NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas penned a letter on Tuesday, March 12, requesting further review and a “step back” in the process of relocating the New Orleans Police Department’s headquarters.
On March 6, city officials announced a plan to move the NOPD’s headquarters to the 17th and 18th floors of the DXC Technology building on Poydras Street.
The NOPD headquarters has been at its Broad Street location in Mid-City for decades.
Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño called the current headquarters a “black hole” for the city’s funds due to the need for repairs and upgrades that he said could total up to $20 million.
On March 11, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told the city council that rats had been destroying evidence collected in drug busts and cited other issues with the current headquarters including roaches, mold and out-of-service elevators and toilets.
Tuesday’s letter was addressed to both Montaño and Kirkpatrick and stated that the relocation of the NOPD’s headquarters needs further review of the process.
In the letter, he mentioned a lack of communication about the move and what should be considered when choosing a new location.
“Not only was there a lack of communication about this viable move, but it seems like there was not a lot of thought put into multiple locations that would provide the best access to the men and women that utilize the headquarters, as well as the citizens to whom access is extremely important,” Thomas wrote.
Thomas proposed taking “a step back” to review more sites that are in a more “community-oriented” location with better parking, add value to the community with temporary or permanent placement and “considers how the facility’s location adds to the overall access and public safety for the citizens of this city.”
In addition to the request to step back, Thomas also stated he is removing the requested motion from the consent agenda.
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