Cold storage facility site goes public

A quick, unanimous vote was all it took to change what had been criticized as a single-option move for the location of a proposed cold storage facility in Terrebonne Parish to a real estate development opportunity open to private landowners.

During their regular board meeting last Tuesday, the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority said “yes” to broadening their options for placement of a planned cold storage warehouse with the passage of a voluntary acquisition policy, which would mean considering private property proposals in addition to one public offering already made by the Terrebonne Port Commission and three settings proposed by the Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission.

“I think it is the right decision,” said Ronald Shaw, a construction engineer and property owner who made his appeal to board members that they broaden their horizons in considering where to build the $6 million facility. The structure was first submitted for consideration in 2008.

“They are acting responsibly. They still have a public option, but now have maximum exposure,” Shaw said of the board’s decision.

Shaw explained that he has 200 acres in Gray, of which 10 acres could be used for the cold storage facility. Prior to the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill on April 20, Terrebonne Parish considered making usage of the land for a government complex that could have included room for the food storage space.

While presenting a case for himself and other area landowners, Shaw stressed what he viewed as advantages of TEDA turning to the private sector, which included lease-purchase options.

Not to be out-matched, airport director David Slayter told board members that the public property option should not be sold short. The airport commission had already made three land offers; one of which the TEDA executive committee was favoring because it is 30 miles inland and it was not flood prone.

Following the board’s decision to open the playing field for a cold storage home, Slayter conceded that looking at all available options was a fair move by TEDA.

“We want to help out,” Slayter said. “They had run into an issue of finding property [and] no special deals had been cut for [our] piece of property. I think [location selection] should be open if that is in the best interest of what they want to accomplish.”

“I’m excited about the opportunity to have other pieces of property before the board,” said Mike Voisin, CEO of Motivatit Seafoods Inc. and TEDA board member.

“A cold storage facility is important to a community like ours with food processing. There is a need for it,” Voisin said.

As part of its policy statement regarding voluntary acquisition, TEDA members approved setting guidelines by specifying that voluntary acquisition shall be permitted, “if the property being acquired is not site specific and at least two properties in the community meet the criteria established by the parish for the property of interest to be acquired. All voluntary acquisitions must be approved by the Authority in principal prior to publication of a public notice or attendance at the property auction.”

TEDA members must now publicize the fact that they are looking for real estate options, review what comes before them and make a decision on what piece of property they want by their next regular meeting on Nov. 9.

Board member Morris Hebert voiced concern that general statements, procedures and goals regarding the cold storage-facility need to be more specific so as to streamline the process.

“What I would like to see is a definite schedule with milestones, indicating certain steps that would be taken so we don’t miss our opportunity of getting this funding,” Hebert said. “I would rather see the big picture than a step-by-step sequence. I have been very confused about what our timing is.”

Funding for the cold storage-facility is based on HUD grants secured following hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Board members have already met an Oct. 31 submission deadline. But in order for the funds to remain available, groundbreaking for the facility must take place by Nov. 1, 2011.