3-19-24: CAL. NO. 34,596 Change to Melpomene Street for Topgolf

March 19, 2024 

New Orleans City Council 
1300 Perdido Street 
New Orleans, La. 70112 

Re: CAL. NO. 34,596 Change to Melpomene Street for Topgolf 

Dear Councilmembers: 

Louisiana Landmarks Society strongly opposes the proposed change of Melpomene Street for the terribly out-of-place and certainly out-of-scale Topgolf development. We also oppose the deeply flawed process that has brought us to this point. 

Proper public process is imperative. Moving/removing/changing/giving away/swapping a street is a drastic action – an action that should only be used for public good, not to benefit a private enterprise – particularly at the expense of a historic neighborhood. The proposed change should be fully vetted through the community. 

A project this disruptive to a community deserves maximum discussion at each step. Instead, the process has lacked transparency and opportunities for community dialogue. By all appearances, this seems to be another bait-and-switch. When presented at the initial NPP, the neighborhood was in support due to the promise of affordable housing and a grocery on the site. Now they are faced with an out-of-scale, disruptive, private amusement endeavor – far from what they were told. 

The Topgolf facility, with its 175’ poles, netting and accompanying lighting, is suited to a suburban industrial setting. It definitely should not be located next to a low-scale residential community like the Lower Garden District – much less a neighborhood elevated to the status of a National Register Historic District. 

 Please do not give away parts of our streets for a private profit endeavor that will permanently mar the Lower Garden District. Please protect this neighborhood and respect its listing as a National Register Historic District. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Sandra Stokes 
Chair of Advocacy