Construction Begins on Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex

THIBODAUX, La. — Lafourche Parish, La., officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the soon-to-be-constructed $30 million, 134,000-square-foot Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on June 18. The facility is slated to open in late 2017 or early 2018.

“Today is truly a historical day for Lafourche Parish,” said Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre at the groundbreaking ceremony, as reported by local news source KSLA. “After years of studies, meetings, consultations and planning, we finally arrived to the realization of building a new, efficient and safe corrections facility for our community.”

The jail will be located on a 42-acre property within walking distance from the parish’s existing 245-bed correctional facility. Correctional officials had originally considered other sites within the parish, but Thibodaux proved to be the most cost-efficient and convenient location as inmates appear for court in Thibodaux.

Baton Rouged-based GraceHebert Architects and Duplantis Design Group of Thibodaux designed the new 600-bed, direct supervision facility, which will feature a more open floor plan for increased security. GraceHebert in particular has a wealth of correction and justice experience, and Duplantis Design Group is responsible for numerous successful architecture and engineering projects throughout the area. Together, the two firms recently completed the new Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Center in Houma, La.

“We were privileged to have some remarkable firms from which to make our selection, but in the end, we feel we have chosen the best team for this project in GraceHebert Architects and Duplantis Design Group,” Webre told The Lafourche Gazette after the design team was finalized in September 2015. “It’s clear they share our passion for corrections, and I have no doubt they will design a first-class facility for Lafourche Parish.”

The project’s construction manager at-risk (CMAR) is Philadelphia, Miss.-headquartered Yates Construction. The project team is using the CMAR method, which entails a commitment by the construction manager to deliver the project within a specified cost through working with the architect to ensure the design fulfills the needs of the facility, according to a statement by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. Yates held a series of meetings with potential subcontractors prior February and March.