A bid has been accepted to build a new jail in Evangeline Parish

VILLE PLATTE, Los Angeles (KLFY) — Efforts to build a long-awaited new jail for Evangeline Parish have taken a major step forward.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory announced that the bid for the construction of the prison had already been accepted.

“It is now with a great sense of gratitude that I am pleased to announce that the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, with the recommendation of Grace Hebert Curtis Architects, LLC, has accepted a May 7, 2024 purchase offer in the amount of $21,670,000 as a base offer from Trahana Construction LLC in Lake Arthur ” Guillory said in a press release. “An additional alternative bid of $315,000 was also submitted for the Sheriff’s Office Maintenance Workshop, which we are closely watching to determine whether to accept that offer or bid separately.”

The offer was the result of a third attempt to get the ball rolling. Two rounds of bids were rejected due to failure to meet the parish’s budget for the prison. one in September 2023 and once in February 2024

Even the parish tried to buy an existing facility, Pine Prairie Detention CenterWith US Immigration and Customs Enforcement However, the processing center operators decided to keep it in operation.

“The development of the Evangeline Detention Center prison complex was a very long process,” Guillory said. “With the enactment of a perpetual sales tax, securing a multi-million dollar bond from the Bond Commission, getting an architect to draw up the plans, many discussions and contracts drawn up with a police jury, and ultimately entering the bidding process, it takes a lot of time. ”

Guillory said a written agreement has been prepared and approved between the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, Grace Hebert Curtis, LLC and Trahan Construction Co. to launch the project with a start date of June 25.

“The construction road has been completed and runs from Industrial Rd. next to the yard of Ward 1 and the 911 property,” Guillory said. “This is a joint effort of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Evangeline Parish Police Jury. Once construction begins, the deadline for completion and ribbon cutting is 480 days (14 months) from the start date.

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