The Board’s Facilities and Property Committee approved two Act 959 projects submitted by LCTCS on behalf of SOWELA: a flight training hangar and a maritime training center renovation.

Chris (board staff) described the flight training project as a roughly 12,000-square-foot hangar adjacent to Chennault Airport that includes hangar space, conditioned office space, parking and site work. He said the total project cost is about $5.5 million, and that SOWELA received a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration plus $2 million from the City of Lake Charles via a bond referendum.

The second project is a renovation of a roughly 34,500-square-foot facility at the Port of Lake Charles to serve as a maritime training center with labs, vessel simulators and classrooms. Chris said the project will be funded by a $5,000,000 Community Development Block Grant awarded after the hurricane.

The committee moved and approved the consent agenda and the Act 959 projects by voice vote.

Committee staff also briefed members on damages from Hurricane Francine. A federal disaster declaration issued on Sept. 17 allows institutions to access FEMA funds; staff said seven institutions reported damages including wind-driven rain, roof leaks and water intrusion. Nichols (institution) suffered the most extensive water intrusion, affecting approximately half of its buildings and damaging a 60-year-old electric metering system. Sedgwick (the state's adjuster) and remediation contractors are assisting campus recovery and insurance claims.