St. Claude Neighborhood Planning District 7 Rebuilding Plan St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

Introduction Table of Contents Approximately 100 days after Hurricane Planning District 7, the subject of the Acknowledgements A. St. Claude Neighborhood 3 Katrina struck, Motion M-05-592 was following report, includes 4 geographically Location and History 3 unanimously passed by the City Council of specific neighborhoods: St. Claude, St. With grateful appreciation the planning team would Recovery Vision and Goals 4 New Orleans. This motion ensured that Roch, Desire Area and Florida Area. like to thank all the residents of District 7 who community-based, neighborhood-by- Planning Process and participated in this planning process and without neighborhood planning would be central to Neighborhood Participation 5 Basic assumptions also formed the basis whose participation this plan would not be possible. decisions associated with the recovery of for the Planning District 7 Recovery Plan: Planning Efforts Pre-Hurricane Katrina 6 the most devastated areas of New Orleans. The City Council was adamant 1) That a flood protection system will be Project Directory B. Pre-Katrina Neighborhood Existing that the people most impacted by the designed to withstand future catastrophic Conditions 9 storm would play a central role in defining Land Use and Zoning 9 the future of their communities. Overall, loss from a 1 in 100 year storm and that City of New Orleans this is a commitment by the Federal Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile 10 47 of the 73 neighborhoods delineated by C. Ray Nagin, Mayor Recreation and Open Space 11 the City’s Planning Commission have had Government; plans prepared as part of this process. Roadway Hierarchy and Jurisdiction 11 New Orleans City Council Housing, Architecture and 2) That stringent building codes will be The City Council charged a team of Historic Preservation 12 implemented to further limit wind damage; Oliver M. Thomas, President consultants overseen by Lambert Advisory Arnie Fielkow, Vice-President & SHEDO with assisting neighborhoods 3) That the basic urban structure of the Shelley Midura, District A C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood flooded by Hurricane Katrina in developing Impacts 13 city is sound and that rebuilding will Stacy S. Head, District B revitalization plans that are thoughtful and respect this structure; James Carter, District C Extent of Flooding 13 can be implemented, for incorporation into Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District D Damage Assessment a citywide recovery and improvement plan Residential Damage Assessment 13 to be submitted to the State of Louisiana 4)That there is an organized, coherent and Cynthia Willard-Lewis, District E Commercial Damage Assessment 13 and federal funding agencies. This operable Hurricane Evacuation Program. Infrastructure Damage Assessment 13 document is one of forty-two (42) Project Management Parks and Open Space Damage Assessment 15 neighborhood plans that meet that Lambert Advisory, LLC mandate. Community Facilities 15 Paul Lambert

2 D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios 17 City Planning Commission: SHEDO, LLC Neighborhood Re-population 18 Planning District Shelia Danzey Designations E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan 19 Overall Planning Consultant Strategic Initiatives 20 Bermello-Ajamil & Partners, Inc. Plan Elements Alfredo C. Sanchez, AIA, AICP Key Recovery and Development Projects 21 Land Use and Zoning 23 Hewitt-Washington, Inc. Transportation and Public Transit 23 Lonnie Hewitt, AIA Parks, Open Space and Landscape Architecture 23 Neighborhood Planner Housing, Architecture and Historic Preservation 24 St. Martin - Brown & Associates, LLP Utilities and Municipal Services 24 Joseph St. Martin Human Services and Community Facilities 24 Deron Brown

F. Implementation and Funding Strategies 25

Cover Images: A: Holy Angels Church B: World War I Memorial C: Home in the Musicians Village City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

A. St. Claude Neighborhood

Location and History The Alvar Branch of the New Orleans Public Library System was the first library to open The St. Claude Neighborhood is located in the City post-Katrina. between the Bywater and Florida neighborhoods in Planning District Seven. Bunny Friend Park and Vincent DePaul St. Claude is bordered by Montegut and Cemetery are fixtures in the community. Lesseps to its east, St. Claude and Burgundy to the south, Law and Galvez to Many of the neighborhood's assets were the north, and Franklin and Almonaster to greatly devastated due to the flood waters the west. and catastrophic winds of Hurricane Katrina. However, neighborhood residents The history of development in St. Claude realize that the winds and waters of Katrina 3 dates back to 1899 when Orleans Parish also created an opportunity to uncover passed legislation to drain various back some of the neighborhood's forgotten swamp areas of the city. Between 1900 assets. and 1920 various canals along Franklin, Florida and Alvar served as outlets for drainage of the area. From 1919 and 1935 the canals were replaced with subsurface drainage and covered. This made the area more desirable for development and increased the level of railroad development.

