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NOBA Members Respond to Judge Barbier’s Letter to City
By nobar | September 10, 2007
On August 30, 2007, Judge Carl J. Barbier, in his capacity as President of the New Orleans Bar Association, sent a letter to Mayor Ray Nagin and Dr. Edward Blakely, New Orleans Recovery Director. Judge Barbier requested an opportunity for NOBA members to provide input on the proposed relocation of Orleans Civil District Court to the Tulane & Broad Recovery Zone.Letter to Mayor Ray Nagin and Dr. Ed Blakely
Topics: Issue |
September 10th, 2007 at 11:49 am
I fully concur in the comments contained in the letter sent by Judge Carl Barbier on behalf of the New Orleans Bar Association regarding relocation of Civil District Court. As a member of the New Orleans bar who practices in Civil District Court, I am vehemently opposed to the relocation of the Court outside of the Central Business District. I feel that it would be a colossal mistake to move the Court as proposed.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:50 am
I think Judge Barbier addressed the points, and analyzed them correctly. The only positive effect of this change would be on Jefferson Parish, since it will accelerate the exit of businesses from Orleans Parish.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:50 am
I am opposed to the relocation as the Criminal Court system needs its own space and personnel in order to get the crime situation here in New Orleans under control so we can rebuild our wonderful city. There will be insufficient parking, office space, and other logistical problems as well. This is an idea that cannot possibly succeed and will only result in disaster.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:51 am
I agree with Judge Barbier. The downtown area needs the Courthouse and the businesses the work at the courthouse supports. It’s unfair to move the Courts and expect in this particularly difficult period for New Orleans businesses, that they can simply work with the new location. Many will incur too many new and unexpected charges associated with the courthouse location being moved out of the downtown area.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:51 am
I fully agree with Judge Barbier’s points. It will be pulling the rug out from under thousands of lawyers, including those in my firm, who already made huge investments that they cannot undo, and if forced to do so, many will in fact go to Jefferson Parish, and the rest will be diminished in numerous ways
September 10th, 2007 at 11:53 am
My wife (also an attorney) and I bought a house in Mid-City about a year and a half ago. I think this would be a great way to help the area!!! I know from experience that many young attorneys, saddled with heavy loans, can’t afford to buy in the Garden District, but still want to live in town. That is why we bought in Mid-City and know of many other young attorneys that have bought or are looking in the area.
Also parking at the CDC is a pain!!
September 10th, 2007 at 11:54 am
I agree with Judge Barbier. Keep the CDC in the CBD.
Moving the CDC from the CBD is unnecessary, undesirable, detrimental to the CBD, of dubious benefit to the Tulane and Broad area, and an idea whose time should never come.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Another courageous stand by the New Orleans Bar Association. There is no reason on God’s Green Earth why the Civil and Criminal Courts should not have been consolidated. I am for the move — it will be easier for litigants.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Orleans Parish District Court should remain in the downtown area.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Downtown attorneys can get off their rears and drive to Tulane & Broad. The constitution and our laws provide for the public’s unfettered access to the courts, not for the Bar’s convenience. The relocation is a good idea, but a big parking garage shall be proper, welcome, and required. See Jefferson Parish’s parking garage. Also the parking garage should not be all police cars & public officials’ cars. Again it’s citizen’s convenience & access, not the powers that be.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:58 am
I think that moving the Civil District Court is not a good idea. Most importantly, the area by Criminal Court took on significant amounts of water and the current location of Civil Court did not. Secondly the proximity of the courts to the law firms that do business in the courts is an important consideration which apparently was not given much thought.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Relocation of the Civil District Court to the location of Tulane and Broad streets will seriously impact the decisions of law firms currently in the New Orleans CBD as to whether or not they keep their main office location in Orleans Parish. Many firms and attorneys will seriously consider relocating to Jefferson Parish if the asset of “walking distance to the Court” is lost.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:59 am
It is a poor idea and should never be allowed to happen. It serves no real purpose other than to long term real estate investors. Somebody should investigate the vocal proponents on this angle. The present locations are just fine. Our downtown was built around the present court locations. All that needs to be done is to renovate the present buildings. Downtown is where civil courts belong and should remain.
September 19th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Moving CDC to Tulane and Broad is yet another idiotic idea that the current administration has concocted without much thought or input from people who will be affected. Tulane and Broad will not be “revitalized” by moving the civil courts there save for the creation of a few parking lots. Numerous law firms will probably move out of the already struggling CBD.
