Nonprofits got a little help, parish parks will soon have barbecue pits and picnic tables. Alfred Palma’s bid of $2,900,500 was accepted for the Prien Lake Park Hurricane Repair Project. Three police jury properties will come down, and nine properties were condemned during Thursday’s Calcasieu Parish Police Jury meeting.

The CPPJ is moving along with its plans to clean up abandoned structures damaged by hurricanes that happened in 2020. A couple of the property owners, family members of owners and owner’s legal counsel requested more time to work through issues and put off the vote to condemn.

  Police Juror Anthony Bartie expressed his appreciation of public input for a property slated for condemnation in District 9. The property is going through a succession. The jury had deferred action for 30 days on August 4.

“This isn’t a problem that just started,” said Bartie. “I started getting calls on this property before I was even sworn in.”

One neighbor asked the police jury’s assistance in making sure a nearby property is condemned. The grass had not been cut until the parish took care of it. Debris blows into her yard.

“It took me a long time to find the owner, but I did contact the owner, and the only thing he seemed to be concerned about was, how did I find him. This man in 344 days has done nothing at his property.”

The police jury voted to condemn the following properties: 6456 San Diego in Southeast Lake Charles; North of 109 Executive Drive, Moss Bluff; 7421 Flounder Dr., South Lake Charles.; 2323 Country Club Rd. in South Lake Charles; 5012 Manchester Rd. in Iowa; 4644 Berry St. in Starks; 2511 Anderson Rd. in Westlake; and 408 Stiffell St. in Westlake. A deferment until Thursday, Oct. 6 was voted down for 5873 Kingsbury Lane in South Lake Charles, and it was condemned. Condemnation action was deferred until the Oct. 6 meeting for 3215 Utah St. in Sulphur.

Three non-profits were granted funding via a Community Block Service Grant (CSBG) for Community Partners for Services in Education, Employment, Income Management, Senior Services, Mental Health Services, Fitness and other services. Girlie Girls Mentoring Program will receive $20,000. Salt and Light Collaborative, $20,000 and Transitions Life Skills, $25,000.

Mike Smith, District 2, expressed his appreciation for the work of parish staff and fellow jurors after action was taken on bids last month for barbecue pits, fire rings and picnic tables for use at various park locations, and in particular at River Bluff and Mallard Cove Parks.

Three CPPJ-owned properties will be demolished soon: 1225 Hodges St., a building adjacent to Allen August Center at 2007 Moeling St. and Epps Library Annex at 1324 North Simmons St. The lowest bid came from Alfred Palma for the work at $309,900. Insurance monies will cover the demolition cost, according to Parish Administrator Bryan Beam.