Town of Carrollton Watch

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Keeping watch on developers who commercialize and suburbanize residential Carrollton.

Posting zoning and historic preservation news.
**This is a reboot of the old FB page https://www.facebook.com/TownofCarrolltonWatch.**

10/31/2026

O P I N I O N — Tulane is lying.

About its disengagement from the proposed Frostop dorm development, that is.

A public relations war begins. (See #1-2.) In response to the Nov. 4 HDLC landmarking vote on Ted's Frostop and (also maybe) lots of bad feeling in the neighborhood, the Robért family has announced plans to keep Ted's Frostop as a working diner while expanding the interior space and, etc., etc.

See this article from the Oct. 31 edition of the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate. (Can't find a link to it on nola.com yet.)
https://townofcarrolltonwatch.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/TP-NOA-Frostop-10-31-26.pdf

There will still be a 40-foot-high building in back of the Frostop on S. Claiborne for over 100 residents.

But if Tulane isn't involved as a potential tenant—then who is?

Tulane COO Patrick Norton personally told me on Aug. 5, 2026: "I can't stand here and say we won't be involved at some future date."

Also, there is no mention in this puff-ish piece about the architect behind the zoning and design of this project—Zach Smith, former Director of the Dept. of Safety & Permits, who was demoted after the Hard Rock Hotel disaster, and finally left City government to start his own firm.

Smith's zoning of the project relies on a use called "above ground floor dwelling," originally intended to provide residential "infill" in commercial zoning. Not insignificantly, it was also intended to boost affordable housing development. See the City's own description of "DAGF" here:
https://nola.gov/next/community-assets-and-investment/topics/policy/dwellings-above-the-ground-floor/

Examples in commerce: the Highrise—former Holiday Inn at 6324 Chef Menteur with 144 units; Chef Towers Apartments—4960 Chef Menteur, with 44 units; and the Reveal—13707-13733 Chef Menteur, with 150 units.

Anyway, Frostop neighbors have filed an appeal of the zoning, as the article notes. (The appeal has not yet been docketed/scheduled by the Board of Zoning Adjustments.)

Finally, on the night of the HDLC hearing (Nov. 4), preservationists will gather at Richardson Hall, presumably in an attempt to rehabilitate Tulane's soiled reputation in historic preservation. (See #3.)

Probably the main topic will be Tulane's depredations in the University Area—through its many D2D developer alumni.

Roberts’ Bar
Ted's Frostop
Maple Area Residents of New Orleans
CCA NOLA
Carrollton / Riverbend Neighborhood Community

10/29/2026

By Nov. 3, 2026—ask the HDLC to make Ted's Frostop a New Orleans historic landmark.

Once more, Ted's Frostop (3100 Calhoun) needs your love and affection. Please ask the City's historic preservationists at the HDLC to landmark the Frostop at their Wed., Nov. 4 meeting at City Hall. Write to HDLC Staff member Wendy Cargile by Tues., Nov. 3, at 4 p.m. to record a written public comment of support.

It's important...!

SAMPLE EMAIL:

To: [email protected]
Subject: Ted’s Frostop landmark vote on Nov. 4, 2026
Message: "I support the HDLC landmarking of Ted’s Frostop."

It's easy...!

Please also attend on Nov. 4 if you can. The hearing starts at 2 p.m.; and the Ted's Frostop vote will be held near the beginning of the hearing.

HDLC Agenda for Nov. 4, 2026:
https://nola.gov/getattachment//NEXT/HDLC/Meetings/Agendas/New-Orleans-Agendas/Commission/2026/11-4-2026-2-00-26-PM/NO-CMM-Agenda-11-04-26.pdf

Thank you...!

WHY LANDMARKING IS NECESSARY FOR TED'S FROSTOP

The Robért family applied for the demolition of Ted’s Frostop on March 24, 2026. The HDLC denied the demolition on April 8. The HDLC received over a hundred written public comments in opposition. Public outcry—and a Change.org petition signed by over 3000 people—played a big role in halting the demolition. The Robérts decided not to proceed with an appeal to the City Council.

Now it’s time to set a safeguard in place—making Ted’s Frostop a New Orleans historic landmark. (Without this protective measure, the Robérts would be able to file for demolition again in a year’s time.)

