St. Anthony Neighborhood Planning District 6 Rebuilding Plan St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Introduction Table of Contents Approximately 100 days after Basic assumptions also formed the basis for the Acknowledgements Introduction 2 struck, Motion M-05-592 was unanimously neighborhood rebuilding plan: passed by the City Council of . This 1. That a flood protection system will be With grateful appreciation the planning team A. St. Anthony Neighborhood motion ensured that community-based, designed to withstand future catastropic would like to thank all the residents of Location & History 3 neighborhood-by-neighborhood planning would loss from a 1 in 100 year storm and that District 6 who participated in this planning Recovery Vision & Goals 4 be central to decisions associated with the this is a commitment by the federal process and without whose participation this Planning Process 4 recovery of the most devastated areas of New government. plan would not be possible. Neighborhood Concerns 5 Orleans. The City Council was adamant that the Planning Efforts Pre-Katrina 6 people most impacted by the storm would play a 2. That stringent building codes will be Project Directory central role in defining the future of their implemented to further limit wind B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina communities. Overall, 47 of the 73 damage. City of New Orleans Neighborhood Existing Conditions 7 neighborhoods delineated by the City’s Planning C. Ray Nagin, Mayor Land Use and Zoning 7 Commission have had plans prepared as part of 3. That the basic urban structure of the city Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile 8 this process. is sound and that rebuliding will respect New Orleans City Council: Recreation, Parks and Open Spaces 10 this structure; and Oliver M. Thomas, President Income & Household Characteristics 10 The City Council charged a team of consultants Roadway Hierachy and Jurisdiction 10 Arnie Fielkow, Vice-President overseen by Lambert Advisory & SHEDO with 4. That there is an organized, coherent and Housing, Architecture 11 Shelley Midura, District A assisting neighborhoods flooded by Hurricane operable hurricane evaluation program. Historic Preservation 11 Stacy S. Head, District B Katrina in developing revitalization plans that are James Carter, District C thoughtful and can be implemented, for This section presents the Dillard neighborhood, C. Hurricane Katrina Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District D incorporation into a citywide recovery and one of seven within Planning District 6. This Neighborhood Impacts 13 Cynthia Willard-Lewis, District E improvement plan to be submitted to the State district-wide section of this report presents data, Residential Damage Assessment 13 of Louisiana and federal funding agencies. This information and projects that impact the entire Commercial Damage Assessment 13 Project Management: document is one of forty-two (42) neighborhood district. This section discusses those projects as Infrastructure Damage Assessment 13 Lambert Advisory, LLC plans that meet that mandate well as neighborhood projects specific to this Parks & Open Space 14 Paul Lambert neighborhood. Community Facilities 14 SHEDO, LLC 2 Shelia Danzey D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios 15 Neighborhood Re-population 15 City planning Commission: Overall Planning Consultant: Planning District E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan 17 Designations Bermello-Ajamil & Partners, Inc. Strategic Initiatives 18 Alfredo C. Sanchez, AIA, AICP Plan Elements Hewitt-Washington, Inc. Key Redevelopment Projects 19 Lonnie Hewitt, AIA Land Use and Zoning 21 Transportation and Public Transit 21 Neighborhood Planner: Parks, Open Space and Landscape Architecture 21 Hewitt Architects Housing, Architecture 21 Lonnie Hewitt, AIA Historic Preservation 22

F. Implementation and Funding Strategies 23

Images from left to right:

A: Multi-Family Housing B: Neighborhood Community Meeting C: Orleans Levee Reconstruction City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

A. St. Anthony Neighborhood

General Location and History Boulevard to the north, Prentiss Avenue to the south, Elysian Fields Avenue to the east, Location and the London Avenue canal to the west. The St. Anthony neighborhood lies in the northeastern area of Planning District 6. It is Filmore Gardens subdivision is located in the generally bounded by Leon C. Simon lower southern section of the St. Anthony Boulevard to the north, Mirabeau Avenue to neighborhood. Its boundaries are Prentiss the south, Elysian Fields Avenue to the east, Avenue to the north, Mirabeau Avenue to the and the London Avenue canal to the west. south, Elysian Fields Avenue to the east, and The University of New Orleans’ (UNO) main the London Avenue canal to the west. campus is located immediately north and across Leon C. Simon Boulevard from the St. History 3 Anthony neighborhood. It is primarily “St. Anthony was part of a large land holding residential with a mix of single family and of Alexander Milne, a Scottish footsman, who duplex homes that help supply housing to created his fortune from his brick making students of UNO. Similar to the Milneburg business. In the succession of his estate, the neighborhood, commercial activity is located land was divided among four organizations: along Elysian Fields Avenue. 1. The Female Orphan Society, The St. Anthony neighborhood was named 2. The Milne Asylum for Destitute Orphan after St. Anthony Street which runs through Boys, the center of neighborhood from Leon C. 3. The Milne Asylum for Destitute Orphan Simon Boulevard to Gentilly Boulevard. Girls, and According to the Greater New Orleans 4. The Society for the Relief of Destitute Community Data Center, the St. Anthony Orphan Boys. neighborhood developed with the arrival of the automobile in the early 20th century. The land was portioned into sections lettered A through N and representatives from each Two neighborhood associations comprise the organization drew lots. Years later, portions St. Anthony neighborhood including: of sections F and G became the St. Anthony neighborhood. By 1965, most of the 1. Burbank Gardens, and neighborhood had been developed.” 2. Filmore Gardens.

Burbank Gardens subdivision is located in the upper northern section of the neighborhood and is generally bounded by Leon C. Simon

*The history of the St. Antohny neighborhood is taken form the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center, www.gnocdc.org, 2006. St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Recovery Vision and Goals sidewalks and infrastructure system Planning District 6 Neighborhoods & Neighborhood Associations serving St. Anthony Vision Design attractive and vibrant The vision for the recovery of the St. Anthony neighborhood retail establishments and neighborhood is one of a neighborhood areas: composed of low rise residential to include single family homes and two family homes • Restore and revitalize neighborhood where appropriate, verdant vegetation with centers within St. Anthony and nearby supporting infrastructure reflective of its pre- neighborhoods Katrina conditions, a recovered and healthy 4 retail area to serve neighborhood and Design beautiful open spaces, parks and community needs, and the recovery of improve pedestrian connectivity to community support facilities. neighborhood assets and destinations:

• Create beautiful open spaces that respond Neighborhood Recovery Goals to the demands of their location

There are a variety of neighborhood recovery • Enhance existing neighborhood parks goals: • Improve pedestrian connectivity within the Rebuild and improve the neighborhood neighborhood and planning district to exceed pre-Hurricane Katrina levels: • Restore the neutral grounds of Elysian • Preserve and enhance the character of the Fields Avenue, Robert E. Lee Boulevard, St. Anthony neighborhood’s residential Leon C. Simon Boulevard, Filmore Avenue areas through the enhancement of the and Mirabeau Avenue different residential sectors within the neighborhood Planning Process and • Provide a variety of housing opportunities Neighborhood Participation

