construction-related opportunities and 1–2 ongoing facility/program positions, subject to the final operating model. Monitor employment participation, vendor engagement, visitor spending, and potential sales and lodging tax benefits without treating estimates as realized revenues.

Objective 6 — Ensure sustainability and accountability. Establish an operating plan, staffing and volunteer responsibilities, programming partners, maintenance reserves, philanthropic support, and annual performance reporting. Measure completion milestones, accessible public use, educational participation, preservation outcomes, and regional economic activity. The intended result is a lasting cultural institution, not a one-time construction expenditure.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           24 Months

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 None
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 None

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 None

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  None

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               None

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               None

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                None

          What is the nature of the relationship?  None

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 None

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               None


Contact Information
name:  Lee E. Melancon, III 
                                       address:  6095 Royal Palms Drive
Gonzales, LA 70737
                                       phone:  2254451383
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  lee@donaldsonvillefoundation.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director