The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury greenlighted construction of the Louisiana Avenue Regional Detention Basin Project on Thursday by accepting the lowest bid for the project.

The basin will be constructed on 17 acres of property on Louisiana Avenue along Contraband Bayou. This project is the first of its kind in Calcasieu Parish – plans are being developed to construct multiple regional detention basins in various watersheds throughout the parish.

The Police Jury unanimously voted to accept the bid of Rigid Constructors of Lafayette for $4.76 million. Construction will include site development; earth work; clearing and removing trees, shrubs and dirt; basin construction; and all related construction of underground pipe systems and concrete foundations.

“This detention pond will make a significant improvement in the drainage of the Contraband Bayou watershed, so I am thrilled that the project is moving forward,” said Chris Landry, District 7 Calcasieu Parish Police Juror. “Hopefully, this is the first of many similar projects that will also have major impacts across Calcasieu Parish.”

“Contraband Bayou is an ongoing concern for flooding, so this first detention basin project is especially needed in the area,” said Anthony Bartie, District 9 Police Juror and Police Jury Vice President. The project area is located in District 9. 

“This project will help with flooding within the watershed and surrounding community, while offering residents passive park amenities – such as a walking path,” said Alberto Galan, assistant to the parish administrator

He said it is being funded with a combination of local parish and federal funds from the American Rescue Plan allocation granted to the Police Jury.

”These funds are also being utilized to fund various other water, sewer, and drainage infrastructure projects parishwide.”

Once completed, the basin will have the capacity to hold up to 60 million gallons of water – that’s the equivalent of 7-1/2 football fields with one-foot of water covering each.

Construction is expected to begin in September and is projected to be completed in March 2024.