Work will begin soon on Abbeville City Court

Abbeville City Court will soon receive much needed improvement to its interior.
And the work will not come all at the expense of the tax payer.
The Abbeville City Council voted Tuesday during its regular meeting to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon’s Office that will utilize inmate labor. The sheriff’s office has trustees who work on various projects under supervision.
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr., whose District C includes the downtown area where the city court is located, brought the measure to the table.
“This is made possible not just by this council’s support,” Broussard said, “but the sheriff and contractor/Police Juror Wayne Touchet.
The project is expected to begin on Sept. 10. That will give an opening of a week when court is not in session.
“That will allow work to be done without interrupting the court schedule,” Broussard said.
The councilman said he is now pleased to see the project on schedule after many months of discussion.
“The interior project we have been discussing since 2014 is now being realized,” Broussard said.
It is work that has been needed well before last year.
“Our historic city court building is in need of updates and repairs,” Broussard said. “This is a busy courtroom serving more than the citizens of Abbeville.
“The normal wear and tear is evident in the interior.”
“That material has been moved by city workers to a secure location off site from the courtroom,” Broussard explained.
Last year the city also created a designated area for smokers.
“The city provided a new smoking pavilion on the south side of the building to move smokers away from the entrance of city court,” Broussard said.
Work that will begin on Sept. 10 will include interior painting. The next phase will involve the installation of new interior lighting in the courtroom.
“Future work will also include security enhancements,” Broussard said.
Again, Broussard said he wants to thank those who have helped make this project possible.
“This work on our historic city court building would not be possible without the support of Mayor Mark Piazza and City Council, Judge Rick Putnam, Sheriff Mike Couvillon and Police Juror Wayne Touchet,” Broussard said.
The most important aspect of the project is clear.
“Inmate labor saves the tax payers money,” Broussard said.