NEW ROADS, La. (BRPROUD) — What was once known as Pecan Acres, is now being called Audubon Estates. Residents are able to worry less about flooding, thanks to Governor John Bel Edwards, New Roads community leaders, and advocates, residents are able to worry less about flooding.
“We put in Energy Star appliances, lots of extra insulation,” said Pat Forbes, Executive Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development. “You can see the houses are raised up off the ground. Even though we’re out of the 100-year flood plain. We want to make sure we reduce risk because we know the risk is going to keep getting worse.”
The homes stand six feet above elevation and were built with a fortified gold standard, making them durable for any type of weather, something Pecan Acres needed after witnessing over 25 years of floods.
“The roof is not going to come off, the siding is not going to come off, the doors and windows are going to hold, and all those things mean that three days after the storm is gone people will be able to come home,” said Forbes.
Luxury and affordability meet with these new homes. New Roads leaders says there’s only been 20 properties built so far, and they’re in the process of building 20 more for new residents.
Each home has new amenities, and residents say the neighborhood already feels like home with the comfort of natives from Pecan Acres living nearby.
“Mr. and Mrs. Jones are in their 90s, so they are our matriage for this subdivision”, said New Roads advocate Sylvia Williams. “Yes, this is Audubon Estates, but this will forever be the Pecan drive west, and east, where we raised our kids”, said New Roads advocate, Sylvia Williams.”
