A well-known Marigny bar at the center of multiple WDSU investigations is facing eviction.
Neighbors say dangerous incidents keep happening, and they are scared for their lives, so they turned to WDSU Investigates for help.
“We have had murders, gunfire, huge fights, drug dealing and people selling illegal license plates,” Pat Galloway said.
Galloway said she’s lived near Iggy’s bar along North Rampart and Touro streets for 11 years. She said there needs to be a change to keep businesses accountable.
“What we have always heard is, it’s not my fault it’s happening on the street,” Galloway said. “There are stray bullets, huge fights. I am angry about it. I live near the Quarter; I understand a lively neighborhood, but not gunfire and huge fights and screaming in the middle of the night.”
Councilman Freddie King said he is also taking action.
“To attack these quality-of-life issues this location has been presenting for the residents of this neighborhood for quite some time,” King said. “My office, the DA’s office, NOPD — we have all received the videos of what appears to be sales of illegal drugs, counterfeit license plates, counterfeit tags, things you don’t want to have in your neighborhood. It is time this community receives some relief. They refuse to take the proper steps to work with the community.”
King said he is committed to enforcement.
“Preventive measures, parking enforcement, some ticket writing so we don’t have to take our officers off the streets and bring them to this one location when they have everywhere else in the 8th district to patrol. There are drug sales, needles on the ground, things caught on video that are clearly illegal. We want that to stop, and we need it to stop right now. Things that happen are outside of the bar — it gives them a buffer. But we know if it was not for Iggy’s being here, a lot of things wouldn’t happen; the fights, parking issues, that all stems from this establishment. You have to expect some things, but repeatedly not being able to get out of your driveway, drug paraphernalia on the ground, illegal drug sales — that is not New Orleans.”
Ernest Legier, Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control commissioner, issued WDSU the following statement:
“The Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control is responsible for permitting and regulating establishments which sell or serve alcohol to the public. We take this responsibility seriously. We have corresponded and met with all parties regarding this location in order to ensure public safety. At the end of the day, most of the complaints concerning this location, are for activity which occurs ‘outside’ of the permitted space. Indeed, after conducting undercover operations on the premises, with ATC agents in plain clothes, over the course of months, there were several violations noted, but none rising to the level which warranted an immediate suspension or revocation of the alcohol permit. Nevertheless, city and state leadership met with the owners of the property and struck an agreement which resulted in the filing of an eviction proceeding against the current operators. As documented in my correspondence to neighborhood leaders, it is inappropriate for a regulator to interfere with civil contractual matters or to dictate to a property owner who it does business with. However, I have notified all parties that if the proposed resolution to this problem location is ineffective, the location itself will no longer be eligible for a state alcohol permit.”
Allison U. Rovira Modicut, attorney for the property owner, issued WDSU the following statement:
“At this time, we are taking action to evict a tenant who has been found to be engaging in unlawful activity on the premises. Our client is committed to maintaining a safe, lawful, and respectful environment for all tenants, patrons, and members of the surrounding community. Unfortunately, despite prior warnings, the tenant’s conduct has continued to violate both the lease agreement and applicable laws. The decision to pursue eviction was made in response to ongoing violations that threaten the integrity of the property and the well-being of the public. Our client has a responsibility to act in the best interest of the community and in accordance with the law. As this matter is now the subject of pending legal proceedings, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.”
The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office also issued a statement:
“Our office has been actively engaged on the matter of Iggy’s Bar since we were brought in by Councilmember Freddie King’s office. We’ve maintained direct communication with the surrounding community and neighbors in the immediate vicinity since the initial meeting. Through our NODICE initiative, we worked to expedite progress to resolve longstanding issues arising from the location by communicating directly with the property owner. As a result of constructive communication with the owner, a notice of eviction was posted on the business last Thursday. We believe this outcome represents a meaningful step forward for residents who have long raised concerns about activity at this location.”
WDSU Investigates has dug into the problem at the bar for months.
Last year, WDSU showed videos outside Iggy’s and The John. King said improvements have happened at The John.
“After the first story aired, we have seen immediately a lot of stuff stop,” King said.
However, the problems at Iggy’s have continued.
WDSU Investigates went to Iggy’s to get answers.
Staff would not comment.
Inside, a patron named Brian Davis spoke in support of Iggy’s.
“It is a classic case of gentrification,” Davis said. “The neighborhood has become popular, people buy into houses here at exorbitant rates, pushing out folks that have lived here for generations. It’s a citywide systemic issue.”
King and neighbors believe this activity could end with someone getting killed.
“Breaking the law in plain sight,” Galloway said.
WDSU asked Mayor Cantrell’s office for comment. They directed WDSU to NOPD.
WDSU is still waiting to hear back.
READ MORE:New Orleans bar faces eviction following WDSU investigation