• Through the recovery process enhance the Community Organization and quality of life of the St. Anthony Reconstruction Efforts neighborhood In November 2005, the Gentilly Civic • Improve and enhance the existing streets, Improvement Association (GCAI) was City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

officially formed as a nonprofit entity with Additionally, a charrette was held in Public Outreach Efforts meeting for all “flooded” neighborhoods in the Louisiana Secretary of State. The Planning District 6 in April of 2006. The public outreach effort carried out by which presentations of all the projects mission statement of the GCIA reads as Proposed projects or concepts of the this planning effort consisted of the that compose the city of New Orleans follows: proposed projects that residents want to following district-wide and neighborhood Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan. At this undergo further study are also included in level meetings: meeting the final list of projects for each “We, the Gentilly Civic Improvement this rebuilding plan. of the neighborhoods of Planning District Association, are a diverse group of • June 10 District-Wide Scoping 6 were presented. residents, businesses, and civic The University of New Orleans’ College of Meeting – The consultant team conducted organizations who have come together to Urban and Public Affairs (now the School of an initial scoping meeting and presentation • Weekly Land Use and Zoning form one united voice dedicated to Urban and Regional Studies) has also to residents of Planning District 6. The Committee Meetings – Members of the preserving and improving our historic played a significant role in the rebuilding primary purpose was to introduce the team consultant team attended the weekly Gentilly neighborhoods.” planning efforts. The spring 2006 semester members, present the planning process meetings of the GCIA Land Use and Zoning 5 capstone studio class was dedicated to anticipated for the rebuilding planning committee to stay informed and maintain a The GCIA has worked as an “umbrella” developing a plan for rebuilding the effort, and discuss recovery planning dialogue with residents regarding the organization for the 22 neighborhood Planning District 6 area. Graduate level efforts already underway. various projects being discussed as well as associations within the planning district. planning students performed field work recommendations made in the planning Further, the GCIA initiated rebuilding the assessments, surveys and developed • July 15 District-Wide Meeting – The charrette report. The full report of the neighborhoods in December 2005 when the recommendations and projects toward consultant team presented an update to committee is included in the appendix of first public meeting was held. rebuilding. UNO is also administering a mail residents of Planning District 6 including this document. Subsequently, several committees were survey of all pre-Katrina residents in the projects discussed at the neighborhood formed to work toward rebuilding Planning planning district area. level as well as projects proposed in the • Neighborhood Association Meetings District 6. These committees include: planning charrette. The primary purpose – Members of the consultant team Finally, UNO’s School of Urban and Regional was to discuss the projects in terms of attended and made presentations to many • Land Use and Zoning, Studies is currently conducting a mail residents concerns, issues and of the Planning District 6 neighborhood survey of all residents in the planning opportunities. associations. Additionally, the consultant • Infrastructure and Environmental district. team administered a simple questionnaire Quality, • August 26 District-Wide Meeting – to aid in documenting specific concerns • Economic Revitalization / While results of the survey are not At the third district level meeting the and assets of each neighborhood as well as Development, and available at this time, the survey will consultant team presented all projects and discuss the broader planning projects provide valuable information toward the overall strategy for rebuilding. Projects recommended as a result of the planning • Education Re-Development. rebuilding including re-population, were functionally organized in terms of charrette. The specific questions are as interests in the Lot Next Door program, infrastructure, green/open space and follows: The tireless effort of residents has resulted interest levels in relocating within the same recreation facilities, community facilities in several reports and recommendations for or a nearby neighborhood, and reasons including schools and community facilities. 1. Please number and rank in order of rebuilding. All of the committees’ that may be the cause for residents not importance (#1 being most important to recommendations are included in this returning, to name a few. • September 23 City-Wide least important) issues/concerns within rebuilding plan. Neighborhoods Meeting – At city-wide your neighborhood. St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

2. Please list and rank in order of • Lower Gentilly Association – July 18,July 27 planning process these previous planning • Monitoring of the large institutional uses importance the positive assets or attributes • Sugar Hill Association – July 24 efforts were evaluated with the intention of (UNO, SUNO, Dillard and New Orleans of your neighborhood. • Lake Oaks Association – July 26 providing a neighborhood plan that reflects Baptist Theological Seminary) to ensure a • Virgil Park Association – July 28 the continuous city planning process that harmonious balance with adjacent 3. Please provide us with your • Lake Terrace Association – August 1 preceded the devastation of Hurricane residential areas. Growth of the input/feedback on the following projects • Paris Oaks Association – August 2 Katrina and this neighborhood’s recovery institutional uses should be monitored. that have been discussed in the planning • Edgewood Park Association – August 5 effort. Recommendations of the plan • Implementation of the Wisner Boulevard forums/meetings for the planning district: • Oak Park Association – August 7 elements for Planning District 6 included shared lane/designated bicycle path. • Gentilly Terrace and Gardens – August 16 the following: (A) Creation of a “town center” mixed- • Bancroft Park Association – September 11 • Identification and designation of practical use development at Elysian Fields • Continuation of its existing land use pattern bicycle routes throughout the area and in which residential development is 6 and Gentilly Boulevard. Outreach efforts by the consultant team install bike racks and at institutions and uniformly distinctive, separated from other (B) Revitalizing all parks and green were made to all neighborhood around neighborhood commercial areas. uses with commercial development patterns space and connecting some areas associations. In many instances the located at major nodes and along major via bike/walking trails. neighborhood associations were not yet • Improvements to intersection design, corridors. (C) Creating an overlay zoning district meeting as a group but attending the signalization and pedestrian safety at along Gentilly Boulevard and Elysian regular monthly meetings of the GCIA Elysian Fields/Gentilly Boulevard, Elysian • Reduction of commercial spot zoning Fields that would improve and/or weekly meetings of the Fields/I-610 and at Chef Menteur Highway activities to strengthen residential areas and landscaping, signage, lighting, and Land Use and Zoning Committee. in the area of the Gentilly Shopping Center. parking. concentrate commercial activity at existing nodes including the regional level shopping (D) Creating a streetcar line along Additionally, the consultant team discussed • Implementation of a commuter rail system areas at Elysian Fields Avenue/Gentilly Elysian Fields from the lake to the the planning effort with the four higher with a stop near SUNO between Slidell and Boulevard and on Chef Menteur Highway. river. learning institutions to gain a better downtown New Orleans. The plan also recommended sub-area (E) Redeveloping school sites which are understanding of rebuilding intentions. not coming back possibly into studies for these two commercial • Coordination and cooperation with the community centers and/or elderly developments to improve traffic circulation, University of New Orleans to re-open housing. Pre-Katrina Planning Efforts improve quality of life problems, improve access to the lakefront through the the type of retail offered and the overall Research and Technology Park including The following are the neighborhoods and appearance shared cooperation and responsibilities The 1999 New Century New Orleans Master meeting dates: between UNO and the Orleans Levee Plan included land use, transportation, • Continuation of small clusters of Board. parks, recreation and open space, and • Pontilly Neighborhood – April 29, May neighborhood services and shops. economic development elements. These 19, June 17, August 26 • Development of recreational facilities along plans provided a wide spectrum of public • Indian Village Association – July 12, July • Utilization of green space to separate and the Peoples Avenue rail corridor. involvement for residents while addressing 20, August 3 screen more intense development from district-wide issues and opportunities and • Gentilly Heights East Association – July 17 adjoining residential areas. neighborhood concerns. As part of this • Vascoville Association – July 17 City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Existing Conditions

