NEW ORLEANS -- Someone bought the old gymnasium at 3041 North Rampart in the Bywater neighborhood Thursday morning, one of four properties auctioned off by the Orleans Parish School Board.
Now neighbors like Stephen Rutledge wonder what kind of development the lot will become.
"Most of us are 10 year or longer residents in the neighborhood, and of course we want a stable neighborhood, so yes, we are concerned," Rutledge said.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu made an eleventh hour push to delay the auction at least 90 days, citing concerns the sales could affect the city's master planning efforts.
In a letter to the school board, Landrieu wrote, "We all represent the residents of New Orleans and owe the citizens nothing less than to work together in furtherance of a common vision of community development."
But school district officials stuck to their game plan in getting rid of properties that they say have become major financial burdens.
"There's the upkeep of the property -- the cost there, the cost of the insurances for the property, and then the ethical and moral pieces that we have to be responsible for -- that it's causing blight in the community," said Darryl Kilbert, Orleans Schools superintendent.
Thursday, however, the school board enjoyed a reversal in fortunes.
The crown jewel of the auction was the old school board complex on General DeGaulle. It sold for $2.3 million -- money officials say is sorely needed in classrooms across the city.
Combined, the properties auctioned Thursday brought in more than $2.7 million.
Officials say buyers are expected to adhere to all zoning laws.
"We have been transparent. The board has been transparent. And the board's objective is to have enough resources and appropriate resources for the usage of our young people," Kilbert said. "We have to do some of the same things that the city is doing -- in making sure they are meeting their financial needs and reducing the debt."
As for the property on North Rampart, neighbors just hope it'll continue to blend in.
"As long as it's something that's peaceful and legitimate, I think we're confident the city would do the right thing and make sure development is what it should be," Rutledge said.
Four properties that were up for grabs Thursday didn’t sell. Officials plan to try again, auctioning them at a lower starting price.
