LAPLACE — At Wednesday’s Council Meeting, St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom requested and received Council authorization to move forward with a new Eastbank Government Complex.

The Council authorized solicitation of bids for construction of the Complex designed by Murray Architects.

The 44,130 square foot building will centralize all government offices for most public services including the Register of Voters, Planning and Zoning, Code Enforcement, Clerk of Court, Utility billing, Finance, Grants and Council Offices. It also includes a new Council Chambers, Courtroom and Parish President’s Office.

Parish leaders said the state-of-the art Council Chambers located within the building will include seating for more than 100 people, enhanced sound, voting and camera systems.

“The new government complex is a much awaited project that was finalized after several years of extensive planning and design, including workshops with all stakeholders and Parish Department Heads,” Robottom said. “The building was designed as a one stop shop for residents and business owners and to meet the parish’s needs for today and the future.”

According to Parish government, the project is funded through the 2009 and 2015 Bond Issues and a Capital Outlay award.