Land Use and Zoning development is located on the opposite side of Elysian Fields Avenue in the Milneburg The primary land use within the St. Anthony neighborhood; neighborhood is single and duplex homes which comprises over 52% of the total 418 2. The intersection at Filmore Avenue acres. Single-family homes comprise the composed of strip commercial and low rise second largest amount of developed land in office uses. the neighborhood, 31.5%. Commercial activity is located along Elysian Fields Avenue Institutional Uses and comprises just over 4% of the developed land in the neighborhood. There are no institutional and/or community facilities located within the St. Anthony 7 The St. Anthony neighborhood is one of the neighborhood. few neighborhoods which includes multi- family land use. The Mirabeau Apartment Zoning complex was located at the intersection of Mirabeau Avenue and St. Anthony Street. The Zoning within the St. Anthony neighborhood apartment complex has been demolished and closely resembles the existing land use. does present an opportunity for new Residents consistently expressed a desire to development. Residents of this neighborhood maintain their single-family and duplex and of the Dillard neighborhood have residential zoning. expressed concern about the redevelopment Neighborhood commercial zoning is limited of this large parcel (approximately 17 acres). to the areas along Elysian Fields Boulevard The apartment complex had become less and the intersection of St. Anthony desirable over time prior to Hurricane Katrina. Boulevard and Mirabeau Avenue. Commercial areas along Elysian Fields are Commercial Development Areas zoned B-1 Neighborhood Business District. Commercial development in the St. Anthony The purpose of this district is to provide neighborhood is limited to strip commercial primarily for retail shopping and personal along the frontage of Elysian Fields Boulevard service uses, to be developed either as a unit concentrated on two intersections: or in individual parcels, to serve the needs of a relatively small area, primarily nearby, low- 1. The intersection of Robert E. Lee density residential neighborhoods. Within Boulevard and spanning north to nearly Leon the B-1 District residential mixed uses are C. Simon Boulevard and south to the parcels permitted under the requirements of the RM- that face Madrid Street. Similar retail 1 Multiple-Family Residential District. Lot Above: Planning District 6 Land Use - St. Anthony St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

area and lot frontage and depth requirements was 5,394 persons. The neighborhood will define the use of mixed use projects experienced a sharp rise in population from within any of these sites. 1990, 9.72%. This was a substantial increase At the intersection of St. Anthony Boulevard compared with other neighborhoods of and Mirabeau Avenue the commercial zoning Planning District 6 in which only two other is B-2. The purpose of the B-2 Neighborhood neighborhoods experienced a population Business District is to provide primarily for increase during the same time frame (Filmore retail shopping and personal service uses to – 3.37%, Gentilly Terrace – 10.75%). be developed either as a unit or in individual parcels, to serve the needs of a relatively The St. Anthony neighborhood population small area, primarily nearby medium-density also far outpaced Planning District 6 between 8 residential areas. 1990 and 2000 which as a whole experienced a marginal increase of .54%. Between 1980 Floor area requirements have been imposed and 1990, the St. Anthony neighborhood on the permitted uses to restrict the size of experienced a substantial loss in population, retail services. To enhance the general 18.69% as did all neighborhoods of Planning character of the district and its compatibility District 6 with the exception of the Filmore with its residential surroundings, signs are neighborhood which experienced a marginal limited in number, area and types. Use increase of less than 1%. During this same allowed includes any use permitted in the B-1 time period the district as a whole loss over Neighborhood Business District or the RM-2 8.5% of its total population. Multiple-Family Residential District. Lot area and lot frontage and depth requirements will The 2000 racial composition of the St. define the use of multi-family mixed use Anthony neighborhood was nearly 60% projects within any of these sites. African American, nearly 33% white and just over 7% all other. This significantly changed from the 1990 Census report of race when Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile just under 34% of the population was African American, nearly 60% was white and nearly Demographic and Socio-Economic 7% was other. Compared with Planning Profile District 6 as a whole the 2000 African American population was nearly 69% with According to the 2000 U. S. Census, the total approximately 27% white and approximately population of the St. Anthony neighborhood 4.5% all other. comprised approximately 12% of the total Planning District 6 population. The 2000 Above: Planning District 6 Zoning - St. Anthony population of the St. Anthony neighborhood City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Population % Change 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 5 & under 6 - 17 Years 18 - 34 Years 35 - 49 Years 50 - 64 years 65+ Years City of New Orleans 557,515 496,938 484,674 -10.87% -2.47% City of New Orleans 8.4% 18.3% 25.9% 21.9% 13.8% 11.7% Planning District 6 48,047 43,926 44,164 -8.58% 0.54% Planning District 6 7.0% 16.4% 22.6% 22.3% 15.6% 16.2% Dillard 7,324 6,858 6,440 -6.36% -6.10% Dillard 5.9% 14.5% 26.2% 18.2% 17.0% 18.2% Filmore 6,681 6,712 6,938 0.46% 3.37% Filmore 6.7% 15.4% 17.9% 23.1% 17.7% 19.2% Gentilly Terrace 9,827 9,560 10,588 -2.72% 10.75% Gentilly Terrace 7.6% 18.7% 20.7% 25.6% 15.3% 12.1% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 2,955 2,542 2,147 -13.98% -15.54% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 3.3% 11.7% 31.3% 16.7% 14.2% 22.8% Milneburg 6,287 5,708 5,640 -9.21% -1.19% Milneburg 7.9% 17.7% 21.5% 22.6% 15.5% 14.8% Pontilly 8,927 7,630 7,017 -14.53% -8.03% Pontilly 7.4% 16.5% 21.0% 21.6% 15.0% 18.6% St. Anthony 6,046 4,916 5,394 -18.69% 9.72% St. Anthony 7.3% 15.7% 27.8% 22.3% 13.2% 13.7% Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc.org and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Regional Planning Commission Planning Commission

Age and Gender Real Mean Household Income % Change 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 Gender breakdown of the 2000 population of City of New Orleans the St. Anthony neighborhood as reported by Planning District 6 $49,878 $45,343 $46,040 -9.09% 1.54% the Census Bureau was 46% male and 54% Dillard $41,943 $37,489 $34,458 -10.62% -8.09% female. This closely resembles that of Filmore $79,554 $66,410 $58,319 -16.52% -12.18% Planning District 6 as a whole. In 1990, there Gentilly Terrace $38,375 $38,379 $42,492 0.01% 10.72% was a higher percentage of males in the St. Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks $104,178 $104,531 $113,660 0.34% 8.73% Anthony neighborhood, 48.5% with 51.5% Milneburg $43,467 $36,324 $42,541 -16.43% 17.12% female. Planning District 6 experienced a Pontilly $48,798 $39,178 $42,917 -19.71% 9.54% similar trend between 1990 and 2000, with a St. Anthony $40,082 $35,655 $38,533 -11.04% 8.07% slight decrease in the male population and Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from 9 hence increase in the female population Regional Planning Commission during the same timeframe. Households % Change In terms of age cohorts, the 18 – 34 years 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 had the largest percentage of the total Planning District 6 17,757 17,001 17,205 -4.26% 1.20% population in the St. Anthony neighborhood in Dillard 2,576 2,591 2,551 0.58% -1.54% the year 2000 with 27.8%. This was followed Filmore 2,356 2,648 2,736 12.39% 3.32% by the 35 – 49 years of age cohort with Gentilly Terrace 4,360 4,083 4,231 -6.35% 3.62% 22.3% of the total population in the Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 809 846 671 4.57% -20.69% neighborhood. Milneburg 2,409 2,228 2,204 -7.51% -1.08% Pontilly 2,686 2,447 2,493 -8.90% 1.88% The St. Anthony neighborhood has the St. Anthony 2,561 2,158 2,319 -15.74% 7.46% second lowest percentage of elderly Source: Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Planning Commission population than all other neighborhoods that comprise Planning District 6. While 16.2% of Average Household Size % Change the total population of the planning district 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 was 65+ years of age in the year 2000, only Planning District 6 2.62 2.51 2.52 -4.20% 0.40% 13.7% of the St. Anthony neighborhood Dillard 2.63 2.44 2.39 -7.22% -2.05% population was reported in this same age Filmore 2.80 2.52 2.51 -10.00% -0.40% cohort. The district as a whole however, has Gentilly Terrace 2.25 2.34 2.50 4.00% 6.84% a much higher percentage of elderly Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 2.93 2.52 2.50 -13.99% -0.79% population compared with the city as a whole, Milneburg 2.59 2.56 2.56 -1.16% 0.00% 16.2% compared with 11.7%. Pontilly 3.23 3.05 2.76 -5.57% -9.51% St. Anthony 2.36 2.28 2.33 -3.39% 2.19% Source: Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Planning Commission St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

