For proponents of the new Tulane Stadium, the best defense might be a good offense. Plans for the stadium were stymied earlier this month when the City Council approved an Interim Zoning District, which prevents the university from moving forward on the project without approval from the city. Despite the setback, Tulane continues to mount an offensive attack, agreeing with the City to a series of three community forums over the next couple of months and also filing a suit appealing the City Council’s decision on the IZD.

According to a press release from Tulane, the forums—taking place June 6, June 18, and July 11 on Tulane University's uptown campus—will each cover separate topics including traffic and parking management, schematic design, stadium usage, and game day operations. The forums will give the university an opportunity to lay out plans for its new on-campus stadium and allow for community input.

The release states, “While Tulane University remains unequivocally opposed to the motion for an Interim Zoning District (IZD) recommended by the City Council on May 3, its discussions with the neighbors and others interested in the new stadium will continue.”

Shortly after the press release, Tulane University’s President Scott Cowen sent an email to the university community to announce the filing of an appeal on the IZD, saying “Tulane had to file this suit now to protect its rights.”

President Cowen has been aggressive in his pursuit of a stadium on the Uptown campus, and he seems to have found an ally in Mayor Mitch. After the IZD was approved at the May 3rd City Council meeting, Cowen stated, “Gratefully, Mayor Landrieu came out strongly in opposition of the City Council's position and has threatened to veto an IZD ordinance.”  

In today’s announcement, Tulane once again turns to Da Mayor for support.  According to Landrieu, “We cannot and should not stall progress. We can achieve the end result of having meaningful discussions about our concerns without the IZD, as this process lays out."

Despite the City Council ruling and complaints from neighbors, the university continues to stay calm as they mount their comeback.  With the stadium set to open for the 2014 football season, there’s still plenty of time for anything to happen.