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Plaquemines Port director reports progress on ferry landing, rail talks and land purchases; new IT manager hired
Summary
Port Executive Director Charles D. Tillotson told commissioners the Pointe LeHi ferry landing is operational while work continues on a permanent landing and other port infrastructure, and outlined progress on an 11-mile rail extension, multiple land negotiations and staffing changes.
Charles D. Tillotson, executive director of the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District, opened the port report by citing a $122,000 change in the port’s fund balance and outlining a slate of infrastructure and staffing work now underway.
Tillotson said the Pointe LeHi ferry landing has been open for several weeks and staff are completing a final punch list, adding, “we hope to have all of those completed within the next 30 days.” He said emergency repairs were completed to keep the landing operational for the next five years and the port “anticipates… putting the new ferry landing in place, within the next 4 years.” The existing landing will be repurposed for security boats after that transition, he said.
Tillotson reported ongoing vessel maintenance: one vessel is expected back from the yards in May and the Belle Chase 2 is scheduled for yard work in June, with coordination to ensure one vessel returns before another goes in for service. Two other vessels, the Port Authority 1 and Port Authority 2, had mechanical issues this month that port staff expect to resolve by month’s end.
On ferry design, Tillotson said the port sent a letter to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) asking reviewers to consider a design with more deck space for automobiles.
On the Peters Road project, Tillotson said DOTD emailed the port about engaging on the engineering-firm selection related to a $7,400,000 grant; he said the port would respond and keep the commission updated.
The executive director described progress on an 11-mile rail-extension effort, saying the port has met with multiple landowners and companies — including Venture Global, NOLA Terminals and Kinder Morgan — and held coordination meetings with APM, the New Orleans Gulf Coast (NOGC), Rio Grande Rail, Infinity Engineering and Lanier Engineering on rail alignment, yard layout and a proposed adjacent container terminal.
Tillotson said rezoning work for port land purchases is under way, and that rezoning was approved in the parish meeting earlier in the day. He said the port is reappraising properties involved in negotiations and aims to complete land purchases by the end of the year. Tillotson told commissioners the port retains authority to negotiate up to 20% above the independent appraisal for properties currently under negotiation.
Construction updates included a signed contract for phase two of a water booster station; Tillotson said the contractor is expected to finish laying pipe by year’s end. He also said the port hired its first-ever IT manager, who is scheduled to start later this month, and that the port is recruiting for a special assistant to the executive director and a new chief legal counsel.
On communications and branding, Tillotson said phase one of a rebranding effort is complete, the port is working on a trademark and planning local and global outreach and website updates. He acknowledged a recent website glitch and said staff and the Palmer Group are addressing issues. He also said staff plan to advertise an RFP for a new roof and that ventilation and a generator-bypass switch are priorities before hurricane season.
Tillotson closed by saying the port will provide inspection information to the pre-board meeting once available.
