We submit this proposal in good faith, asking The Josephine’s team to consider an alternative model for public events - one we believe can serve both the venue and this neighborhood over the long term.
The impact on this block is real and it’s already here
Under its current permit, The Josephine has created serious traffic congestion and parking shortages for nearby residents. The broader picture on Freret Street makes this even more pressing. The corridor is already strained by traffic and delivery trucks - and that’s before the anticipated opening of Trader Joe’s, which Michael Sherman himself warned of the Tulane Avenue location - would generate a “stunning” volume of traffic.
At the last City Planning Commission meeting, Commissioner Witry spoke to this directly: “I understand the impact and the traffic. It is going to be tough for all of the surrounding neighbors. I live close to a venue. I have seen the changes that have happened because of that and so I am trying to think forward and think what that looks like a year from now, two years from now.”
While The Josephine is not solely responsible for this congestion, we are asking that this cumulative reality be taken seriously and addressed proactively before considering expansion.
We don’t want a years-long battle
Our community survey tells an important story. Of the 32 neighbors polled within 3 blocks of the venue, 48% have already experienced problems with the existing operations, and 60% want those issues resolved before any expansion is considered. Among the neighbors who reported direct impacts, parking and traffic are the most serious concerns and lack of community benefits ranks third, with 71% calling it a serious issue.
If this proposal moves forward without genuinely addressing these current concerns, we believe it will deepen mistrust between the neighborhood and the venue.
We do not want years of conflict over proviso enforcement and based on the April 30th meeting, we believe the Brennan and Fusilier families feel the same way. Mr. Brennan said it himself (paraphrasing): “If we can’t make this work where everybody’s happy with it, the Brennan name won’t be on this building.”
A different model
The Josephine can currently host a range of compelling, revenue-generating events under its existing permit, including ticketed yoga classes (w/ non-profit studios) , Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performances, nonprofit fundraisers, and once-monthly special-permitted live music events.
We believe that through focusing on building nonprofit and neighborhood institutional partnerships first (before expanding to for-profit ticketed events) a truly robust and income-generating space can be created. This approach would:
- Strengthen the venue’s relationship with the surrounding community
- Give neighbors who are excited about this space meaningful ways to experience it
- Create opportunities to support neighborhood culture bearers through non profit programming
- Open direct communication channels that make parking and congestion plans more manageable
- Build a track record of responsible, community-centered management for the next generation of Brennans/Fusiliers
- Lay the groundwork for stronger relationships with neighborhood associations and schools in our immediate community.
We know this will not eliminate every parking and congestion problem, but this model does offer real community benefits that complement existing neighborhood institutions, while creating potential for a foundation of trust. This could be a genuinely lasting legacy for the Brennan and Fusilier families - a cultural institution rooted in this uptown community for generations to come.
What needs to happen first
A Good Neighbor Agreement with explicit plans to minimize parking and congestion from the existing operations is the first step in the process. Once that has been addressed, we believe that some trust will be restored, some of the impacts will be addressed, and we can work with the venue to support a model that builds on the existing operations with a community engaged path. And again, while the cumulative impact of the development of this block does not fall on The Josephine solely, we are asking that y’all join us in evaluating the impacts of Trader Joes on our neighborhood before expanding future use of The Josephine.
Request
We are asking that you give this proposal a genuine, thorough look. If there is real interest in exploring this model, we are prepared to work collaboratively - neighbors and venue together - toward a plan that serves many needs at once. We are also aware that there are real expenses for the space, and although we do not believe this is the responsibility of the community to shoulder, we would be open to revisiting this model (after a specified period) to evaluate its financial feasibility.
Group of people who reviewed, provided feedback and approved this proposal:
20+ most engaged neighbors of 2300/2400 Blocks of Jena, 4400/4500 Block of LaSalle, 4400 Block of Liberty (live w/in 3 blocks and have attended 3+ meetings) in addition to the following stakeholders:
Leslie Comption, community organizer - NORDC Evans Park Booster Club
Natori Green, ED Broadmoor Improvement Association
Pastor Gregory Manning, Broadmoor Community Church
Susan Johnson, Historic N.O. Neighborhoods, LLC
Terrence Humphrey, Musician and member of Humphrey musical family from Freret
Stan Norwood, Past president of Freret Neighbors United
Joe Peychaud, President Climana Neighbors Association
Donald Ramsey, Freret neighborhood resident and musician
Glenis Scott, Past VP of Freret Neighbors United
Sandra Stokes, Louisiana Landmark Society