2000 Total Housing Occupied Owner Renter Tota Housing Housing Age Units Housing Occupied Occupied Units (2000) 1990 - 2000 1980 - 1989 1970 - 1979 1960 - 1969 1959 - earlier City of New Orleans 215,091 87.5% 46.5% 53.5% Dillard 2,775 0.8% 9.4% 6.5% 16.4% 66.9% Planning District 6 18,442 93.2% 71.8% 28.2% Filmore 2,822 5.5% 11.2% 6.8% 21.6% 54.9% Dillard 2,775 93.6% 56.7% 43.3% Gentilly Terrace 4,515 2.0% 2.2% 5.6% 13.4% 76.8% Filmore 2,822 96.2% 84.6% 15.4% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 713 3.1% 5.7% 16.9% 34.1% 40.2% Gentilly Terrace 4,515 93.3% 69.6% 30.4% Milneburg 2,362 1.8% 3.9% 5.0% 14.6% 74.7% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 713 96.6% 95.1% 4.9% Pontilly 2,642 1.8% 3.5% 6.2% 19.2% 69.3% Milneburg 2,362 92.9% 71.3% 28.7% St. Anthony 2,613 1.6% 1.4% 3.6% 15.3% 78.1% Pontilly 2,642 94.2% 82.2% 17.6% Source: Regional Planning Commission St. Anthony 2,613 87.4% 60.0% 40.0% Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc.org and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Planning Commission

Income and Household Characteristics planning district was 2.52 persons as percentage of duplex housing in the northern learning are served by transit lines. A reported in the 2000 Census. portion of this neighborhood which is significant share of residents utilizes public In terms of household income, the St. adjacent to the University of New Orleans and transit to go to and from work. Anthony neighborhood ranked second lowest In terms of poverty, the St. Anthony hence student rental housing. of the seven neighborhoods comprising neighborhood was highest within Planning Recreation and Open Space Planning District 6 in 2000. In 1990, it was District 6. According to the 2000 Census, over The majority of the 2,613 housing units in the the lowest ranked neighborhood in terms of 20% of the population within the St. Anthony neighborhood were built prior to The neighborhood is home to three small mean household income and was second neighborhood was living below the poverty 1959, 78.1%. Between 1960 and 1969, pocket parks including Eddie Gatto lowest in 1980. The neighborhood did rate. In comparison, Planning District 6 as a approximately 400 housing units were built. playground, Filmore Gardens/Dauterive however experience a substantial gain (8%) whole had nearly 15% of the total population In the following three decades, less than 175 playspot and Donnelly playground, which from the 1990 reported mean household living in poverty. housing units were built. combined comprise less than 8% of the total 10 income but also a significant decrease land use in the neighborhood. between 1980 and 1990, 11.04%. While Housing Characteristics Mobility and Transportation median household income is a better measure for typical income of an area, it is not Housing styles and the architecture of According to the U.S. 2000 Census figures, Roadway Hierarchy and available at the neighborhood or district level. Planning District 6 were expressed as very the majority of the St. Anthony population Jurisdiction The Regional Planning Commission adjusted significant assets to residents of the use private vehicles for their transportation. the mean household income reported here to community. The housing styles compliment Of the total households,16.9% of these As noted by many residents the area is reflect constant 1999 dollars. This constant and build upon the sense of community and households do not have a vehicle while10.2% convenient to I-610 and I-10 and is serviced dollar measure is reasonable for comparative neighborhood character that residents value. rides public transit to work. While there is a by several major east/west arterial streets purposes over time. Of the occupied housing units, all great dependency on automobile for travel, including Gentilly Boulevard, Mirabeau neighborhoods of Planning District 6 have the neighborhoods central location within the Avenue, Filmore Avenue and Robert E. Lee The number of households reported in the significantly high occupancy rate when city of New Orleans and the potential Boulevard/Leon C. Simon Boulevard. 2000 U. S. Census for the St. Anthony compared to the city of New Orleans, 93.2% availability of transit to reach destinations Moreover, the area is served with excellent neighborhood was 2,319, up 7.46% from the versus 87.5%. within the city could lower this dependency north/south arterial streets including Wisner 1990 Census. In the prior decade, the on automobile traffic. Boulevard, St. Bernard Avenue, Paris Avenue, number of households had declined by over Further, of the occupied housing units, all Elysian Fields Avenue and Franklin Avenue. 15%. According to the 2000 Census, the St. neighborhoods within Planning District 6 have Transit routes operated by the Regional Anthony neighborhood households comprised a significantly higher owner occupancy rate Transit Authority in the area includes routes Elysian Fields Avenue is the only street that 13.5% of the total households within than that of the city as whole, 71.8% and along Elysian Fields Avenue, Robert E. Lee runs from the Mississippi River to Lake Planning District 6. 46.5%, respectively. Boulevard/Leon C. Simon Boulevard and Pontchartrain. While the London Avenue Mirabeau Avenue. Several routes connect canal provides a barrier between the St. 2000 Average household size within the St. According to the 2000 Census, the St. with cross town bus routes including Gentilly Anthony neighborhood and adjacent Filmore Anthony neighborhood was the smallest of all Anthony neighborhood however, had the Boulevard, Elysian Fields and Franklin Avenue, bridge crosses are located at seven neighborhoods that comprise Planning lowest owner occupancy rate of all Avenue. Transit is a very important public Mirabeau Avenue, Filmore Avenue and Robert District 6, 2.33 persons per household. The neighborhoods within Planning District 6. This service to residents and students of Planning E. Lee Boulevard. average household size for the entire is to be expected as there is a large District 6. All four institutions of higher City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Housing, Architecture and Historic Preservation Housing

The primary land use within the St. Anthony neighborhood is single and duplex homes which comprises over 52% of the total 418 acres. The duplex housing supplies students of UNO. Single- family home comprise the second largest amount of developed land in the 11 neighborhood, 31.5%. Most houses sit on 50’ or 60’ wide lots measuring 100’ in depth.

Architecture

The neighborhood has various residential architectural styles that are also present in the overall Planning District 6. The housing styles date to post World War II including some cottages and bungalows but primarily slab-on-grade brick veneer.

