5-8-2023: 502 Frenchmen Street

May 8, 2023 

New Orleans City Council 
1300 Perdido Street 
New Orleans, LA 70112 

Re: 502 Frenchmen Street 

Dear City Councilmembers: 

Louisiana Landmarks Society supports the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association in asking that you deny the appeal request for 502 Frenchman Street. We support the HDLC and ARC’s repeated decisions to deny the inappropriate request for 100% roof demolition and addition of a third floor for a hotel. As a Significant-rated building in a full control historic district, this should not even be up for discussion, much less up for appeal repetitively. Simply put, it is specifically forbidden. 

This proposal violates several of the nine criteria set forth in the Approval Standards of the CZO, (Section 4.6.F.), any one of which would be grounds for denial. But this proposal most pointedly violates Standard 7, as it is undoubtedly solely for the convenience and profiteering of the interested parties. 

This proposal would forever change the historic context and character of this historically valued neighborhood. The addition will be clearly visible from several vantage points, particularly Esplanade Avenue – where it would impose itself, obtruding on the near neighbors. Most importantly, it will set a dangerous precedent. How can other bad additions that clearly do not meet basic historic standards be denied if this one is allowed? 

We ask that you support the three decisions by the HDLC and ARC and deny this totally inappropriate roof demolition and addition. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

 Sandra Stokes 
Chair of Advocacy