By BEN LUNDIN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Almost two months after the Solid Waste Disposal Company (SWDI) vowed to a group of St. John Parish residents that the company would begin groundbreaking on its new garbage storage facility in 30 days if it had failed to find a place to relocate, SWDI continues to work out possible business deals and appears committed to building its facility elsewhere.

The originally planned construction site on Highway 51, near several subdivisions, came under fire from numerous St. John Parish residents who claimed the facility would diminish their property values and add unpleasant smells and noise.

During an anger-fueled debate at the Percy Hebert building on March 8, SWDI General Manager Roddie Matherne told residents the company would begin groundbreaking on April 5 if SWDI didn’t have a location by that date. That deadline appears to have been extended indefinitely.

Matherne did not return phone calls, but working closely with SWDI is Councilman Steve Lee, who said Tuesday that the company is committed to relocating.

&#8220They are in negotiations with several other property owners,” Lee said. &#8220I’m comfortable that their intentions are to locate elsewhere.”

Because of the delicate nature of large-scale business deals that could possibly exceed $500,000, the cost of the company’s originally planned location on Highway 51, Lee declined to comment on the company’s prospective properties. However, he said the those locations are in industrial areas far from residences.

&#8220It’s clear that they are going to locate in a place that’s industrially suited. Obviously the place on Highway 51 was industrially zoned but not industrially suited.”

Lee expects SWDI to strike a deal on a new location as quickly as possible, but could not give an exact date.

&#8220I’m more than pleased with their cooperation,” he said. &#8220They have been absolutely fantastic to work with. That’s the truth. These guys bought that property in good faith and they’ve just been real good to work with.”