If all goes as planned, the city will soon purchase a new building on Refinery Street.
At the Feb. 10 city council meeting, the council approved a proposal from Mayor Ricky Calais to remedy the city’s need for additional office and record storage space by purchasing the vacant Hancock-Whitney Bank storage building on East Refinery Street at Berard Street.
The 5,000+ sq. ft. structure is reportedly in very good condition and has an appraised value of $250,000. Calais said the owner has expressed a willingness to sell it to the city for $225,000.
The mayor commented that the perviously-considered solution of preparing the currently-unfinished space on the second floor of the city hall building for use has also been considered. However, the cost would be considerably higher than the purchase price of the Refinery Street building.
Also, with insufficient space to add an elevator,
the second-floor option would never meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for handicapped access. The bank building is single-story and already compliant.
If completed, the purchase would be the first capital expenditure secured by proceeds from the newly-approved penny sales tax increase passed by voters last year. The purchase could eliminate the cost of about $700 per month currently being paid for remote storage, as well as providing space for two or more offices, Calais said.
In other business:
•Current Mayor Pro Tem E.J. Ledet was re-elected to another term.
•An amendment clarifying the city’s existing ordinance against drinking in public places was approved.
•Acceptance of the Berard Street/Bayou Lane sewer extension as complete was approved, subject to the engineer’s approval.
•The council, in a Rules to Show Cause hearing, approved demolition of dilapidated properties on Brick and Grant Streets. Owners of a Berard Street home were given six months to bring the structure up to codes.
