GRETNA, La. (WVUE) – A Jefferson Parish judge has set a November jury trial to determine whether Port Orleans Brewing can open a brewpub on Huey P. Long Avenue in Gretna, though the judge expressed hope the parties reach a settlement first.
Construction of the brewpub is nearly complete, and landscaping has been installed. Port Orleans plans to lease the site from Jefferson Facilities Incorporated, a nonprofit that received $10 million in taxpayer money from Jefferson Parish to build the facility. Under the current arrangement, the parish would own the building, and Port Orleans’ rent would be partially based on its sales.
JFI, which drafted the original lease, filed a motion to nullify Port Orleans’ lease, arguing it does not meet legal standards to protect taxpayer money. On Thursday, Judge Chick Foret did not rule on the motion…