By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A Destrehan architectural firm has been awarded a contract to design the layout for a new government complex on the east bank of St. John Parish.

At a recent finance committee meeting, the council voted unanimously to award Murray Architects with the task of designing the building, which parish officials say will serve as an all-inclusive parish government facility on the East Bank.

St. John Chief Administrative Officer Pat McTopy said the contract had been given clearance by in-house engineer Chuck Savoie as well as legal counsel.

Funding for the new building, which will be constructed on the open space in front of the Percy Hebert Building on Airline Highway, was part of the 2009 bond issue that was approved by voters last spring. The parish has set aside about $6.5 million for construction of the building.

Parish officials said the new complex, which will expand office space for various government entities including the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Public Works, will not lead to a change in the St. John Parish seat. The parish seat will remain in Edgard.

A portion of bond issue money will also go toward renovations to improve the safety at the courthouse in Edgard.