LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / July 1, 2000

LAPLACE – It could be a transformation unlike any other in St. JamesParish should the project pitched by a St. Charles Parish councilman cometo pass.

It’s an airport – no, an “international intermodal transportation center,” as Ganasier “Ram” Ramchandran told the South Louisiana Port Commission’s Aviation Committee, chaired by St. Charles commissioner P.Joey Murray.

For years St. Charles Parish has resisted efforts by the New OrleansInternational Airport in neighboring Kenner to sprawl across parish lines into St. Rose.Instead, the Louisiana Airport Authority, established in 1991, has sought to develop a regional airport apart from the greater New Orleans area.

Ramchandran, working with Metairie architect Stanley W. Muller, offered asolution – a massive airport, with acres of runways and warehouses which would be located in the area between the Sunshine Bridge and the town of Paulina and between present Jefferson Highway (River Road) homes and Louisiana Highway 3125.

Enclosed in this 38,000-acre site would be several 13,000-foot runways and acres of massive warehouses, all serviced by miles of rail lines honeycombing the property.

In addition, a double-rail bridge running alongside the Sunshine Bridge would link directly to this transportation center, as well as a major rail trunk line from the east bank railroads.

Ramchandran said this was the first public discussion of the concept and only one of several ideas being shunted around.

Glenn Smith of the Louisiana Airport Authority, also present at the meeting, voiced his support of Ramchandran’s effort and commented, “This is too good of an opportunity not to look at.”Ramchandran claimed as well that the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, which vigorously fought the coming of a Shintech plastics plant into the Romeville area, supported this idea once he persuaded the clinic there would be very little adverse impact on the wetlands.

“It’s a great idea, but the location could cause some problems,” St. Jamesport commissioner Lawrence Jackson advised.

Similarly, St. John port commissioner Bill Hubbard predicted when thefirst land purchase is made for this project, the clinic will leap up in opposition.

On the other hand, Emile Garlepied, president of the St. Charles BusinessAssociation, noted that air service in Houston, Atlanta, Dallas and Miami “are eating our lunch” economically and called this project “an ideal opportunity for Louisiana at this time.”Ramchandran also claimed “three of the 10 richest men in the world are ready to do this,” but he refused to elaborate.

However, he felt the public could support this notion, if properly explained to them. “You’ve got to level with the people; that’s the important thing,”he said.

He asked the port commission for a resolution of support. Nothing has yetbeen approved.

In another matter, the Aviation Committee discussed the possible future of the St. John Airport in Reserve. Alternatives, Murray said, range from a complete takeover by the Port of South Louisiana to an equal partnership with St. John the Baptist Parish toan advisory role.

The port’s federal lobbyist, Jeff Brooks, reported that funding for airport expansion would become available, should the port assume management, toward making it a small cargo airport. Toward that end a runwayexpansion and addition of warehouses would be necessary.

St. John Parish President Nickie Monica said the parish now underwritesthe airport to the tune of $175,000 annually. “We’re willing to be open,and I hope we can do something,” he said.

The port commission named a committee to re-open negotiation with the parish, including Hubbard, Jackson, Murray and executive director Joseph Accardo Jr.

Murray observed, “Wherever we can be an economic engine to create jobs and opportunities, we should do that.”

Return To News Stories