Port of New Orleans - Sinclair Tract Proposed Project FAQs
The Port of New Orleans and the Meraux Foundation are studying the feasibility of a new container and logistics facility on a property known as the "Sinclair Tract" in Meraux, Louisiana. Feasibility studies will determine the viability of the site and encompass projected economic impacts, the Port’s business needs, and community quality of life issues.
The proposed Port development is the result of the Sinclair Tract certification, a project completed in May 2017. The Certified Sites program is a function of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development designed to identify and market industrial sites for development, essentially making them "turn key" for potential developers.
To receive the designation, a property must go through a rigorous testing process conducted by a third-party engineering firm. For example, environmental studies, soil analysis, cultural artifact studies, and geotechnical work are required tasks. For the Sinclair Tract, the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation worked with the land owner, the Meraux Foundation, on certifying the Sinclair Tract. After nearly two years of work, the state deemed the site "certified."
One unique aspect of this certification compared to others in the state is the fact that the land owner required a clause be included that forbid any petrochemical and oil and gas development on the site. SBEDF has had significant interest from these sectors.
In the end, the purpose of the project was to allow for the site to serve as an economic engine for the parish by creating jobs and helping rebuild the middle class.
For more information about the proposed Port of New Orleans Sinclair Tract development, please see the below relevant links. As more information becomes available, it will be posted to this page.
Questions for the Port of New Orleans may be sent to SinclairProject@portno.com.
Questions for SBEDF may be sent to contact@sbedf.org.