As noted above, the Criminal Courts flooded while the CDC did not. If anything, it would make more sense to move criminal courts over to the CDB as is done in most other major cities. (Sorry, bailbondsmen on Tulane and Broad.)
Judge Barbier’s letter points out all the flaws in this idea and does so in a persuasive manner. For once, the Nagin administration should listen to reason.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:26 am
I was very impressed by Judge Barbier’s letter. I am opposed to the move and believe it would hurt the legal profession and the CBD should the move take place.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:32 am
I have been a civil law practitioner in the Civil District Court and the United States District Court in New Orleans for over forty years. The proposal to move the Civil District Court out of the Central Business District to the environs of Tulane and Broad is, in my opinion, unsound and unwarranted.
That the present CDC facilities are inadequate cannot be gainsaid. But, whatever may be said against them, location is not one.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:34 am
My firm has just entered into a 10 year lease for 70,000 plus square feet of space in a building on Poydras Street, in large part due to its proximity to CDC. I am opposed to moving CDC to Tulane Avenue for this reason and the reasons set forth in the Judge Barbier’s letter.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:35 am
I think it is a very bad idea. The safety and convenience for attorneys, witnesses and jurors should be the major considerations in such a planned move. Also the proximity to parking, nearby office buildings, restaurants and hotels are other considerations. The present complex is also near the federal courts allowing attorneys in civil matters to handle various matters in both courts on foot without having to drive back and forth plus locate new parking areas, all of which consume valuable time.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:50 am
I absolutely agree with Judge Barbier. To remove the existing courts from downtown would cause incredible disruptions for the legal community. I am able to walk to all of the courts in which I practice. Furthermore, these courts are close to the downtown stops of many bus lines, making the courts accessible to my low income clients. I think a new court building should be constructed downtown, and the criminal courts should be brought downtown.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:51 am
I now live in Houston as a result of Katrina. However, I still have a significant case load in CDC. As pointed out by many, and quite obvious to anyone, the current location of CDC is much more convenient to hotels and restaurants, not to mention the many law firms involved in my cases. I do not believe that moving CDC out of the Central Business District would be wise move.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:53 am
With the loss of the oil companies, VA Hospital, and other downtown business magnets, another major loss of business to the downtown area–the legal community–will be the death knell for the downtown area as a major business hub. I believe that we would see a major shift of the legal community to Jefferson Parish should the proposed change be implemented. New Orleans’ business community is wounded and any foolish moves may just finish her off.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:54 am
I strongly oppose such a move as it will displace and force me to move offices from the CBD to the Canal St. Area or potentially to Metairie. I have been back in my CBD office since 10 days after Katrina to serve my clients, expand my payroll and hire new people to handle the case load. We are a small firm, if the courts move so do I.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:57 am
It is essential that the Civil District Court remain in the Central Business District. The need for a new facility is unquestionable, but relocation to the Tulane & Broad Recover Zone would have an immeasurably adverse effect on the New Orleans legal community. Dr. Blakely should heed the concerns set forth in Judge Barbier’s letter.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:59 am
There are good arguments on both sides. However, I don’t think that anyone, especially a lawyer, can come to reasonable conclusion unless he is afforded an outline of the development location and the accommodations that are proposed. I personally visualize Tulane Avenue from Loyola to Carrollton to be a great gateway to and from the CBD and an enviable opportunity to have residential, commercial and governmental usage. But only if proper planning goes into it which is a big question mark.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I strongly urge you NOT to relocate Orleans Parish Civil District Court to the Tulane and Broad Recovery Zone. Such a move would have a terribly negative effect on New Orleans lawyers and their clients. First class cities do not house their courts in blighted areas. First class cities house their courts DOWNTOWN. Please, please, please keep Civil District Court downtown!
September 28th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Judge Barbier could not have said it better. Relocation of Civil District Court to Tulane and Broad will only serve to weaken an already struggling downtown.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
The vast majority of the users of any courthouse are the lawyers, judges and courthouse staff. The courthouse is their worksite, every day, all day. Most clients (the public) appear in court once or twice. The Judges rely on the lawyers to maintain efficiency in both the criminal and civil justice system. We make their work easier. Thus, the configuration of, the location of and the access to the facility should encourage our attendance, not discourage it. Let the lawyers decide.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
For my part, I join in the sentiments expressed by Judge Barbier.
