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Name: |
Patrick Knudsen |
City: |
New Orleans, Louisianan |
Specific property affected: |
623 France Street, NOLA 70117 |
Comments: |
I am 100% AGAINST to the proposed development at 4100 Mazant and believe the entire matter to be a travesty. Original housing site here pre-Katrina (prior to Aug 29, 2005) had 26 units. New proposal includes 250+ units. Developer says that they cannot reduce number of units because it would effect their "winning bid score" as they would lose whatever current funding they have. THIS IS WAY OUT OF SCALE FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD, HISTORICALLY DESIGNATED & RECOGNIZED BY HDLC, THAT IS ALSO BOUND ON 2 OF 4 SIDES BY RIVER AND SHIPPING CANAL. Traffic is a major issue as it is right now and is furthermore exasperated by a train that cuts over Chartres Street numerous times a day (not on any specific schedule).
HANO is supposed to represent New Orleanians and provide affordable housing to those in need. The proposed development is a FOR PROFIT venture by an OUT OF STATE contractor with zero ties to city or local community. They have no vested interest in area and by definition are in it for the profit, not for providing affordable housing. ITEX (out of state developer) is further acting in bad faith along with HANO as consistently disseminating false information in their hopes to quiet the outrage at hand by neighborhood.
The entire city block bound by Mazant-Royal-France-Chartres serves as green space for neighborhood occupants and visitors alike, and also functions as a major component to area Storm Water Management. Building on this green space will unequivocally lead to more water spreading out through Bywater neighborhood as it levels out moving toward lake.
Being a real estate professional, I am embarrassed and shocked with both the proposed aesthetic design and the willingness of HANO to re-implement the failed state idea of large housing projects for public housing. I have and continue to suggest that much needed affordable housing be built on site in form similar to redeveloped housing projects seen throughout the city. These are not huge apartment buildings but rather pleasantly designed homes to be more in line with the aesthetics of surrounding homes in neighborhood. |
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