Houma's historic post office could become community to amphitheater, parish president says

Colin Campo, Houma Courier-Thibodaux Daily Comet
·2 min read

Plans are in the infancy stage to turn Houma's historic post office into an amphitheater.

Terrebonne Parish President Gordy Dove has been in talks with Louisiana State Sen. Mike Fesi about purchasing the 1930s post office from him. The two agreed to make the transaction at $1.2 million, just under the building's appraised value of $1.28 million, but Fesi wanted to clear the plan with the Board of Ethics first. Last week, according to Fesi, the board met, discussed the issue, and said it was OK.

Public hearings also will be held before action is taken, Dove said, so the development of the building is a long way off.

"The next parish president will basically have to deal with it," he said. "I'm just trying to start it."

The historic Houma post office was built by Works Progress Administration fund in the 1930's. Parish President Gordy Dove is in talks with the building's owner State Senator Mike Fesi about purchasing the building to convert it into a visitor's center and amphitheater.
The historic Houma post office was built by Works Progress Administration fund in the 1930's. Parish President Gordy Dove is in talks with the building's owner State Senator Mike Fesi about purchasing the building to convert it into a visitor's center and amphitheater.

Dove's plan is to extend the back portion of the building over the bayou and create an amphitheater, and to turn the post office itself into a visitor's center. According to Dove, there has been a desire from the community for an amphitheater since about the time he first took office, roughly eight years ago.

According to Dove, the money to buy and develop the property would come out of community development block grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but they still have to approve the project as revitalization/recreation.

"It doesn't come out of local taxpayer's dollars," Dove said. "Remember that there was $75 million set aside for Ida. Now you go in there and get as much money as you can get your hands on, because if you don't, another parish or another state will."

More: 'Papa was a rolling stone': Thibodaux woman finds unknown half-brother after 23andMe test

More: State, local officials celebrate groundbreaking of $21 million coastal research center

Fesi's original plan for the post office was to turn it into his state senate office and put a Lucky Dog stand on the side. He said he was persuaded to sell it because Dove approached him with big plans for the community. Asked if he had plans for a new spot for his senate office, Fesi chuckled.

"Well, I was hoping they'd make a spot in there for me, so we'll see," he said. "I said, 'If you could squeeze me a little spot, that's good.' Other than that, I'll find another spot."

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Houma's historic post office could become community amphitheater