Ask Louisiana Governor for an Independent Analysis of New Orleans' Medical District Plans
Background Information
The National Trust for Historic Preservation – along with the Foundation for Historical Louisiana and over 60 local, regional and national organizations – continue to call on Governor Jindal to order a third-party comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of the two leading medical center plans.
There continues to be contradictory claims about how to best bring a state-of-the-art medical center to New Orleans. One plan espouses the benefits of rehabbing the historic Charity Hospital, while another proposes the abandonment of Charity in favor of new construction.
- Last month, Governor Jindal pointed out that LSU needed a more detailed business plan for its new hospital. The governor then ordered a halt to all land acquisition for the LSU hospital until governance and financing issues are resolved. This is a huge step toward making sure Charity Hospital is successfully rehabbed.
- Louisiana State Treasurer John Kennedy testified to the Louisiana Legislature that "it would be a disgrace if we took all of this property, ask people – who were flooded, came back, rebuilt – to move again, shut down business and level all of the buildings and then find out that we're not going to build a hospital there."
- HB 780 – a bill that requires LSU to have a financing plan approved by the legislature before homes and businesses are seized by eminent domain – earned widespread support in the House with a vote of 94-2. Although the House saw the value in requiring a financing plan, the measure was unfortunately tabled by the Senate Education Committee.
Now, we look to Governor Jindal to provide leadership on this issue.
Take Action
Make sure Governor Jindal knows that you appreciate his taking the first step by halting land acquisition by Louisiana State University, but that he can't stop there! Use our online form to send him a letter asking for an independent cost-benefit analysis of the competing plans.
Submitted by Janie at: July 19, 2009
Please initiate an independent cost-benefit analysis of the competing plans! Thank you for halting land acquisition bu LSU.
Submitted by Gwen at: July 15, 2009
There are too many old motels and businesses on Tulane Ave and Canal Street. There is no need to demolish or destroy homes or neighborhoods in the Mid - City area. There is no city planners concerned abvout the history of our city. As a New ORleans Creole, I find this deplorable. From the day some let I- 10 down N. Claiborne in New Orleans, this has been going on. Katrina is no excuse. We want restoration not obliteration. New Orleans is unique. Do not destroy our heritage.