They only listen to other rich people

Marcel Wiznia's obscene plan to build a co-living barracks and call it "workforce housing" has finally run into opposition that decision makers might listen to. Of course the slow down isn't happening because anyone has pointed out the insult that this farce is to housing-poor working class New Orleanians.  Instead it is because the bowling arcade it is attached to might compete with Walk-On's. 

The IDB review came after opponents, including Kyle Brechtel, a partner with Wisznia in Merchant, an upscale café and crêperie, had complained to the IDB that the Two Saints project had changed substantially since the tax break was granted.

The main change from the original proposal is a doubling in the retail space to nearly 25,000 square feet, which Wisznia proposes will be leased to Punch Bowl Social, a Denver-based franchise that features bowling, darts, karaoke and other entertainment, as well as a large bar and restaurant.

Brechtel owns the Walk-On's down the street as well as the other bowling arcade at Fulton Alley which is also nearby.  He says he "doesn't mind the competition" but, before the change, didn't seem to mind the rest of the project. Now, of course, he's learned some obvious things about it.

"I employ about 200 people in my restaurants and none of them think that $1,400 a month for a dorm room is affordable," Brechtel said.

Wisznia has stipulated that rents for the controlled units will run between $1,376 and $1,572 per month for individuals and households making between $35,000 and $60,000 a year.

$1376 is laughably unaffordable for somebody making $35,000  even if we're talking about a private one bedroom apartment. Who in the world would think it's good policy to apply public money to a project asking them to pay that for a bunk bed? Oh wait... here is who would think that.

Two Saints has its supporters, including Mayor LaToya Cantrell, whose representatives spoke in support of the project at the recent IDB meeting.

Yesterday, when reporters asked the mayor to comment on the continuing controversy over her tax liens, she explained that, if anything, the situation shows just how well she indentifies with the struggles of working class New Orleanians. 

“I will say to the people of this city they have a mayor who really gets it and is dealing with challenges and difficulties her own self, and at the same time doing what it takes to deal with the needs of people,” she said.

As mayor, Cantrell will make more than $174,650 this year. A 2018 financial disclosure report listed her husband’s income as more than $100,000. Last year’s financial disclosure form is not due to be turned in until May.

We're meeting our housing crisis by giving more money to rich developers so they can make bowling dorms the "workforce" still can't afford. But it's okay because you have a mayor who really gets it.