CDC should not be relocated to Tulane & Broad. The entire situation is/was a very foreseeable problem of combining the civil/criminal justices systems in Orleans Parish. Those legislators responsible for this need to take responsibility and pony-up funds to purchase more transport vans and hire more deputies to take on the task. In terms of pure cost/economics, it would be far less expensive than having civil attorneys to constantly travel back and forth to Tulane & Broad.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I do not think that CDC should be moved. It is more convenient for counsel & litigants to have these courts centrally located in or near the CBD. I am a local attorney, who has practiced exclusively in the CBD for more than 15 years. I agree with Judge Barbier’s letter 100%. I believe that this proposed move would be counterproductive.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
All areas of the city should be considered in the recovery. The city is not that big. A move to the Tulane & Broad Recovery Zone will not be detrimental; lawyers will travel where they are needed to conduct their business.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
This would be a colossal mistake and disservice to lawyers and their clients. The entire civil practice is built around the CDC and Federal court complexes. Most of our paralegals and us walk to the courthouses. There’s no safe or easily accessible parking at the Tulane and Broad areas, and even if you build it, it’s still miles away from our offices. This will increase costs and fees to our clients and unfairly burden the law firms in New Orleans. Drop this terrible idea now!
September 28th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
We should not destroy one economically viable area, in the CBD, to speculate that we will be developing a new area of economic viability at Tulane and Broad. It seems to me that the best plan would be to encourage further expansion of the medical corridor toward Tulane and Broad and move the Criminal justice center to downtown near the other courts.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I have recently purchased an office building in downtown N.O. specifically because of its proximity to the civil courts. I am very much against any relocation of these courts.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
A very bad idea and we will relocate to Jefferson when our lease expires. This move would devastate the NO downtown area. It appears that the legal community has a significant economic impact on downtown, which is adjacent to the French Quarter. Both areas house the tourism industry, touted as New Orleans’ economic engine. This move will have a negative impact by creating pockets of vacant space. Who will fill these offices when the legal community leaves?
September 28th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
The close proximity between the civil and federal courts and state Supreme Court makes the downtown location the most accessible venue for attorneys. Attorneys who on any given day might be required to appear in civil court and still must file petitions or appear in federal court that same day.
Because of the close proximity of the courts to downtown amenities, including parking, hotels and dining, relocating to a new site would likely cause many attorneys to relocate to an outlying parish.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
I strongly oppose any relocation of CDC to Tulane and Broad. Parking is a nightmare and as a female attorney personal security is also an issue.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I fully agree with Judge Barbier’s analysis of negative impact on legal community, clientele and downtown New Orleans viability and other downtown businesses.
Relocation to Tulane/Broad will cause attorneys to relocate to Jefferson Parish. It would not make sense for attorneys with a state civil practice to stay in downtown NO.
For the indigent public this area is less convenient and more dangerous. Our legal aid office would not be able to use Katrina volunteers if CDC moved
September 28th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
As a small business owner, and property owner, I am against the relocation.
I have my own small firm downtown, and am purchasing my office space. The reason for remaining in this area is the proximity to CDC and federal court. It would increase the cost of my business if CDC were moved to Tulane & Broad.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
I reside in Metairie and have maintained my office in the CBD consisting of five attorneys and support staff, in a civil law litigation practice. Downtown New Orleans would be a less attractive location in which to do business if the civil courts were to migrate away from the area. I believe that the idea of moving to the Tulane/ Broad area would a negative economic development for the city.
September 28th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I think moving CDC to Tulane and Broad would be horrible. It’s not as though that area was bustling and vibrant before Katrina and simply needs a boost to get back to where it was. That area was horrible. I have my own practice. I have it downtown because I like being in walking distance to the courts where I do the majority of my work (CDC and the Eastern District). I had offices in Metairie for a few years but moved back to the CBD simply to be able to get to court quickly.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I am unable to participate in the forum as I will be out of town. However, as a major developer and property owner in the CBD, I feel very strongly that one of the major anchors of the CBD - the civil law court system - should not be relocated out of the immediate downtown area. One thing New Orleans has always maintained - before Katrina and even after Katrina - is a strong vibrant downtown. This is largely due to the fact that our downtown has always featured many things that make a downtown vibrant - proximity to 24 hour living environments (the Vieux Carre, Warehouse District, Historic CBD apartments, etc) and various “anchors” (the Superdome sports complex, the City Hall/ Civil Justice complex, the Federal court complex, the Convention Center, etc., etc.) that keep the downtown strong and active. Why (particularly in the wake of Katrina) would one want to remove one of the most important anchors from the CBD? Moreover, such a move would significantly negatively effect our most fragile downtown asset - the office buildings - at a time when everyone is working diligently to attract more corporate, legal, and service personnel to the CBD area.