Historic Preservation

There are no designated historical districts within the St. Anthony neighborhood. While there may be some residential buildings of architectural significance, drive-by surveys of the neighborhood indicate that the architectural styles and residential typology as well as the age of construction and quality of the Images: architecture may not make this area a candidate of historic preservation interest. Typical Single-Family Residences St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Impacts

The St. Anthony neighborhood was one of adopted by ordinance the Federal the most severely flooded neighborhoods Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) within Planning District 6. The estimated advisory base flood elevation (BFE). The flood levels were over eight feet new BFE requires homes that were throughout the neighborhood. London damaged more than 50% to raise the Avenue canal levee breaches caused structure a minimum of three feet above extensive damage to all structures within the HEAG. For those residential structures the St. Anthony neighborhood. that were in compliance to the 1984 BFE requirements and where the floor Residential Properties Damage elevation is above three feet, raising of Assessment the structure is not required, and thus grandfathered in under the 1984 BFE. 13 Field reconnaissance performed by the city of New Orleans of each residential Commercial Properties Damage structure determined the extent of damage Assessment caused by flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The damage assessment All commercial properties were flooded was utilized by the city of New Orleans for and suffered substantial damage. Strip the purposes of issuing permits to shopping centers with multiple tenants homeowners for rebuilding. Residents are fared the worse and will have the most provided the opportunity to challenge the difficult time in recovering because of their limited economic viability prior to city’s damage assessment. Hurricane Katrina. Small office uses have recovered as well as one of the major Within the St. Anthony neighborhood the national fast food stores that front on majority of homes were determined to be Elysian Fields Avenue. Commercial at least 50% damaged. All properties that structures at the intersection of Mirabeau experienced greater than 50% damage are and St. Anthony while also flooded have now required to meet the new base flood largely recovered as of the writing of this elevation requirement of three feet above report. the highest existing adjacent grade (HEAG). The HEAG of any individual property must be measured and Infrastructure Damage documented by a registered professional Assessment engineer or land surveyor and listed on a property survey or elevation certificate. The infrastructure damage assessment of Image at top right: the St. Anthony neighborhood was limited to drive-by field reconnaissance conducted Damaged Homes The New Orleans City Council recently Above: Planning District 6 Land Use - St. Anthony Source: City of New Orleans, Mayor’s Office of Technology, GIS Department by the planning team and discussed with St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

residents of the neighborhoods. need to be replaced for safety issues that Additionally, the Infrastructure and not only address traffic movement but also Environmental Quality committee of the way-finding for emergency vehicles. The Gentilly Civic Improvement Association city of New Orleans is moving forward in also reviewed infrastructure conditions. negotiations with FEMA to provide for the The recommendations and improvements replacement of damaged and destroyed are included in the plan section of this street signs, traffic signs and others. report. Street Lights Drainage Structures Individual installations sustained damage 14 Flooding has occurred in prior years within from wind, flooding, etc. Repairs are being the St. Anthony neighborhood and was made incrementally. severe in some areas during the flood of 1995. Additionally, neighborhood Parks, Open Space Damage residents repeatedly expressed concern Assessment during meetings that clogged catch basins are causing street flooding during periods Hurricane Katrina totally flooded all the of rainfall. All catch basins need to be parks in the neighborhood as well as all the cleaned. neutral grounds in the St. Anthony neighborhood. Substantial numbers of Street Conditions trees died as the result of the salt water intrusion. The parks include Eddie Gatto Elysian Fields Avenue, St. Anthony Avenue, playground, Filmore Gardens playspot and Mirabeau Avenue, Prentiss Avenue and Donelly playground. Leon C. Simon Boulevard in the area of the St. Anthony neighborhood are in relatively The St. Anthony Street walking path is fair condition. Localized damage occurred located in the neutral ground from Leon C. on most if not all streets serving the Simon Boulevard to Mirabeau Avenue. The specific neighborhoods and in the area in sidewalk is in need of repair from tree general. roots. Community Facilities Damage Signage and Way-Finding Assessment Numerous street signs and way-finding There are no public community facilities signs, including traffic signs were located within the St. Anthony destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. These neighborhood. Planning District 6 Damage Assessment - St. Anthony Neighborhood City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios

The neighborhood rebuilding scenarios for the Fields Avenue between Robert E. Lee should be tailored to each specific Related Challenges St. Anthony neighborhood address the future Boulevard and Leon C. Simon Boulevard. commercial area of each neighborhood. development of the residential areas and the Challenges to re-population that need to be neighborhood commercial areas. The commercial activity in this section of St. Neighborhood Re-Population and are being addressed by the community Anthony is limited to vehicle driven and in the plan include: Residential Areas commercial uses. These are individual Several factors indicate that the individual parcels that contain a Walgreens Drugstore, • The larger percentage of elderly neighborhoods that comprise the Dillard Residents have expressed a desire to rebuild food establishments and other vehicle population as compared to Planning neighborhood will re-populate as time their community in the same fashion, for the oriented retail. Unless, parcel assembly is District 6 and the city of New Orleans, progresses including; residential areas, as it was before Hurricane accomplished, the small size of the 13.7%, 16.2% and 11.7%, respectively. Katrina; substantial single family homes in the commercial area and the limited depth of the This larger age group over 65 years of • The commitment of residents in areas designated as single family areas and sites do not lend themselves to the age may choose not to return to the 15 participating in this planning effort and two-unit residential where allowed. These of development of mixed use projects. neighborhood. The St. Anthony working with the GCIA in rebuilding course will have to comply with the Advisory neighborhood and District 6 in general their individual homes and the entire Base Flood Elevation requirements for Some of the commercial activity has caused are addressing this issue through the community; properties damaged over 50%. issues within this neighborhood and the proposal and evaluation of land use adjacent Milneburg neighborhood and Lake changes to accommodate elderly • The significant number of trailers Commercial Areas – The neighborhood has Oaks subdivision of the Lake Terrace and housing developments including located on individual properties; expressed a desire to rebuild some of the Lake Oaks neighborhood. Residents have assisted living facilities. One such commercial areas in the Elysian Fields complained of the type and quality of the bar opportunity is the site where the • The resurgence, commitment and corridor as mixed use projects. While these is establishments which tends to attract large former Mirabeau Apartments were participation of residents in their an attractive scenario, at present some of the crowds on weekends once the lakefront area located and have been demolished. individual neighborhood association uses have returned in their original plan is closed causing traffic problems and other The site, located at Mirabeau Avenue meetings; layout and it is most likely that the other problems. Residents of the area want to see and St. Anthony Street, is zoned for parcels will be developed as strictly an improvement to these developments. multi-family uses. • The return of UNO to its campus; commercial use in the near future. While the Images at left (facing page): present zoning category allows the inclusion The smaller, locally owned neighborhood • The rapid implementation of Early • Neighborhood geographical of residential as a use within the present commercial establishments are likely to Action projects to further aid in re- A-B: Damaged homes showing the Flood characteristics where it is a point of zoning as previously explained, there may be return as re-population occurs and as population through the provision of Water line destination within the City of New a need to increase the land area and insurance and other business capital basic services, retail opportunities, Orleans with clearly defined therefore intrusion into the single family/two challenges are overcome. clean and rebuilt parks and recreation Images at top right: boundaries, linked to the City’s family area in order to meet the area areas, and improved infrastructure, traditional urban grid and the major requirements for some of these parcels to Independent of the scenario there is a need signage, streets and sidewalks. A: Commercial at Mirabeau and St. expressway access routes serving the become mixed use. to establish commercial design guidelines for Anthony region. the totality of District 6 and in particular for B: Beacon of Light Missionary at the Commercial activity within the St. Anthony commercial uses fronting on Elysian Fields Intersection of St. Anthony and Mirabeau neighborhood primarily exists along Elysian Avenue. These commercial design guidelines St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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E. Neighborhood Recovery

