By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Disappointing preservationists, the New Orleans Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended further collapsing a Mid-City neighborhood’s traditional street grid to create a giant “super block” for the long-stalled LSU medical complex that is to replace Charity Hospital. The 10-block tract stands beside a 12-block area already stripped of […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Jail working group avoids primary topic of ultimate New Orleans jail complex size
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s jail advisory working group is moving slower than expected, and members are beginning to polarize on contentious issues relating to the total space in Orleans Parish Prison. The group initially was charged with making a recommendation on the overall jail size by Nov. 22, […]
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics
One year after BP oil spill, The Lens & WWOZ want to hear your stories
One year after the BP blowout and oil spill, some 80 percent of those who have applied for claims from the federal government have reportedly not presented sufficient documentation to get the relief they hoped for. Meanwhile, the recommendations of a federal oil spill commission have yet to spur any changes in oil industry practices or regulations. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Rookie cop quits after allegedly brandishing two guns during off-duty altercation
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A rookie New Orleans cop has resigned after allegedly brandishing two guns during an off-duty altercation at a gas station on Friday, city officials said Monday. New Orleans Police Department Officer Devyn D. Swanier was booked with aggravated assault in the early morning hours Saturday, according to […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
A week before hospital groundbreaking, Vitter amps up opposition in letter to HUD
U.S. Sen. David Vitter has long criticized the state’s shaky financing plans to replace Charity Hospital with a new $1.2 billion Louisiana State University-owned teaching hospital. Today the Louisiana Republican made that concern clear in a letter to U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan urging him not to put taxpayers on the hook […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City's Office of Neighborhood Engagement not yet ready to engage with everyone
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Mayor Mitch Landrieu wants some advice from neighborhood leaders on how he should set up his newly created Office of Neighborhood Engagement – but he only wants it from selected leaders, with no press coverage allowed. Tonight’s invitation-only event is dubbed as a Neighborhood Engagement Charrette. The […]
Posted inOpinion
Don't go off the grid with second hospital
By Maggie Tishman and Jack Davis, guest opinion writers | For centuries, New Orleans’s largely intact street grid has fostered transportation efficiency, connectivity and the success of our compact and walkable neighborhoods. However, the grid is threatened by the $2.5-billion hospital complexes planned for Mid-City. The first of the two, the Veterans Affairs Hospital, has […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
City Council hops aboard plan to extend streetcar service to Bywater's far edge
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | The City Council is throwing its weight behind Bywater residents and businesses calling on the Regional Transit Authority to expand streetcar service to the neighborhood’s Poland Avenue eastern boundary. The council today approved a resolution requesting that the agency extend a planned French Quarter line another mile beyond […]
Posted inOpinion
Curtain could drop on opportunity to restore Municipal Auditorium
Follow our coverage on Twitter at Thursday night’s public meeting on the redevelopment of the Municipal Auditorium. By Marie Chinappi, The Lens contributing opinion writer | The Municipal Auditorium was once the site of bustling community activity – home to graduation ceremonies and pageants, a venue for Mardi Gras balls and festivities, host to sporting […]
Posted inOpinion
Going, going, gone! Auction proves a potent weapon in war on blight
By Brad Vogel, The Lens contributing opinion writer | The surest sign of success was when the fire marshal showed up. I’m not talking about a jazz gig on Frenchmen Street. I’m talking about Saturday’s auction of nearly 100 vacant Orleans Parish properties. The sale, orchestrated by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority drew a crowd […]