Police Jury authorizes bids for Israel LaFleur Park hurricane repairs; staff says FEMA process slowed timeline

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury authorized staff to advertise for bids for the Israel LaFleur Park hurricane repairs project and heard an explanation of the project's scope and schedule from parish staff. The action passed at the jury’s July 2025 meeting on a motion by Miss Eason, seconded by Mister Bowers.

Parish staff said the repairs will include the fishing wharf, bulkhead, boat launch and ramp, reclamation of the eroded north side of the park peninsula, continuation of a sheet pile wall and installation of drainage to reduce future erosion. “This is the hurricane repair project. In there, we will repair the fishing wharf, the bulkhead, boat launch, the ramp, reclaim the eroded north side of the peninsula, and also protect it with a continuation of the sheet pile wall and installation of drainage to mitigate future erosion issues,” parish staff member Mister Kelly said.

When asked by Mister Landry how long the construction would take, Kelly gave an estimated range: once bidding and procurement are complete, he said, the work would be a longer-duration project — roughly “8 months to a year.” Kelly also told jurors that the timeline has been extended by the process required to secure FEMA funding and related approvals: “In order to get FEMA funding, you have to go this route. It's extremely long,” he said, adding that the parish has “some insurance money” and “some local money” in addition to FEMA.

The jury voted to advertise for bids so the parish can solicit contractors; staff said the actual start and completion schedule will depend on the bidding process, contract award and FEMA-related approvals. No detailed construction schedule or guaranteed start date was recorded in the meeting excerpt provided.