[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish closes on first two Lot Next Door properties Friday

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish closes on first two Lot Next Door properties Friday

These Acts of Sale should pave the way for many more in the near future

 

In another major recovery milestone for residents who are looking to
increase their lot size, St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr.
signed the first two Lot Next Door sales with residents in Arabi and Meraux
on Friday, June 25.

 

Neighbors for about 30 percent of the 4,200 lots available have shown
interest in purchasing the lots and most have place a deposit. Those who
have placed a deposit will be called to sign a purchase agreement. Purchase
agreements are being signed, in some cases, before slabs are removed.
However, no Acts of Sale will occur until the lot is cleared. To date, GRS
has 200 signed purchased agreements with 1,500 parties showing interest in
buy the lots.

 

"This is really a great day for St. Bernard and for the residents who have
been waiting to enjoy larger home lots," President Taffaro said. "We have
been working hard with all the agencies involved and the residents for two
years to get it to this point. This should go a long way to assuring
residents of the positive growth and redevelopment of our community."

 

Global Risk Solutions, a contractor working with St. Bernard Parish
Government, is administering the Lot Next Door Program. The program allows
residents to buy properties owned by the Louisiana Land Trust, the
non-profit holding company for Road Home properties. In one sitting, those
LLT properties are signed over to St. Bernard Parish Housing, Redevelopment
and Quality of Life Commission Chairman Craig Taffaro, who simultaneously
signs the legal ownership to the residents. Taffaro chairs the Housing,
Redevelopment and Quality of Life Commission. 

 

About 5,000 letters have been mailed to all eligible property owners. If you
have not received your initial contact letter and you own a property next to
the LLT property, please call GRS at 569-1905. Under the LND program, the
domiciled homestead exempt property owner has first right of refusal to
purchase the LLT property.  Adjacent property owners who do not have a
homestead exemption would have second right of refusal. The parish has
collected a deposit on just over 750 properties and has appraised just over
600.

 

The LRA approved the St. Bernard Parish plan for dispensing of Road Home
properties. Like other parish officials, President Taffaro presented the LRA
with St. Bernard's plan for utilizing the Road Home properties, including
the Lot Next Door program, drainage, public entity use, creation of public
recreation areas and "green space."

 

Right now the priority is focusing on lots of neighbors who want to buy the
lots next door. Once the properties are cleared for disposition, the parish
will mail information to the interested adjacent property owners. Rear
adjoining properties will be handled on a case by case basis. 

 

The cost for removing the slabs is being picked up by Louisiana Land Trust.
Shortly after the slabs are removed, the contract calls for workers to
return, cut pilings to 2 feet below the grade, backfill the lot and sprinkle
it with Bermuda Grass seeds. Once slabs are removed, the process of actually
selling the properties begins. 

 

Once individuals receive the letters from GRS, the lots will be appraised
and the owners of homestead exempt properties next to the LLT properties
will have the first chance to purchase the properties. At that point,
interested individuals should send their response to Global Risk Solutions,
P.O. Box 1099, Chalmette, LA 70044. Residents interested in purchasing a lot
next door should expect a letter from Global Risk, detailing what needs to
be done to purchase the lot. 

 

For more information about Global Risk Solutions, Inc., visit
www.globalrisksolutions.com. Address: Gulf Coast Bank Building, 1801 East
Judge Perez Dr., 2nd Floor, Chalmette, LA 70043. PO Box 1099, Chalmette, LA
70044.

 

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