The New Orleans French Quarter is a national treasure. 
Please help save the enforcement that protects this historic
landmark neighborhood.  

New Orleans City Councilmember Freddie King (District "C") has proposed an ordinance that would gut all enforcement of historic protections in the French Quarter. This ordinance, which could be voted on as early as May 25, threatens the historic heart of New Orleans — and will generate negative repercussions that would echo across the city.

Most troubling, the proposal would stop for one year the prosecution of any building violation cited by the Vieux Carré Commission (VCC), including those for demolition by neglect. 

During a one-year pause on prosecution, bad actors could do significant and irreversible harm to historic buildings. 

Let the City Council know you oppose by signing this petition.

Here are some reasons why:

• The Vieux Carré Commission was established and empowered by the Louisiana Constitution in 1936 because voters statewide recognized the historic and economic significance of the French Quarter. This proposal to halt enforcement is likely unconstitutional.
• Now is NOT the time to stop prosecuting violations of laws that have been on the books for nearly a century. To pause these prosecutions in New Orleans’ most prominent and visited neighborhood is entirely at odds with the city’s goal to fight blight with fair and timely code enforcement.
• Granting a one-year pause on the prosecution of VCC violations will only worsen the enforcement backlog allowing historic buildings to deteriorate. 
• The majority of French Quarter property and business owners follow the rules and maintain their properties. They count on the VCC to protect their investments and quality of life by holding everyone accountable.
• Building owners who have been wrongly cited by the VCC already have recourse through hearings and appeals. The system has built-in checks and balances.
• If a measure this ill-conceived is implemented in the cities best-known historic district, other neighborhoods could soon be in the crosshairs.

There are many challenges facing the French Quarter right now. But
limiting the ability for the VCC to protect its historic architecture won’t fix any of the district’s pressing problems – it will only lead to more degradation.

YOU CAN HELP BY SIGNING THIS PETITION!

Also by attending an Emergency Town Hall Meeting at the PRC, 923 Tchoupitoulas St., on Monday, May 22 at 6 p.m.

This message is endorsed by the following organizations:
French Quarter Citizens
Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association
Herman Grima + Gallier Historic Houses 
Historic BK House & Gardens
Louisiana Landmarks Society
Louisiana Trust For Historic Preservation
Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans
The Louisiana State Museum Foundation
Vieux Carre Property Owners and Residents Association
VCC Foundation