Perez APC, a firm with limited experience in developing properties, is attempting to change the zoning of the riverfront property and greenspace that was formerly the site of the Holy Cross School  in the Lower Ninth Ward.  Their end goal:  a height waiver that would allow two seventy-five foot towers and additional clusters of construction that would dwarf the surrounding historic neighborhood, reduce the greenspace and increase the traffic down one way, residential streets. We urge the city of New Orleans to support development that is consistent with the current residential zoning of this site and in keeping with the historic character of the surrounding community.  

While Perez and their various marketing teams characterize the Holy Cross neighborhood as one that has been frozen in time since 2005, our community has worked tirelessly for the past nine years, rebuilding the community with our own money, manpower, determination and volunteers.  We have presented Perez with three alternative plans developed in partnership with the Tulane City Center. These alternatives require no zoning change at the former Holy Cross site and address the specific needs of our community. The Perez team have made it clear that they have no interest in honoring our work nor our wishes.  The only clear aspect of their proposal is that it is dependent on major zoning changes, including a waiver of the height limit.  We urge the city and its agencies to withhold support of these proposed zoning changes and recognize that responsible, smart alternatives exist to the Perez plan.