HOUMA, La. (AP) - Architects are expected to start work soon on a building that will house the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center in Houma.
The Courier reports (https://bit.ly/1GBtcVh ) New Orleans-based architecture firm Perez APC has 120 days under a contract to design Phase 1 of the center.
The educational center aims to teach students and adults about the plight of Louisiana’s eroding wetlands and the threats the loss pose to coastal communities Like Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes
Wetlands Discovery Center Executive Director Jonathan Foret is looking for money for construction to break ground on the project in early 2016.
Foret said the construction budget is about $400,000 in local and state tax dollars, self-generated money and donations, short of the $1.3 million estimated Phase 1 price.
“We’re well on our way to being able to get the money that we need to construct the first phase,” Foret said.
However, Foret said he is concerned about depending on a cash-strapped state government for large amounts of money.
“The state has already invested some money, so it would be in their benefit to finish off this phase one at least,” he said.
Foret said he’ll work with local officials to parcel out the project into smaller pieces to allow for construction in stages.
Foret said the initial phase will include infrastructure for future phases, an outdoor pavilion, live wetlands exhibit, a boardwalk and some of the center’s parking. The center will sit on a 2.5-acre tract in Houma.
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Information from: The Courier, https://www.houmatoday.com
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