NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A New Orleans property owner has filed a lawsuit against the city alleging that the recent demolition of his building was unlawful and violated his due process rights.
Cedric Patin’s building, located near the Superdome at the corner of South Claiborne Avenue and Poydras Street, was torn down by the city’s Department of Code Enforcement on July 31, following a declaration in May that it was in an imminent dangerous condition (IDC).
The department cited 11 code violations, deeming the property a public nuisance.
“You never want to be a part of something negative for the city,” Patin said. “But the reality is, they forced me to have to do this.”
According to Anthony Davis, director of code enforcement for New Orleans, Patin had been given ample opportunities to address the violations and make improvements to the property.
“There’s been zero work in progress on this property for over two years,” Davis stated.
Patin disputes the city’s claims, presenting photographs in his lawsuit that show the work he asserts was being done on the building before the demolition. He also stated that his family trust had hired an engineer to inspect the property, who found it to be structurally sound.
“I guarantee you that we have always tried to protect the integrity of that building because it is very important. It is important for revenue,” he said.
Patin, who had maintained the property for nearly two decades, believes the city’s handling of blight is inconsistent and selective.
“I would say it’s very selective, to say the least, and I hate that I was one of the selected,” Patin said.
Patin argued that the code violations cited by the city were purely cosmetic and did not justify the demolition. He points to many other properties, some on the city’s “Dirty Dozen” list, that are in far worse condition, but remain standing.
Patin says he was planning to use the building during the upcoming Super Bowl, and says the city took that opportunity and potential revenue away from him.
“When someone takes what has been hard-earned… blood, sweat and tears…. if you’re not frustrated and your blood pressure doesn’t rise, there’s probably something wrong with you,” Patin said.
The lawsuit seeks to recover at least $870,000 in damages.
When contacted for a response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office referred to previous statements made by the head of code enforcement, who has “already addressed this issue.”
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