Retif Park at West End was converted to a US Army Corps of Engineers Pumping Station. Asking the City Council of New Orleans to mitigate that lost of Park by naming the adjoining 4.28 acres as Retif Park and preserving the open space by not converting it to retail, housing, and swinging hot spot.   

Per Resolution M-21-149 The City Council of New Orleans is proactivity asking for residents' input on options for the 4.28 acres of Open Space and land which historically had been a park at New Orleans West End. 

A 2017, Feasibility Study contained a development option of up to 50 condos with Full-Service Bars to make an Entertainment Destination out of West End. Per new Hurricane Flood Zone protection laws buildings must be on 17' high pilings and cannot be built in the water. No financials have been provided to determine what the cost would be and could a restaurant with that type of construction costs sell food competitively. 

A better solution is to Keep the Open Space, plant Bald Cypress Trees for the coastal birds, and work with Science For our Coast and the Lake Pontchartrain Conservancy to support their mission. Their Mission is to drive environmental sustainability and stewardship through scientific research, education, and advocacy.

Recently the Federal passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Over the next five years, the IIJA will provide $53 million to support local restoration efforts for the basin. This will add $10.4 million a year to the $1.9 million the project receives annually from the EPA. 

Rather than turn a 4.28 acre open space park to developers, turn it over to the Lake Pontchartrain Conservancy as a Coastal Open Space Trust and seek IIJA funds to support their programs.