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West End Lakeshore Park: Development with Bars or Maintain Heritage Trees & Wildlife Habitat

Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. Since then members of the New Orleans City and Jefferson Parish Councils have been working with State Representative Stephanie Hilferty to amend state laws and local ordinances to allow development of West End Lake Shore Park. In the meantime, opportunities to receive 3 to 1 Federal Matching funds for Environmental projects on Lake Pontchartrain have not been pursued for West End Lakeshore Park. 

This survey is designed to both inform and ask for public opinion on the current discussion and options of converting the park to bars, retail, housing, commercial,  a casino, and /or  short-term rentals versus retaining the Park as a Park, returning it to the New Orleans Park and Parkways' Budget, add recreation and a dog park, and seeking Federal Funds to protect the wildlife habitat and bird sanctuary for pelicans, eagles, hawks, and other birds plus work with local nonprofit organizations to use the park for educational purposes on caring for the waters of Lake Pontchartrain, the benefits of trees, and environmental challenges to our planet. 

Currently the focus of the New Orleans City Council is to re-zone 3-acres of the west side of the park along the Seawall for development. The three acres that are in Orleans Parish plus 1.3 acres that are in Jefferson Parish, but owned and under the control of the State of Louisiana are the target of converting to development.  The state owned strip is shown in white to the left.  There are approximately 29-Heritage Oaks on the 4.3 acres, which could reduce the buildable area to 1.9-acres. 

Jefferson Parish has already decided it does not want to commercialize the 40-acres of Bucktown Harbor Park and expects to see a share of the revenue from the commercialization of West End Lakeshore Park. 

Since 1906, West End Park has not had commercialization. The current parking lot began as a rose garden with trellises and was converted into a parking lot to support the bars and restaurants over the water in Jefferson Parish. Building over the water near the pumping station is no longer allowed.  Thus, an option being consider by the Municipal Yacht Harbor Commission and city is to rezone the park and began development of the 117-year-old park.

More information is available on our website at www.Retifpark.org. 
There is a link to a Youtube playlist of videos from government meetings and newscasts. 


West End Lakeshore Park Survey 

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* 1. Are you aware of current discussions regarding the future of West End Lakeshore Park

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* 2. West End Park was created by Louisiana State ACT 209 of 1906 with the description that is be used "as a Public Park or Amusement Park." Have you used the park?

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* 3. What do you enjoy about the Park?

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* 4. In what part of the region you live?

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* 5. Wildlife Habitat: Adjoining the west side of the park are approximately 500 pilings from the remains of the restaurants. These pilings are now home to multiple species of birds including pelicans, eagles, and hawks. The City of New Orleans recently held a series of Community meetings on Parks concluding that protecting Green Space and Wildlife Habitat is best for New Orleans. Do you agree with that conclusion?

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* 6. Do you value saving the 29 Heritage Oak trees located in the 4.3-Acres of West End Park on the west side between the seawall and West Roadway Street?

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* 7. New Orleans Recreation Department recently held a series of meetings noting the lack of recreation opportunities in New Orleans parks. Up until Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans had Coconut Beach volleyball in Mickey Retif Playspot, which adjoined West End Lakeshore Park. Would you support adding Pickleball, Bocce, Bike Rental, a dog park, or other recreation in the parking lot area of West End Park?

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* 8. The original Breakwater Drive, and current maps show Breakwater Drive still existing as a road making a horseshoe out to seawall on the west side of West End Lakeshore Park. Would you support retaining this street as a bike path connecting to the Breakwater Drive Bike Trail to the Point and to service the parking lot, possible future dog park, pickleball, or other activities, and allow for food trucks?

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* 9. Have you heard of the 2017 Regional Planning Commission Feasibility study to develop West End Lakeshore Park?

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* 10. The 2017 Regional Planning Commission Feasibility Study concluded that the West End Marina area is saturated with bars and restaurants. Do you agree with this conclusion?

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* 11. The 2017 Regional Planning Commission Feasibility Study reported both Traffic and Parking Problems currently exist around West End Park. Do you agree with those assessments?

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* 12. Are you aware that the former "West End" restaurants were over the water in Jefferson Parish and that the strip of land along the 500-foot-long Seawall is located in Jefferson Parish, but owned by the State of Louisiana?

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* 13. Are you aware that since Hurricane Katrina, nothing can be built over the water in Jefferson Parish at the Pumping Station?

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* 14. Are you aware that there have never been any restaurants in West End Lakeshore Park. All restaurants were located either over the water in Jefferson Parish or outside the park?

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* 15. Are you aware that the former Fitzgerald's site has been vacant and available since 1998, but the site is not financially feasible?

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* 16. Did you vote or support the 2019 New Orleans "Parks for All" Property Tax increase?

