ALEXANDRIA, La. (4/28/2026) – The Alexandria City Council voted to end the GAEDA Weiss and Goldring agreement. Mayor Jacques Roy vetoed that decision.
The council voted 4–1 to rescind the ordinance that allowed the agreement. Council members Felter and Villard abstained.
Because of the veto, the agreement remains in place.
In his veto message, the mayor defended the agreement and criticized the council’s action. He said the agreement was properly executed and warned that rescinding it could create legal and financial issues for the City.
Councilman Malcolm Larvadain said the veto ignores the will of the people. He said he supports redevelopment of the Weiss and Goldring building. However, he believes private investment should be used instead of GAEDA funding.
Larvadain also said the current council and GAEDA board believe those funds could be better used in other parts of the city.
Councilman Jules Green was more direct. He said the mayor’s focus on the Weiss and Goldring project does not reflect broader economic development needs across Alexandria.
Green pointed to conditions in other areas of the city. He said there is a lack of development and investment in multiple neighborhoods. Green also said the city must move in a different direction to create growth.
He added that GAEDA wants to shift its focus toward projects across the city. Green said those efforts should reach areas that have not seen consistent economic investment.
Councilman Jim Villard, who abstained, said he wanted an outside legal opinion on the contract.
Concerned Citizens are Stepping In
Now, community leaders and concerned citizens are stepping in. They announced a town hall meeting.
The meeting is set for Monday, May 4 at 5 p.m. It will be held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 11 16th Street, inside the Family Life Center.
Organizers say the focus is simple. They want to identify real projects that can help their communities. These projects should improve economic activity and quality of life.
They also want to figure out how to move those ideas forward. The goal is to leave the meeting with clear next steps.
Community leaders said there are differing priorities in how development funds should be used. They said GAEDA should focus on economic development in overlooked communities. They also said the mayor has prioritized directing tax dollars toward downtown development.
The town hall comes as debate continues over the agreement and its impact. The council voted to end it. The mayor blocked that move. Now, the community is organizing.
Councilmen Malcolm Larvadain and Jules Green have commented on the mayor’s veto. Councilman Jim Villard, who abstained, said he wanted an outside legal opinion on the contract. Council members Cynthia Perry, Gary Johnson, and Councilman Felter have not commented as of this report. UrbanCast has reached out for comment as the situation continues to develop.
Organizers say the meeting will give residents a chance to speak. They also want to turn ideas into action.
UrbanCast will share updates as more details become available.
