By Cyndi Sellers

The old District Attorney’s Office building behind the Cameron Courthouse has been empty for over a year. It had been remodeled twice, after Hurricanes Rita and Ike and was most recently used by the Public Defender’s office and Family Services. It will now be torn down to save money, and the space could provide extra courthouse parking.

Insurance and utilities are costing the Parish $30,000 a year, but the lease value is only $10,000 a year, according to Parish Administrator Katie Armentor. At Monday’s Police Jury meeting, she said demolition estimates were in the $30,000 range, unless asbestos or mold are found, which could drive the cost up to $100,000. Even at that rate, the cost would be recovered in about three years, jurors said.