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OPSB committee declines single Israel Augustine proposal, authorizes exploring below‑market leases and alternate solicitations
Summary
The Orleans Parish School Board property committee heard a New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) report that a lone Israel Augustine School RFP response was deemed nonresponsive and voted to let NORA and NOLA Public Schools consider below‑market, community‑benefit or performance‑based lease terms and alternative solicitation formats to encourage redevelopment.
The Orleans Parish School Board property committee on March 24 heard an evaluation from the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority that a single proposal for the Israel Augustine School redevelopment solicitation was deemed nonresponsive and recommended not advancing that submission.
Brenda Bro, executive director of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, told the committee that only "one proposal that was submitted" arrived during the solicitation period and that the evaluation committee scored it 19 points (an average of 6 out of a possible 300), finding deficiencies including an undefined project timeline, scattered redevelopment concept, weak community engagement and an unclear financing plan. Bro said recent interior photos show severe deterioration, the site covers about "84,000 square feet," and preliminary estimates put rehabilitation at about "$400 a square foot," with total redevelopment costs that "could approach about $50,000,000." Bro said that, given those factors, NORA does not recommend advancing the single proposal to the board and recommended rethinking solicitation structure and expectations.
Why it matters: Committee members pressed for clarity on the board’s goals — whether the priority is maximizing short‑term revenue, reducing maintenance costs by activating property, or prioritizing community benefits. Multiple members said that clearer outcomes and a longer predevelopment timeline could help developers assemble layered financing and community partnerships.
After discussion, Chair Bodwin moved — and the committee amended and approved — a motion directing NORA and NOLA Public Schools to consider below‑market, nominal, community‑or performance‑based lease terms when a proposed development demonstrably advances public objectives aligned with the OPSB surplus‑property strategy, and to permit alternative solicitation structures (including requests for qualifications or other solicitation strategies) consistent with state law. The amended motion passed in committee and will be forwarded to the full board.
Board member Zervagon said the direction would "really well define" the purpose of keeping sites for public benefit; member Marshall urged that the committee also authorize a request‑for‑qualifications process to allow developers time for predevelopment work. Bro told the committee she supports using RFQs or similar approaches to give potential partners time to assemble financing and community engagement plans.
What’s next: The committee’s amended motion will be presented to the full Orleans Parish School Board on Thursday for further action. NORA said it will continue outreach, incorporate community feedback, and refine solicitation format and timelines before returning recommendations to the board.