On a district-wide level, the GCIA committee were discussed with residents • Streamline and improve telephone and • Reassess functional classifications to Infrastructure and Environmental Quality during the planning process and are website systems for reporting secure federal funding for roadway committee addressed all infrastructure and included in the proposed projects section problems and complaints. repair funding. public services/utilities projects including: of this report. • Provide awareness training and publications to inform lay Drainage Improvements/Projects • Street Repair Improvements/Projects, Levees, Flood Walls and Storm Surge people on hour to identify and report Policy Recommendation – • Street Lighting Restoration Projects, Protection Improvements/Projects levee problems to responsible • Traffic Control Restoration Projects, agencies. Institute a system of accountability and • Sidewalk Repair Policy Recommendation – • Institute system of technical oversight transparency for drainage system Improvements/Projects, Institute a system of accountability and for flood protection projects. Require operations and system failures. • Neutral Grounds Restoration transparency for drainage system the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Improvements/Projects operations and system failures. retain an independent board of Establish transparent and accountable 17 • Drainage Improvements/Projects, consultants to review adequacy of governance system to set objectives, track • Levees, Flood Walls and Storm Surge Establish transparent and accountable interim and permanent flood progress, verify completion and assess Protection Improvements/Projects, governance system to set objectives, track protection repairs and improvements. lessons learned. • Coastal Wetlands Projects, progress, verify completion and assess • Garbage Collection, and lessons learned. Street Repair Assure adequate funding is provided for • Transit Service Projects. Improvements/Projects objectives and assure outlays are properly Assure adequate funding is provided for spent. A copy of the complete report can be found objectives and assure outlays are properly Policy Recommendation -- on the Gentilly Civic Improvement spent. The report recommends the institution of Establish a clear protocol for residents and Association: www.gcia.us. Specific a system of accountability and governmental agencies to report and track recommendations are included in this Establish a clear protocol for residents and transparency be implemented for all public complaints and problems. Neighborhood Recovery Plan. Repair of governmental agencies to report and track works projects so as to keep residents basic infrastructure and restoration of complaints and problems. informed as repairs progress and are • Repair, replace and maintain conduits basic public services are of the highest scheduled. for storm water drainage. Construct importance to residents of the Dillard • Repair/upgrade all breached levees and subsurface drainage in neighborhoods neighborhood as well as the community at- flood walls. Additionally, with regard to street where it does not currently exist. large. • Install flood gates on London Avenue improvements the following are • Repair, replace and maintain pumps as and on at Lake recommendations of the Infrastructure necessary. The following are specific infrastructure Pontchartrain. and Environmental Quality committee: • Build safe houses for drainage pump recommendations from the committee • Relocate London Avenue Canal pumps personnel. report that are beneficial to all residents station to northern end at Lake • Implement a pavement management • Install gutter barriers to prevent street Images at top right: not just at the neighborhood level, Pontchartrain. system to prioritize street runoff from entering buildings. planning district level, but are beneficial • Implement competent system for improvements. • Perform storm water management A: Typical Street city and region wide. All other reporting/recording complaints • Lower streets by removing years of analysis to create holding ponds or B: Street Conditions recommendations that evolved from the concerning flood protection. accumulated patches and resurfacings. subsurface basins in open spaces to St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

retain flood waters away from streets Strategic Initiative No. 2 Strategic Initiative No. 4 Housing Assistance Centers and residences. Implement storm Maintain Communication, Dialogue and Continue Participation in District water best management practices. Monitoring with City and State Agencies Wide Recovery Efforts Actively support and assist in the inception • Enforce the Louisiana Discharge for Continued Improvements to Utilities of a “one-stop” housing assistance center Elimination System Storm Water and Streets and Clean Up Neighborhood improvements cannot be for the benefit of St. Anthony neighborhood Pollution Prevention Plans for all limited to the boundaries of the specific St. and Planning District 6 residents. The construction sites greater than one During the recovery process, planning Anthony neighborhood. The recovery of Housing Assistance Centers will provide acre. team members met with city and state the adjacent neighborhoods will have a expedited services for permits, fees, agencies to identify locations of leaking direct and positive impact on the St. inspections and general management Coastal Wetlands Projects water supply pipes, leaking fire hydrants, Anthony neighborhood and will translate assistance. • Provide emergency federal resources missing street lights and other community into a faster recovery and increased 18 for repairing hurricane-damaged deficiencies that need to be addressed for property values for residents. It is also Lot Next Door Program wetlands. reconstruction. It is imperative that this important to support and obtain the • Achieve Coast 2050 objectives by community initiative continue in order to support of the largest nearby institution, The principal thrust of redevelopment directing a larger share of oil/gas keep a constant watch and pressure for the University of New Orleans. Close programs and policies that encourage the revenues to coastal restoration and link action and improvements. cooperation will result in a benefit to all the speedy redevelopment of neighborhoods, levee funding to wetlands. neighbors and the surrounding must match various government powers Strategic Initiative No. 3 neighborhoods. and financing tools to the local housing and Maintain Communication, Dialogue real estate market conditions. A key issue In addition to the above infrastructure and and Monitoring of Levees, Flood will be to most effectively encourage the public services/utilities projects, the St. Walls and Storm Surge Protection Strategic Initiative No. 5 redevelopment of homes and residential Anthony Neighborhood Recovery Plan Improvements/Projects Implement Housing Recovery lots that fall into public ownership. This is proposes a series of strategic initiatives to Initiatives a major concern in District 6. address reconstruction of the damaged The Infrastructure and Environmental It is important to implement housing community assets including: Quality committee report calls for the recovery initiatives to encourage the local The “Lot Next Door” program is one of a repair/upgrade of all breached levees and neighborhood to actively participate in the series of proposed housing policies which flood walls, installation of flood gates on reconstruction process of the properties on have been developed as part of the Strategic Initiative No. 1 the London Avenue and Industrial canals the street where they live, on their blocks Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and takes Manage and Improve the Overall at , and the relocation and in their neighborhoods. Private citizen direct aim at some particular market Safety and Appearance of of the London Avenue canal pump station activity will be the most important driving hurdles that slow the redevelopment of Neighborhood to the northern end of the canal at Lake force in the recovery of each of the many of these properties. Pontchartrain. It is imperative that this neighborhoods of District 6. In order to Promote the requirement to gut and community initiative continue and that provide the required assistance and In its simplest form, the Lot Next Door Images at top right: secure damaged homes as well as property residents continue to monitor progress and incentives to these private citizens, the city program will offer homeowners who are upkeep and maintenance. keep a vigilant watch and maintain of New Orleans should implement the committed to redeveloping their home, the A: Housing Recovery pressure for action and improvements. following housing reconstruction programs. ability to purchase publicly owned adjoining B: Trailer at Home properties prior to these properties being C: Renovated Home City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

