Hello neighbors-

Save the Date: Neighborhood Meeting — Tuesday, April 14th at 6pm   Samuel J. Green Charter School, 2319 Valence Street

This will be a great evening - come meet your neighbors and learn about the history of Neighbors United Neighborhood Association. We'll also launch a community survey gathering input on

1) the proposed Live Music Venue at 2400 Napoleon and

2) its existing operations.

The survey data will be shared with Sherman Strategies and CM Harris's office. Can't make it? You'll be able to fill out the survey online. Even if the venue isn't your main concern, please come - getting to know each other has honestly been the best part of this whole process.

Currently - no path for neighbors to meet with Lesli Harris's office
The CPC decision was transmitted to City Council on March 26th. Several attempts have been made to meet with CM Harris through her land use staffer, Dominique Lang Jackson; however, we were rebuffed.  We were told a meeting with constituents would be "premature" until a further meeting happened with the developer's consultant, Sherman Strategies.  

Mrs. Jackson's first message informed us that the matter will not go before Council on April 9th until, "the community to work on a compromise agreement. This matter will not be heard before the Council until said agreement efforts are completed."

I asked for clarification and was very clear: Ss CM Harris willing to meet with constituents separately from any meeting organized by Sherman Strategies? and Has CM Harris met with the developers?

In response, Mrs. Jackson wrote:

"This process does not require you to reach a compromise, rather, it provides a solution-based opportunity — if feasible. CM Harris is keenly aware of all positions on this matter and does not support a project that would result in a nuisance. As such, a meeting at this time is premature."

Mrs. Jackson did not respond to the question about meeting with developers. 

To be straightforward: our elected representative has declined to meet with us, and the process her office has outlined is one organized by the developer's consultant, not a neutral 3rd party or even a  neighborhood association. 

For anyone who attended the last meeting at The Josephine, you know it started off chaotic, without a way to gauge the opinions/needs of the 60+ people in the room, and with a specific focus on how to make the proposed live music venue move forward.  We were told during that meeting that removing the proposed ordinance change (for a live music venue) was a non-starter for the developers.  Furthermore, Sherman Strategies came to the CPC meeting on the following day with provisos that did not capture the spirit of sentiments expressed at their meeting.  This is why we are launching a community survey - to have a way for all residents and business owners give input.  This is separate from another chaotic Josephine meeting - organized by the people who are trying to move forward a for-profit business plan.  

I have followed up again - twice - asking for a clear path for our neighbors to meet with CM Harris directly, and have not received a response. Please continue to reach out to her office and cc the other council members on your emails.  Let them know your position. 

I'll keep everyone posted about this and any information from Sherman Strategies about a meeting they are hosting. 

Council Member email addresses:

District B: Lesli.Harris@nola.gov

District E: Jason.Hughes@nola.gov

District D: eugene.green@nola.gov

District C: Freddie.King@nola.gov

District A: Aimee.McCarron@nola.gov

At Large: Matthew.Willard@nola.gov

At Large: JP.Morrell@nola.gov

Keep these dates on your radar - City Council Meetings at 10am, City Hall:

April 23rd
May 7th
May 21st

These are opportunities to give public comment and witness the Council's vote. We don't yet know which date this will be heard, so keep all three penciled in.