New Orleans City Council members and other regulatory officials are calling for tougher fines for those who demolish historic structures without a permit, after the recent demolition of a century-old shotgun Uptown underscored the need for tougher rules.
The fine for illegally razing historic homes and buildings in New Orleans is $25,000, more than double the $10,000 that was on the books before state lawmakers increased it starting in 2022. In the three years since, some regulators say, they’ve questioned whether the new, higher fine should be increased again.
“We felt like that was the cost of doing business,” said Historic District Landmarks Commission Executive Director Bryan Block at a City Council budget hearing last month, speaking about the original $10,000 fine. “We thought that $25,000 would discourage (property owners from demolition), but we’re seeing that it’s not.”…