Council will decide fate of more than $4M in projects

Including Courthouse renovation, P&Z building upgrades

The St. Charles Parish Council will consider more than $4 million of upgrades, including the second-story renovation of the parish courthouse and expansion of the Planning and Zoning building.

Public hearings on both projects also will be held at the council’s May 21 meeting.

Council members will consider awarding the courthouse renovation design contract to Murray Architects of Destrehan for the estimated $3.7 million construction cost. Their approval would set the project in motion, allowing Murray’s firm to provide the design and provide construction management.

“This is just the first stage to engage the architect to finalize the cost and plans of the project,” said Joey Murray.

The District Attorney’s office has relocated to its newly completed $2.8 million annex adjoining the courthouse, leaving substantial space available.

Plans call for renovating the second floor to provide three courtrooms, judges’ chambers with administrative spaces, grand jury rooms, district attorney space, bond and fines and formal entry space for district attorney and judges’ offices and restrooms.

Work is expected to begin in early 2019 and be completed by 2020, he said.

On the Planning and Zoning Department project, the council will consider awarding the construction contract to Frickey Brothers Construction of Paradis.

Plans call for renovating and expanding the building, a project projected to cost $507,000.

Frickey Brothers was the lowest bidder of eight companies that bid on the work.

Campo Designs – Architects, also of Destrehan, designed the project, which includes a 1,076 square-foot addition to the existing building at 14996 River Road, Hahnville.