The Foundation for Historical Louisiana is “100% in support” of the Historic Spanish Town Civic Association’s opposition to the proposed Capitol Lofts apartment building. “In any other place it would be a wonderful development, but it doesn’t belong in Spanish Town,” says Mark Upton, foundation board chairman. He says the most important factor of the FHL’s opposition is the proposed destruction of seven houses considered contributing elements to Spanish Town’s status as an historic district. City-parish planning commission staffers have recommended approving developer David Slaughter’s request to demolish the seven houses to make room for Capitol Lofts, although the Historic Preservation Commission would still have to approve it.
Darryl Gissel, a realtor and Spanish Town resident, says he has sold and renovated a number of houses that are in the same condition as the houses that may be demolished. “People are eager to buy and renovate houses in Spanish Town,” Gissel says. “Why would the city’s planning staff encourage anyone to tear them down?”
Charles Brousseau and Estelle Tees, who were among the heirs that sold the properties with the houses to a company called Old Town Development, said they sold with the understanding that the houses would be renovated.—David Jacobs
