Letters From Our Readers

Esplanade Market Update

Friends,

A reminder that Neighborhood Town Meeting is to occur at Holy Rosary Academy Cafeteria February 19, Saturday, 2-4pm. This is the all important “community meeting” and is not affiliated with a neighborhood association, an interest group, the food coop or a grocery, Whole Foods, politicians or anything other than “grass-roots” neighbors and residents. Of course, all are invited and are expected to participate in consensus building.

Two things at least we hope to accomplish.

1) Determine how to react to John Mackey’s offer of “top Bidder” review for the buyer of the Whole Foods Property on Esplanade.

2) Agree in principle with a usage for the building to the greatest degree possible so that the Trust for Public Lands can be presented with a “grass roots” position in order for them to make a decision about assisting a community non-profit in acquiring the store.

On the latter point, if consensus is private commercial operation, the TPL option might not be one to pursue. Their agreeing to help would be contingent on neighborhood consensus and a 501C3 non-profit organization willing to pay back TPL for whatever investment they would make to acquire the property.

ANY OTHER AGENDA ITEMS?

Please return this communique with any other action points needed to be addressed at this meeting. Reports of progress with surveys, communications with outside local and national business interests, co-op progress and farmer’s issues are all expected to be made before open discussion so that focus can be maintained on real potentials. Some who have not yet participated will obviously want to express their upset or conversely their joy about WF’s departure. It is hoped this therapeutical important step can be held to a minimum. Pass the word and please invite all interested parties you know of beyond the scope of this update distribution.

Other News….

The Food Coop met today and reports indicate real progress in defining the co-op and its Mid-City commitment. Their desire for a store is strong but necessarily tied to our progress as a neighborhood in developing a plan for the Esplanade property. Interesting side note: If Esplanade doesn’t pan out, what about LaCoCo’s? A umber of residents thought that would be worth working towards!

FSJNA Faubourg St John Neighborhood Association meets Monday night at St. Vincents Hall (by Holy Rosary rectory on Moss). I think it starts at 7pm. This is their board meeting but the public is invited and there will undoubtedly be related discussion. Also on their agenda: Fair Grounds racetrack casino construction.

T-P reporter Keith O’Brien did an excellent job with his front page article on our issues. Despite a near assault on his photographer by an eccentric neighbor, he showed our grass roots effort favorably. The surprise to me was what appeared to be interest from Mike Zarou formerly owner of All Natural Food Store in our market situation. If someone knows him, please contact him and find out what he would like to do.

Thanks to Steve Godfrey of “High Flyers” for distributing leaflets today announcing the meeting. And thanks to Byron Levy for use of his image of the Bayou for our flyer (it’s a lot better with his expressive colors added!)

That’s it for now. Pass the word and thanks

Robert Thompson
Fair Grinds