Let it be known that, contrary to what they are telling neighbors, the FMIA was NOT aware of their intent to canvass the neighborhood. In fact, they have ceased all communication with us, insomuch that they refuse to return emails, phone calls, and/or text messages.
If you are approached by the developers and asked to sign their petition, we urge you to decline. We also encourage you not to provide your name and address as they are requesting you to do after declining to sign. If you do provide the requested information, you are then essentially signing their petition.
To be extremely clear, the FMIA emphatically OPPOSES the developer's plans to build a new hotel at 621 Elysian Fields Avenue (former site of American Aquatic Gardens).
The last plans presented to us asked for a 40% height waiver (from a maximum of 50 feet to 70 feet) and almost a 50% increase in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 2.1 to 3.1. This would make the new hotel the largest building in the Marigny at 93,000 sq. ft., and the tallest building on the entirety of Elysian Fields Avenue, from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. READ THAT AGAIN and let it sink in for a minute.
The FMIA Board of Directors had previously authorized a Petition of our own to gather signatures to submit to the City Planning Commission and the City Council. However, we were hoping that we could continue open dialogue and reasonable negotiations with the developers leading to amicable compromises. Obviously that ship has sailed.
Please click HERE to Sign the Petition to Say "NO" to a New Hotel at 621 Elysian Fields Avenue.
The original design, above, has since morphed into the latest rendition, below...
A 93,000 sq. ft. monstrosity of an eyesore that will shadow our entire neighborhood!
