2-21-2024: Re: Our Lady of Lourdes School

February 21, 2024 

Councilmember Lesli Harris 
1300 Perdido Street 
New Orleans, La. 70112 

Re: Our Lady of Lourdes School (Municipal Addresses: 2428 Napoleon Avenue, 2419-2437 Jena ` Street, and 4400 Freret Street) in HU-MU; Consent Agenda, Cal. No. 34,543; City Council Regular Meeting of February 22, 2024 

Dear Councilmember Harris: 

Louisiana Landmarks Society joins the neighbors of the former Our Lady of Lourdes School (2428 Napoleon) in requesting that the City Council direct the developers of the site and their applicant- consultant, Sherman Strategies, LLC, to follow through on the implementation of their proposed parking plan, which is integral to the plans for the school’s conversion to a boutique hotel of more than 10,000 sf in HU-MU zoning; and to remediate the ongoing blight at the adjoining church building (2400 Napoleon). 

This matter is before the City Council on Feb. 22, 2024, on the Consent Agenda as enacting an ordinance (Cal. No. 34,543) for a conditional use (ZD 85-23) subject to two provisos per Motion M-23-558. 

The former school would be developed in conjunction with Our Lady of Lourdes Church, which is already owned by the same developers, dba 2400 Napoleon, LLC, and which itself will be converted into an event space. 

Since the primary complaints with this plan are the parking and the continued blight – it seems concrete measures that ensure that the blight at the Church will be remediated, and the parking at the school will be acceptable to the neighbors, would provide a reasonable resolution. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

 Sincerely, 

Sandra Stokes 
Chair of Advocacy