Two parties wrote to the HDLC to request the nomination. On Oct. 26, HDLC Staff issued a recommendation that the HDLC Commissioners vote to nominate Ted’s Frostop as a landmark. Now the vote is scheduled for Nov. 4—and the HDLC needs to hear from us again.

Important: If the building is finally designated as a landmark, the HDLC’s jurisdiction would extend only to its exterior. The interior arrangement and use would not be protected by the HDLC. The Robérts have indicated that they will move food service to a small new building fronting S. Claiborne. (The use of the original Ted’s Frostop building has not yet been announced.)

The neighborhood has filed a zoning appeal to oppose the Roberts’ plans. Another round of letters will be needed for this meeting too. (More information TBA.)

TIMELINE OF THE TED'S FROSTOP CONTROVERSY

March 24, 2026. The Robérts, dba RCR Claiborne Venture III, LLC, first applied for the demolition of Ted’s Frostop—just after announcing their intention to construct a three-story dorm for Tulane University at Calhoun and S. Claiborne.

April 8, 2026. The HDLC denied the owner's demolition application.

June 1, 2026. The owner withdrew their appeal of the denial—just ahead of the June 4 hearing by the City Council, after it became known that Councilmember McCarron would vote to save the Frostop. (By withdrawing the appeal, the owner was able to avoid a public showdown before the City Council.)

June 19, 2026. Attorney David A. Dalia wrote to the HDLC to request the landmark nomination of Ted’s Frostop.

July 14, 2026. Louisiana Landmarks Society also requested the landmark nomination.

Oct. 9, 2026. Attorney Justin Schmidt filed an appeal of the City’s zoning approvals for the new "Frostop dorm." (Note: Hearing date is TBA at the Board of Zoning Adjustments.)

Oct. 26, 2026. HDLC Staff issued a report recommending that the Commission vote to nominate Ted’s Frostop as an HDLC landmark. (HDLC Commissioners rely heavily on the research and opinion of Staff in reaching their decisions.)

Nov. 4, 2026. HDLC hearing of the 3100 Calhoun landmark nomination starts at 2 p.m. at City Hall Council chambers.

HDLC Agenda for Nov. 4, 2026:
https://nola.gov/getattachment//NEXT/HDLC/Meetings/Agendas/New-Orleans-Agendas/Commission/2026/11-4-2026-2-00-26-PM/NO-CMM-Agenda-11-04-26.pdf

Thanks for helping to save Ted’s Frostop.
Please write with questions.

Susan Johnson
[email protected]

Change.org petition:
https://c.org/5fHSwwfjQ5

And visit:
https://frostopneighborhood.org

Ted's Frostop
Roberts’ Bar
Maple Area Residents of New Orleans
CCA NOLA
Carrollton / Riverbend Neighborhood Community
Preservation Resource Center
Louisiana Landmarks Society

10/08/2026

Please sign the petition posted by a McGehee School alumna to stop the destruction of four live oaks on the Prytania Street campus.
https://c.org/rcYPdVwwF5

CCA NOLA
Maple Area Residents of New Orleans
Carrollton / Riverbend Neighborhood Community

10/06/2026

7204 Birch (aka 1530 Broadway). Status of construction at October 6, 2026. Because this is an "SMFA D2D"—allegedly providing affordable housing—no off-street parking is required. Twelve bedrooms in four units. One unit must be rented to affordable housing candidates, which may include students. (But the owner's record for actually renting to eligible candidates at other SMFA D2Ds is a topic of much dispute between University Area neighbors and City Hall.)
Owner is oil & gas executive and Tulane alumnus Ian Konrad, dba Endeavor Partners, LLC:
https://coraweb.sos.la.gov/CommercialSearch/CommercialSearchDetails.aspx?CharterID=1905310_1B7B0FF783
You'll recognize attorney Peter Connick as the Registered Agent for the LLC. No formal cooperation with Mr. Konrad on the 7204 Birch/1530 Broadway project is implied: It could be, for example, that Mr. Connick's legal secretary simply happened to process the paperwork for Mr. Konrad's LLC.
At the same time Mr. Connick is the "-C-" in RCR Ventures, LLC, which is currently planning to decommission and gut Ted's Frostop; and build a ~104-bedroom student dormitory ("but NOT a dormitory") for Tulane University at Calhoun and S. Claiborne, where the zoning doesn't allow dorms. The motto of RCR Ventures: "Thoughtful real estate development rooted in New Orleans."
https://rcrventures.co