I hope these thoughts are expressed by many in attendance at your session.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
The proposed move would be harmful to my firm’s practice as we are funded by grants and charge no fees; being within walking distance of the City Court and Civil District Court, where we conduct the bulk of our N.O. area practice for low-income clients, helps keep our expenses down and helps us provide our free services more efficiently. I would be against the courts’ move from downtown N.O.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
In every city in the state, lawyers set their offices up near the courts where they practice. The office buildings on Poydras are all there for a reason, and many of them are occupied in large measure by lawyers. To move the courts would be to pull the rug out from under these lawyers, the building owners, the business owners near the courts, etc. We all make long-range decisions based on the need to be near the courts.
This proposal ignores completely the plans of thousands.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
This is nuts! Even if we wanted to move our business there, there is no building that could accommodate us. There is no parking anywhere so it would be hard to drive to court (so I guess it could help the taxi industry). There is no place to eat (I know this from having served jury duty there).
September 28th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
As a downtown high profile plaintiff’s firm, we would favor the civil court remaining downtown. Tulane and Broad is too far to walk. Our offices are located downtown because of the proximity to the court.
I completely agree with Judge Barbier’s position. Moving CDC would weaken the CBD’s economy and inconvenience the City’s Civil practicioners. It would also increase the cost of doing business in N.O. and decrease the cost effectiveness of representing clients in CDC for most lawyers.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Relocating the courts housed in the current CDC building to the Tulane and Broad area would be one of the most ridiculous moves made post-Katrina by the “leaders” of the City’s recovery.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with Judge Barbier’s concerns. Even though my practice tends to be in federal court, rather than state court, I believe it would hurt the legal community as a whole to move this court.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I am so glad to have gotten the information on moving the Civil Court to this new area. I realize there is a need to modernize the Civil Court building, but most of the law firms located in downtown New Orleans moved there because of the ability to walk to Federal and State Court, and (before the move to the French Quarter) the Fourth Circuit.
We will waste more energy driving to court and not walking. Crime in the new area is a problem. Bad idea!
September 28th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I cannot express it any better than Judge Barbier did. With the advent of computerized access to almost all records in one’s office, the need to be in a specific location is diminished. The downtown area is attactive because of the “cluster of the legal community industry,” and the amenities described by Judge Barbier. That will not happen at Tulane & Broad. The result will be a steady move away from Orleans Parish for those residing outside the Parish. Keep the Courts in the CBD.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
The Orleans civil and criminal district courts consolidate 1/1/09. LRS13:621.41. The Tulane & Broad site is inconvenient and, as we all know now, prone to flooding. I suggest buying and renovating 1010 Common, which has parking, or building on the the site of the unused state office and Supreme Court buildings on Loyola. If 1010 Common housed the court, foot traffic would increase, making the extra space in the building viable as offices or shops, generating rental income to support the court.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Great letter. Thanks to Judge Barbier for sending it. There’s been talk/plans for several years to build a new CDC building, especially after the Supreme Court and 4th Circuit moved to their new digs, but I believe it’s always been assumed that any new CDC would remain in the same general area downtown. Much more info is needed and keep up pressure for answers.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
I agree with Judge Barbier. Having practiced in both locations, I think the Civil Court should continue to be located downtown. The proximity of City Hall to the Civil Courts also facilitates participation in local government, as the Council chambers, City Attorney’s office, City Planning Commission, Real Estate Office, and Assessors are all in a complex with the Civil Courts. If the Civil and Criminal judgeships are to be combined, then the judges should travel between the two courthouses.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
I am a licensed Louisiana lawyer. I used to practice in the CBD. I feel obliged to comment on this terrible idea. It would be quite bad for the practice of thousands of lawyers. It would also be damaging for the community, for the environment, for the spirit of the area, and for the folks who depend on those lawyers and the courthouse for their livelihoods. I would recommend reconsidering this, and reversing the proposal. Plus, practically speaking, Tulane and Broad is a terrible place to park!
