Louisiana Boardwalk developer John Good, Junior has announced plans to build the Ark-La-Tex's first Italian-themed urban lifestyle community. It's called "Villagio", and once complete it will provide families with a place to live as well as a place to find entertainment. "Villagio" will fill 64 acres with houses, condos, apartments, shopping centers, restaurants and grocery stores. Unique offerings include a white sand beach front and street peddlers selling everything from fresh flowers to Italian coffees. With plans for a tract of land between highway 80 and I-20 near the Bossier Parish Community College, developer John Good says, "This project is actually bigger than Boardwalk. It won't cost as much as Boardwalk, but it will have more elements to it." The development will feature a lake, bordered by the sandy beach, 55,000 square feet of retail space, two and three bedroom apartments, town homes, dining, office and commercial space. The property will also have jogging trails and designated swimming areas including paddle and sailboat rentals. Villaggio is the Italian word for village and the developer says he picked as a tribute to Italian history in northwest Louisiana. Those who work in the area where the Villagio will be built wonder how it will all work. "This is definitely the largest scale thing that's been done here in a while probably since they built the LeBossier hotel back in the 70's,” said one resident. Others in the neighborhood are excited about the project. Said one, "I think it will be very beneficial for this area you know specially with the new college campus down this way. I think it will draw a lot of business." Good plans to have the development completed by summer of next year.