SMFA=Small Multifamily Affordable
http://czo.nola.gov/Article-20 #20-3-SSS

Maple Area Residents of New Orleans
CCA NOLA
Carrollton / Riverbend Neighborhood Community
Councilmember Aimee McCarron, City Council District A
New Orleans and C*D HDLC

10/03/2026

1128 Lowerline—"BAD"—Saturday, 10/3/26, Alec Rovner and Sam Torres, dba Campus Rentals 3, LLC, are working without a permit on the new construction of a private dorm (D2D). Pilings were delivered on 10/2/26.
Please write to Councilmember McCarron at [email protected] and new S&P head Susannah Kirby at [email protected] for confirmation that the developers will be fined.
Thanks. —S.P. Johnson, Town of Carrollton Watch
Maple Area Residents of New Orleans
CCA NOLA
Carrollton / Riverbend Neighborhood Community
Councilmember Aimee McCarron, City Council District A

10/02/2026

Day 5 (Oct. 1, 2026)—[ABATED] Alarm chirps away at 1830 Fern, which has been vacant for a couple of years now. Demolition was recently averted thanks to CM McCarron, who upheld HDLC's Sept. 3 decision of denial. Owner has not acted on calls/texts. 311 says an inspection is scheduled. There is also a complaint on file about blight.
CCA NOLA
Maple Area Residents of New Orleans
Carrollton / Riverbend Neighborhood Community
The City Of NOLA
Councilmember Aimee McCarron, City Council District A
New Orleans and C*D HDLC

09/29/2026

Nix Library opened at 12 noon today (Sept. 29, 2026) according to an email from the New Orleans Public Library.

Photo credit: Edgar Perilloux, "Carrollton Centennial History," 1945.

https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/360

09/26/2026

1830 FERN—CALL FOR COMMENTS
Please call or write to Councilmember Aimee McCarron as soon as possible to ask her to DENY the Oct. 1 appeal to the City Council by the new owner of 1830 Fern, Sunrises A Dream, LLC, whose attempt to demolish this historic house immediately after purchase was denied by the HDLC on Sept 3, 2026. (504) 658-1010.

Preventing EXACTLY this practice, of developers purchasing historic houses INTENDING to demolish them, is why New Orleans’ historic districts were created in the first place, including the Carrollton Historic District (2017).

The appeal is currently scheduled for the City Council hearing on Thurs., 10/1/26. Starts at 10 a.m. **Please** plan to attend if you can.

Sample email—please write by Mon., 9/28/26:

TO:
[email protected]; [email protected]
CC:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
SUBJECT:
1830 Fern—Please DENY owner’s HDLC appeal
MESSAGE:
Please deny this appeal of the HDLC’s decision on 1830 Fern St by the new owner, Sunrises A Dream, LLC. At the HDLC hearing, they claimed to have known this contributing-rated historic house was in the Carrollton Historic District, but never contacted the HDLC in advance of the purchase, and applied for a demolition permit immediately after purchase. The owner appears to be a property “flipper” who never intended to renovate and restore this c. 1905 historic home. Approval of this demolition would set a terrible precedent, and could unleash a flood of similar attempts to purchase historic homes as teardowns. The Carrollton Historic District was adopted in 2017 to preserve the historic character of the neighborhoods through demolition review by the HDLC, and was designed to protect AGAINST this exact sort of scenario taking place.

Please deny this appeal.
[name; street or neighborhood]

Photo by John DiLeo II, M.D.

McCarron's position on the demolition is unknown. ... The City Council has a track record of making concessions to developers. ... Also, it’s unknown whether the lots will be developed for dorm properties. ... NOTE: The house was initially listed for $500,000 on 12/13/24; and finally sold on 7/21/26 for $268,000.

Preservation Resource Center
New Orleans and C*D HDLC
CCA NOLA
Maple Area Residents of New Orleans
Carrollton / Riverbend Neighborhood Community

Address

New Orleans, LA
70118

Website

http://www.townofcarrolltonwatch.org/

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