Published: November 17, 2008 09:11 pm      

Bridge repairs to exceed $161,000

Orange County Commissioners are looking to spend more than $161,000 to repair the Roundbunch Swing Bridge.

Les Anderson, of the road and bridge department, reported they had researched for a vendor to repair the electrical wiring, but faced problems such as it was “too big of a job” or “they were not qualified.”

Because of the bridge’s historical value and the fact it was damaged during the hurricane, commissioners are hoping to get some kind of help with the cost of repairs. Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux admitted whether they get help or not, it still needed to be fixed. Workers with Jefferson Electric Company hope to start the project Nov. 21.

County Attorney Doug Manning will be reviewing a contract with Jeffery Ward and Associates for services in a mitigation grant process following Hurricane Ike. County officials hope to use grant funds to mitigate various county buildings and a possible housing buy-out plan.

County officials will also be reviewing a lease agreement contract with Memorial Hermann Hospital-Orange for temporary housing of the UTMB Health Clinic. The building which was located at 10th and Cordrey Streets was heavily damaged during the storm. KBR has been contracted to repair the structure.

Commissioners gave Tim Williams, of 1230 Scott Street until Jan. 5 to allow repairs on the his residence. The house was damaged during Hurricane Rita in 2005. Williams told commissioners he was living in Crystal Beach and when his house there was destroyed by Hurricane Ike, he was forced to try and repair his Orange County residence. He said he recently as requested by the court, repaired the roof. Although, he has yet to repair the roof on the garage area.

Williams began appearing before the court Aug. 5 and has been allowed extensions. However, Commission Beamon Minton, precinct 4, said he was tired of the whole thing and voted against the extension.

In other county business, city officials from Marshall appeared to present a proclamation to Archie “Leroy” Cezar, of Orange, for his efforts to help evacuees during the evacuation to the Marshall Civic Center. Officials said that although he was an evacuee himself that he was devoted to helping others.