Specific Riverfront Concerns

Parking – The plan only calls for less than 70 spaces along the riverfront wall in the Marigny many of which are already used. The plan points to the lots on Elysian Fields for overflow but these spaces are already used as well for parking in the French Quarter and the parking in Bywater is too far away from the venue. The current draft of the agreement allows for 3 events a month for 3000+ people with the possibility of holding up to 2999 people for an event each day the remaining 27 days in the month. The venue can hold 9 - 10 thousand people. These events will need more than 70 spaces. So where will they park?

Access – The plan only has one access point in the neighborhood although we have asked for more similar to the Moon Walk and Woldenberg Park. A concern is how these events will affect a resident’s access to the park? For the venue to set up they would have to close off the park?

Security – How many security personnel will be on duty during the day or during an event? What about security in the neighborhood for patrons leaving the event? Who is responsible for damage to homes, buildings, cars etc of residents before during and after events? (You should have 1 security person for every 100 patrons www.publicvenuesecurity.com).

Traffic – There is currently no plan to address the traffic increase of 1000’s of people who will come into the area.

Noise – What resources will residents who are affected by the noise of the event have? Is the City responsible? The venue’s act(s)? The landlord of the park? Are sound barriers part of the building plan?

Trash – Has a trash contract been discussed with any of the local companies? How far into the neighborhood will the contract cover for post event cleanup? How soon after event will cleanup occur?

Maintenance – To date no one has publicly signed on to maintain the park. Why? Of equal concern is that the operating capital of the park is generated from the rental of the venue. If the venue is not rented there is no money to do the maintenance or repairs of the park.

Use – We have understood that the space would be used for the occasional event. As neighborhoods we already live with the impact of several city functions such as Mardi Gras, French Quarter Fest, Southern Decadence etc and are happy to contribute to the success of these events. As outlined, our park would be used 3 weekends out of the month for 3 events of 3000+ people. When would we get to enjoy the park?  

Funding – The funding source for the operation (security, maintenance, repairs etc.) of the park is generated from the rental of the venue. If the venue is not rented there is no money to do the maintenance or repairs of the park. We need to have dedicated, reoccurring funding source to maintain the park.