This Friday, Judge Ethel Julien of Orleans Parish Civil District Court will preside over a preliminary hearing in a civil lawsuit filed by lawyers representing residents of Lower Mid-City whose homes are slated for demolition under the proposed LSU/VA medical complex. The proceedings are expected to begin at 10:30 and are open to the public. We'll see you there!

This lawsuit challenges the legality of the document signed between Mayor Nagin and the Department of Veteran's Affairs in which he agreed to offer Lower Mid-City for expropriation and exposed the city to a signficant financial penalty without going through the processes established by the City Charter. Significant land agreements in which public streets are closed and financial obligations are set forth require public hearings and votes by the City Planning Commission and the City Council. Neither body held public hearings on the hospital matter, in violation of City Charter.

City Business has a good article in this week's edition summarizing the case.

SaveCharityHospital.com has covered this lawsuit extensively. This analysis compares how the normal processes were followed in this Spring's debate over whether or not to relocate City Hall but not in the case of the proposed LSU/VA medical center. This piece describes the potential financial penalties that city taxpayers face as a result of Mayor Nagin's unlawful agreement in greater detail. The petition filed by Lower Mid-City residents can be downloaded here.