Robert Morris, Uptown Messenger file photo
The Our Lady of Lourdes building, viewed from the Holy Rosary Academy parking lot. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
A request to separate the lot that houses the closed Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Napoleon Avenue from the school on the same block was unanimously approved by the City Planning Commission last week.
According to a staff report, the church near the corner of Napoleon and Freret was originally built in 1907, but closed after Hurricane Katrina and never reopened. Archdiocese officials have said they intend to sell the former church building, but keep the school.
The request divides the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Holy Rosary Academy & High School, located next to the church, into two separate lots, formally separating the two facilities. The subdivision was actually approved last year under the old Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, but brought back to the City Planning Commission last week so that the resubdivision would be in compliance with new regulations.
“It’s sort of a technicality that we’re here,” explained attorney Todd Gennardo before the City Planning Commission on Oct. 13.
The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the resubdivision of the two lots.
It will be interesting to see what happens. It’s a wonderful structure, for sure, but in its present condition, it’s an eyesore.