Park expansion would bring over 20 business lots

Entrance of Esperanza Business Park in Luling.
Entrance of Esperanza Business Park in Luling.

With approval in hand for the second phase of Esperanza Business Park, Debbie Vial is focused on building on her father’s vision of growth.

To the public he was known as Judge Edward A. Dufresne, who started Dufresne Business Park with warehouses on River Road that led to the business park. He is the namesake for the main entrance into the park in Luling.

“It’s a definite plus for the parish,” said Vial, owner of Esperanza Land LLC.

Plans call for subdividing about 86 acres into 23 lots, mostly for light industrial use along the parkway and adjacent to the north of the Union Pacific Railroad. M-1 zoning allows office uses, as well as light industry use.

“Its the next square of (sugar) cane toward Baton Rouge to the west,” Vial said. “It pretty much takes in the LaFarge concrete plant, going south toward I-310 and (Highway) 3127 to the rear of the property.”

The park’s first phase created 19 lots, which has three remaining and Vial said calls are coming for them. The location has drawn Sunbelt Supply, Beaed, Pepsi and Blue Bell distribution centers and more recently Entergy, which has bought a 10-acre site for a possible multi-purpose facility. Lots were initially sold in 2000,

Vial said demand drove them to develop construction plans for Phase II.

Property Manager Hank Tatje said they have prospects inquiring about property ranging from five to 30 acres in the multi-million-dollar development.

“We’re trying to maintain a high quality business park,” Tatje said. “The good thing about it is we have the ability to draw some more people to the parish. It could bring more rooftops as well, and the small businesses that will gain from more people working in the parish.”

The project has been a year in the works with the parish, he said.

“Some sections will be away from the school and parish facilities that may be heavy industry, but for the most part we are looking to keep it a light industrial business park.”

Tatje, as did Vial, attributed interest to the strategically located park for service companies to the area’s major employers like Monsanto. Others like Blue Bell put distribution centers there because of interstate access to areas like Houma, New Orleans and Hammond.

“The users are starting to see that and that’s why we’re getting a steady stream of activity,” he said. “Most of the users are industries that service the big plants along the river.”

Park construction is anticipated to begin Jan. 1, Tatje said. Lots will be available by early summer.

 

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