Plans for a five-story CubeSmart self-storage facility in New Orleans were withdrawn last week following opposition from members of the Irish Channel neighborhood. The proposal included razing three warehouses in the 2600 block of Tchoupitoulas Street and building an 888-unit facility on the L-shaped lot. The storage facility would have frontage along Rousseau and Third Streets. The developer also requested a reduction in parking spaces from 36 to six, according to the source.

During a June 12 planning-commission meeting, the developers stated they had worked with city architecture experts for five months to create the facility design. They noted the property would have a low impact on the neighborhood and require minimal parking.

Neighbors who opposed the project said the area already has plenty of storage. They also had issues with the building’s height and aesthetic, with resident Al Bostick calling it an “insult to the neighborhood.” Bill Sawicki, who represented the Irish Channel Neighborhood Association, noted two self-storage facilities under development nearby will only contain three stories rather than five.

Planning commissioners were also split on the project. Commissioners Kelly Brown, Eugene Green and Robert Steeg were initially in favor of the project, while Jason Hughes, Jonathan Stewart and two other members were opposed. The commissioners ultimately voted 5-2 against recommending it to the council after Brown switched sides.

Two other self-storage developments along the uptown riverside corridor were recently approved, and neither faced community opposition. In January, the planning commission voted unanimously to approve a three-story Superior Storage proposal for 4866 Tchoupitoulas St. Last week, it favored a three-story expansion of Safeguard Storage at 919 Erato St.

CubeSmart is a self-storage real estate investment trust that owns or manages 987 self-storage facilities across the United States. Its operating portfolio comprises more than 60.5 million square feet.

Source:
Uptown Messenger, Controversial Storage Facility Proposed for Tchoupitoulas Withdrawn By Developer