Dock Board approves moving New Orleans Cold Storage Uptown

The Dock Board that governs the Port of New Orleans this morning approved moving New Orleans Cold Storage to Uptown cargo docks, abandoning longheld plans to relocate the poultry exporter from the Industrial Canal to docks near the French Quarter.

A cadre of Louisiana politicians — including Lieutenant Gov. Mitch Landrieu, New Orleans City Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson and Rep. Juan LaFonta — hailed the decision at a news conference after the board’s monthly meeting.

“This is a day we should all celebrate with a lot of joy,” said Landrieu, praising the port for listening to neighborhood groups that opposed initial plans to put NOCS at the foot of the French Market.

Residents of the Faubourg Marigny, French Quarter and Bywater launched a grassroots campaign against the project, saying the blast-freezing facility and trucking operation would harm the environment, cause traffic and threaten historic neighborhoods. The campaign grew stronger with the involvement of local politicians, including those present at Wednesday’s news conference and Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La.

[Port CEO Gary] LaGrange said opposition from so many New Orleans residents played a key role in Wednesday’s decision to put the new NOCS headquarters on riverfront docks at the foot of Henry Clay and Nashville avenues. Existing terminal operator Ports America agreed to give up some of its space to make room for NOCS, which will get a new lease for the site.

“Certainly we listened to the neighborhoods,” LaGrange said. “We’re sensitive people.”

— full story at NOLA.com

Would it be too bitter and boastful to call Gary’s claim pure hogwash?