PLAQUEMINE, La. (BRPROUD) – Departments within Plaquemine’s City Hall and Police Station will temporarily relocate while remediation efforts begin on the two buildings.
The move comes after a study initiated by city officials indicated mold and water damage in both buildings. City leaders learned about the structural damage from a Friday, April 24 report. By Monday, they’d started planning to move impacted offices to safer areas locations.
Mayor Edwin “Ed” Reeves, Jr. said, “Out of an abundance of caution to protect both employees and the public, we are relocating all departments to offices in other buildings. We are trying to identify where departments will move now and will notify the public as soon as we have that information determined.”
How long will the temporary relocation last?
The relocation is temporary and will last as long as remediation efforts continue. Officials believe this will take at least six months.
Details of the move will be discussed and decided during a special Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. meeting hosted by the Plaquemine Board of Selectmen at the Plaquemine Community Center.
Impact on city workers, members of the public
Officials say this situation will impact the public. Commonly frequented departments that will be temporarily housed elsewhere include:
- The City Utility Customer Service Center
- City Hall’s Personnel Department
- City Hall’s Finance Department
The Plaquemine Police Department will also relocate. It will move to its Training Center, which is in the building at the Plaquemine City Park site.
Members of the public will be able to reach each of the departments by phone. Each division will retain its original phone number. That said, when moving day arrives, the departments may be unavailable for 24-48 hours. This will give them time to relocate.
Officials will put signs outside of the Police Station and City Hall, listing each division’s new location. Locals will also be notified by means of other communications.
“We recognize that this is an inconvenience for residents and others, but this is necessary to protect our employees and the public,” said Mayor Reeves. “Every effort will be made to make sure all of our departments are accessible in this transition and during remediation.”
Leave a Reply