Mid-City residents jammed into a local church Monday night to hear a developer’s plan to bring new business to New Orleans. But those residents made one thing perfectly clear: they do not want “big box” store development in their neighborhood.

WWL-TV

Councilwoman Shelley Midura addresses her constituents on the developer's plan.

“The traffic it really takes away from the ambiance of the community,” said Mid-City resident Jane Kennedy. “We'll be like Elmwood. And that’s not what Mid-City is or had been."

Mid-City residents have taken issue with a plan by a Georgia group, Victory Real Estate Investments, to buy up and develop 20 acres of land into retail and residential.

One end of the property is currently bound by Jefferson Davis Parkway, including the Lindy Boggs Medical Center, which has agreed to sell to Victory Real Estate. The other end is Carrolton Avenue; a Sav-A-Center and Home Depot are there now, already owned by Victory. Two side streets bounding the property are Bienville Avenue and Toulouse Street.

Monday’s question and answer session gave residents their first taste of what the developers want to do with the land; that preliminary plan includes a Target, a Dick’s Sporting Goods, a Best Buy and a Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Michael Kerwin said he’s opposed to the development because of redundancy.

“We already have it 10 minutes away in Metairie. We don't need it here…and it will destroy the character of this neighborhood,” Kerwin said.

New Orleans City Councilwoman Shelley Midura (District A) said there a city ordinance concerning "big box" stores, which forces developers to hear neighborhood desires.

“Well, I can tell you that that ordinance, if they to do a ‘big box,’ and I know this group doesn't want it…they will have to come to the table,” she said.

Residents said they’re concerned with anything involving "big box" stores, but they’re also worried about the overall speed of the process.

"It’s kind of surprisingly fast, considering how slow everything else is going,” said resident Gina Ferrara.

Some residents said the new development should be about better jobs.

“If it’s gonna generate jobs and not minimum wage-type, but high end jobs, I'm for that,” Joseph Brock.

The Mid-City Neighborhood Organization said they’re at the table with the developers who have already asked for a wish list on the project. Victory Real Estate’s present timetable has them breaking ground before the end of the year, with construction ending in late 2008.

Victory Real Estate did not have a representative at Monday's meeting.