Several economic development projects are under way in Cameron Parish, including a new $12.6 million parish jail and a $5.5
million west annex that will house the Police Jury’s administrative offices.
Parish Administrator Tina Horn said the projects are a long time coming for the parish, which was battered by Hurricanes Rita
and Ike.
“I never thought it would’ve taken this long to recover from a disaster,” she said. “It’s unbelievable how much time and effort
goes into one of these projects.”
Horn said some of the projects were funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Community Development Block Grant
money associated with hurricane recovery.
Crews have spent the past year working
on the foundation for the new parish jail, which she said is about “85
percent complete.”
After that, work will begin on the facility itself, which is north
of the parish courthouse. Charlie Ladner is the structural
engineer, Randy Goodloe is the architect and Priola Construction
is the contractor for the project.
Horn said work continues on the west annex, which should be finished by August. The east annex holds the district attorney’s
and tax assessor’s offices.
Horn said the first phase of
renovations to the parish courthouse include flood-proofing the
basement, repainting the outside
of the courthouse and replacing windows. She said they are
planning the second phase of repairs around the west annex project
being finished so 38th Judicial District Court Judge Penelope
Richard can hold cases in that facility.
“We’ll be able to juggle offices where it is not too inconvenient for anyone,” she said.
Currently, the courthouse is being inspected by environmental officials, which Horn said is required before any federal money
can be spent on the project.
Horn said work on the Cameron Multi-Purpose building is nearly finished. The building, east of the Parish Health Unit, will
be used for events like fundraisers and wedding receptions. She said the project was paid for with FEMA funds.
The parish’s cooperative extension office is about 75 percent complete, Horn said. She said the facility acts like a county
agent’s office and is off Henry Street east of the courthouse.