Ground broken on reconstruction of Islenos Museum complex in St. Bernard Parish
Times Picayune June 16, 2009


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Against a backdrop of Los Islenos Heritage and Cultural Society members dressed in traditional
Canary Islands clothing, St. Bernard Parish officials and residents broke ground Tuesday on the
reconstruction of the Los Islenos Museum complex.

The complex in St. Bernard community was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The 30-
acre complex is dedicated to the history of the Islenos, Spanish-speaking Canary Islanders who
were among the parish's earliest settlers, and includes two museums and several historic
structures.

The reconstruction is being financed with $1.7 million from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency and is expected to be finished in January 2010, parish officials said.

Kevin Smith Construction, which has handled projects as places such as Gallier Hall and Hermann
Grima House in New Orleans, is the contractor. Trapolin Architects will handle the design work.

Later Tuesday, ground was broken on improvements at Violet Park No. 2. MDM is the contractor for
the Violet Park 2 project that will cost about $500,000 and should be finished next month. Meyer
Engineers will handle architect and design work, the parish said in a news release.

On Wednesday, officials will mark the beginning of construction on the Fred Sigur Civic Center in
Chalmette.