Gordon Rogillio Offers His Time Line on BREC Deal

[Editor’s Note: On Sept. 22, 2011, the Central City News published an article entitled, “BREC Park: A Closer Look at Land Deal at Lovett and Hooper Roads,” in which we chronicled the acquisition, sale, and development of the proposed BREC Sports Park in Central.

Rep. Bodi White, E. Gordon Rogillio, and Brandon Rogillio formed a business called Parcel 52, LLC, in January 2007.  Three days later, it acquired 52 acres of land — Parcel 52 — near the intersection of Hooper and Lovett roads for $300,000.

In the spring of 2008, Rep. White introduced a bill to pull Central out of BREC and create a separate Central Recreation District.  Then on May 14, 2008, White announced that a “compromise” had been reached.  He agreed to pull down his bill and BREC pledged to spend $6.25 million on new parks in Central.

Over the next few months, BREC proceeded to purchase 50.8 acres of land from Parcel 52, LLC for $709,000.  Parcel 52, LLC, was able to pay off its original $300,000 investment and make a handsome profit.  Parcel 52, LLC, was also able to keep a commercial tract of about 8 acres fronting on Hooper Road.  In addition, BREC paid Parcel 52, LLC, $130,000 to build a road with curbs and sidewalks through that commercial development.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2011, one of the three partners, Mr. Gordon Rogillio, wrote to the Central City News with his perspective on what happened.]

Sept. 27, 2011

Dear Editor,

While I choose not to engage in the sensationalism that was the Central City News, September 22, 2011 edition, I am compelled to provide you with the rest of the story.  Enumerated below are some facts which will be important to any reader interested in the whole truth.

1. November 2006 — Brandon Rogillio enters an agreement to purchase a 52 acre tract with a 60 day due diligence period and authorizes the design of an industrial park

2. January 2007 — Parcel 52, LLC purchases 52.104 acres at the fair market value of $300,000

3. April 24, 2007 — Parcel 52, LLC purchases an adjoining 7.128 acre tract for $95,744 and Rogillio Real Estate begins marketing the 59 acre site as potential location for industrial warehousing

4. July 2007 — BREC does parkland acquisition study of the tract, as Rogillio Real Estate continues to market it as a potential warehousing site

5. October 2007 — Parcel 52, LLC invests in the improvement of the property, including large scale drainage improvements

6. May 6, 2008, Mack “Bodi” White publically discloses his interest in the parcel after BREC puts it on their short list of potential sites

7. August 7, 2008 — BREC presents their review appraisal to Brandon Rogillio, demonstrating a strong interest in the land

8. September 24, 2008 — Bodi White dissolves his interest in the potential warehouse project in favor of a BREC sports park.  He received no money from the transaction

9. June 19, 2009 — BREC purchases 50.62 of the 59.23 acres owned by Parcel 52, LLC

10. As a condition of the sale, Parcel 52, LLC becomes responsible for improvements to the BREC property, including the construction of a multi-acre retention pond

11. As a condition of the sale, BREC becomes responsible for a portion of the cost to construct a 750-foot-long street which will serve as the access road to their park

I also wish to make it known that Rep. White was not involved in the creation of Central Auction House, LTD.  The 2008 House Bill 610 was one of many pieces of progressive legislation pertaining to electronic bidding since 2001.

• 2001 HB 888 allows transmission data for Louisiana procurement electronically

• 2003 Central Auction House began developing its proprietary software

• 2006 LA DOTD begins accepting electronic bids with bidx.com

• 2006 the Office of the Governor, Division of Administration, Office of Information Technology, promulgates the rules for Louisiana Political Subdivisions to accept electronic bids

• 2006 Central Auction House, LTD registers with the LA Secretary of State and begins providing e-bidding services

• 2008 HB 610 receives unanimous approval from LA House and Senate & Governor Jindal signs into law

• 2010 LA DOTD requires that all bids must be submitted electronically

• 2011 HB 192 receives unanimous approval from LA House and Senate & Governor Jindal signs into law

• 2011 SB 83 by Senator Jack Donahue authorizing Reverse Auctions is signed by the Governor

At this juncture, I can only stress how unnecessary these errors and omissions were.  This fiasco could have been avoided by simply contacting us before running your story.

Sincerely,

E. Gordon Rogillio Jr.

[Editor’s Note: We did contact Rep. Bodi White on two occasions prior to last week’s story to ask for his comments, but he did not respond.]