Calcasieu Parish receives update on 108,000-square-foot judicial complex under construction

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury received an update Thursday on the new Calcasieu Parish Judicial Complex, a 108,000-square-foot courthouse project that officials said will consolidate court functions currently operating in separate buildings.

"This is a 108,000 square foot facility. It will have 10 courtrooms," Dean Kelly said as he described the facility and introduced a time-lapse video showing construction progress. Kelly told the jury that the notice to proceed was issued on 08/18/2025, marking roughly one year of work on the project.

Mister Bolen briefed the jury on project funding and the program of related bond projects, saying "the funding is from local gaming funds, partnership with the judges fund and bond revenues that were obtained for what we call the bond projects." He also acknowledged a weekly project team that oversees coordination among contractors and staff.

Officials and jurors praised contractor performance and safety; Kelly noted the site had "over 260 days without a recordable accident." Juror Barris called the undertaking a "legacy project," saying it will change the downtown area and praised site cleanliness and communication between staff and the contractor team.

The presentation included a time-lapse video assembled by the parish communications staff. No formal action was taken during the update; the jury moved on to subsequent business after the brief Q&A and remarks of appreciation.