Center for Planning Excellence - CPEX

CPEX is excited to have a stellar group of multidisciplinary interns on board this summer! Our internships focus on hands-on learning—and exploring how policy, design, finance, and environments shape strong communities.

We're honored to play a role in supporting the next generation of planning professionals in Louisiana!

Help us give a warm welcome to our 2026 summer interns (from left to right):
📝 Allen Barchak – Policy
🌳 Maxwell Brown – Urban Forestry
🚸 Luka Hernandez – Community Design
🚸 Kyle Lagergren – Community Design
📈 Joshua Hunter – Finance
📝 Marie Herke – Policy

Across Louisiana, communities are growing—but not always in ways that support long-term infrastructure and strong city centers.

In our recent piece in the Louisiana Municipal Review, CPEX VP of Planning Kim Marousek shares what local leaders are telling us about outward growth, rising infrastructure costs, and the opportunities that come with reinvesting in existing neighborhoods and downtowns.

Read the full article to explore the patterns we’re seeing and the tools communities are using to plan for a more sustainable future: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/71077738/april-2026/27

Three workshops down, one more to go for Scotlandville!

Our team was back alongside Councilman Anthony B. Kenney's Office, the Scotlandville CDC, and ResourceFull for the third session in this four‑part workshop series, continuing the community‑led work behind the Scotlandville Strategic Action Plan.

This session brought fresh energy and thoughtful conversation around the Scotlandville Action Coalition's structure and priority action steps for the coalition's first three, six, and twelve months.

Each workshop reinforces what makes this process work: trusted partnerships, open dialogue, and a clear commitment to keeping Scotlandville residents at the center of both planning and implementation.

With one final workshop ahead, the community is getting closer to launching the Scotlandville Action Coalition. Stay tuned for what’s next!