City council approves new lakefront entertainment district

La. (KPLC) – The Lake Charles City Council unanimously approved a new entertainment district for the city’s lakefront on Wednesday

The development, led by Lognion Investments owner Chris Lognion, will include 10 restaurants, a mini amphitheater and outdoor recreation space near North Beach.

Lognion said the project aims to draw drivers off Interstate 10 and into downtown Lake Charles.

“Untapped potential. 90,000 vehicles passing down that interstate that really has no reason to get off in Lake Charles. I think we’re changing that with the lakefront,” Lognion said.

“The potential is explosive. I mean, I think we’re going to bring people to downtown. We’re going to bring people from out of state. We’re going to get them to stop,” Lognion said.

During the meeting, Mayor Marshall Simien said the best pitch among proposals heard for a lakefront project came from Lognion. Lognion, a Southwest Louisiana native, said he pursued the project based on feedback about the area.

“But most I hear is, we need more lakefront development. We need more restaurants downtown in the lakefront area. We need more nighttime entertainment. I see it. I felt it. I wanted to make comments. But instead of making comments, I’m deciding to do something about it,” Lognion said.

Lognion said the complex will feature local restaurants and performers rather than chains.

“You have a Mexican restaurant, you have an Asian restaurant, you have Italian food, you have your Cajun food. Well, we’re going to have some Cajun food too. Breakfast. I mean, all in one location,” Lognion said.

Lognion described how customers will order food at the development.

“They sit down where they want to, pick their favorite spot, either, you know, next to the games or next to the stage, next to the lake, and there’s going to be a QR code. And that QR code is designated for their location and their table. They scan the QR code, order from five or ten different restaurants, and the runners will bring the food out to them at their table. Easy,” Lognion said.

Lognion said he hopes the project encourages further investment in the area.

“There might be other projects of my own, but I would rather it be other people. You know, this new bridge development is hopefully going to bring the development of two-way traffic near the beach, which is going to open up a lot of possibilities. And I think people that are out there that want to invest in our area, with all the LNG that’s coming in, with SpaceX, we’re going to have a lot of people that are moving into our market. And there’s a lot of development that can be done,” Lognion said.

Lognion said he expects development on the project to begin in 14 months. Restaurants and food trucks interested in applying can do so by clicking HERE.

Copyright 2026 KPLC. All rights reserved.