MARRERO (LA)
WDSU [New Orleans]
August 15, 2023
By Aubrey Killion
$1.5 million dollars in Louisiana tax dollars is going to redevelop Hope Haven in Marrero.
The property is owned by the New Orleans Archdiocese and shut down after sex abuse scandals.
WDSU Investigates uncovered a portion of the $1.5 million could be going back into pockets of the archdiocese. That money could be used to buy property from the embattled and bankrupt nonprofit.
Senator Patrick Connick said this is a chance to bring life back into the property. He is pushing for the archdiocese to use the money to help sex abuse victims find closure.
One alleged sex abuse survivor could not believe it when WDSU told him his tax dollars could be going into the organization that he says destroyed his life.
“It’s a slap in the face,” he said.
The man WDSU is not identifying is one of the hundreds that have filed suit against the Archdiocese of New Orleans alleging sexual abuse.
“Oh, the tentacles of the Catholic Church in New Orleans run deep. They run deep,” he said. “We haven’t got a penny, but they are willing to throw this money around like It is nothing.”
According to a cooperative endeavor this cooperative endeavor agreement between Jefferson Pairsh and the archdiocese in 2017, the parish agreed to lease the land for 99 years to redevelop the historic property for public use. The parish pays one dollar a year.
Work is underway to bring it back to life, and walking paths are already built.
Connick says it’s a major renovation and opportunity. There would be an improved aquatics center, outdoor concert and festival space.
According to the deal, at the expiration of the 99-year lease for the land, the parish is obligated to surrender possession.
There’s a portion of this dollar-a-year deal that is not included.
According to Connick, a 1930s gym and two 1970s-style ranch homes are not included in the lease with the parish. In order to develop this portion of the property, Connick says the parish wants to buy it from the archdiocese.
Connick wants to tear the homes down for parking, and the gym would stay, potentially serving as a community space.
“Your tax dollars are going to purchase buildings owned by the archdiocese that’s going to benefit the public,” Connick said. “Hopefully, the money that is used to purchase these buildings would go into a fund to help those victims get what they deserve. That’s all it is. We have to bring this property back into commerce, and honor victims, recognize the suffering they went through. This can be part of the solution, hopefully.”
Connick says the archdiocese has not agreed to sell anything at this time, but if they do want to sell. The sale must be authorized and approved by the bankruptcy court. Connick says if the archdiocese and the courts sign off, the parish can use some of the $1.5 million dollars to purchase the structures at fair market price. Connick says that would be set by an appraiser approved by the court.
“Some of the money used to purchase the properties would go into a fund to help them get what they deserve, which won’t be enough that would be the hope,” Connick said. “The archdiocese has many properties, but the bankruptcy is causing hurdles we have to jump through. My goal is to work with the archdiocese to help the victims.”
If the archdiocese doesn’t sell, Connick said the money would go to continued restorations and preservation of the buildings in the lease.
The alleged survivor said he doesn’t want his tax dollars going back into the Archdiocese.
“We’re looking for justice,’ he said.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond declined an on-camera interview. The archdiocese issued the following statement:
“My focus is bringing the bankruptcy proceedings to their conclusion so that the survivors can be fairly compensated. I know that there is no amount of money that can bring healing to those who have been hurt. We will continue to learn from the past. We will continue to look for ways to strengthen our safe environment programs and are meeting with survivors to review and enhance our current protocols for responding to allegations of abuse. I only hope that my prayers and the pastoral support the survivors are able to receive will help them and bring them peace.”
“The Archdiocese of New Orleans has been in conversations regarding the properties in question. However, the Archdiocese must be strategic in its approach to the disposition of its properties in a manner that serves to best maximize its resources. Any sale of property owned by the Archdiocese of New Orleans is subject to the bankruptcy court ordered processes.”
WDSU asked if the money made from any property sales would go to the survivors.
“Sale of property assets have been and continue to be a resources considered for bankruptcy settlements.”
WDSU also asked if the archdiocese would continue the lease after the expiration.
“We are currently six years into a 99-year lease. Decisions made in 93 years will have to be made based on the circumstances facing both parties then.”