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A state appellate court has upheld a lower court’s decision to prohibit the development of a 56-silo grain terminal in the heart of St John the Baptist Parish, a historically Black community rezoned as “heavy industrial” in 1990.

The Descendants Project, a non-profit environmental organization, sued to halt construction after Greenfield Louisiana LLC announced plans in 2021 to build a $400 million grain elevator and terminal at the site. The property was initially rezoned following Formosa Chemical Corp.’s proposal to construct a rayon pulp facility there, but the project was not built.

In a statement, the environmental organization expressed optimism that Wednesday’s decision would signify the final resolution.

“For too long, residents have feared that polluting industry will industrialize this land in our historic Black community despite opposition from residents, and this affirms our right to protect our community over corporate greed,” said Dr. Joy Banner and Jo Banner, co-founders of The Descendants Project. 

The Descendants Project and the Fifolet Cafe are on their family’s land directly next to Greenfield’s proposed site in Wallace, a historic “free town” established by the formerly enslaved.

Greenfield claimed St. John the Baptist Parish officials had correctly rezoned the site. However, the three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal found that the parish did not follow administrative procedures, countering Greenfield’s argument.

A lower court had ruled against the elevator last year. The recent decision on Wednesday has upheld that ruling.

“We find no error in the trial court’s rulings on the parties’ respective motions for summary judgment,” the court ruled.

“We thank the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for this monumental ruling. We are hopeful it will end the illegal rezoning ordinance that for 30 years has cast a long shadow in St. John the Baptist Parish,” said co-founders of The Descendants Project. 

Greenfield appealed a 2023 ruling that found a 1990 zoning change allowing industrial construction in a residential area, where Greenfield planned to build a large grain terminal, was unlawfully passed. 

Last year, Greenfield said it would no longer pursue building the grain terminal on the site, but it has not ruled out further development.

Formosa Plastics, a Taiwanese corporation, sought the zoning change, which was tainted by allegations of corruption. These allegations ultimately resulted in the conviction of then-parish President Bill Hubbard on federal corruption charges. 

The company later abandoned the project, and the land remained agricultural for decades until Greenfield, Louisiana, sought to build a facility on the same site.