SaveAudubonPark and other city organizations interested in the proper public oversight of development projects in this city, especially those taking place in our public parks, opposed the adoption of the agreement by the Council. We argued that the monies should not be released by the City without it also insisting that the golf course renovation and clubhouse construction plans be submitted to the City Planning Commission for public review.

Although Oliver Thomas was the only councilman to vote against the agreement, through his close questioning of Institute CEO Ron Forman, Marlin Gusman appeared to at least be sympathetic to the principal that the City Planning Commission should have the role of reviewing developments of this type. Along with some other members of the Council, he seemed to conclude that on balance the monies should be released as they were targeted, at least according to Mr Forman, not for the clubhouse but for the golf course itself. As the course is 75% complete, it was perhaps felt that the public interest would not be served by holding up completion for the sake of a retroactive Planning Commission review.

The following review of the issue from the City Council's website contains a fair description of this important issue as it is seen by the elected representatives of our city, and the promise of a change that we wholeheartedly endorse:

Following comments by numerous opponents of the projects and the approval process for projects which does not currently include review by the City Planning Commission, District A Councilmember Shea said,

"It’s obvious that everyone loves Audubon Park, a great jewel for our City. Today we are dealing with the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement. I feel it is a mistake for the Council to hold up money for projects underway. However, Audubon needs to be consistent with the City’s Master Plan as we move forward as a City."

Mr. Shea plans to introduce legislation in regard to the City Planning Commission review of future Audubon projects to ensure consistency with the City’s Master Plan.

In the light of this comment, we are encouraged to conclude that Ron Forman won this day's battle largely through a perception that the money would only be used for projects "already underway", and that in future the City will direct Audubon to develop its plans in such a way as to be "consistent with the City's Master Plan". One of the Master Plan's strongest points is its explicit recommendations for timely public input "at all stages of a project".

Although defeated in this particular vote, proponents of enforcing the City's authority to oversee projects of this nature and of insisting that developments within Audubon Park be kept within the guidelines defined in the City's Master Plan were not wholely disheartened.

For more on what was said by whom:

City Council Meeting, March 21st 2002 (II). 03/21/2002 - Public Input at City Council Meeting. Some extracts from public input at the City Council meeting, elaborating on the issues as we see them.

City Council Meeting, March 21st 2002 (III) 03/21/2002 - Who's Misinforming Who? Commentary on some of the statements made by Audubon CEO Ron Forman at the March 21st City Council meeting.

For more about the issues discussed here, and another review of the meeting, follow these links :

Citizens Deserve to Have a Say in Future of Park 03/24/2002 - Jim Segreto A letter to the Times-Picayune arguing that opponents of Audubon's golf course and clubhouse plans are not necessarily opponents of "change"

Council OKs Audubon Golf Course Money 03/22/2002 - Bruce Eggler, Times Picayune Report on the March 21st City Council meeting and the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement.