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 property at 2811 Ursulines Avenue brought the top price of the […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Katy Perry defeats conformism and 200 million fans cheer
Like many of you, in recent weeks I’ve been totally consumed with Katy Perry’s “Firework” video Why?. First off, the song is up tempo and has fireworks, which are fun. Second, some of these fireworks are shown spewing from Perry’s upper torso — and you don’t see that every day. Third, Katy’s personal fireworks are infectious; […]
Posted inOpinion
War on Blight more courteous but seems to lack coordination
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens opinion writer | The thing that will not die. A friend of mine – Ed — called and invited me to attend his code enforcement hearing on Wednesday. For him, it’s an event that’s beginning to feel like Groundhog Day all over again. The house in question is one he […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations
Lens probe prompts City Hall to take a closer look at low-ball boathouse leases
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Mayor Mitch Landrieu has promised to revisit Municipal Yacht Harbor boathouse leases to ensure that taxpayers are getting a fair deal. The administration’s announcement comes a day after an investigation by The Lens and FOX8 News revealed that the leases are going for just $200 a month, […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations, Land Use
City brings in only a portion of what the market demands for sought-after lakefront boathouses
How much would you pay to lease a prime lakefront boathouse at the city’s yacht harbor? How about $200 a month?
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Investigations, Land Use
'Reinventing' New Orleans? Landrieu team steers dwindling recovery dollars to humdrum projects
Despite Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s lofty rhetoric about reinventing the New Orleans, most discretionary federal grant money is going toward rebuilding streets and buildings.
Posted inSchools
UNO Charter Network making moves to get every education major into classrooms
By Naomi Martin, The Lens staff writer | All education majors at the University of New Orleans would take on teaching roles in the four Capital One-UNO charter schools, under a new plan presented to the charters’ governing board. The New Beginnings School Foundation oversees 1,640 students in four schools: P.A. Capdau Elementary, Gentilly Terrace […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Changes in NOPD's arrest policies save city nearly $2 million in jail fees so far this year
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The city has saved $1.9 million so far this year in payments to Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman thanks to policy changes that have led to housing 300 fewer prisoners a day. But City Council Budget Committee Chairman Arnie Fielkow said the city’s financial relationship with Gusman […]