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* 17. Are you aware that the City of New Orleans removed West End Lakeshore Park from its Parks and Parkways Budget, so none of the Parks for All Tax or existing Property Taxes go to West End Lakeshore Park?

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* 18. Do you want to see West End Park returned to receiving funds from the City of New Orleans Park and Parkways $10 Million Budget?

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* 19. Annual expenses for tree and lawn care for West End Park have averaged less then $58,000.00 per year. Monthly Boathouse rent is approximately $300.00 per month and generates approximately $550,000.00 per year for MYHMC.  Do you think there is sufficient funds available from Boathouse monthly leases to MYHMC to care for West End Lakeshore Park?

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* 20. Would you rather see West End Lakeshore Park become a Bird Sanctuary connected to the existing Bird Sanctuaries along Lake Pontchartrain in Jefferson Parish and the Lake Shore neighborhood? It would save the 29 Heritage Oak Trees from being removed.

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* 21. From 1946 to 1989, Fitzgerald's Restaurant operated over the water in West End. The site is far enough from the Pumping Station to be re-opened and the West End Parking lot would meet parking needs. Do you feel that this is a good compromise solution for those that want a restaurant?   

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* 22. Parking: In the 1990s there was not enough parking to support the restaurants over the water in Jefferson Parish. The restauranteurs wanted to take 2-acres of green space for additional parking. The current proposal is to put restaurants in the parking lot, build a parking garage, add retail, and add housing.  Most feel that there is no sufficient parking in this plan and green space of the park will need to be taken. Do you support taking green space east of west roadway for parking to support the mixed-use of the 2-acres of buildable space west of west roadway? 

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* 23. Noise from outdoor bands. The City of New Orleans will not or cannot stop the loud bass pounding music from outdoor music. The favored proposal by elected officials and developers is for multiple venues at West End.   Do you want the Park converted from a Public Park to an Entertainment District?

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* 24. Infrastructure concerns of water and electric infrastructure in developing West End Lakeshore Park:  I am concerned that developing West End Park will further weaken the already short supply of water and electricity?

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* 25. The French Quarter of New Orleans is famous for its rat problem. Thanks to the work of volunteers, the neutered feral cats living in West End Park have kept the rat population away from West End Park. Are you concerned that developing West End Park remove the habitat for the cats will lead to rat problems and health and safety issues?

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* 26. West End flourished in the 1920s during Prohibition by having bars, brothels, and casinos over the water in Jefferson Parish near Bucktown. Thus, these nefarious activities were not able to be enforced by NOPD as they were actually in Jefferson Parish.  According to some, the name Bucktown was given because "young bucks" would come for wild times. Are you concerned that developing West End Lake Shore Park will lead to increased crime with New Orleans already strained police force?

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* 27. If you want more Full-Service Bars and Restaurants in West End, would you support their location in Breakwater Park, due to the advantages Breakwater Park offers over West End Park? Breakwater Park offers the following advantages over West End Park:  1. It is 100% in New Orleans meaning New Orleans does not have to split the revenue with Jefferson Parish.... 2. Bars can be built out into the water, music can be faced towards Mandeville.... 3. The buildable area is larger.... 4.There are no Heritage Oak trees to be removed. .... 5.There is no adjacent Pelican Colony.  .... 6. The boat launch would bring in customers to a retail store.....7. Policing is clearly the responsibility of Orleans Parish.

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* 28. Are you aware that since Katrina anything built has to have the first floor be 17' high in the air for hurricane protection, adding to construction cost per square foot?  Construction costs would add to increased food and beverage prices.

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* 29. Are you aware of the Short Term Rental problems and debate going on in New Orleans?

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* 30. Are you aware that in 2015, during Council Member Susan Guidry's term, 3-acres of West End Lakeshore Park were re-zoned from Park to Mixed-Use which allows for Short Term Rentals, Housing, Retail, and Commerical Development in West End Park?

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* 31. Are you aware that in 2021, Council Member Joe Giarrusso passed an Ordinance and Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) to work with Jefferson Parish allowing for housing, bars, and retail in the development of West End Lakeshore Park?

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* 32. In 2019, Council Member Joe Giarrusso raised the allowable building height in the Marina to 65' to allow for 4 stories of livable space above the 17' hurricane clearance required. At council meetings and community meetings residents have requested he return the allowable building height to 60' and three stories.  Which height to you prefer?

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* 33. West End Blight. Are you aware that two commercial properties have sat vacant on South Roadway for years? 

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* 34. Are you concerned that due to the lack of staffing available for restaurants that additional restaurants on the west side of West End Park could fail and become blight? 

