Property along U.S. 165 in Iowa has been rezoned to allow the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana to move forward on its plans to build a convenience store and travel plaza in Jeff Davis Parish.

Police jurors unanimously approved separate requests from property owners Arnold Natali and Chester Lee Mallett to rezone 10.5 acres

on U.S. 165 and Miller Avenue, just south of Interstate 10 in Iowa, from agricultural to commercial to allow for construction of a convenience store and travel plaza.

The Police Jury also granted a separate zoning request for the future location of a dealership for large trucks in Jennings.

Local attorney David Bruchhaus said the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is interested in buying the vacant property along U.S. 165 in Iowa for the future construction of a convenience store and travel plaza.

“This is a good opportunity for the parish,” Bruchhaus said. “This is a good opportunity for the tribe.”

In addition to the convenience store and travel plaza, the Coushatta Tribe also has other plans for the property including a proposed heritage department.

“The first key is to get the property and get it zoned appropriately,” Bruchhaus said.

The first 400 feet of the property was zoned for commercial use in the 1980s because it was located next to the interstate. The new zoning is needed for the remaining tract of land, he said.

“The Coushatta Tribe, as a sovereign nation, wants to be a good corporate citizen and is looking forward to getting this property rezoned and moving forward with the project,” Bruchhaus said.

“We are looking forward to it being built,” Police Jury President Steve Eastman said in response.

The Coushatta Tribe, which operates the Coushatta Casino Resort in nearby Allen Parish has been a huge supporter of Jeff Davis Parish and the town of Elton, Bruchhaus said. The Coushatta Tribe has given over $20 million to Elton since the casino was built to help with water, sewer and other projects, he said. It has also provided additional support to area schools.

In a separate request, the police jury voted in favor of a rezoning 16.53 acres next to Camelot Brookside retirement home on the North Frontage Road in Jennings from agricultural to commercial for (Old River) Properties of Richland, MS

Old River plans to build an 18-wheeler sales and service dealership on the property.

The currently has sales, parts and service dealerships in Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, St. Rose and Breaux Ridge, as well as Richland and Laurel, MS.