By Renee Simpson
Those who use the paved path along the Mississippi River levee on the East Bank will soon be able to roll or stroll all the way to New Sarpy.
The current path ends at Ormond Boulevard, where onramps are located. Phase II of the project has gone to bid, which will extend it from the boulevard to Harding Street in New Sarpy. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is set to download bids for the 1.34-mile project on Sept. 30. Cost estimates put the work at $250,000 to $500,000.
The project is being funded in part by a $320,000 federal grant through the Federal Highway Administration and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Enhancement Program.
YouthROC program will put disadvantaged youth to work
A $210,000 federal grant will help engage local youths in hurricane-recovery construction while providing literacy and life skills through the Youth Rebuilding Our Community Program.
YouthROC employs those ages 16 to 24 for eight months and is structured to provide valuable on-the-job training and educational enhancement.
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana Inc., YouthROC and the Louisiana Workforce Commission will provide the funding, and the St. Charles Parish Department of Community Services will implement the program.
“St. Charles Parish was the only parish government in Region I of Louisiana to receive the competitive grant award,” St. Charles Parish Grants Officer Holly Fonseca said.
While employed, participants will be engaged in hurricane-recovery projects that are construction related and/or “green” jobs, which help the environment. All participants will receive tutoring to improve their academic skills towards GED attainment, and vocational or college credits. Other benefits of the YouthROC Program include life skills enhancement and post-program job placement assistance in collaboration with various agencies.
“This program is like a dream come true for a social worker,” St. Charles Parish Community Services Director Maurya Glaude said. “To be able to help 30 youth with comprehensive services including employment, counseling, case management and mentoring is a priceless opportunity.”
Transportation to work will be provided for all participants each day. At the program office, participants will be tutored and given time to participate in group strengthening activities, independent or group study and introspection. Uniform shirts will be distributed.
Participants will also join in construction projects that revitalize the St. Charles Parish community after damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They will also learn energy conservation methods under the direct leadership of the Department of Community Services’ carpenter, who works with the Weatherization Assistance Program.
“It’s so important to have our own young people engaged in local work and projects,” St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. said. “The YouthROC Program will not only improve the lives of the youth participants, but also benefit our community.”
Participants will receive compensation from Goodwill Industries for time spent on construction sites.
Those interested in joining the YouthROC Program should contact the St. Charles Parish Department of Community Services at (985) 764-7944.
Updated East Bank drainage plan in progress
An extensive study is set to direct the St. Charles Parish Public Works Department as it moves forward with projects to improve drainage on the East Bank.
Evans Graves Engineers is currently gathering data for an updated East Bank Master Drainage Plan, to be completed in early 2010. Crews will create computer models for all the major watersheds on the East Bank. (A watershed is a distinct area that drains to a common point, such as a pumping station.)
That model will allow Public Works to anticipate water levels resulting from severe rain events, including 50- and 100- year rains. Once calibrated for existing conditions, the model can be used to make recommendations to improve infrastructure, such as increasing pumping capacity, digging of larger ditches and installation of larger culverts.
Those projects will then be prioritized and included in upcoming projects lists for Public Works.
The most recent drainage study was completed in 1994.
Renee Allemand Simpson serves as public information officer for St. Charles Parish. She can be contacted at (985) 783-5050 or rsimpson@stcharlesgov.net.
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