News Roundup

Blighted Taco Bell Site Cleaned Up By Disgruntled Residents

City Business
October 8, 2007

NEW ORLEANS — Homeowners in eastern New Orleans, led by Catherine Pleasant, started a cleanup of blighted properties by targeting a closed Taco Bell stand.

“This rat-infested property has ben abandoned for two years since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. We are tired of it, so we’re cleaning it up and boarding it up,” said Pleasant, candidate for the District 100 state representative seat.

The abandoned Taco Bell on Bullard Avenue has been an eyesore for two years. The grass is overgrown, The owner has so far refused to clean it up.

“No more waiting. I live in this district and I am going to stand with my neighbors to demand that we get the funding and the resources that we desperately need to bring back our community,” said Pleasant.

The group cut the grass and cleaned the property.

“I believe that promises should be kept,” Pleasant said. “So many politicians said that they were going to improve our community and they didn’t. We have watched term after term go by with no significant changes. I vow to make District 100 appealing to investors, so that we don’t haveto continue to cut the grass and board up blighted business properties. I’m taking my suit off and putting a broom in my hand. I just want to get things done. No more excuses. We need new leadership in District 100.”

State Rep. Austin Badon Jr. is the incumbent.