The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission voted Nov. 5 to approve demolition of the Lindy Boggs Medical Center, formerly Mercy Hospital, at 301 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway in the Mid-City Historic District.
The HDLC’s inspection of the massive complex, which has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, found that although the building appeared structurally sound, it is extensively deteriorated and presents highly unsafe conditions.
According to the HDLC’s staff report, Woodward Investments has tried to rehabilitate the site, though unsuccessfully. The report also noted that having a basement and being located within a flood zone has hindered the medical complex’s redevelopment. In 2023, the building was included in the city’s list of the 12 most blighted properties, nicknamed by Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration as the “Dirty Dozen.”
During the HDLC meeting, several members of the public spoke in favor of the demolition. Some of these commenters also noted that even with HDLC’s approval, the demolition was contingent on New Orleans voters passing Propositions 2 and 3 on the Nov. 15 ballot. The two bond packages would fund city infrastructure, drainage and stormwater management improvements.
The PRC is always concerned about sending historic building materials to a landfill for cultural, architectural and environmental reasons. However, there are times when removing a building becomes necessary. The PRC supported the HDLC staff recommendation to approve the demolition, noting that the decision is justified by the scale of the hospital site, the extent of its deterioration, and the years of dangerous conditions that it has forced on the people who live and work in its proximity.
HDLC makes no decision on National Register nomination
In other news, the commission decided to provide no recommendation to the Louisiana National Register Review Committee regarding whether to list the West End Lake Shore Park in the National Register of Historic Places. The 22-acre public park on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain was created by the city in 1913 and includes a collection of significant Beaux Arts and Craftsman features such as the Darlington Electric Prismatic Fountain.
A legal representative for two other city agencies expressed concern that listing the publicly-owned park in the National Register could hinder development plans for the western portion of the site. The PRC made informational comments reminding the commission that inclusion in the National Register has no impact on an owner’s ability to maintain, repair, revitalize, alter, sell, build on or demolish a property. The National Park Service will ultimately decide if the property is included in the National Register.
St. Charles Avenue chicken coop ruffles feathers
The commission voted 7-2 to deny a chicken coop that was built in the side yard of the prominent Richardsonian Romanesque home at 4717 St. Charles Ave.
This was the second time the commission has considered the coop after it deferred the application in August 2025 to explore alternative locations on the property for the accessory structure.
The owner said they could move the coop to the end of their driveway but noted that neighbors on that side of the house had concerns about noise. Commissioners expressed concerns about the precedent that could be set by allowing a prominently situated accessory structure in the St. Charles Avenue Historic District.
HDLC staff also noted that keeping the coop in its current location would still require a waiver from the City of New Orleans Board of Zoning Adjustments.
MaryNell Nolan-Wheatley is the PRC’s Advocacy and Public Policy Research Director.
