DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 654 Original 2024 Regular Session Hilferty
Abstract: Authorizes the lease of certain public property in Orleans and Jefferson parishes to
offerers selected through a request for proposal issued pursuant to a cooperative endeavor
agreement between the state, the City of New Orleans, and Jefferson Parish, for any purpose
allowed by zoning laws except residential use.
CITY AUTHORITY TO LEASE
Present law provides that the City of New Orleans is charged with maintaining certain public
property in Orleans Parish dedicated by the state for public amusement and park purposes. (Act No.
209, 1906 R.S.; Act No. 9, 1910 R.S.)
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law specifies that the City of New Orleans is authorized to lease two smaller parcels within
the dedicated property:
(1)That portion of the dedicated property located west of West Roadway Street, an area
commonly referred to as the parking lot, to the west of the green space commonly referred
to as West End Park.
(2)That portion of the dedicated property located north of North Roadway Street and west of
that portion of Breakwater Drive existing north of North Roadway Street, which is a strip of
land on the western border of the area commonly known as the municipal yacht harbor.
Proposed law prohibits the city from leasing the described parcels for residential use, but allows any
other use consistent with applicable local zoning laws.
Proposed law further provides that any lease of the described parcels by the city must be authorized
by the council of the City of New Orleans, which may prescribe terms and conditions for the lease.
Proposed law requires that the lessee of the described parcels be selected through a request for
proposal that is developed and issued according to the terms of a cooperative endeavor agreement
between the state, the City of New Orleans, and Jefferson Parish.
STATE AUTHORITY TO LEASE Present law authorizes the state to lease certain water bottoms on the southern shore of Lake
Pontchartrain along the parish line between Orleans and Jefferson parish to a lessee selected through
a request for proposal developed and issued according to the terms of a cooperative endeavor
agreement between the state, Orleans Parish, and Jefferson Parish. (Act No. 152, 2019 R.S.)
Proposed law changes one of the parties to the cooperative endeavor agreement from Orleans Parish
to the City of New Orleans.
Proposed law adds land, in addition to water bottoms, to the property description in present law.
Proposed law further provides that the state may lease to the offerer directly or it may lease to the
city or a public benefit corporation of the city, who would then sublease to the offerer directly.
Proposed law prohibits the state from leasing the described property for residential use, but allows
any other use consistent with applicable local zoning laws.
Proposed law requires the reservation of mineral rights.
Effective upon signature by the governor.
(Amends Act No. 152 of the 2019 R.S., ยงยง1, 2)