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Jury rejects grant pursuit for Parks Road phase 2 amid concern over aiding private development
Summary
A motion to pursue a Delta Regional Authority grant to extend Parks Road (phase 2) to serve an industrial park failed after jurors questioned developer contributions and whether parish funds should be used to improve private property.
A bid to pursue a Delta Regional Authority Community and Infrastructure Fund grant to fund Parks Road phase 2 failed after sharp debate in the road committee meeting.
Staff explained the grant opportunity could cover up to $2 million and estimated the project at $1 million–$1.5 million; Lidacorp (described by staff as a public LLC created to help secure grants) would provide a 10% match. Officials framed the project as aimed at job retention for businesses already in the industrial park, including a facility that once supported more than 200 jobs.
Several jurors objected to extending parish infrastructure into privately owned property when the property owner and businesses had not contributed financially. One juror said: "How much money is this developer putting up to do this work? Is he putting up a penny?" Staff responded the item was brought for awareness and guidance and that the parcel in the blue map area is intended to preserve access for current business owners rather than future expansion.
After extended discussion about grant mechanics (reimbursement process versus upfront spending) and the parish's long-term maintenance obligations, jurors voted and the motion to pursue the grant failed.
