Why is the city of New Orleans not giving a louder voice to the citizens of New Orleans East when it comes to the final selection of the plan that will be developed at the abandoned Six Flags site?
“We just believe that it’s being ignored, the voice is obviously not being considered in the manner in which we believe that it should be,” commented Tangee Hall, President of the New Orleans East Matters Organization. Hall insisted that the desires of the citizens who live in New Orleans East were recreation, amusement, and family activities.
One of the proposals is from Kieman West and S.H.I.E.L.D., which is backed by former Saints quarterback Drew Brees and others, plans to build an urban farm for the purpose of educating young people about the future of farming.
At a meeting last night to inform citizens about the plan, Brees told the crowd on hand, “Envision a large amphitheater covered. That way you could host all types of concerts and events. Theaters, recitals, and events. You name it - plays, movie nights and then multiple bandstands.” Brees also promised retail, restaurants, and a waterpark but that the focus will be on education and science.
The other proposal that has reached the final two is from Bayou Phoenix. Their plan includes a waterpark, a hotel, logistics center, and a sports complex with mention of resurrecting the Eastover Golf Course with homes built along the course.
On Monday, Hall said the New Orleans East community strongly supports the Bayou Phoenix.
In a statement issued to WWL-TV Eyewitness News, the city’s director of economic development, Jeff Schwartz said, “The Cantrell Administration is the first to bring the redevelopment of the Six Flags site forward as a priority since it was shuttered 16 years ago.” The Six Flags site has been dormant since Hurricane Katrina. Over the years, numerous plans have been presented to the city, but no action was ever taken.
If the Cantrell administration is sincerely interested in the voice of the citizens in New Orleans East, why was City Councilwoman Cyndi Nguyen, who represents the East, not put on the selection committee? Councilwoman Nguyen asked to be part of the process but was told that because she represents the East there would be a conflict of interest. She talked about expecting the community to get involved. “We really don’t give them a seat at the table and that’s just not fair at all,” Nguyen said, though.
With trust in transparency at a low point between the city and the citizens of New Orleans East, banning the council member that represents the area from the selection committee can only be interpreted as shady. At the very least, the apparent lack of interest in what the citizens of New Orleans East think is best for their community is another example of the city’s attitude toward the East.
New Orleans East was once a destination for people throughout the greater New Orleans area. That area has been plagued with an increase in violent crime and a decrease in economic growth. It is sad that yet another administration seems to be neglecting the voters of the East.
At this point, the voters of New Orleans East should not be an automatic block vote for those in power who continue to treat the East like a step-child to the city of New Orleans.