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* 35. As a result of Council Member Giarrusso increasing the allowable building height from 3-stories to 4-stories, in 2022 a 4-story condominium project was proposed at the East End of West End Park along the New Basin Canal. Are you aware that over 50 residents turned out to oppose and defeat this proposed project due to concerns about traffic, parking, and adequate infrastructure? 

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* 36. Around 2010 to 2013, elected officials were proposing plans to develop the East End of West End Park. Current commercial and Civic Activities include the Southern Yacht Club, Community Sailing, JB's Fuel Dock, and Schubert Marina.  Do you support a ordinance to limit commercial development on East end of Park to what is presently there now?

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* 37. Were you aware that The Planning Commission's Process of evaluating New Orleans Master Plan was open to resident suggestions and that a suggestion was submitted to return the 3-acres of West End Lakeshore Park converted in 2015 to Mixed-use back to Park. However, Council Member Giarrusso blocked the item from being on the Agenda of the Planning Commission's March 29th, 2023 Community Meeting. 

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* 38. Would you support the New Orleans Planning Commission having a meeting near West End to hear public comments on returning the Future Land Use Masterplan (FLUM) and zoning of West End Lakeshore Park to "Park" from "Mixed-Use?"

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* 39. After she was defeated in the November 2021 election, Council member Kristen Palmer passed a motion at her last council meeting in January 2022 to allow for higher residential densities in the West End Marina District. 
14.1.G PURPOSE OF THE S-LM LAKE AREA MARINA DISTRICT
The S-LM Lake Area Marina District is intended to accommodate the variety of commercial, open space, and water-related and outdoor recreational uses within the West End. This district also allows higher residential densities when a project is providing significant public benefits such as long-term affordable housing. .... Adopted by Ord. No. 28,911, §6, January 6, 2022, Zoning Docket 084/21
Do you support higher residential densities for long-term affordable housing in the Lake Marina District?

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* 40. Are you aware that a likely scenario for any project in West End Park could be Federal Government funding, with all the requirements of Federal Grants?

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* 41. Would you support a Special Taxing District and increased taxes to fund the development of housing and retail in West End Park? 

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* 42. In April 2022, Senator Cassidy held a meeting to inform stake holders of Federal matching 3 to 1 Funds for Environmental Projects on Lake Pontchartrain. $10 million per year is available for five years. Would you want to see the Municipal Yacht Harbor Commission apply for 3 to 1 matching grant funds for environmental improvements instead of developing the park?

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* 43. Some have suggested a casino for the 4-acres of West End Park. Do you support a casino in West End Park? 

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* 44. Are you aware that each bar and restaurant in Louisiana can have three video poker machines and the Jefferson Parish Council members are each allowed to spend $300,000.00 per year from video poker revenues on projects of their choosing? 

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* 45. The Marina Board has been spending thousands of dollars on legal advise regarding the State Laws which protect West End Park from development.  Do you oppose any Bill introduced in the Louisiana State Legislature to Amend ACT 209 of 1906 to allow for development of West End Park?

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* 46. The leases on South Roadway are controlled by the state. Do you support the state renewing extending those leases out to 50 years with the same terms and the New Orleans Marina Leases?

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* 47. State Legislature Action. Do you want the State Legislature to amend ACT 209 of 1906 to open the door for developing West End Lakeshore Park?

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* 48. State Act 92 of 1910 authorizes the City of New Orleans to operate an "amusement and recreation park" at West End. Municipal Yacht Harbor Management Corporation President Tim McConnell asserts that a phrase in Section 5 gives the board the right to develop the park. He has been asked to have the Attorney General's Office give an opinion and ruling. Would you support asking the Attorney General's office to clarify the conditions of the lease of the parcel of land to the city of New Orleans?  

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* 49. At a 2018 Bucktown Community meeting,  Bucktown residents expressed their opposition to any commercial development in the 40-acre Bucktown Marina.  They prefer Environmental use of their park. Do you think this is a smart move?   

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* 50. West End Lakeshore honors Edward Wisner with a monument. Wisner is credited with inventing land reclamation, which is how the park came to be. The city of New Orleans receives millions per year from the Wisner Trust. Should the Marina board seek Wisner Funds for maintenance of the park?

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* 51. Breakwater drive makes a horseshoe from West Roadway out to the Seawall. Would you favor keeping this road and possibly converting it to a bike path and then connecting it to the bike path heading out to The Point?

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* 52. Are you concerned the proposed development will add toxic run-off from cars and bars into the Lake Pontchartrain?

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* 53. Do you have any other comments, questions, or concerns?

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* 54. Would you support designing the water area adjoining the Seawall as a marsh to help clean storm runoff water or water flowing from the 17th Street Canal?

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* 55. Would you support formation of a Marina Civic Association to pursue Federal Environmental grants for government properties and parks on Lake Pontchartrain?

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