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Board approves $10.95M award for Eastern New Orleans/Lower Ninth Ward multi-sport venue; waives counsel conflict
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Summary
The Orleans Parish School Board approved a $10,950,000 base bid to TKTMJ Inc. for a multi-sport venue in Eastern New Orleans/Lower Ninth Ward and separately waived a potential conflict for outside counsel Phelps Dunbar LLP (6 votes in favor, 1 abstention).
The Orleans Parish School Board voted to award a $10,950,000 base bid for a multi‑sport venue in Eastern New Orleans and the Lower Ninth Ward and to waive a possible conflict of interest for outside counsel handling related matters.
Board counsel presented action item 3.1 recommending that the board accept the base bid submitted by TKTMJ Inc. for ITB 26‑FA C‑0053, the multi‑sport venue project. The motion to approve was made by Board member Marshall and seconded by Board member Baldwin; the chair called for the ayes and recorded the motion as approved.
Board members asked questions before the vote about bidder qualifications and change‑order risk. "Change orders are a part of a construction project," said the district procurement representative (Mr. Laduff), who said the procurement packet and references are part of the vendor review process and that staff will seek to limit change orders. Board member Griffin asked that staff confirm whether the vendor had previously done work for the district and whether the district’s procurement review included quality and performance checks; procurement staff said that review is part of the packet and that they would provide the specifics.
Members acknowledged the long effort to bring the project forward and thanked volunteers, fundraisers and public partners. Board member Parker noted contributions from the Stadium Corporation and Congressman Troy Carter; another member added that the State of Louisiana is also a funding partner. Several members expressed excitement about a future groundbreaking and community use of the facility.
Action item 3.2 asked the board to waive any potential conflict of interest for law firm Phelps Dunbar LLP related to prior representation of TKTMJ Inc. in unrelated litigation. President Eames moved the conflict waiver and Miss Biro seconded; the motion carried with six votes in favor and one abstention from Miss Griffin, who recorded an abstention on the record.
The board closed the meeting at 12:21 p.m.
