[MarignyBywater] Public Meeting on the Riverfront "Park" - October 6th @NOCCA @ 7 pm

[Chris W. Costello]

Public Meeting on the Riverfront "Park" - October 6th @ NOCCA @ 7 pm

 

The idea of creating a park to open up the riverfront to the citizens of
New Orleans was championed by everyone. For those neighborhoods that are
in close proximity to the proposed park, concerns were expressed to make
sure the design and operation of the park mitigated the inevitable
negative impacts associated with such a large scale development.
Although the idea was championed, many held reservations due to the fact
that the designers of the park (Reinventing the Crescent) were not
listening to the concerns of those most affected: the residents of the
adjacent neighborhoods.

 

The concerns of the residents are:

 

Parking - The plan only calls for less than 90 spaces along the
riverfront wall in the Marigny many of which are already used. The plan
points to the lots on Elysian Fields for overflow but these spaces are
already used as well. The current draft of the agreement allows for 3
events a month for 3000+ people with the possibility of holding up to
2999 people for an event each day the remaining 27 days in the month.
These events will need more than 90 spaces. So where will they park?

 

Access - The plan only has one access point in the neighborhood although
we have asked for more similar in number to the Moon Walk and Woldenberg
Park. A concern is how will these events will affect a resident's access
to the park? For the venue to set up they would have to close off the
park.

 

Security - Fire plan? Insurance? Liability or otherwise? Fire emergency
plan to evacuate the venue and the area? How many security personnel
will be on duty during event? You should have 1 security person for
every 100 patrons (www.publicvenuesecurity.com). What about security in
the neighborhood for patrons leaving the event? Who is responsible for
damage to homes, building, cars etc of residents before during and after
events?

 

Traffic - There is currently no plan to address the traffic increase of
1000's of people who will come into the area.

 

Noise - What resources will residents who are affected by the noise of
the event have? Is the City responsible? The venue's act(s)? The
landlord of the "park"? Are sound barriers part of the building plan?

 

Trash - Has a trash contract been discussed with any of the local
companies? How far into the neighborhood will the contract cover for
post event cleanup? How soon after event will cleanup occur? 

 

Maintenance - We have been told since the beginning that the Audubon
Institute would be in charge of operating/maintaining/repairing the
park. To date they have not publically signed on to take on this
important responsibility of the park. Why? Of equal concern is that the
operating capitol of the park is generated from the rental of the venue.
If the venue is not rented there is no money to do the  maintenance or
repairs of the park.

 

Use - We have understood that the space would be used for the occasional
event. As a neighborhood we already live with the impact of several city
functions such as Mardi Gras, French Quarter Fest, St Patrick's Day etc
and are happy to contribute to the success of these events. As outlined,
our park would be used 3 weekends out of the month for 3 events of 3000+
people. When would we get to enjoy the park?  

 

Come to a public meeting on October 6th at NOCCA from 7 - 8:30 pm to
discuss the riverfront "park" in its newest iteration.

 

We all want a riverfront park but we need to make sure it is designed
and funded properly to mitigate the residents' concerns and make sure it
remains the beautiful doorway to the City we were promised.

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