offered to any other buyers. This option Additionally, there are a substantial Strategic Initiative No. 6 Proposed Projects Description would be provided should the property end number of areas of the city including Identify and Promote Early Action up in public ownership either through the neighborhoods of Planning District 6, Projects A. Restoration of Eddie Gatto adjudication process or through the sale of among others where rebuilding homes with Playground and Deficiency the property to a public entity through the damage in excess of 50% will require the Early action projects serve to generate Assessment Road Home or other public acquisition total reconstruction at three feet above community confidence through the program. grade or the Base Flood Elevations commitment of the public sector to create B. Restoration of Filmore whichever is greater. Many of these investments in the community. Potential Gardens/Dauterive Playspot and Elderly Housing Road Home Link homes will have to be raised close to one Early Action projects include identifying Deficiency story making them a difficult housing adaptive reuse for major facilities that will What has become quite apparent through product-type for people with physical not be reconstructed to house the functions C. Restoration of Donelly the neighborhood planning process is that frailties. that existed prior to Hurricane Katrina, Playground and Deficiency 19 senior households which have some of the improvements to the Neutral Grounds, Assessment strongest ties to the community and have Elderly homeowners are clearly a special street improvements and others. expressed some of the strongest voices for case with specific needs, and currently The parks and playspots are vital to the rebuilding and returning to the city, but there are no programs targeted to this Strategic Initiative No. 7 neighborhood. Residents want the parks also face some of the most significant subgroup of homeowners. A targeted Promote/Monitor the Implementation restored and an assessment of challenges in redeveloping or rebuilding elderly homeowner program is needed of Key Recovery/Redevelopment deficiencies performed to identify further their homes. which will allow elderly households to tie Parcels and Projects needs including equipment and user their Road Home grant to senior specific amenities (i.e., benches trees, First, there were many areas of the city elevator multi-story condominium projects The continued monitoring and community landscaping, water fountains, enclosed which had a high concentration of elderly to be developed throughout the city. interest in the major development projects facilities). homeowners including District 6 which There has been wide support for dedicated and parcels identified in St. Anthony are sustained substantial damage and which multi-family senior housing product in crucial for the recovery of the In addition to equipment repair, residents will require the demolition and many parts of the city, but particularly in neighborhood. Among some of the most have identified Donnelly Park to include reconstruction of many homes. areas where younger homeowners have crucial key recovery projects is the the addition of a gazebo for neighborhood aging parents living nearby. redevelopment of the commercial sites meetings and community events and also Historically, the challenges of dealing with located on Elysian Fields Avenue between include a community garden and contractors, permit inspectors, lenders, In some cases, there may be a need to Robert E. Lee Boulevard and Leon C. Simon perimeter walking track. The St. Anthony etc. has proven particularly overwhelming increase the grant amount or provide a low Boulevard. Neighborhood interests should neighborhood does not have any for many elderly households after they interest loan to the household if there is a monitor and help bring about the community meeting centers. The Donnelly have experienced such trauma (physical gap between the value of the buyout (and construction of these key recovery projects Park gazebo can serve this need. and psychological) as has been visited insurance proceeds) and the market value Images at top right: indicated below that form part of the upon other communities after other price of the condominium unit. Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and have Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements disasters. A: House Raising been vetted by the neighborhood and the Projects B: Apartments at St. Anthony and Gentilly community through the public involvement process. D. Restore St. Anthony Walking Path St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

and Extension to the Lakefront (north) Neutral Grounds Projects and to Agriculture Street (south) The St. Anthony neutral ground walking G. Restore all Neutral Grounds and path has provided a significant north/south Create Welcome Signs to connection through the neighborhood. Neighborhoods Residents want it restored and rebuilt The major streets serving the St. Anthony where tree roots have damaged the neighborhood including Elysian Fields sidewalk. Additionally, the waling path Avenue, Leon C. Simon Boulevard, Robert should be extended to the north through E. Lee Boulevard, Filmore Avenue and the UNO campus to connect with the Mirabeau Avenue have wide neutral lakefront and extended south to Agriculture grounds. Magnolia trees lined many of 20 Street to connect with Perry Roehm Park these neutral grounds prior to Hurricane located in the Dillard Katrina. The neutral grounds are valued green space. Residents have a strong E. Filmore Avenue Designated/Shared desire to restore the neutral grounds and Bicycle Lane the neighborhoods request a landscaping Designation of a bicycle lane along Filmore master plan be prepared that is inclusive Avenue will provide additional east/west of a tree planting policy. connectivity throughout the entire planning district and improve mobility and thus meeting an overall goal of the neighborhood recovery plan.

F. Robert E. Lee Boulevard Designated/Shared Bicycle Lane The city of New Orleans’ 1999 master plan transportation element recommended the designation of Robert E. Lee as a bicycle route. Residents view this as a mobility improvement and meeting the connectivity goal of the overall planning effort. This project should be done in connection with the funded resurfacing of Robert E. Lee Images at top: Boulevard. A:17-Acre Parcel at Park and Mirabeau and Paris St. Anthony Neighborhood Rebuilding Plan City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

