Leeville fishing pier takes hit with state funding loss

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The project meant to build a fishing pier and pavilion in Leeville has taken a massive financial hit from the state pulling back most of its money for the project.

Lafourche Parish Councilman Daniel Lorraine announced the state’s cut from $500,000 down to $100,000.


The cut amounts to most of the money slated for the handicap-accessible pier, which was to be added to the $1.1-million Leeville boat launch. The state’s original contribution was matched by Lafourche’s $167,000 for a total of $667,000 committed to the project. After the cut, Lafourche now has $267,000 to spend on the pier.

The parish council originally voted to move forward with the fully-funded project in March, before the state cut its portion of the price. The pier was expected to bring additional tourism to Leeville businesses, now often bypassed due to the La. Highway 1 elevated bridge. According to Lorriane, the design work for the pier has been completed, and the construction phase is set to go to bid.

Lorraine is seeking other avenues to replace the lost state funding. He hopes to find at least an additional $200,000, which he estimates would be enough to build the pier and begin work on the pavilion.


Former Parish President Charlotte Randolph received notification about the state’s $500,000 contribution in August 2015. According to Lorraine, she never notified the council to expedite the project. As state lawmakers searched for savings to address its $2 billion deficit, the Leeville pier met the chopping block. Lorraine said if the previous administration had acted in August, the project could have been fully funded.

“Even if it wouldn’t have been finished by December, if they would have started the project, there’s no way the state would have cut it when it was in progress,” he said. •