September 28th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Judge Barbier’s comments express exactly the detrimental effect such a relocation of the CDC would have on the local business community, attorneys, their staff, and most importantly, our clients.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
I would agree with Judge Barbier’s observations, alluding to the fact that if lawyers (or their staffs) had to get in their cars to travel to court, they may be more likely to relocate their offices outside of the CBD. Court appearances aside, the daily tasks of filing pleadings, checking records, attending conferences, and the like, would be made more burdensome on the laywers, and more expensive for the lawyers’ clients.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
As long as parking is available, I do not have a strong objection to its relocation.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
I completely and 100% agree with the letter and will be happy to add my name to any petition. They think they’re helping by making matters worse. Very frustrating and expected from our government officials.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
I am opposed to the relocation of the New Orleans Civil District Courthouse to Tulane and Broad. Parking is next to impossible in that neighborhood already. Such a move is nonsensical for the reasons set forth in Mr. Barbier’s letter to the mayor.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
I know that the Legislature “in its wisdom” requires merger of court systems, clerks and sheriff, but not physical relocation of courtrooms and offices. The Tulane/Broad area is difficult to access because of limited parking (there are no lots or garages for court related parking to my knowledge, as there is in Jefferson Parish) and lack of office space and other services to facilitate operation of the civil courts at this location. The merger was not necessarily a good conceptual plan.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Clearly, this represents yet another underdeveloped, thoughtless idea on how not to re-develop this area. It only generates more ammunition on why people and businesses should leave the area.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
There is no really good reason to relocate Civil District Court to the Tulane and Broad area. Doing so would be a major inconvenience. Even though the courts are to be consolidated for some purposes (which is a mistake), their locations needs not be adjacent, especially because judges should continue to be elected specifically for criminal or civil duty, but not both. Keep the specialization–if anything, it is the way of the future in larger jurisdictions.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I oppose a move to the Tulane and Broad area. First, abandoning the Central Business District addresses blight in one area by creating blight in another. Hundreds (thousands?) of lawyers have established their offices in the CBD so that they could work near the courthouse. Occupancy rates in the CBD would plummet.
What happened to the pre-Katrina proposals to create a municipal complex in the Superdome area or utilizing the old Louisiana Supreme Court Building?
September 28th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I agree with Judge Barbier’s thoughtful comments. Even assuming the CBD would not lose lawyers as a result of the move, there are other considerations. If the city were truly concerned about the environmental issues that contributed to Katrina (e.g., global warming), the city would take affirmative steps to encourage foot traffic, rather than institute a system where hundreds of lawyers (not to mention all their support personnel) must daily drive, rather than walk, to court.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Keep it historical and away from that type of neighborhood. We don’t want to go to Broad …!
September 28th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
The idea of moving Civil District Court to Tulane and
Broad is so poorly conceived that it is embarrassing that
it ever hit the news.
Consider all the bad press New Orleans has received post Katrina then consider the additional bad press we will get with the inevitable additional crimes from this blighted area as crime increases on jurors and “out of state experts” that will have to go there and be in harm’s way.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
I was recently in court at CDC on Poydras and Loyola, and one of the parties was telling his attorney how excited he was to be there, because it was an excuse for him to eat somewhere fancy in downtown New Orleans. One of the great benefits of the downtown courts is that they bring people to the city who don’t otherwise have the opportunity during a workday. Further, it is highly beneficial for attorneys to be able to walk to CDC, which is not safe or practical to do at Tulane and Broad.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
I completely agree with Judge Barbier’s letter. Relocation to Tulane and Broad would be a disaster.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Moving the civil courts from their present location to Tulane Avenue would have a significant negative impact on the central business district. I strongly oppose such a move.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
I find the situation too depressing to even comment other than to say that this shows how out of touch the mayor and Blakeley are with the business community.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Ditto, Judge Barbier’s well articulated comment concerning the proposed relocation of the courts. It will probably cause a substantial shift of the New Orleans legal community to Jefferson Parish.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
I think it is an interesting idea. I am for it. For the new New Orleans we have to think “out of the box” and not get bogged down by tradition. Downtown is too jammed for the courts as to parking. The relocation would not be that far away. Mid City is going to be the hub of future new development with that Georgia company buying Mercy hospital. But the City needs to use the change to do it right…to provide parking and safety like Jefferson has so nicely done in Gretna.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
To even consider this without input of the NOBA shows how irresponsible government can be. This would decimate the CBD, lead to a vacancy rate not seen since the oilfield bust and hurt the rebirth of the City of New Orleans. There is no question that attorneys and firms would leave the CBD. If one goes to the CBD at night, after business hours, imagine that scenario during the day as that is how it would be. High-rises can’t be built in the Tulane and Broad area and even if they could, they won’t.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Excellent letter by the Judge, and my sentiments exactly. I’m a Metairie lawyer, and CDC is perfect where it is. Whose idea was this anyway? Why not explore that angle, and let’s see who’s getting rich off of this.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Even though my offices are located near the corner of Canal and Broad, I could not agree more with the sentiments expressed by President Barbier in his letter to Mayor Nagin.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
I think we need to understand more about the unified court plan and more about the viability of the current OPP structures to determine what makes for a good move. In particular, if the civil court stays where it is, will the two systems have a unified bench but judges who travel to different buildings to sit on different kinds of cases? Or, will the criminal case eventually be heard in the civil building? If so, how will the sheriff transport prisoners safely?
