proposal to restore the lower 9th ward

Lower Ninth Ward Restoration Proposal

An alternate approach to rebuilding a significant part of the largest ward (“9 th

Ward”) in the City of New Orleans

Presented to the New Orleans City Council on December 15, 2005

Lower Ninth Ward Restoration Proposal•We cannot forget that the lives of Lower Ninth Ward residents have been turned upside-down.

•If we don’ t explore every option to bring this area back, we have failed to adequately represent them. .

•They’ re counting on us!A National Guard Major tries to comfort children whose parents are missing.

What Happened before in the 9th Ward? •The Lower Ninth Ward recovered from the ravages of Hurricane Betsy (1965) in less than five (5) years. c

•This recovery, albeit basic in scope, was effected due to the efforts of individuals and families whose resolve and determination made it happen ON THEIR OWN!

Looking west toward the St. Claude bridge in the Lower Ninth Ward (1965)

What was significant about that recovery? •President Lyndon Johnson surveyed the devastation, especially that across the Lower 9th Ward (Sep 1965).•Federal assistance for home owners was meager (at best). Also, small businesses did not find much assistance.

•Despite this, the residents found a way to rebuild.

President Johnson’s view of the Lower Ninth Ward after Hurricane Betsy (left-side window aboard Air Force One)

The Lower Ninth Ward did it before!•Despite receiving relatively little outside assistance, the very determined residents of the Lower 9th Ward found a way to bring their community back from Betsy’s devastation.

• The citizens came together as “neighbors helping other neighbors,” and brought their part of New Orleans back to life! So… why is today different?

An old military helo flies over receding Lower 9th Ward waters as a citizen takes refuge in a rowboat. (Betsy, ‘65)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:NOLA9thFloodedBetsy.jpg

Katrina hit the Lower 9th Ward Hard! •The Lower Ninth Ward had the most economically blighted situation of all areas of New Orleans (pre-Katrina)

•Many have called Katrina a “blessing in disguise” for 9th Ward residents who were evacuated and found jobs elsewhere. But that doesn’ t tell the whole story…

Photo of flooding across Industrial Canal (Aug 30th)

Courtesy: National Geographic

What did Lower 9th Ward residents

lose after hurricane Katrina? S s s s s s

s

They Lost Their Loved Ones •The Lower Ninth Ward is believed to have had the largest concentration of New Orleanians who relied upon public transit.

•Those who had the means (via privately owned vehicles: POV) evacuated via contra-flow highways. But to those who had meager financial means, staying home seemed to be a better option than evacuating. For some, that was a fatal decision.

The body of an unknown man is found floating and entangled in a downed tree. Rescue workers do not retrieve the body because of frantic rescue operations (deemed a higher priority) immediately following hurricane Katrina.

They Lost Their Livelihood •As mentioned earlier in this presentation, the Lower Ninth Ward was rebuilt after the utter devastation of hurricane Betsy.•More than half of the residents were homeowners (59%) before Katrina.

•Because most were not in a good enough position to have stocks, other property or bank accounts, Katrina wiped-out nearly everything they owned.

A man and woman look in disbelief as flood waters at their doorstep make them prisoners in their own home (post-Katrina).

They Lost Their Dignity •Living in the open, having to survive on the street because no evacuation shelter was available (or, they couldn’ t make it there).

•They had no privacy, were subject to inhumane and hygienically-poor conditions.

•Some were abused, raped and terrorized by thugs.

Scene of chaos outside of the New Orleans Convention Center (post-Katrina).

They Lost Their Identity •Some displaced families report that their children are teased and persecuted by their peers in other schools because of their plight.• Many lifelong residents of the Lower 9th Ward, while grateful for the generosity of their new community, find genuine acceptance and acclimation to be difficult.

Displaced residents have to endure crowded conditions with relatives & friends, uncertainty of temporary shelters, constant moving as vagabond transients. Their feeling of community and belonging have been assaulted.

They Lost Their Hope • Seemingly overlooked by their government, knowing that their possessions were destroyed, and uncertain of how they would be able to face tomorrow, Lower Ninth Ward residents feel isolated and abandoned.

• Residents of the Lower Ninth Ward are largely educated, literate, and follow the news. The Urban Land Institute recommendation (to re build the 9 th Ward last) accentuates their feelings of hopelessness.

A man cradles his young infant child as he maneuvers through flood waters in the wake of hurricane Katrina.

Katrina: Initial Forecasts Were Adjusted

As Katrina approached the Florida Straits, forecasters predicted that the storm would turn north-northwestward to the Florida panhandle. But contrary to the majority of forecast models, the storm continued westward, then recurved northward as it approached the Yucatan peninsula. This forecast error delayed a decisive evacuation by the Mississippi & Louisiana Gulf coast by nearly two days.

