AVONDALE, LA – The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) is seeking proposals from a qualified firm or team of firms to develop a master plan for the Churchill Technology & Business Park in the Fairfield area of Avondale. Located in the heart of the largest intermodal transportation system in the South, the 480-acre site offers many opportunities for business growth and development on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, reps said. JEDCO's Request for Proposals (RFP) is the first step in taking a critical look at the future of the park and the role it will continue to play in the advancement of the Parish's economic climate, they said.
The Churchill Technology & Business Park grew out of the Jefferson EDGE, the Parish's comprehensive economic development strategic plan. Established by JEDCO and area stakeholders in 1999, the Jefferson EDGE called for the identification of a location for the development of a business and technology park. On July 19, 2005, JEDCO and Churchill Farms, Inc., a private landowner, dedicated approximately 480 acres of land in Fairfield for development as the Churchill Technology & Business Park. Twelve years later, the Churchill Technology & Business Park is home to JEDCO, JEDCO's Conference Center and Business Innovation Center, and the Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, a top-performing magnet school emphasizing STEAM curriculum. It is also the future home of the Delgado River City Campus and Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence.
In the 12 years since the Park's land use and phasing strategies were developed, several major events have transformed the region and the status of Churchill Park. Hurricane Katrina and the closing of the Avondale Shipyard (and potential reuse of the site) are two major examples of this. With the identification of five targeted industry clusters through the updated Jefferson EDGE plan in 2015, JEDCO felt the timing was right to revisit the development of a master plan for the Churchill Technology & Business Park.
JEDCO released the RFP on Oct. 5. The organization asks proposers to submit their qualifications and experience as well as their conceptual approach to the project and proposed cost. The scope of work for the selected firm includes: existing conditions and uses analyses; a public participation plan; and a master plan for future development, including a land use plan, infrastructure improvements, implementation plan, and an analysis of and recommendations for changes to the current covenants, codes, and restrictions for Churchill Park. Proposals are due Nov. 16, at 2:00 p.m.
"The future of the Churchill Technology & Business Park impacts the future of Jefferson Parish," said JEDCO president & CEO Jerry Bologna. "The park represents some of the last developable green space in our region. With a comprehensive master plan in place to guide development decisions and provision of adequate infrastructure, the Park is better positioned to capture and retain a diverse array of jobs for Jefferson Parish residents, and further serve as a catalyst for continued growth and development within the Fairfield area."
