What is happening in front of old Schwegmann Grocery Store in Abbeville?

After more than 20 years of being unused, aside from serving as a parking lot, activity has returned to the old Schwegmann Grocery Store parking lot, located next to McDonald’s in Abbeville.
Around three weeks ago, contractors installed a hurricane fence with a green tarp in the parking lot of the old Schwegmann (formerly National Grocery Store) building, as construction is underway. The green tarp serves as a protective cover during the initial phases of construction. 
According to a building permit issued by the City of Abbeville, a plasma center is being constructed in the parking lot. The permit, which was issued on Aug. 6, 2025, outlines the construction detail.
The owner of the plasma center is a company called “PP Abbeville La. Owner LLC.” This company was established just two months ago, on July 22, 2025, as recorded with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office. Previously, it did not exist.
The mailing address for PP Abbeville La. Owner, LLC is at 450 Lexington Avenue in New York 
According to the building permit, the facility will be a 5,600-square-foot single-floor building.
The total cost of the project will be $2.8 million.
The company paid a total of $4,300 in permit fees.
The work is expected to be completed by February of 2026.
Glenn Lege Construction of Vermilion Parish is handling the site work.
Glenn Lege Construction is also responsible for demolishing the old Schwegmann building and removing the surrounding concrete.
Guillory Professional Services. LLC out of Houma is also listed as a contractor on the building permit. Guillory Professional Services specializes in the removal of asbestos. 
The architect hired to design the building and facility is Erik Jorgensen from Kansas. 

What is a plasma center?

A plasma center is a facility that uses a process called plasmapheresis to collect plasma, the liquid component of blood, from donors. 
The purpose of a plasma center is to collect either “source plasma” for manufacturing life-saving medicines or “recovered plasma” that remains after whole blood donations. Donors are compensated for their time, and the donated plasma is then processed into proteins and other therapies used to treat various chronic and rare diseases.
Donors of the plasma will be paid a fee for their donation at the plasma center.