September 28th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Judge Barbier could not have relayed the sentiments of the majority of practitioners any better than he did in his letter to the Mayor. We urge the City to take a hard look at the implications it will have on so many of us to relocate CDC. Keep CDC in the CBD!
September 28th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
It is difficult to imagine a worse idea, well intentioned or not, than the proposal to relocate Civil District Court to the Tulane & Broad area. I applaud the upcoming consolidation of the two court systems, which I consider to be long overdue. This proposal, though, is sure to devastate downtown New Orleans while doing little to upgrade the area of Tulane & Broad. There is nothing to recommend it in my view.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I totally agree with Judge Barbier’s perspective of moving the Civil District Court to the Tulane/Broad area. I worked in that area for over five years as an ADA. Parking if awful, the neighborhood is dangerous and the Civil Bar will not relocate their offices to that area. I know that I would not.
A new Civil Court house needs to be developed however, the original plan to keep it downtown in the area where the former Supreme Court is located, should be kept!
September 28th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Judge Barbier comments could not be more accurate or comprehensive. There will certainly be less reason to maintain a CBD presence; however, I cannot imagine a migration of law offices to Tulane and Broad. As the attractiveness of the CBD diminishes for law firms a key component of the City’s economic engine could be lost.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I agree that relocation would not be a good idea. I have a firm on the West Bank; however, the parking situation is bad enough downtown. Moving to Tulane and Broad would be worse. When the traffic court was in that area it was horrible parking. Having the civil district court there would be a disaster parking-wise (as well as all of the other aspects mentioned in the Bar President’s letter).
September 28th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Relocating CDC to a location outside of the CBD could cause vast and negative repercussions upon the downtown area. Many firms have expended vast sums to build out rental space based upon long-term occupancy. It would be better to relocate City Hall than CDC.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I agree completely with Judge Barbier’s analysis of the proposal. This would be a terrible mistake. The unintended negative consequences could be major.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
I support Judge Barbier’s reasoning. Such a move is preposterous - especially when the section of the CBD where CDC is located is in need of redevelopment and recovery itself. Why rob Peter to pay Paul?
September 28th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Thank you for this opportunity to say that Judge Barbier clearly laid out the reasons why this move should not occur.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I agree with Judge Barbier. Keep the CDC in the CBD!
September 28th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
I would like it known that I will seriously consider moving my office of 5 people (2 attorneys and 3 staff) from downtown New Orleans if CDC gets moved from downtown to Tulane and Broad. Our practice consists of 100% litigation and approximately 60% of our cases are at CDC.
If CDC is moved, it is no longer advantageous for us to be downtown. Metairie would be our most logical choice since 4 people in our office live in Metairie. The drive to Tulane/Broad will be just as easy from Metairie.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with Judge Barbier. I thank him for writing his letter.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
This seems like a very bad idea. Please reconsider leaving CDC where it is - just fixing it up. Thanks!
September 28th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I agree with Judge Barbier, and for the reasons he has stated, oppose relocation. It would have a serious and adverse impact on the CBD and legal community.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
In the event that Civil and Criminal District Courts can remain separate, I would much prefer the Civil District Court remain in the CBD. While a new court complex is clearly needed, the civil court’s proximity to other courts and the downtown legal community causes to legal community (and it economic impact) to be center downtown rather than up Tulane avenue and provides great ease of access for us to all of the important courts.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
I oppose relocating Orleans Parish CDC to Tulane and Broad. My downtown law office is walking distance to CDC, and various other courts. Don’t make me drive.