As the area developed and the Industrial Canal reached completion, light industrial development became increasingly attractive. By 1946 the area was Images from left to right: supported by the Gulf Mobile, Ohio Railroad, Louisville and Nashville Railroad, A: Historic Home New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad B: St. Vincent De Paul Cemetery and the Public Beltway. C: B.M. Palmer School By 1950, residential settlement was near At right: Neighborhood Bundaries in complete. The St. Claude area is home to District 7 several neighborhood parks, churches, Source: City of New Orleans schools and commercial developments. St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

Recovery Vision and Goals

The Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan provides a vision and framework for physical improvements, economic sustainability, and community enhancements for the St. Claude Neighborhood.

Vision

4 The vision of the Neighborhood Recovery Plan is to restore the quality of life in St. Claude to the level that existed prior to Hurricane Katrina and to make key improvements to the quality of life in the neighborhood by addressing preservation of historic properties, high crime, large concentrations of blighted and adjudicated properties, and poor street conditions.

Neighborhood Recovery Goals

The recovery plan is to be used as a tool by the community to ensure that the character of St. Claude is preserved. The plan will provide a list of projects to be implemented in the early, mid-, and long-term recovery phases. The projects identified shall serve as catalysts for the rebuilding of the community. The goal of the Recovery Plan is the careful identification of projects that can be leveraged to benefit the entire community, such as: Images at top: · Streets, sidewalks, and other Aerial Map of the St. CLaudeNeighborhood (Above) infrastructure system improvements; A: Musicians Village City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

· Attractive residential development; The community began with a planning August 27, 2006, a larger community · Enhancement of the architectural process that allowed the residents, meeting was held at Holy Angels Church character of St. Claude, with business owners, and other stakeholders to (New Orleans), the Holiday Inn Select opportunities for the restoration of determine how their community should (Baton Rouge), St. Paul AME Fellowship historic properties; return. Hall (Atlanta), and Texas Southern · Elderly living centers; University (Houston) respectively, allowing · Commercial redevelopment; Design teams were created to help the individual community members to identify · Homeownership programs; association leaders understand the basic issues, opportunities, liabilities, and assets · Designation of Urban Design Corridors planning principles in developing recovery in their neighborhoods. along Franklin Avenue and Almonaster plans for their neighborhoods. Individuals Avenue; took the information gathered at the In addition, district planning meetings · Recover, expand, and design beautiful meetings into individual bi-weekly or were used to inform residents of the 5 open spaces and parks monthly association meetings. The recovery process and to provide · New pocket parks to satisfy the needs neighborhood and district meetings became information from local, state and federal of St. Claude residents; a conduit for sharing information pertinent agencies involved in the recovery of New · Street tree canopy replacement; for the community's return. Community Orleans. Forums were conducted to allow · Enhancements to neighborhood parks members began to work together to individual community members the and playgrounds in the St. Claude area; organize clean up efforts, debris removal, opportunity to get answers to questions · Redevelopment of St. Claude Avenue as and to have services restored. pertinent to their return home. a New Orleans Main Street; · Recover, expand, and design schools, The Community Design Team was made up Surveys were used as tools to gauge the churches and libraries; and of residents, business owners, property return intentions of residents and business · Rebuild state of the art educational owners, community based organizations, owners displaced throughout the country. facilities with community centers. city support services, and elected officials. The planning process allowed the The purpose of the design team was to community to develop projects and target analyze data, provide neighborhood history, areas. The data collected and existing Planning Process and identify neighborhood patterns, and to plans formed pre-Katrina for the Neighborhood Participation define characteristics of the neighborhoods. community were used to help set priorities Images from left to right: for the projects identified by the In early May, several residents met at the By focusing on the data collected, neighborhoods A: Mayor Nagin assisting at planning Our Lady Star of the Sea Church to voice community members were able to re-focus meeting. their ideas on recovery. The initial meeting their personal opinions on how the B: District Planner interacting with participation drew a crowd of approximately neighborhood as a whole would heal. The residents at a Charrette 50 residents. Subsequent meetings design teams evaluated the data and C: Road Home Representative at attracted larger and more excited crowds, presented recommendations in a series of Planning Meeting. leading to an all-day planning discussion open district planning meetings. D: Planing Process Chart ( shown below) involving over 450 residents of the district. On July 29, August 17, August 20, and St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

