A new Trader Joe’s in Uptown would demolish 2 historic buildings. Will city approve it?

In a decision that will shape the fate of a new Trader Joe’s location in New Orleans, the City Council will soon decide whether to demolish two buildings that a city board recently deemed historically significant.

The Historic District Landmarks Commission voted on June 5 to bar developers from demolishing an old school house and convent at the Uptown development site. The Council can either uphold or strike down the commission’s vote.

The site, at the intersection of Freret Street and Napoleon Avenue, is currently occupied by the former Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic school and a convent.

Developers David Fuselier and Zach Kupperman got permission for the development in May from the City Planning Commission after submitting documents that closely matched designs and other specifications for other Trade Joe’s outlets, but said only that it would be a “specialty grocery.” A source confirmed to the Times-Picayune at the time that the plan involved a Trader Joe’s. 

The retailer, known for its bohemian image and friendly staff, was already working on plans to open a location elsewhere in New Orleans, on Tulane Avenue. There is also a location in Metairie that opened in 2016. 

But at its June 5 meeting, the Historic District Landmarks Commission, which weighs development proposals in certain sections of the city, voted against allowing the developers to raze the buildings at 2428 Napoleon Avenue. The commission recommended that the buildings instead be maintained and “adaptively reused.”

“While… previous adaptive reuse plans for the property that leveraged tax credits to redevelop the building may not be viable financially in the near term, this does not justify the demolition of a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places,” the Commission wrote.

The Trader Joe’s developers have appealed that decision to the Council, which will consider their request at its July 25 meeting. The Council will also weigh the recommendation from the Planning Commission that the property be rezoned to align with the developers’ plans.

District B Councilmember Lesli Harris, whose district encompasses the development site, did not immediately respond to messages Tuesday.