Three local entities wanting to split a $1.7 million property bill to build an educational building across from Sowela Technical Community College are having to change their agreement because the project calls for using $20 million in state grants.

Randy Robb, director of the Chennault International Airport Authority, told committee members on Thursday that the buy-sell agreement between Chennault, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the Lake Charles City Council is being changed into an “option agreement.” He said the three entities now have to pay 3 percent of the property’s value, or roughly $17,000, to the seller. The funds are included in the purchase price if the sale goes through.

The 13 acres of property would be used to build a $20 million educational building to prepare for the expanding workforce once the multibillion Sasol expansion project in Westlake begins. The land is currently occupied by residents at the Chennault Mobile Village trailer park.

Robb said his main concern with delaying the agreement is that it frustrates people living in the trailer park and the property owners.

“I expected to have already bought the (property) by now,” he said. “We started the negotiations (around) October when everybody agreed to do this. Here we are in July, and we are no further along than we were on day one.”

Once the property is purchased, Robb said the state will conduct an environmental survey that should take 90 days, including a 30-day comment period.

“After that, then the state has 90 days under the Uniform Relocation Act to relocate the trailers,” he said.

Once the property is sold, it will be transferred to the state. The state can then assign the property to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.

Chennault’s full board is set to discuss the issue at a meeting set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

After six months of delays

Rick Hickman