Current Issues

Alabo Street Wharf

Louisiana Landmarks Society has advocated for a comprehensive review of the proposed Sunrise Foods Grain Terminal at the Alabo Street Wharf, citing significant concerns about its cumulative impacts on the surrounding Holy Cross Historic District and adjacent neighborhoods. Holy Cross is a predominantly residential community characterized by vernacular architecture, including historic shotgun houses and cottages, and is designated as both a National Register Historic District and a local historic district under the Orleans Parish Historic District Landmarks Commission. Since the project was introduced in September 2024, it has generated overwhelming community opposition.

Louisiana Landmarks has urged the Port of New Orleans and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete a full Section 106 review, evaluate reasonable alternative sites, expand opportunities for public engagement, and postpone any demolition activities until the federal historic preservation process is complete. The organization has also emphasized the need to evaluate the cumulative impacts of the proposed grain terminal alongside other major infrastructure projects affecting the Lower Ninth Ward and Holy Cross communities. These impacts include navigation and emergency access during concurrent construction and operations; increased strain on transportation infrastructure; environmental effects from grain dust, excessive noise, and other existing stressors associated with the proposed lock replacement; increased vibrations and other adverse effects on historic properties resulting from multiple federal actions; community resilience across multiple parishes; and economic impacts on nearby residents and businesses.

In addition, the proposed grain terminal would utilize an existing rail line located within approximately 20 feet of homes and crossing 27 intersections in less than one mile, creating substantial concerns about public safety, quality of life, traffic delays, and the long-term preservation of one of New Orleans' most significant historic neighborhoods.

Inner Habor Navigational Canal Lock Expansion

Louisiana Landmarks Society has actively participated in the federal review of the proposed Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock Replacement Project, recognizing the importance of modernizing maritime infrastructure while advocating for stronger protections for the Lower Ninth Ward, Holy Cross, and Bywater. Led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the project is expected to take approximately 14 years and is located between the Holy Cross and Bywater Historic Districts, placing two of New Orleans' most significant historic neighborhoods at the center of a prolonged construction effort.

Throughout the review process, Louisiana Landmarks has called for meaningful public engagement, adequate funding for historic preservation, comprehensive mitigation measures, and a thorough evaluation of the project's long-term impacts on surrounding communities. The Society has raised concerns that the project does not sufficiently address potential effects on residents' health and quality of life, increased flood risks, and the possible loss of historic housing stock. Louisiana Landmarks continues to advocate for a transparent planning process that fully considers the cumulative impacts of the project on New Orleans' historic neighborhoods and ensures that preservation and community resilience remain central to its implementation.

Ted’s Frostop saved from demolition (for now)

June 2026
When developers proposed demolishing the iconic mid-century Ted's Frostop in partnership with Tulane University in March 2026, Louisiana Landmarks joined neighborhood groups in opposing the plan through advocacy letters, public testimony, and grassroots outreach, helping secure an HDLC denial of the demolition request and the developer's eventual decision not to appeal.

Actions Taken:

Outcome
Demolition appeal withdrawn. Please keep posted for further updates

The Josephine Event Center

Expanded Permit Application

Louisiana Landmarks Society has consistently advocated for the responsible redevelopment of the former Our Lady of Lourdes campus, now home to the Josephine Events Center. Throughout the redevelopment process, the organization opposed the demolition of the contributing historic school building, encouraged its adaptive reuse, and called for comprehensive traffic and parking solutions to minimize impacts on the surrounding residential neighborhood.

As the project has evolved, Louisiana Landmarks has raised significant concerns regarding the Live Performance Venue permit application submitted on December 22, 2025. The application proposes a venue capacity of up to 1,000 guests—a scale that exceeds what the surrounding residential neighborhood can reasonably accommodate. Existing challenges related to rideshare activity, traffic congestion, and limited parking are already affecting nearby residents, and the addition of large-scale live music events would further intensify these impacts.

Louisiana Landmarks therefore opposes the proposed permit unless meaningful safeguards are established through a Community Benefit Agreement. At a minimum, such an agreement should address limits on operating hours and the frequency of large-capacity events; off-site parking and shuttle or transit arrangements; traffic management protocols during major events, including coordination with law enforcement when necessary; noise mitigation measures consistent with local ordinances and the residential character of the neighborhood; and the designation of a community liaison to receive and respond to neighborhood concerns on an ongoing basis.

Short Term Rentals

Louisiana Landmarks has joined VCPORA, the Preservation Resource Center, and neighborhood advocates in opposing the expansion of transient lodging uses in the French Quarter. The City's Transient Lodging Study acknowledged the cumulative impacts that hotels, short-term rentals, and other transient accommodations can have on housing availability, neighborhood character, and quality of life. While portions of the VCC-1 and VCE districts remain under consideration for expanded transient lodging uses, preservationists remain concerned that additional tourist-oriented development threatens the residential fabric that has defined the Vieux Carré for generations. Louisiana Landmarks supports policies that preserve the French Quarter as a living historic neighborhood, not simply a destination for visitors.

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Historic Streetcar Modernization

The historic Perley Thomas cars — the iconic green streetcars of the St. Charles Avenue line — have carried New Orleanians since 1835, making it the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the United States. Now, RTA efforts are underway that could shape their future for generations.

The Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) Streetcar Modernization Study is a system-wide effort seeking public input on how to improve accessibility, safety, reliability, and rider experience across all streetcar routes. The All Stops Accessible Program (ASAP) is focused on the historic St. Charles line, working to bring every stop into full ADA compliance by the consent decree deadline of August 30, 2028.

Louisiana Landmarks Society — whose nomination placed the St. Charles line on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and who was instrumental in it becoming a National Historic Landmark in 2014 — strongly supports making the system fully accessible to all riders. However, concepts under consideration include replacing the Perley Thomas cars with modern vehicles or creating adapted replicas.

We believe historic preservation and accessibility are not in conflict – and that the historic green streetcars should be retrofitted and maintained as an integral part of the history and character of New Orleans. Your input in this survey can help demonstrate that.

US MINT

Louisiana Landmarks has raised concerns about a federally funded proposal to install permanent performance stages, landscaping, and other site alterations on the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint, a National Historic Landmark at the gateway to the French Quarter. Through requests for Section 106 review and formal consultation, Landmarks has argued that the project could adversely affect the historic character, integrity, and setting of one of New Orleans' most significant historic resources. Landmarks continues to advocate for a transparent review process and project alternatives that support public programming while preserving the historic landscape and architectural significance of the Old U.S. Mint.

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