We believe Hammond is worth it.
What drives us
Our vision is that Hammond is a place where preservation and progress coexist in pursuits of nurturing a thriving community. Our work is rooted in community engagement that instills local pride to support innovation and sustainable growth for Downtown Hammond.
An Award-Winning Main Street
Downtown Hammond Earned the Designation of a Great American Main Street in 2022
Board of Directors
The Downtown Development District (DDD) Board of Directors are the governing authority of the agency. Each member is nominated from property or businesses owners within the district and officially appointed by the Hammond City Council.
Board meetings are typically held on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:45pm in the City Council Chambers (312 E. Charles St. Hammond LA 70401).
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John Exnicios
Board Chairman
Farmers Market Committee Chair
Largest Assessed Property Seat -
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Mary Mowad Guiteau
Board Vice Chairman
Design Committee Chair
East Side Property/Business Owner Seat
Organizational Structure
We have the best job in town. Here’s we make dreams happen in Hammond.
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The Hammond Downtown Development District was created as a political subdivision by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1986, and in 1987, the first DDD millage was voted in-favor by in-district voters. The millage is an ad valorem tax assessed against the district’s properties, subject to renewal every ten years. The DDD is primarily funded by this property tax.
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Downtown Hammond is recognized as a unique reflection of our local heritage, history, and culture by being a designated Louisiana Cultural District. This program enables tax incentives for cultural development.
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Hammond has been a Main Street since 1984! Here’s the story:
In 1978, the development of the National Register Historic District in Downtown Hammond’s core set the stage for upward development. This district is maintained by the Hammond Historic District.
In 1984, Hammond was one of the first four communities in Louisiana to pilot a Main Street program, leading to the establishment of Louisiana Main Street. Hammond is one of nearly 40 member communities in this statewide network that are passionate about revitalizing their downtowns.
Hammond’s Main Street program is further supported by Main Street America. With an over 40 year community-driven revitalization effort, Downtown Hammond was recognized as a Great American Main Street Award winner in 2022.
Staff Members
Michelle Kendall, MPH
Executive Director
Michelle Kendall became a part of the DDD in 2018 as an intern. Since then, she has served in various roles including Community Programming Manager, Farmers Market Manager, Assistant Director, and was promoted to the role of Executive Director in December 2022.
Michelle is a Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from LSU Health Science Center of New Orleans. Her varied professional and academic background spans over various sectors including public health, economic development, government, non-profits, and more.
Her past work includes policy & legislative coordination for the Louisiana Cancer Control and Prevention Programs, Co-Chair of the Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition, non-profit event planning & fundraising for the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans, and research & evaluation for Pennington Biomedical Research Center. She developed a passion for small businesses at her first job as cashier & supervisor at Acquistapace's Covington Supermarket in Downtown Covington, LA.
Originally from Folsom, LA, she has called Hammond her home since 2014. She lives in the Iowa Addition, a historic Hammond neighborhood just blocks from Downtown. In her free time, she is working on a project or enjoying the outdoors with her son, Ellis, and dogs, Pinto & Adzuki.
Dara Calmes
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Dara Calmes has been a Hammondnite since 2012. Originally from all over East Baton Rouge Parish and Livingston Parish, Dara found a thriving and supportive community in Hammond, America. She graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2022 with a Bachelor's of Art in Art with a double concentration in Art History and Photography. Her favorite things about downtown are its walkability, small stretches of nature and the close knit community she's helped to build. Her dream goal for downtown is a community garden, more plants and a music venue that caters to various genres.
Ashley Tarleton, MA
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Ashley graduated with her Master of Arts in History in May 2024. Although originally from Baton Rouge, LA, she has been a Hammond resident since 2012, when she started her undergraduate career at Southeastern. Receiving her Bachelors of Art in History from Southeastern in 2019.
Ashley has always been happy and proud to be a part of the downtown Hammond community. She is very excited having the opportunity to become more involved and to preserve all aspects of Hammond's important history through her position with the DDD.
Savannah Phillips
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Savannah Phillips started with the DDD as a summer intern, and took the opportunity to be hired on part-time as the Hammond Farmers and Artisans Market Manager in August 2023. Born and raised in Ponchatoula, LA, Savannah has been in and around Hammond since childhood.
Presently, she is set to graduate from Southeastern Louisiana University this semester with a BA in Communications and Visual Arts, concentrating in ceramics and photography, and a minor in French. Savannah is interested in food systems and human relationships to ourselves, each other, and the environment. She loves spending time with her family, her animals, and in nature.
Committees
Marketing
The Marketing Committee develops and implements effective strategies for promoting downtown Hammond. This group normally meets the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00pm at UMS (211 E. Thomas St., Hammond, LA 70401).
Design
The Design Committee plays a key role in shaping the physical image of Downtown Hammond including physical and public improvements, design reviews for property renovations within the district, and more. This group normally meets the first Thursday of each month at 9:00am in the City Council Chambers (312 E. Charles St., Hammond, LA 70401).
Events
The Events Committee is in charge of planning, organizing, and executing the various events taking place in downtown Hammond. They coordinate events such as Hot August Stroll, Starry Saturday, Small Business Saturday, Southeastern Homecoming celebrations in downtown, and much more. This committee usually meets the first Monday of each month at 4:00pm at City Council Chambers (312 E. Charles St., Hammond, LA 70401).
Farmers Market
The primary goal of the Farmers Market Committee is to organize, manage, and promote the Hammond Farmers and Artisans Market. This group normally meets the first Thursday of each month at 5:00pm in the City Council Chambers (312 E. Charles St., Hammond, LA 70401).
Merchant
The role of the Merchant Committee is to promote collaboration and address common issues or opportunities that affect the local business community. This group usually meets the last Thursday of each month at 9:00am at Cena; Hammond (123 S. Cate St., Hammond, LA 70401).
Residential
The Residential Committee's key function is to enhance the quality of life within a residential community and maintain a harmonious living environment. This committee normally meets the first Tuesday of every other month at 3:30pm at Boutique de Fumee (206 E. Thomas St., Hammond, LA 70401).
Our Supporters & Partners
Thank you for your support and investment in Downtown Hammond’s continued success.
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