Council discusses options to keep Cultural Center in place

Everyone who spoke on the matter agreed on one thing: the Abbeville Cultural and Historical Alliance Center should stay in its current location.
How that plan ultimately comes to fruition remains undecided, at least for the moment.
During a packed meeting on Tuesday, the Abbeville City Council voted to have evaluation of the Parish Government Complex (Old Hibernia building) conducted by an architect and to authorize Mayor Roslyn White and City Attorney Bart Broussard to meet with Vermilion Parish Police Jury President Chad Vallo and Paul Moresi III, the police jury’s legal counsel, to discuss potential transfer of ownership of properties. A decision would then be made by the council at a future meeting.
“We can see what the cost is and what is the best deal to the city,” Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. said.
The Cultural Center is currently located across from Magdalen Square, a place it has called home for nearly 20 years. The building houses the Abbeville’s Giant Omelette organization, the Vermilion Arts Council, Acadian Center of the Acadiens and the Vermilion Parish Tourism Commission.
Since 2005, the city has leased the building from the police jury, which owns the facility that previously served as the parish library, for $7,200 annually. The agreement included two 10-year options, the first of which the city exercised last August. However, around the same time, wanting to rid itself of the building, the police jury sought a new location for the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office’s (VPSO) investigative unit, which had long operated in the old Hibernia building, with the Cultural Center as an option. An effort began to find a solution that worked for all parties, including the jury transferring ownership of the old Hibernia building and the cultural center to the city. Under that plan, the city would allow the sheriff’s office investigative unit to remain in its current location until a new VPSO facility is constructed. Sheriff Eddie Langlinais has expressed a desire to have a new facility that has all VPSO divisions under one roof, something that could happen in the coming years.
On Tuesday, members of the organizations in the Cultural Center shared their desire not see their work uprooted. Lloyd Doré III, president of the Abbeville Historical and Cultural Alliance, has already been made by these groups.
“The organizations have contributed a lot to Abbeville and to Vermilion Parish,” Doré said. “A vast number of visitors have come to the Cultural along with events that we have hosted and assisted with, which all take place downtown. The Abbeville Cultural Alliance has spent over $50,000 to improve that facility. In ‘18, the Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission moved from the By-pass to the Cultural Center. There have also been talks of the Chamber of Commerce moving into the building. Given the efforts, renovations, and improvements to this facility, it would appear unwise to abandon all of them.
“We are seeking the council’s help to preserve this investment made by the groups and the city of Abbeville.”
In ‘14, the city received a $330,000 grant to upgrade the building, including new restrooms. That worked, wrapped up in ‘16.
Meg Hebert, a member of the Giant Omelette, encourages those who have not to visit the Cultural Center, which she said plays a vital role in promoting local culture.
“If you have,” Hebert said, “you know how important this building is to the community as it is presently being used. Moving the non-profits and the tourist information center, it will severely disrupt the activities of these groups, who serve our community. This building is located in a central area of our downtown, and is integral to tourism.
“I strongly urge you to make the decision to acquire the Cultural and Historical Alliance Center, in order to continue this building for the proper purpose of the betterment of our community.”
White said the city had the building appraised. That came back at $544,000. The city has no had an appraisal on the old Hibernia building. Councilman Francis Plaisance said it is a “no-brainer” to keep everything intact at the Cultural Center. However, due to uncertainty about what it will cost the city to make the necessary repairs, he said he has concerns about the city obtaining the old Hibernia as a means to make that happen.
“I don’t like that we’re associating it with the Cultural Center,” Plaisance said. “I think, no matter what, the Cultural Center needs to stay there. We need to do whatever it takes to keep them there. The Hibernia building, I’m a little concerned about. The building is 45 years old, and it has had problems. The police jury has been trying to get rid of this building, rather than tear it down for $200,000, is what they are telling me. I would like to see the Cultural Center be totally separate from that. Instead of putting $500,000 in that a building that may fall to the ground, I’d just assume by the Cultural Center.”
White said the deal on the table included both buildings. She said the old Hibernia building is has potential. There would be some cost to address deferred maintenance, which could run around $200,000.
“I do think the building is well within saving,” White said. “I think it is a good building. It does have some issues, but to build a building like that today, you’re looking at $8-10 million. Do we want to take this building from the police jury? I will come with some immediate costs to stop water intrusion. We would have to see from there how much money we want to put into it.”
Broussard said the old Hibernia building could eventually house Abbeville City Court and the Abbeville Marshal’s Office, as well as provide additional space for the Abbeville Police Department. He explained he has spoken with City Court Judge Richard Putnam III, Marshal Jeremiah Bolden, and Chief of Police Mike Hardy.
“City Court has outgrown its building,” Broussard said. “The marshal is in a closet in the city court. Chief Hardy has been considering buying a new building to store files. This (building) would alleviate that need. This would be good for citizens. I want to thank Police Jury President Chad Vallo for offering the city the chance to keep the Cultural Center and take the Hibernia building in the same deal.
“I can tell you those departments are ready to move, and are badly in need of more space.”