LAND USE AND ZONING ELEMENT other problems. Residents of the area neighborhood thus providing a north/south issue of housing rehabilitation as follows: want to see an improvement to these connecting walking path. Land Use and Zoning developments. “Every resident of Gentilly should be able Recommendations/Projects One goal of the plan is to provide to return to his or her renovated or TRANSPORTATION AND improved connectivity within the entire replaced home if desired, and should be Residents of the St. Anthony neighborhood PUBLIC TRANSIT PROJECTS planning district. Robert E. Lee Boulevard provided effective neighborhood-level want to maintain their single-family and and Filmore Avenue when rebuilt should assistance to do so. At the same time, two-family zoning. They have a desire to Transit service will be a key component of include designated/shared use bicycle vacant homes should be made available to improve commercial development and want successful redevelopment. In addition to route thus providing east/west new buyers, or selectively consolidated to to implement a design overlay ordinance on restoring pre-Katrina transit service, connectivity. As noted previously, major form sites fro new public squares. Houses Elysian Fields Avenue and Gentilly residents recommend commencement of arterial streets have wide neutral grounds should be encouraged across a range of Boulevard. While a desire from the the federal process to study construction that were lined with magnolia trees. The types and prices, including affordable 21 neighborhood to include mixed uses along of either a streetcar or light rail system neutral grounds are valued green space. homes.” Elysian Fields Avenue in the areas connecting the French Quarter and the Residents have a very strong desire to presently zoned B-1 has been expressed at lakefront via Elysian Fields Avenue. Elysian restore the neutral grounds of the Residents and participants of this planning community meetings, the inclusion of Fields Avenue is the only street in the city neighborhoods and further prepare a process embraced the above statement. residential mixed uses, while allowed under that connects all the neighborhoods of landscaping master plan that includes a Housing rehabilitation and the need for the zoning category, may require that the Planning District 6 and the lakefront to the tree planting policy. professional assistance was made a commercial zoning be further extended into French Quarter and downtown New priority at every public meeting. the neighborhood to create parcels with Orleans. HOUSING, ARCHITECTURE AND Additionally, residents expressed concern sufficient land area to allow mixed use HISTORIC PRESERVATION for the elderly and their rebuilding ability. under the present commercial zoning. PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND As noted previously, Planning District 6 has LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Housing a high percentage of residents 65 years of Unless, parcel assembly is accomplished, PROJECTS age and older. the small size of the commercial area and The St. Anthony neighborhood is the limited depth of the sites do not lend Restoration of all parks is a high priority. comprised of a mix of single family and Options discussed during planning themselves to the development of mixed In addition to restoration of existing parks, duplex homes in the middle income price meetings included limiting a number of use projects. Some of the commercial residents want to assess the deficiencies of range. Housing styles and architecture of single-family structures to be redeveloped activity has caused issues within this the existing parks in terms of playground Planning District 6 are very significant as doubles or two-family dwelling units as neighborhood and the adjacent Milneburg equipment needs, user amenities (i.e., assets to the community. The housing well as redevelopment of former privately neighborhood and Lake Oaks subdivision of benches, trees, landscaping, water styles compliment and build upon the operated community centers into senior the Lake Terrace and Lake Oaks fountains). The existing St. Anthony sense of community and neighborhood assisted care living or senior housing with neighborhood. Residents have complained walking path needs rehabilitation. It is also character that residents value. All age restrictions. To review the conversion of the type and quality of the bar proposed the St. Anthony walking path be neighborhoods of Planning District 6 have concept a review of existing zoning was establishments which tends to attract large extended north to the lakefront and south significantly high owner occupancy when performed particularly in light of residents’ crowds on weekends once the lakefront to Agriculture Street connecting to Perry compared to the city of New Orleans. desires to maintain existing residential area is closed causing traffic problems and Roehm park located in the Dillard The April planning charrette addressed the zoning. A significant portion of the St. St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Anthony neighborhood is already zoned for Guidelines and an Architectural Design Prefabricated Homes duplex homes thus there is ample supply of Review process enforced by the City of New this housing stock. Orleans where local design professionals Recently on West End Boulevard a new and residents sit as reviewers may provide prefabricated home was constructed; As part of this Neighborhoods Rebuilding a vehicle for the orderly aesthetic another company is in the process of Plan, a number of housing initiatives are reconstruction of the neighborhood. constructing a pre-fabricated home at the proposed and presented in the overall Residential Design Guidelines should be intersection of Mirabeau Avenue and policy element of the plan and issued under developed in close cooperation with the Franklin Avenue. These homes are an separate cover. These have also been residents of Lakeview and could include attractive addition to the community and identified as part of the Strategic Initiatives additional controls and requirements such their design does not exhibit the fact that recommended as part of the neighborhood as front porches, special setbacks and build the homes arrived on-site on several 22 recovery plan, specifically Strategic to lines, location of garages, heights, and trailers. The use of contextually designed Initiative No. 5 Housing Recovery others. pre-fabricated homes for the neighborhood Strategies. should not be curtailed, but its design and Commercial Design Guidelines aesthetics controlled to ensure a fit Design Guidelines for Residential between the new construction and a Construction Commercial Design Guidelines need to be specific neighborhood’s appearance. As the community rebuilds there is a need developed for the major commercial sectors to develop Architectural Design Guidelines throughout Planning District 6. Commercial Historic Preservation and a mechanism for their enforcement in Design Guidelines will help ensure that new order to assure citizens that new construction being built in the commercial The St. Anthony neighborhood construction will be compatible with the areas will be compatible with the vision of development pattern begins from the existing architectural fabric of the the community. Additionally Commercial 1930s. While some of the older homes neighborhood and particular sub-areas. Design Guidelines can regulate the signage may qualify for potential historic that may be included as part of commercial designation by being over 50 years old, The raising of homes to respond to the retail projects if residents desire more strict however, substantial areas of St. Anthony 1984 Base Flood Elevation or the 3’0” rule signage regulations than those within the date from the 1960s making qualification of the Advisory Base Flood Elevation urban corridor overlay ordinance the will be for historic designation submission to the requires strict observance to architectural applied to Elysian Fields and Gentilly National Register of Historic Places not design principles that will make the new or Boulevard. feasible. raised construction compatible with existing residential buildings in the area. Use of Louisiana Pattern Book A substantial number of individual houses, The photographs illustrate recent examples however, upon reaching this threshold, and of buildings being constructed that are The Louisiana Speaks Pattern book was if deemed appropriate by the owner, may Images at top right: raised and where the issue of compatibility contracted by the LRA to develop design be submitted for consideration based on with the surrounding architectural context and development guidelines for specific either architectural or historic significance A: Pre-Fabricated Home is or may be an issue. Architectural Design Louisiana residential types. as individual property listings. B: Slab Home Foundation Re-used City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

F. Implementation and Funding Strategies

Funding Matrix obtain these funds will rest with the City of These include: New Orleans and neighborhood groups and The connection between the advisory committees. • Undertaking specific further studies Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and the to determine the actual cost to potential funding sources is graphically Each matrix matches proposed projects governmental entities for certain represented by the Implementation Priority with potential funding sources identified public/private initiatives (for which we have Matrix. The costs analyses are provided on through the planning process and while not noted the cost of the study); an order-of-magnitude basis as to the exhaustive in its scope, it serves as a guide scope and magnitude of the project to where funds could originate. • Housing initiatives for which there proposed and the investment required to Substantial financial commitments by may be dollars already allocated through construct it. As such, variations as to the federal and state entities are a vital the Road Home, LIHTC, private funding scope of the project could result in ingredient in the recovery effort and will sources, or other sources but where the 23 variations on the final cost of construction. provide the necessary economic additional gap in funding is impossible to infrastructure to attract the private determine at this point; In the process of cost analyses, investment required to create stable and consultations were carried out with the City vibrant communities. • Other policies, including land use of New Orleans Public Works Department and zoning regulations, which the to identify general cost guidelines typically Each funding matrix, based upon community believed to be in the short and used for the calculation of street consultation with neighborhood residents long term interest of the community; and improvements and reconstruction; other through the community meeting process, sources of cost identification included the also ranked projects based upon priority of • Recurring operations (i.e. expanded Means Cost Data and our team’s need with regard to recovery: “Early police patrols, library operations, park professional experience inside and outside Action/Critical”; “Mid-Term/Needed”; and operations, etc.) that either tie to certain “Long Term/Desired”. This ranking Acronyms New Orleans. capital improvements or are important to FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency provides a general guide as to what the health of the community through the CDBG: Community Development Block Grant communities believe is the most important expansion of existing services. HUD: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development No single source of funding or financial USACE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan will be capable of dealing with the priorities with regard to revitalization and CIP: Capital Improvement Plan capital improvement needs for total redevelopment. LRA: Louisiana Recovery Authority SWB: Sewage & Water Board redevelopment and reconstruction of all LHFA: Louisiana Housing Finance Agency the neighborhood projects and needs. Finally, there are a variety of items or HANO: Housing Authority of the City of New Orleans initiatives listed on the funding matrix HOME: HUD Low Income Housing Program EDA: Economic Development Administration However, the funding matrix included in where a capital cost can not be attached or TIF: Tax Increment Financing this report shows different funding sources determined without further study, but the NMTC: New Market Tax Credits community believed needed to be a central BID: Business Improvement District that could be made available for specific FHWA: Federal Highway Administration projects and it should be expected that part of the plan. FTA: Federal Transit Administration layering of multiple sources of funding will LDOT: Louisiana Department of Transportation NGO: Non-Government Organizations be required in most cases.The ability to St. Anthony Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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