Soulard Residents’ Statement on Mardi Gras

Last night some residents of the Soulard neighborhood located south of downtown made the following statement at a Mardi Gras forum:

Introduction:

A group of concerned long time Soulard residents have gotten together and formed an ad hoc committee to address the problems associated with Mardi Gras. Our general feeling is that Mardi Gras, Inc. has over promoted the event to the point that it has become dangerous and destructive to our residential neighborhood.

The following is a basic statement concerning our position and supportive points that Mardi Gras, Inc. and the people at City Hall need to address before the 2007 event takes place.

Statement:

Mardi Gras has outgrown Soulard, our residential neighborhood, and must move to another location.

1. Mardi Gras is unsafe. Mardi Gras, Inc. over promotes the event which is held in our residential neighborhood. There are too many visitors who exhibit drunken, aggressive, and dangerous behavior. The crowd is getting younger and drunker. There is unsafe crowding. There is excessive demand on and use of the city’s police force. There is residual broken glass and trash. There is public urination.

2. Mardi Gras causes the destruction of private property. The event is over promoted, too large, and an open invitation far and wide for attendees to come to Soulard. There is constant and extreme destruction to our homes, yards and businesses.

3. Mardi Gras does not benefit the Soulard neighborhood. It puts money into the pockets of a select few and the residents are left to deal with the repercussions of this event, leading up to it, on the day of the event and throughout the year.

4. Mardi Gras is branding Soulard as a “year-round party place.” It is detracting from the interests of Soulard as a residential neighborhood noted for its historic architecture and charm. It threatens Soulard’s viability and the continued ability to attract and keep families and other potential residents and businesses to the area to ensure the legacy of a stable and diverse urban neighborhood.

Not much to disagree with here. The Soulard residents have done an excellent job of summarizing their views. Let’s look at each point.

Safety:

Yes, each year it appears the group is younger and drunker. I don’t have a problem with younger but the drunker part is an issue. A good beer buzz is one thing but falling down drunk is quite another. Squeezing many people into a small area and then an increasing number drunk it a bad overall formula. The potential of a small scale riot is quite feasible.

Destruction of Property:

With drunks comes property destruction. The neighborhood is fragile with many windows at the street. Old fences and other property is in close proximity to being damaged.

Benefit:

This is a tough one. I think, to a degree, the residents have benefited from Mardi Gras in that it has helped increase property values from the area being considered a hot spot. But, otherwise I see no direct benefit to local residents. The bars & restaurants do a good business but do other local businesses benefit?

The Big Picture:

Gaslight Square went downhill partly due to be overdone. The focus became too much on entertainment and partying. Few want to live in the middle of an entertainment district. I think it is a fair concern for the residents to raise that Soulard may be branded as a party place. If so, it could potentially lose its appeal as a nice neighborhood with local restaurants and bars. Crossing the line from neighborhood to entertainment district is not something we want to cross.

I’m happy to see such a rational discussion of the points and hopefully something can be determined so that we have a Mardi Gras in some form for years to come. However, I just can’t imagine it feeling right on Market in front of the post office.

– Steve