The city of Lake Charles has received $3.1 million in FEMA grant money for Louisiana disaster aid. This funding will be used to purchase a new marquee sign for the Lake Charles Civic Center.

In 2020, Hurricanes Laura and Delta pummeled the Civic Center. It will cost approximately $13 million to fully repair the damages sustained from the wind and water damage, officials said.

For the marquee sign, the damage was significant enough to be eligible for a full replacement through FEMA, said Emily McDaniel, city of Lake Charles finance director.

The full grant amount for the sign is $3,096,913, with the main cost driver being the “technology and electrical replacements.”

“The obligated amount is an estimated cost for replacing the sign, which was originally constructed in 1971, to bring it to current codes and standards, including the electronics and messaging boards,” she said. “The City will only seek reimbursement for the actual costs of replacement.”

The process of demolishing and replacing the sign has begun.

Damages were sustained throughout the Civic Center’s facilities, with the roof being greatly effected.

A full replacement was required and has already been completed.

Additionally, the cooling tower needed repairs and the emergency generator needed to be replaced.

The refurbished roof meets updated wind ratings for resiliency in future storms, said officials. FEMA reimbursement for the roof’s replacement and repairs to the cooling towers has been received.

Like much of the Civic Center, the iconic Rosa Hart Theatre was heavily damaged. The needed repairs included remediation work, replacement of glass and floors and fireproofing and lath work are all projects “related to bringing this space back online,” the City confirmed.

These repairs are ongoing.

Repairs to the Coliseum, meeting rooms and Exhibition Hall were also necessary and are nearing completion.

On the outside of the building, exterior repairs – including waterproofing the building – are underway. Parking lot light fixtures replacements are also being completed.

FEMA reimbursement applications for all of the repairs and costs associated with the rehabilitation of the Civic Center have been submitted to offset the costs that exceed the City’s insurance policy limits.