Letters From Our Readers

No Public Review of Audubon Park Design

May 14, 2002

The Audubon Nature Institute is now soliciting bids for the construction of its massive new golf clubhouse in Audubon Park. Despite the fact that this new building is to be built with public funds (state bonds), its design has never been reviewed by either the City Planning Commission or the public.

We believe there are serious concerns with the proposed building, especially with regard to its size compared to its purported use. We also believe for a body such as the Audubon Institute to be able to construct such a large building in the middle of a public park without any city or public oversight flies in the face of appropriate public processes.

We believe that it would be entirely appropriate for the City Planning Commission to review the design details of this building right now, and we are supporting Resolution 02-192 by which the City Council would direct them to do so. Please support us in ensuring that Resolution 02-192 is heard, and approved.

Before 5:00 p.m Wednesday May 15th, please phone, fax or email your district councilperson and the two at-large councilmen, and ask them to please author and/or support Resolution 02-192, by which the City Council directs the City Planning Commission to review all future plans and projects in our public parks.

The City Planning Commission has shown that it WILL NOT act unless directed to do so by our elected officials. Repeated citizen requests for reviews have fallen on deaf ears at the CPC for the past six months. Save Audubon Park has received NO response from the CPC to our written request for the dates and findings of the supposed CPC reviews of the new golf course project that, during the City Council meeting on March 21, Ron Forman repeatedly claimed had taken place.

All calls and requests must be received before 5:00 p.m. Wednesday May 15th so the Council secretaries can record the calls before the City Council Meeting this Thursday, May 16th, 2002.

We also urge you to attend the council meeting itself! Parking is available at the New Orleans Center for $1 for 3 hours. Council meetings are at City Hall and start at 9:30. We are unsure at the moment exactly when Resolution 02-192 will be heard, but we will be able to forecast an approximate time soon.

Sample letter below:

Dear Councilmembers,

I urge you to co-author and/or support Resolution 02-192 at the City Council Meeting on May 16th, 2002, by which the City Council directs the City Planning Commission to review all future construction and renovation plans and projects in our public parks.

Public spaces belong to all members of the community and must serve all members of the community. Projects that transform public spaces into arenas of private profit threaten to erode the sense of community essential to a healthy community. Arrangements that appear to place well-connected businessmen beyond the reach of the agencies and the rules governing the actions of the majority of citizens poison the civic life of the community.

If Mayor Nagin is correct and we are entering a new era of transparency in local government, let it begin today.

It is important for the City Council to ensure that developments in this city are subject to meaningful public input, to review by the Planning Commission for conformity with the City’s current Master Plan, and ultimately to City Council oversight, especially when those developments impact valuable urban green spaces such as Audubon Park and City Park.

Sincerely,

To learn more about Save Audubon Park, visit http://www.saveaudubonpark.org