city government
Guest column: Tulane stadium — There must be a better way
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By Nick Kindel
Perhaps it is inevitable that there will be tensions – and even friction – when a major institution is located in a residential area. But is it really necessary for this to rise to the level of acrimony and divisiveness that currently characterizes the Tulane University stadium proposal? Last year, a contingent of neighborhood, business and government leaders from Birmingham, Alabama – a city not unlike New Orleans – traveled here to share information about their Citizen Participation Program (CPP). They described it as a three-legged stool that united community, business and government in moving their city forward. In particular, former Princeton Baptist Hospital CEO Charlie Faulkner cited Birmingham’s CPP as essential to addressing neighborhood concerns while allowing his hospital to expand in a residential area. While the hospital did expand its footprint, the surrounding neighborhoods were compensated by renovation of blighted housing, jobs for neighborhood residents at the hospital, and contributions of equipment, supplies and other support for community facilities. Contrast this with the current situation in the areas surrounding Tulane, where neighborhoods have stated their mistrust of the university, neighbors are arguing with other neighbors, Tulane has sued the city, and the stadium plans are on hold. Among their numerous other benefits, CPPs are designed to bring developers and residents together to discuss legitimate concerns surrounding project proposals.