VCPORA, in conjunction with the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, has created a radio spot urging legislators to find a different location for the Cold Storage facility. Click on the link below to hear it for yourselves, and we encourage you to forward it widely. 

GameOfChicken.mp3

Also, on Tuesday, June 9, the Vieux Carré Commission met to discuss the proposed Cold Storage project.  After a brief presentation, the commissioners asked for statements of position from any organizations.  VCPORA board member Mamie Gasperecz, chair of our new Cold Storage committee, read the following statement into the record:

The Vieux Carre Property Owners and Residents Association (VCPORA) voted to establish an ad hoc committee in support of a 106 review on the Cold Storage project.  The review process will afford the community input on the matter and give a voice to our membership's concerns.  VCPORA solicits feedback from the community on the issue as the effective grass roots organization that our loyal membership has grown to expect over the past 70 years.  Additionally, the Board of VCPORA voted to commit funding and support of radio advertisement regarding the issues surrounding the proposed project.

Faubourg Marigny president Chris Costello also spoke and expressed his organization’s opposition to the project.  No other comments from the audience were offered.

The Commission voted unanimously to object to the placement of the facility at the Gov. Nicholls Street Wharf.  Click here to read the Times-Picayune article on the meeting. 

***CALL TO ACTION!!!***

YOUR HELP NEEDED TO DEFEAT

SENATE BILL 75 

 
In November, 2008, with the broad-based support of citizen and neighborhood leaders, business and good government groups and developers, the voters of New Orleans approved a charter change to give the city's master plan the force of law.           
 
Now, despite that favorable vote, Sen. Ed Murray of New Orleans has introduced legislation (SB 75) to require yet another favorable vote of the citizens of New Orleans.  That's not fair!

THE TRUTH ABOUT SB 75: 
- IT'S AN EFFORT TO UNDO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE 
- IT'S AN ATTEMPT TO RE-POLITICIZE THE PLANNING PROCESS 
- IT'S A VIOLATION OF THE CITY'S HOME RULE CHARTER! (the city attorney agrees!)

 
New Orleans went through months of discussion about the charter change.  It was on the ballot of the biggest turn-out election in the city's recent history.  Since then, thousands and thousands of citizens have participated in dozens of planning meetings all over the city.  This bill seeks to undo all of that, and to KEEP POLITICS THE DRIVING FORCE IN OUR CITY’S LAND USE PROCESS.  
 

It is critical that you make your voice heard.   
 
PLEASE EMAIL THE LEGISLATORS TO LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU WANT THEM TO VOTE

AGAINST SENATE BILL 75!!!

 
TAKE ACTION NOW! It takes only a minute. Go to:

https://secure2.convio.net/cgno/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=281

and PLEASE personalize your message!

 Continued  »  

VCPORA held a membership meeting on May 27, 2009, among other things asking for membership input on the proposed Cold Storage Terminal.  In a show of hands, approximately 90% of the members present favored VCPORA taking a stand against the facility.

Today the VCPORA Board voted to honor this clear communication and adopt a position on behalf of our membership opposing the construction of a Cold Storage Terminal at the Governor Nicholls Street Wharf. 

As we have throughout this debate, we will continue to listen and to respect the views of the minority of our membership who hold a contrary conviction.

The Board will be considering other inputs received at the meeting on this and other topics and provide a more comprehensive report to our membership following our June meeting.

   

Dear VCPORA members and friends,

Many thanks to those of you who attended the February 26 community meeting to discuss the proposed multi-unit residential building at 1137 Esplanade.  We had over 200 residents from the French Quarter, Treme, and Marigny in the audience that evening, all of whom care deeply about this prominent corner that affects all three neighborhoods.

Following that meeting, the presidents of VCPORA, French Quarter Citizens, and Historic Faubourg Treme Association met to discuss the outcome of the meeting, and wrote a joint letter to HRI, the developer of the proposed project, which summarizes the concerns expressed by residents.  A copy of that letter is below.  (The Esplanade Ridge/Treme Civic Assocation also signed the letter.)  We believe that by joining with other neighborhoods, our position is stronger, and we hope that HRI will be responsive to our concerns.

Also, this matter will come up at the next Historic District Landmarks Commission meeting.  That meeting will be held this Friday, March 13 at City Hall in Council Chambers, and will begin at 9:30 a.m.  HDLC regulates exterior appearance of buildings in historic districts, so anyone wishing to express their opinion of that aspect of the project is encouraged to attend.  Continued  »  

 

   

Meg Lousteau, Executive Director

To all the citizens, neighborhood groups, elected officials, and activists who worked so hard and helped get the Master Plan charter change passed - THANK YOU!  You've changed the way this city will operate, and for the better.  From this point forward, the land use process will be fairer, more transparent, and less political.  Neighborhoods and developers alike will know the ground rules from the beginning, which creates stability and fosters economic development and investment. 

Please, let this vote have been a part of your larger commitment to the planning process.  Keep participating in the citywide and district planning meetings.  The plan will be as good as we all make it!    

Zoning for French Quarter left alone.

VCPORA and French Quarter Citizens continued working with the NOAC on this surprisingly complicated zoning/parking issue. As we had urged, the NOAC withdrew its application which would have changed the zoning for about 1/3 of the French Quarter. Instead, Mr. More worked out a solution with the City Planning Commission that will avoid changing the zoning but still let it proceed with removing the old Goodyear store and expanding its parking. As preservation groups for the French Quarter, we've learned to be very careful about not creating problems for the entire French Quarter when trying to solve a problem for one property owner.

We very much appreciate that Mr. More shared this concern, while he needed to solve his problem. Also sharing the concerns of protecting the French Quarter were members of the City Council. We met with Councilmembers James Carter and Jackie Clarkson, and heard from Arnie Fielkow, on this issue. They all stressed that while they wanted to help the NOAC, they had a good grasp of zoning laws and did not want to upset the balance in the French Quarter. That strong leadership helped create an environment for seeking alternative solutions. Thank you!!

While on the topic of parking, here's even more exciting news: The UNOP plan for the French Quarter and CBD included as a major goal the creation of a world-class parking plan to address the legendary parking shortage in the French Quarter and CBD. We hope to develop innovative solutions, such as possibly financial incentives that could transform eye-sore surface parking lots into good looking garages (not an oxymoron, believe it or not) with retail on the first floor, as you might see in other cities.

Working closely with the Downtown Development District team (whose leadership and service was pivotal), last year we obtained funding in Legislature along with funding from the DDD and a grant. We now have issued an RFP and are about to review proposals from nation's best parking/mobility consultants.

Buckle your seat belts! If we can make it dramatically easier to park in the French Quarter, it will increase shopping, dining, visiting and living in the historic French Quarter!

   

A pioneer organization in the historic preservation movement, VCPORA was organized in the 1920s. The society was incorporated as a non-profit corporation June 8, 1938. Dedicated in its state charter to the "preservation, restoration, beautification and general betterment of the Vieux Carre" (also known as the French Quarter), it has been continuously active in these pursuits for over 75 years. VCPORA is an affiliate of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a member of the Louisiana Landmarks Society, and a member of the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans.  Continued  »