McNeese State University was a “big
winner” at Thursday’s meeting of the State Bond Commission, said House
Speaker Chuck Kleckley.
The commission approved $12 million in McNeese projects.
Included in that is $4.4 million for
the renovation of the Sherman Fine Arts Building; $1 million for a
Health and Human Performance
Education Complex; $2 million for the renovation of Frazar
Memorial Library; and $4.2 million for the Contraband Bayou erosion
retaining wall.
There is also $500,000 designated for Alpha Hall renovations. The dorm, recently renamed Chozen Hall, will serve as a “one-stop
shop” for admissions and recruiting, said McNeese spokeswoman Candace Townsend.
“These projects will benefit McNeese
students for years to come and will enhance our recruiting and student
retention efforts,”
McNeese President Philip Williams said in a statement. “We are
grateful to Speaker Kleckley and the Southwest Louisiana delegation
for their support of McNeese.”
Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, also praised the area’s delegation, saying that with its work, “Southwest Louisiana has done very
well. We’re excited for McNeese and for all these projects. We got everything that we asked for.”
The Port of Lake Charles was allocated money for three projects, including $5 million for an access road.
Westlake and Vinton were both allocated money for street improvements, while $9 million was set aside for the relocation of
the Lake Charles Wildlife and Fisheries office.
There was $300,000 allocated for the National Hurricane Museum and Science Center and $1.05 million for a new city hall in
DeQuincy.
In Vernon Parish, $9.04 million was allocated toward the Fort Polk Thoroughfare.
The bond commission approved more than $179 million in state construction projects.
Members of the commission, including lawmakers, leaders in Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration and statewide elected officials,
questioned little of the spending Thursday.
Among the handful of inquiries, Treasurer John Kennedy asked why the state was spending money on new mental health clinic
space in New Orleans after shutting down a state-run mental hospital in the city.
“Why wouldn’t we, rather than build new ones, move the mental health facilities in the old one?” Kennedy said.
Jindal’s top budget adviser, Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols, said the construction plans are for smaller mental
health clinics, with outpatient beds.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.