Name:	john andrews
City:	new orleans
Specific property affected:	mazant Royal 4100 Mazant St NOLA
Comments:	I have lived in Bywater since 1973. At that time there was affordable housing on this site. It was made up of 2 story town homes and there were I think, about 60 or so units. There was green space and all of the trees that are there now were there. There was space for children to play and outdoor activities. The scale and density fit into the neighborhood ( although the architecture was 60's atrocious). The neighborhood group held meetings there . One of the renters served on the neighborhood group board.To my knowledge, and contrary to what some proponents of the project exclaim there is not a NIMBY going on here. All the existing neighbors, many who have been here before Bywater was "discovered" are fine with affordable housing, just not on the massive scale and density!! I say SHAME on those advocates for this project, especially those that are paid to advocate for affordable housing who use smear tactics against anyone who wants to see less density and scale. They have called opponents racists, elitists, NIMBYs etc. It is amazing that those who are paid to advocate for affordable housing want to cram as many folks as possible into a massive apartment building. I do not understand that the Feds think that this is a good idea. I believe that the density is to guarantee a massive profit for the ITEX CO. of Texas who will own and manage the complex. Weren't these type of housing projects proven to be very poor housing and demolished 20 years ago?? Other housing communities that were rebuilt after Katrina look like they belong in the surrounding neighborhoods. They are not massive apartment buildings. The attitude should not be "let's see how many folks we can cram together in one place, but how can we give folks quality housing? Aren't trees and green space good for our climate? Why don't these advocates want to provide some green space for those folks who will live there? How can any reasonable advocate want to do this to people who need affordable housing? A building of this size, scale and density does not belong in a National Historic District made up of 1 and 2 story singles and doubles. FEMA should demand that this project be rethought to provide quality housing for those in need and to fit in with the Bywater National Register Historic District. Do the right thing for all of those involved! Thank you