Lafourche courthouse cleanup nearly complete, officials say

The final phase of the mold removal project at the historic courthouse in Thibodaux is complete and officials are awaiting word to reopen the facility.

“We are trying our best to get the judges back into the building,” said Brennan Matherne, the parish’s Park, Recreation and Public Facilities director. “The estimated completion time of the project was one month. We’ve been on target.”

The 148-year-old courthouse closed in October after a mold-like substance was discovered in the building. It is believed to have resulted from water damage caused by hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Lafourche Parish District Attorney Cam Morvant said the infestation caused serious health concerns for those who occupy the building. District judges Walter Lanier, John LeBlanc and Hugh “Buddy” Larose normally hold court in the building.

The three district judges temporarily relocated to the Lafourche Courthouse Annex, the building occupied by district judges Bruce Simpson and Jerome Barbera, while the mold was removed and repairs were completed.

The judges have been sharing courtrooms for the past month.

“The judges have worked well together to makes this easier on everyone so that we can all move forward with our cases,” Morvant said.

The parish government’s number one concern is restoring some normalcy at the courthouse, Matherne said.

Mother Ducts Environmental, a Metairie-based firm, was hired to gut the building and remove the mold. According to Matherne, the estimated cost of the project is more than $324,000.

The judges’ official return to the building was still unknown as of press time.

Because of the extreme infestation, several walls in the courthouse had to be removed, causing additional interior damage. The parish government hired Thibodaux architect Richard Weimer to formulate a design to replace the gutted walls, which also includes replacing the carpet.

“The architect has been working with the judges on the design of the building. Once it is complete he will advertise for bids on the work that has to be done. Until then, the parish doesn’t know when the judges will be able to go back in the building.”