NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The New Orleans City Council has approved a land swap that will allow for the redevelopment of Melpomene Street near Tchoupitoulas as part of the River District development.
The land swap will occur between the City of New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
“The purpose of this land swap is to improve traffic flow, which will create pedestrian access and provide an overall benefit for the larger River District development,” explained Councilwoman Lesli Harris during Thursday’s council meeting.
The release states the River District project is expected to bring $115 million in new taxes, with half being “deposited in a restricted affordable housing and infrastructure account under a revised Cooperative Endeavor Agreement.”
Harris said she delayed consideration of the land exchange until the cooperative endeavor agreement was submitted and negotiated.
She said the vote was the last legislative approval needed for the project to move forward with construction.
As the project’s anchor, Topgolf executives say the realignment of Melpomene Street will be well worth it.
“During the construction and development phase, we plan on networking with posting local job fairs to bring in over 400 good paying jobs,” said Matt Smith, the senior director of real estate at Topgolf.
The land swap generated mixed reviews during the meeting.
“We have to bring these areas back into commerce. We have to develop it,” said Kevin Ferguson with New Orleans & Company. “Thank you for your consideration and your support.”
Susan Johnson with Louisiana Landmarks Society addressed the council, saying “Moving a street should be performed only for the public good, not to benefit a commercial concern.”
The billion-dollar project will be built mostly on Convention Center land, and, according to Harris, is based on 450 units of affordable and workforce housing developers.
“I am a staunch advocate for affordable housing that meets our residents’ needs,” said Harris. “This project stands to make a transformational impact on our housing landscape, addressing several key barriers for New Orleanians. We will have affordable, quality units located in a walkable community with job opportunities footsteps away.”
Later in the meeting, council members reiterated the land swap doesn’t change plans for the construction of Topgolf but reassured those in opposition their needs would be addressed.
“I am hoping that we do have, as a council, and I’ve spoken about this publicly as well, a reset with the development team to work more collaboratively,” said Council President Helena Moreno.
Construction of the Topgolf is expected to be completed in 2025.
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