Avondale Shipyard for Sale
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Local media quote Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) as announcing this week the Avondale Shipyard, just upriver from New Orleans, is being sold.
The historic, 206-acre facility is on the market after a tumultuous last five years that have included layoffs and threats to close the shipyard. But members of the community hope the new owners will bring business back to the area.
Only a skeleton staff remains at the sprawling West Bank facility that once employed more than 5,000 skilled workers. The company that shuttered the shipyard after 76 years may now be looking for a buyer.
Jerry Bologna, executive director of the Jefferson Economic Development Commission (JEDCO), said HII is expected to have the property listed for sale in the next 30 to 60 days.
HII released a statement through its spokesman Bill Glenn: "HII continues to assess all alternatives for future use of the Avondale facility, to include selling the property. At this time it is inappropriate to discuss any possible outcomes of those efforts."
Tuesday, shipyard owner HII announced it has hired a firm to market the facility it closed last year. The sales brochure touts 8,000 linear feet of deep water access, 206 acres, 16 major buildings and the chance to own a piece of history.
There are reports that HII hired Colliers International Group Inc. to market the shipyard.