The best downtown option may be the Charity Hospital building, which is big enough to be used as City Hall, 41st JDC, state office building, and much more. Other options may include the Chevron Building and the Landmark Tower (which recently sold at a sheriff’s sale for $385,000).
September 28th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
I am in complete agreement with Judge Barbier.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
I am in complete agreement with the NOBA letter. Court should not be moved.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I wholeheartedly agree with Judge Barbier’s comments. The proposed relocation of the CDC and City Courts is nothing short of a terrible idea. It would be disruptive, to say the least, to the downtown area and legal community. It would also cause unnecessary added stress and complications for lawyers, judges, court staff, and litigants alike.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
How did this Recovery Plan not take into account the relevant statistics and demographics? The legal community is the CBD and as a result, downtown New Orleans functions very well. This move will destroy Orleans Parish. Our firm will move to Jefferson Parish where there is more stability, lower costs, lower crime rather than tolerate this type of treatment by city leaders. This foolishness needs to be stopped!
September 28th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
I wholeheartedly support the sentiments expressed by Judge Barbier. While I believe that CDC needs and deserves better facilities, transfer to Tulane and Broad is not the answer.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I agree with the points made by Judge Barbier and am against moving Orleans Parish Civil Court to Tulane and Broad. The Civil Courts should remain in the central business district.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Having been engaged in a civil law practice involving cases in Orleans Parish CDC for the past 20 years, I cannot imagine a more ill conceived notion than relocating the court to Tulane and Broad. It is an inconvenient and dangerous part of town full of parking problems and property crime. Why would our Mayor waste the taxpayers’ money moving the court to another part of town when it could be spent directly on restoration of the still empty buildings downtown?
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:25 pm
It is a poor idea and should never be allowed to happen. It serves no real purpose other than to long term real estate investors. Somebody should investigate the vocal proponents on this angle. The present locations are just fine. Our downtown was built around the present court locations. All that needs to be done is to renovate the present buildings.
Downtown is where civil courts belong and should remain.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I am totally against moving Civil District Court. It would make more sense to move the Criminal Courts from Tulane and Broad to a location near Civil District Court. Let’s spur development in and around City Hall.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I thoroughly agree with all of your comments in your letter to the Mayor.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
1st, because lawyers would use it most, when the CDC was proposed a committee of N.O. lawyer advisors helped plan location, size, courtrooms, etc. Where is that committee now? Committees helped with recovery planning. Why no lawyer’s committee now? 2nd, this will increase legal costs for clients owing to travel time. 3rd, building owners and tenants planned their locations and leases on the present location. How do they get compensated for the change & loss of convenience & marketability?
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I couldn’t have said it better than Judge Barbier. This was obviously an idea hatched by people who do not understand how the practice of law works. For my part, I would most definitely abandon downtown if this move became a reality. I don’t know whether the brain trust that came up with this idea has considered parking and parking security. Why do we stay here?
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Dear NOBA: I am strongly opposed to the relocation of Civil District Court and First City Court to Tulane and Broad. I know it may sound selfish. But, we located our offices on Poydras Street strictly to be close to both CDC and Federal Court. Any move out of the immediate area by any of these courts would adversely affect our practice of law. Thanks.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Moving the Orleans Parish Civil District Court to the Tulane & Broad Recovery Zone is a disastrous idea and would be extremely deleterious to the CBD for all the reasons stated by Judge Barbier. In addition, how will it be paid for? You’d need how many courtrooms? BAD IDEA!
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Moving Civil District Court towards the criminal courts is a terrible idea. It is an expensive idea that would result in nothing more than a great deal of inconvenience for the affected attorneys.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:39 pm
I agree with Judge Barbier. The Civil District Court should not be relocated further from the center of the CBD. I would however, support the relocation of CDC, to a newer or nicer facility within the CBD.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:40 pm
I strongly oppose the relocation of CDC from the CBD!
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:42 pm
I am in complete agreement that the relocation of the civil court out of the downtown area would be a big mistake. I urge the local bar to take a poll so that we can demonstrate what I anticipate will be near total opposition to the proposed relocation.