NEW IBERIA — A $1.6 million project is near completion in Iberia Parish. A 3,600 sq-ft building features a large storage area, numerous offices, and a conference room. In one area, Iberia Parish President Larry Richard says, they'll be able to see everything that is happening day-to-day on an interactive map.
"This wall will basically be a map of Iberia Parish. Then they can put pins where they're working. So if something is going on in this area, every employee will know," Richard says.
The building will house numerous departments, not just public works. The goal is to consolidate services for new development.
"In the future, our sewage department, and possibly our planning and zoning department, will be here, making it a one stop shop. We're trying to move the parish into a direction where it can be more user-friendly for developers," Richard says.
Richard says a great thing about the new building is that it's out of a flood zone.
"Our public works building is in a major flood zone, so if we have a hurricane, the first thing we have to do is get our equipment from the public works building to higher ground. This building we purchased is at 19 plus feet elevation, so we're high and dry," Richard explained.
The building also features a large warehouse that can fit all of their equipment and vehicles, something they previously didn't have.
Employees are anticipating to move into the office in February.
