Community Correction Center Gets Funding for Repairs
Release Date: April 20, 2007
Release Number: 1603-629
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Hurricane Katrina inundated the city of New Orleans' Community Correction Center with six feet of water, destroying much of the facility. Today, the building is one step closer to functioning with recently obligated funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
When projects are obligated by FEMA, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the state to work with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as quickly as possible to access the monies and distribute them to the local applicants. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursals are made.
Flooding from the storm damaged the Community Correction Center 's heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, plumbing, and electrical and mechanical systems. The $14 million in funding obligated by FEMA will reimburse the city for repairs to these systems, as well as work performed on the roof, windows, walls, doors, ceiling and flooring. Additional work includes new safety glass partitions, jail cell doors with control systems, four freight elevators, three passenger elevators and the closed circuit security system with intercoms and video monitors.
The concrete masonry unit building serves as a secured detention center and houses all supportive infrastructure including offices, visitation areas, observation rooms, holding cells, kitchen facilities and a gym. Built in 1977, the facility consists of six main floors, each with a mezzanine, plus a basement for a total area of 385,840 square feet.
"By assisting the center in making these repairs, we help strengthen our criminal justice system and provide security to our citizens," said Jim Stark, FEMA director of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office.
The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations' buildings and recreation centers, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 20-Apr-2007 11:57:13