Preserving Charity

From the National Trust for Historic Preservation:


On Wednesday, May 27th, the Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee will consider House Bill780. Sponsored by the committee’s Vice Chair, Representative Rick Nowlin, this measure would require LSU to have a financial plan for the proposed New Orleans medical center approved by the state legislature before being allowed to acquire any property.

Fiscal responsibility during a difficult economy means making sure that LSU has a sound business plan to operate its proposed $1.2 billion hospital before being allowed to buy or seize land in the New Orleans Mid-City neighborhood.

Fiscal responsibility also requires evaluating less expensive options. For instance, a state-of-the-art hospital could be built inside the gutted shell of Charity Hospital -- saving $283 million over new construction and opening years earlier, while avoiding the expropriation of private property.


Contact the Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee members and ask them to support HB780 when they consider it on Wednesday, May 27th. I have provided each member's phone, fax and email address below.


Abramson, Neil C. 365 Canal Street Suite 2740 New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 275-8051
fax (504) 568-3342 abramson@legis.state.la.us

Barrow, Regina 3552 Monterrey Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70814 (225)362-5837
fax(225)362-5839 larep029@legis.state.la.us

Burford, Richard T. 671 Hwy. 171 Suite E Stonewall, LA 71078 (318)925-9588
fax (318)925-9590 burfordr@legis.state.la.us

Doerge, Jean M. 732 Main Street Minden, LA 71055 (318)371-3092
fax (318)371-3093 larep010@legis.state.la.us

Hill, Dorothy Sue 529 Tramel Road Dry Creek, LA 70637 (800)259-2118
fax (337)639-4045 hilld@legis.state.la.us

Hines, Walker 5500 Prytania Street #626 New Orleans, LA 70115 (504)756-4675
fax (504)553-5324 hinesw@legis.state.la.us

Jackson, Michael 660 N. Foster, Ste. A-214 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225)342-0774
fax (225)922-1060 larep061@legis.state.la.us

Johnson, Robert A. P.O. Box 467 Marksville, LA 71351 (318)253-8891
fax (318)253-6377 johnsoro@legis.state.la.us

Katz, Kay 207 C Louisville Avenue Monroe, LA 71201-5823 (318)340-0800
fax (318)340-0911 larep016@legis.state.la.us

LaBruzzo, John 3331 Severn Ave., Ste. 204 Metairie, LA 70002 (504)833-7788
fax (504)212-7644 larep081@legis.state.la.us

LeBas, H. Bernard 115 Southwest Railroad Ave. Ville Platte, LA 70586 (337)363-0152
fax (337)363-0179 lebasb@legis.state.la.us

Mills, Fred H. Jr. 1010 Martin Street Parks, LA 70582 (337)845-4240
fax (337)845-4095 larep046@legis.state.la.us

Nowlin, Rickey L. 816 University Parkway Suite C Natchitoches, LA 71457 (318)357-7048 fax (318)357-7044 nowlinr@legis.state.la.us

Pope, J. Rogers P.O. Box 555 Denham Springs, LA 70727 (225)667-3588
fax (225)667-3590 poper@legis.state.la.us

Simon, Scott M. P.O. Box 1297 Abita Springs, LA 70420 (985)893-6246
fax (985)893-6247 simons@legis.state.la.us

Williams, Patrick 609 Texas Street 1st Floor Shreveport, LA 71101 (318)676-5990
fax (318)676-5992 larep004@legis.state.la.us

Willmott, Thomas P. 2002 20th Street Suite 204-A Kenner, LA 70062 (504)465-3479
fax (504)465-3481 willmott@legis.state.la.us



Here's an example of an email to send to the members, provided by the National Trust for Historic Preservation:


A homeowner shouldn't expect a home renovation to go well without an architectural plan. A small business owner wouldn't expect his new business venture to succeed without a business plan. Common sense dictates that the same should be true of LSU's proposed $1.2 billion medical center in New Orleans.

Therefore, we urge you to approve HB780 when it comes up before the Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday, May 27. HB780 precludes LSU from proceeding with land acquisition for its proposed $1.2 billion Health Care Center without a plan.

In these difficult financial times, it is fiscally responsible to ensure that a sound business plan exists before LSU is allowed to move forward on property acquisition for its $1.2 billion Medical Center project. It is also fiscally responsible to look at alternatives incorporating the reuse of Charity Hospital, which could be faster and cheaper while requiring significantly less expropriation of private property.

New information is emerging about LSU and its plans on a regular basis. Recently it was revealed that LSU plans to take twice as much land as needed for the $1.2 billion proposal. We need to get all the facts on the table before you make a decision and before you allow LSU to take people's property for proposed future commercial development.

Please approve HB 780.