DOWNTOWN HAMMOND

"It's All About Downtown Hammond!"

Mission

The mission of the Downtown Development District (DDD) in Hammond, Louisiana is to improve Downtown Hammond in order to benefit residents and local commerce. Business owners and residents can take advantage of the unique atmosphere available to them in Downtown Hammond.

In a city of 20,000, it's a true feat of human ability that has allowed our beloved Downtown to remain both a quaint, welcoming historic district as well as develop into a bustling and thriving economy. Partnership between public and private groups, businesses, and residents has produced and exemplary character and successful development for Louisiana's Main Street communities.

Hammond became a state Main Street community in 1984 and immediately hit the ground running preserving and developing its treasured character and culture.Back then - and still today - residents proposed little change to the historic beauty of Downtown Hammond. The challenge became one of preservation and enhancement by instilling a greater sense of pride in and connection to the Downtown community as well as bringing in new and promising business opportunities.

Description

If you spend any time standing on the sidewalk at the intersection of Thomas St. (U.S. Hwy. 190) and Railroad Ave. (Business U.S. Hwy. 51)-right smack in the middle of Downtown Hammond-the first thing you'll notice is how many cars and trucks drive by. And yet, you'll contrast the flow of people and traffic with the scene of beautiful tree-lined sidewalks, historic buildings of all shapes and sizes, and community pride that is spelled out in all the window signs supporting our beloved hometown teams (including a major state university), cultural event advertisements, and endless variety of locally-owned shops and restaurants-everything from fancy boutiques to exotic pets, and high-end Louisiana cuisine to a ‘50s diner. In short, Hammond's pride and unique character are found in the dedication of the people who care for and contribute to our businesses, culture, and history. They are what create this eclectic mix, this true "gumbo" of a town we call home.

The people responded in miraculous ways. With the establishment of a Downtown Development District Authority and partnerships with many-and often times all-of the local merchants, Hammond has been deemed a Louisiana Cultural District, named one of Louisiana's Cleanest Cities five years in a row, and has enjoyed acclaim from national and international visitors, organizations, and awards. All of this is evident in the full calendar of cultural and civic offerings in Downtown Hammond, which bring performers, artists, and visitors from all over the state, country, and world to our small town.

Hammond just celebrated its 16th Annual Hot August Night on August 19th with live bands, street performances (including a flash mob!), art stroll, wine tasting, and plenty of great food and friends. Starry November Night is Hammond's pride and joy of family events, complete with real snow, pictures with Santa, music including the U.S. Navy band, star-gazing, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a plethora of shopping deals and steals. As the arts have become a central focus for new businesses and community organizations, the Columbia Theater and Hammond Regional Arts Center are leading the way with the Lunch Lecture series, Art in the Park, Music in the Park, and live performances that run the spectrum from Boys II Men to The Music Man.

Current projects in the works include the Hammond Pavilion-a state-of-the-art cultural events center available for many events, including our twice-monthly Hammond Farmers' Market-a possible trail-to-rail system called Tangi Trail that would run the length of Tangipahoa Parish and straight through the middle of Downtown Hammond, and immense growth and unique possibilities offered by our proud Southeastern Louisiana University community.

With so much to do and such a bustling commercial district, it's amazing Hammond still feels like the vibrant, historic, and colorful downtown it has always been. The people are the same-vibrant, enthusiastic, and proud. This is what keeps old friends around Downtown and entices newcomers to share in and contribute to our beauty and culture.

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