Concerns about wall's stability prolong Lafitte Center's closure

The Liberty and the Prairie Acadian Cultural Jean Lafitte Center are now expected to be closed through at least September.
The water leak repair project at the Jean Lafitte encountered additional and unexpected problems.
Ginny Moody of the Mayor’s office is working on an alternate location for upcoming Liberty programs.
The theater has been closed since June 13.
According to Brian Strack, Facility Manager of the Jean Lafitte National Park in New Orleans, the latest problem was encountered before any water leak repair work was done.
Strack said, “An emergency mechanical system repair contract was issued to Ameritech Heating and AC on June 29, and materials were ordered for the project.
“Work by subcontracted masons was initiated on July 2 to open an area of the exterior wall of the Prairie Center in order to access the mechanical piping to make provisions and installation to temporary circulating hose between the Prairie Center and Liberty Theater and the outdoor mechanical equipment.
“During the initial work of selective demolition of the masonry wall, several longitudinal and vertical cracks in the masonry developed almost immediately, indicating some instability in the wall structure itself.
“We have thus began contract negotiations to hire an architectural and engineering firm to perform a series of structural and mechanical surveys in order to understand the changed requirements necessary to proceed both with temporary and permanent repairs to these systems and structural building repairs.”
Strack added, “If we are able to make temporary stabilization of the wall to access the mechanical piping, we will proceed with the temporary hose connections to restore service. If we are unable to do this, the closure may be necessary until outdoor temperatures make it suitable to re-occupy the facilities without climate control systems.”