By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Improvements to the Vicknair Canal and the West Bank Senior Citizen’s Center, as well as construction of a new facility in Edgard, will all move forward after receiving approval from the St. John the Baptist Parish Finance Committee.

Parish Public Works Director Brian Nunes requested authorization from the committee to enter into a $415,000 agreement with Shread-Kurykendall & Associates LLC for drainage improvements to the Vicknair Canal, which runs from Airline Highway to Interstate 10 between Riverlands and Cambridge Subdivisions.

Parish Communi-cations Director Paige Falgoust said survey, design and permitting processes are expected to take approximately a year. 

The estimated cost of the project is $4.5 million and will be funded through the 2014 Bond Issue.

The West Bank Senior Citizen’s Center will receive a facelift prior to a new senior citizen’s center being built in Edgard.

Parish President Natalie Robottom received authorization from the Finance Committee to enter into an agreement with Yeates & Yeates Architects LLC for a $16,554.75 professional engineering services contract to address repairs to the West Bank Senior Citizen’s Center.

The estimated project cost is $158,300, a total available through a local grant.

“These projects are funded through the 2014 bond issue and a Louisiana Government Assistance Program Grant and will be used for critical infrastructure and facility projects,” Robottom said. “Our goal is to utilize the funds available to bring these projects to fruition as quickly as possible. They will be of great benefit to our residents.”

Falgoust said once the design is finalized, the improvements are expected to be completed within six months.

Robottom said flooring and paint improvements, as well code upgrades, will be some of the projects targeted in the improvements.

Once complete, Robottom said the renovated building will serve parish residents until a new West Bank Senior Citizen’s Center is built at the West Bank Park Complex in Edgard.

Robottom also received authorization to enter into a $69,000 agreement with Duplantis Design Group for architectural design of a new center.

The estimated cost of the new center is $600,000 and will be funded through the 2014 Bond Issue.

Robottom said once the new building is completed, the old building will still be used for parish offices and functions.