EBR Plans Fall Bond Vote

East Baton Rouge Parish officials are expected to set an election for October or November on a bond proposal that could include a new parish prison and other capital projects.

Mayor-President Melvin Holden in September said he anticipated a bond election in April 2011, but sheriff Sid Gautreaux said last week he has been notified that the vote has been put off until fall.

The deadline for calling an April 30 bond election is Jan. 12.

Voters rejected a $901 million bond proposal in November 2009 and a $989 million package in November 2008.

The 2009 bond plan included $225 million to develop an educational and entertainment complex along the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge. The proposal would have provided $178 million for drainage improvements, $135 million for a parish prison, $92.5 million for a public safety complex, and $44 million for a juvenile justice center.

The bonds would have been issued by a parish-wide improvement district created by the joint city-parish Metropolitan Council.

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