How Can The Lower 9th Ward Recover?•Education

•Infrastructure

•Professional Training

•Community networking

•Life skills development

•Cultural and Historic centers

•Recreation parks and centers

•Meteorology research institute

•Commerce and Entrepreneurship

•Safety and Lifestyle enhancements

EducationMake all K-12 schools a model for the city by establishing curriculum for their qualifying as “Magnet Schools.”

-M.L. King as Elementary (K-5)

-Joseph A. Hardin renovated as Middle school (6-8)

-Rename Alfred Lawless High as (Rosa) “Parks High” (9-12)

In November 2005, Ben Franklin Elementary became the first New Orleans public school to reopen after Hurricane Katrina.


•Infrastructure









Infrastructure• Recapture all property, then rezone with key subdivisions, centers of commerce, as well as cultural, government and public properties.

• Use forward-thinking design for underground utilities.

• Upgrade levee and drainage systems.• Widen and pave all streets; extend I-510 westward to pass through Lower 9th Ward.

An Entergy™ technician works to restore electrical service to areas without power. Underground utility lines would prove to be more reliable than outdated lines on poles.


•Infrastructure









Professional Training•The Andrew P. Sanchez Community Center can serve as a central location for providing professional training for Lower Ninth Ward residents:

•Construction•Computer training

•Science & medicine

•Law and civic support•Entrepreneur development

The technical setting of a traditional university, technical college or trade school is an excellent environment in which to help citizens gain a competitive edge in good-paying careers.


•Infrastructure









Community NetworkingThe renaissance of “taking back the neighborhood” is a phenomena that transforms a community:

• Neighborhood watches

• Clean & Green activities

• “Crimestopper” police tips• Zero vagrancy & drug tolerance

• “Big Brother/Sister” programs

• School board & PTA involvement

• Community & block celebrations

A group of concerned citizens gather to discuss problems, strategies and recommendations relating to their community watch program.


•Infrastructure









Life Skills DevelopmentThe adult literacy problem wasn’t pandemic in the Lower 9th Ward. However, it DOES need attention.

In addition to literacy and basic education, enhancing life skills also relate to:

•Etiquette

•Parental responsibility

•Social interaction

The above book examines improving the quality of adult basic learning and literacy by focusing on the training of adult educators and grassroots workers.


•Infrastructure









Cultural and Historic Centers•New Orleans has been called “The World’s Most Interesting City.” The Lower Ninth Ward, with its diverse and varied community history, could be a “refreshing discovery:”

•Native American heritage

•Early American landmarks

•Creole and African artifacts

•Successful Americans whose roots trace back to the Lower Ninth Ward

The New Orleans Children’s Museum is an oft-visited cultural attraction. There are many possibilities for new and interesting cultural and historic attractions that could be established in the Lower Ninth Ward.


•Infrastructure









Recreational Parks and CentersSuccessful communities across the United States place a premium on their parks and recreation centers:• Picnic areas & fitness trails• Sports center (indoor/outdoor)

• State-of-the-Art theater (movies & live entertainment).

• Artificial reservoir & fishing dock

• Other attractions based on input from citizens.

Skateboarders take advantage of facilities that provide fun and excellent exercise for all ages. All sessions are supervised. Other facilities also provide a safe outlet for kids.


•Infrastructure









Meteorology Research InstituteMeteorology is “…the

science of the atmosphere and its

phenomena.” The impact of Hurricane Katrina was exacerbated by the initial forecast track (as it entered the Gulf of Mexico).

Inquisitive young minds in the Lower Ninth Ward are likely to find exploration of this realm of science to be “intriguing.”

The skill of forecasting the weather is becoming a “lost art” because of weather forecasters’ increased reliance upon computer products. A meteorological institute could help nurture and recover these skills.

http://www.stuffintheair.com/Severe-Weather-Pictures.html

http://www.stuffintheair.com/Severe-Weather-Pictures.html


•Infrastructure









Commerce and EntrepreneurshipThere have been too many generations who have grown accustomed to reliance upon federal government handouts for their sustenance. Wage earners maintain their self-dignity and respect.

Entrepreneural opportunities must be developed and sustained within Lower 9th Ward neighborhoods, and other communities in Orleans Parish.

A construction worker takes time to ensure that his mark is set as he drills in a wall in the basement of a newly built home.


•Infrastructure









Safety and Lifestyle EnhancementsSignificant changes must be made if the Lower Ninth Ward is to be better than it was before hurricane Katrina:Law enforcement interaction with the community needs to be cooperative.

Community service info about health (diet, substance abuse prevention & lifestyle) needs to be issued regularly

Domestic violence prevention and rehabilitation is needful.

Strategically-placed cameras.

Two police officers (on bike patrol) stop to discuss a matter with a senior citizen in the community.

Rezoning the Lower Ninth Ward

What are the 9th Ward possibilities?Before…

nearly all hope was gone!

After…

If we imagine it, we do it!

Thank you for your time and attention.

proposal to restore the lower 9th ward

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