We Like Good Neighbors is a grassroots campaign born out of the Freret Street corridor - one of New Orleans’ many vibrant, resilient, and beloved neighborhoods. We came together in early 2026 when our community learned that The Josephine, the event venue at 2400 Napoleon Avenue, was seeking a zoning change that would significantly expand its operations before the impacts of its existing use had ever been addressed.
We are renters and homeowners, longtime residents and newer faces, families and musicians, business owners and block captains. Our members span three neighborhood associations - all of whose lines meet right here at Freret and Napoleon. What unites us is simple: we believe the people who live in a neighborhood should have a real say in what happens to it.
We are not anti-development. We are pro-neighbor. We want the beautiful community we’ve built together, with each other and with our local businesses, to be protected, respected, and heard by the people we elect to represent us.
There’s still time to make a difference. Sign the petition, come to a meeting, and let your council member know where you stand. We’re glad you’re here.
The clock is ticking. The ordinance must be heard by August 6, 2026. We need you.
The process so far
Most of our neighbors welcome development and investment in this area and many are excited for the changes; however, not all developers are good developers. Many of us learned about the proposed zoning change in January, one month after the official neighborhood engagement process occurred (what is called an NPP meeting). Since then, we have tried to meet with and negotiate with the developers of The Josephine - in good faith - and have asked them to do the same.
We have held 3 meetings with the developers and their consultant/lobbyist, Sherman Strategies. While the meetings happened, the engagement didn’t.
In each meeting, the same issues were raised: parking, traffic, and noise from the existing operations were already impacting near neighbors. We asked - what can be done to remedy those issues? We also asked important questions about the proposed venue: where will guests line up for entry, who will sell the tickets, will guests have access to the patio, where will trash receptacles be located, and what are the possibilities to wait until a thorough traffic study has been conducted? While answers were offered during the meeting, the first set of provisos delivered to City Planning Commission and their answers to commissioners’ questions were so unsatisfactory, that they recommended a denial to City Council.
What was called “community engagement” felt like a box being checked - not a real conversation. And this became fully apparent when our council member presented a second list of provisos at the May 21 City Council meeting that had never been shared with neighbors. Neighbors who had been organizing for months and faithfully attending negotiations did not see this list of provisos for the first time until 2 weeks after the City Council approved the motion.
This isn’t about being against The Josephine. We want this block to thrive. But smart development, the kind that actually lasts, requires honest planning and real community engagement and partnership before expansion, not after. Our Community Proposal for a path forward outlined this.
Do the traffic study. Address the existing problems. Come back to the neighborhood with a real plan.
Timeline
December 2025 Neighbors learns The Josephine has applied for a zoning change to expand into a live music venue. Neighbors begin meeting.
February–March 2026 Two community meetings draw 20 and 65 neighbors respectively. Overwhelming opposition. We formally request a meeting with CM Harris. We are redirected to the developer.
March 2026 We show up to two City Planning Commission hearings. The CPC recommends denial and cannot get a second on a motion to approve.
March–May 2026 We continue meeting, canvassing, surveying, and organizing. We submit a community proposal to the developers. We are still waiting for a substantive response.
May 21, 2026 At City Council, CM Harris presents provisos developed with the developer that were never shared with us. We are blindsided. Final vote on the ordinance change must happen by August 6th.
June 2026 Over 70 engaged neighbors and counting.