Four New Community Centers Planned For Plaquemines Parish
FEMA Technical Assistance and Funding Makes New Centers Possible
Release Date: November 13, 2008
Release Number: 1603-815
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. -- Plaquemines Parish plans to build four new community centers to provide residents with more recreational, community and social service activities. The funds for the new centers are being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA worked with the parish to approve their plan to consolidate 10 former community service-oriented facilities, damaged by Hurricane Katrina, into the four new centers with integrated services. In addition to providing for the recreational and social needs of its citizens, the centers will also serve as community shelters in case of an emergency.
"Hopefully, the exceptional quality of these centers, with pools, fitness centers and more, will help entice people to come back to these areas of the parish," said Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser. "We are very pleased and want to thank FEMA, the United Way and the many private donors who, along with the parish, made this happen."
The centers will be constructed in four areas in the parish-Boothville, Buras, Davant and Port Sulphur. Construction on all centers is expected to be complete by December 2009.
The project is made possible through the FEMA Public Assistance program. The program provides parishes and other eligible entities the flexibility to use their repair/recovery funds to rebuild smarter, stronger and in conjunction with community needs. Funds can be used to consolidate damaged buildings, to improve them or for use for alternate projects, within certain limits.
The environmental reviews were streamlined under a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Alternative Arrangements process, used by FEMA that allows for expedited reviews to help communities rebuild quicker and more efficiently after a disaster.
"FEMA worked with Plaquemines Parish to develop an innovative solution that will provide an essential social service to residents throughout all ends of the parish," said Jim Stark, director of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "Ensuring that Plaquemines Parish receives the new community centers it needs will serve an important role in the rebuilding of the parish and give residents common meeting places."
FEMA has obligated over $15 million toward the replacement of Plaquemines Parish community centers. When project funds are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a federal Smartlink account. Once the funds have reached this account the applicant can request reimbursement from GOHSEP for eligible work completed. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.
The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations' buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 08-Dec-2008 16:50:28