A conditional-use permit or zoning change may be needed
Will Oktoberfest join the annual schedule of festivals held on the banks of Bayou St. John? If a deal between the state and Deutsches Haus goes through as planned, the answer is a resounding yes.
The German heritage society is in negotiations to purchase a state-owned property at 1700 Moss Street, a vacant parcel that was previously the home of the 3rd District police station and, long before that, a Confederate veterans home. The state recently put the 4 1/2 acre site up for sale as surplus property, and Deutsches Haus was quick to act, according to treasurer Al Bourg.
"We had our eye on the property -- and as soon as the sign went up, we contacted the state," said Bourg. "We have things lined up about 99 percent of the way. But until things are signed, sealed and delivered, you hate to say it's a done deal. You don't want to count your chickens too soon."
Or chicken dances, for that matter.
Deutsches Haus has been in ongoing negotiations with the state regarding the taking of their former home on South Galvez Street in Mid-City. Situated in the footprint of the VA hospital, the historic building was razed recently, displacing Deutsches Haus to a temporary location in Metairie. Bourg said terms of the nonprofit's negotiations with the state regarding both properties is confidential and can't be disclosed at this time.
Members of the board of the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association learned of plans for the proposed relocation at their Feb. 14 board meeting. According to Seth Levine, president of the association, an officer of Deutsches Haus appeared at the meeting to introduce the prospect of the relocation to the neighborhood.
"It was on an informational basis only," Levine said. "He didn't make any requests of the neighborhood association, and so there really wasn't anything for us to act on one way or another."
But that could change.
The land is currently zoned residential, Bourg said, so Deutsches Haus may have to seek a conditional-use permit or zoning change. For that, they will likely need the support of the Faubourg St. John group and nearby Desaix Area Neighborhood Association.
"We want to bring the neighborhoods in early so that they become part of the planning process," Bourg said.
The site is also much larger than the 25,000 square feet the organization previously had, so developing a construction plan could take some time. Bourg said there is no site plans or drawings, and the organization will almost certainly have to raise money for the project.
Nevertheless, Bourg thinks the site is the perfect one for the group's new home.
"Behind the parcel is St. Louis No. 3 cemetery, where some of the founding fathers of Deutsches Haus are buried," Bourg said. "And we're not a late-night crowd and don't play a lot of loud rock music, so we wouldn't be bothering anyone anyway."
The Moss Street location would not only give Deutsches Haus lots more room to operate, but will put the group in a central location near other attractions, including the Fair Grounds and City Park, Bourg said. He noted the headquarters would join other local cultural icons such as the Greek Orthodox church, site of the annual Greek Festival, and the Pitot House, home of Voodoo on the Bayou.
Bourg joked: "Who's to say in a few years that we won't challenge the Greek Orthodox church to a scull race on the bayou?"