Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District buys old Gary's Men Store building located downtown Abbeville

A long-vacant downtown property is set to take on new life as the Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District announced this week it has purchased the building to house its Port Security Network, a public safety initiative developed in coordination with other state and local governmental entities, as well as the potential to include federal partners.
The property was purchased from LISPAP INVESTMENTS, LLC for $300,000, according to District officials. The building, situated in the heart of downtown Abbeville, had been on the market for over four years. Leaders said they waited to ensure no private business intended to acquire the property before stepping in.
“This purchase is about timing, opportunity, and responsibility,” said Jimmie Steen, president of the Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District Commission. “After waiting years to ensure no private business was left out, we felt it was the right moment to step in not as competitors, but as partners in security and redevelopment. Our focus is on protecting the Port, supporting law enforcement, and putting an idle building back to work for the community.”
Mayor Roslyn White praised the acquisition as a boost to the City’s long-term revitalization strategy. “Every time we see a vacant building brought back into commerce, it strengthens the momentum of our downtown redevelopment,” White said. “Having the Harbor & Terminal District invest here shows confidence in our city’s future, and it plays an important role in the overall development plan for Abbeville.”
The Port Security Network is designed to safeguard critical infrastructure and assets from potential threats, including terrorism. While plans for the building are still in the early stages, officials say it will be dedicated to operations and could eventually host additional federal partners. The facility could also serve the needs of current Port tenants, providing them with extra space to expand or coordinate their operations.
Attorney Roger Boynton, who has represented the District for more than 40 years, pointed to the legal authority behind the move. “Louisiana law is very clear on this point: the District is expressly empowered to acquire, own, and lease property in furtherance of its mission,” Boynton said. “The statute specifically authorizes the District to ‘lease or sell for manufacturing, commercial and business purposes, land or buildings owned or acquired by it.’ This authority ensures the Port can provide facilities and partnerships that support commerce, security, and further development.”
Executive Director Nick Gautreaux said the project is as much about revitalization as it is about the Port’s mission. “This acquisition represents more than a facility for Port operations; it is an investment in the long-term vitality of Abbeville. By returning this building to active use, we are creating a space where local, state, and potentially federal partners can collaborate in the shared mission of protecting critical infrastructure. At the same time, we are contributing to the momentum of downtown redevelopment, ensuring that public safety and economic progress move forward together.”
The acquisition aligns with recent investments by the City Council and Mayor in downtown Abbeville. Local leaders believe the project will restore the property to active use, supporting both public safety and further development.