Current Issues

Section 106 revisions

On July 17, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) proposed sweeping revisions to the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. These changes would significantly weaken one of the nation's most important preservation laws by reducing public involvement, limiting consultation with communities and Tribes, and making it easier for federally funded or permitted projects to move forward without meaningful consideration of their impacts on historic places.

Action Taken:

  • Read our formal comment letter to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation explaining why these proposed changes would be especially harmful to Louisiana and preservation efforts across the country.

  • Read Lousianna Landmarks Letter

Resources:

Take Action:

Start by writing your governor and congressional representatives

Gov. Jeff Landry
Sen. Bill Cassidy
Sen. John Kennedy
Find Your Representative
 

Alabo Street Wharf - Grain Train

Louisiana Landmarks Society has advocated for a comprehensive review of the proposed Alabo Street Wharf project, raising concerns about its impacts on the Holy Cross Historic District and surrounding historic resources. The organization has urged the Port of New Orleans and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a full Section 106 review, evaluate alternative sites, expand public engagement, and delay demolition activities until the federal historic preservation process is complete.

Actions Taken:

Resources:

Inner Harbor Navigational Canal Lock Expansion

“Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, Louisiana, New Industrial Canal Lock and Connecting Channels Project” Page 45.

Louisiana Landmarks Society has actively participated in the federal review of the proposed Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock Replacement Project, advocating for stronger protections for the Lower Ninth Ward, Bywater, and other nearby historic resources. While recognizing the need for modern maritime infrastructure, the Society has called for meaningful public engagement, adequate preservation funding, comprehensive mitigation measures, and a thorough evaluation of the project's long-term impacts on New Orleans' historic neighborhoods and communities.

Actions Taken

Photo courtesy of NOLA.com

Short Term Rentals

Louisiana Landmarks Society has joined the S.T.R.O.N.G. Coalition, along with 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.

Actions Taken:

Resources:

The Josephine Event Center

Louisiana Landmarks Society has advocated for responsible redevelopment of the former Our Lady of Lourdes campus, now home to the Josephine Events Center. The organization opposed the demolition of the contributing historic school building, encouraged its adaptive reuse, and called for comprehensive traffic and parking solutions to address neighborhood impacts. As the project has evolved, Louisiana Landmarks has joined nearby residents in opposing a proposed live music venue permit, arguing that the surrounding residential neighborhood cannot support large-scale entertainment uses without meaningful safeguards, including a Community Benefit Agreement, traffic management, parking solutions, and noise mitigation.

Actions Taken:

Update:

Following significant neighborhood opposition, the owners of the Josephine event center have withdrawn their application to expand operations to include ticketed live events.

Historic Streetcar Modernization 

Louisiana Landmarks Society is advocating for the preservation of the historic Perley Thomas streetcars as the Regional Transit Authority advances its Streetcar Modernization Study and All Stops Accessible Program. While strongly supporting full ADA accessibility, Louisiana Landmarks believes the iconic green streetcars can be thoughtfully retrofitted rather than replaced, preserving one of New Orleans' most recognizable historic landmarks while ensuring access for all riders.

Resources:

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 Society 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:

Resources:

Outcome:
Demolition appeal withdrawn.

The developers have recently submitted documents for zoning verification on their latest proposal, and we'll continue monitoring the project as it advances.

Photo courtesy of NOLA Places

Photo courtesy of A Closer Walk

US MINT

Louisiana Landmarks Society 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 Society 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.

Actions Taken: