An Update on Elysian Fields Ave. Parking Lots
he city is talking about halting redeveloping the parking lots on Elysian Fields Ave. close to Frenchmen Street. The plan that will be put on hold includes a multi-level parking garage along with retail and other amenities. 
The Audubon Nature Institute has plans to build a riverfront development at the Esplanade Avenue and Gov. Nicholls Street wharves. The city wants to put the parking garage on hold until they know what will be at the proposed riverfront park. The French Market Corp., a city agency that manages historic properties, wants to determine what types of amenities and facilities will be included at the riverfront park that will need additional parking spaces.
“We have to figure out what kind of capacity they are going to need and where they are planning to park cars because that will impact what we do,” said French Market Corp. Executive Director Leslie Thorn Alley. “I don’t think they’re quite there yet. They’re still working through a lot of the infrastructure issues.”
The plan for the two lots is to add two hundred fifty parking spaces for the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny. Consultants report that the lots would generate money and be a benefit for New Orleans’ community.
“We have heard that our lots need to be safer, need to be available for multimodal and they need to be part of safe routes for musicians or gig workers who are carrying equipment and moving around at late hours,” Alley said.
to be like a multifamily apartment building: People like having a fitness center, pool and amenities, but with space for their kids and pets.”
Homeownership is still the biggest wealth generator in the US. There are people who still want to build equity in a home. There are also those who do not have the means to purchase a home but want to live in a house in a community.
“People keep moving to the Sun Belt. Where are they going to live? They are going to live in houses, I think,” said Miller. “It is a competition between houses and apartments, not between owning and build for rent.”
“We thought people would want smaller homes,” said Miller. “But they want the bigger home. They don’t want the starter home.”
“A four-bedroom home with the master downstairs on a quarter-acre lot that is walkable to schools? That’s the American Dream! And if you can’t own it, renting it is the next best thing,” said Bruce McNeilage, CEO of Kinloch Partners.
