As legislature moves forward with planned hearings on Charity Hospital, state sends letters informing Mid-City residents of pending acquisition and demolition
National Trust for Historic Preservation calls for state to halt acquisition and demolition until legislative hearings are held
Posted February 20, 2009 | Contact pr@nthp.org or 202-588-6141
While the Louisiana Legislature prepares to hold hearings on the feasibility of reusing Charity Hospital as a medical facility, and despite signs that the deteriorating economy will complicate funding for a new, $1.2 billion hospital complex in Mid-City, the Louisiana Department of Administration has begun sending letters out to Mid-City residents informing them that the process for acquiring and demolishing their homes is moving forward.
The letters, which began arriving last week and are signed by Department of Administration Assistant Commissioner Jerry Jones, inform local homeowners that, while the State's "goal is to negotiate amicable agreements for all property acquisitions," if those negotiations fail, "acquisition of your property can take place under the State and LSU's expropriation authority."
Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said the seemingly contradictory actions of state government send a confusing message to Mid-City residents, and he called on the State to halt the process of property acquisition and demolition in the Mid-City neighborhood until the Legislature has the opportunity to hold hearings on the issue.
"The left hand of state government doesn't seem to know what the right hand is doing, and the people of Mid-City are caught in the middle," said Richard Moe. "The decision to build a new hospital in Mid-City is not a done deal, not by a long shot. Funding for the project has not yet been identified, and in fact, the Legislature plans to hold hearings on the feasibility of reusing Charity Hospital. Obviously, legislative leaders are still interested in exploring options that would return 21st century medical care to the people of New Orleans in a much faster and more cost-effective way, without destroying a viable historic neighborhood. We are calling on state leaders to put a stop to the process of property acquisition and demolition until the Legislature has the opportunity to hold hearings."
Last month, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Representative Jim Fannin (D-Jonesboro) was quoted in a Times Picayune story saying he "pledged to have Appropriations Committee hearings on whether to renovate Big Charity or build a new hospital." Since then, Sandra Stokes, Executive Vice Chair of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, has received additional assurances from legislative leaders that hearings on reusing Charity Hospital will take place, possibly as early as this month.
"At the end of the day, all sides in this debate have a lot in common; along with the VA and LSU, we want to rebuild the bioscience corridor and make New Orleans a regional center for medical innovation and high-quality health care," Stokes said. "But the fact remains that there are alternatives on the table that are less expensive, less destructive and less time consuming than building two new hospitals in Mid-City and demolishing over 200 homes and businesses. The Legislature has expressed a desire to explore these options more fully, and we look forward to working with legislative leaders to ensure they get all the information they need to make their decision. As that process moves forward, the people of Mid-City should not have to live in limbo."
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history - and the important moments of everyday life - took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.PreservationNation.org) is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, eight regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories.