6

Planning Efforts Pre-Hurricane role became limited to the adoption of the • Increased Green Space, Landscaped Katrina plan, the enforcement of any regulatory Buffers, and Recreational Opportunities; adjustments to the plan, and in assisting In 1994, the City Planning Commission the residents in monitoring the plan. • Parks and green space buffering adopted the Local Renaissance District residential uses in the Desire and Florida • Neighborhood and regional commercial Administration Policy that enabled residents On July 9, and October 8, 1998 more than housing areas; corridors; to take a more active role in the city 45 residents met at the first of two public planning process with regard to revitalizing workshops at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. • Landscaped transportation corridors -• Consolidation of industrial development; their neighborhoods. This paved the way The workshop was held to identify pivotal Press Street Corridor, Elysian Fields, St. for neighborhood groups to work with development parcels and land use conflicts Roch (above St. Claude), Franklin Avenue,In •2002 Reduction the Upper ofNinth spot Ward zoning,Community live planners and the Planning Commission staff in order to help the City Planning Almonaster, Florida Avenue, and PlanSt.entertainment, was formulated. Alcoholic The Beverage plan Outletswas to draft a Strategic Neighborhood Commission in developing a land use map Claude; sponsored(ABOs), andby St.commercial Mary ofencroachment. the Angels Renaissance Plan, which would then be for the district to be incorporated into the Catholic Church, Mt. Moriah Missionary Images from left to right: considered for adoption by the City Council 1999 New Orleans Land Use Plan. • New recreation areas and public space;Baptist Church and All Congregations and the City Planning Commission. Together (ACT) and authored by the A: Existing Land-Use Throughout the workshop several key and University of New Orleans College of Urban B: Existing Zoning Map • Neighborhood mixed-use along the pivotal parcels were identified and drafted and Public Affairs, with support from over C: Building Conditions Pre-Katrina By involving residents as major riverfront; stakeholders, such plans would be more into a schematic plan. Features of plan 15 neighborhood churches. D: Problem Properties Pre-Katrina practical and relevant in dealing with recommendations included the following: • Neighborhood mixed-use on other neighborhood problems. The City Council's Similar to the process for the 1999 New Maps created by UNO Division of Planning corridors; City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

7

Orleans Land Use Plan, residents identified issues and provided recommendations in the following topics:

• Coordination and revitalization efforts • Housing • Vacant lots • Crime and public safety • Schools • Economic development • The old Kohn School site Images at right: • Recreation • Industrial Canal lock replacement A: Proposed Land Use Map for District • Public facilities and infrastructure 7 • Community cohesion B: Proposed General Land Use for • Transportation and street signage District 7 Source: City of New Orleans 1999 Land This information was used as the basis for Use Plan initial interaction with the residents and business leaders of the community. St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY 8 City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Existing Conditions

As indicated in the 1999 New Orleans Land Land Use and Zoning Use Plan and validated by the Katrina Recovery Planning process, there were A number of different zoning several key issues that were consistent classifications are identified, but the St. throughout all of the neighborhoods in Claude neighborhood is comprised District 7, including: primarily of single/ two-family residential structures. There are several pockets of • Blighted and vacant property; institutional and public uses throughout • Deterioration along major corridors; New Orleans Neighborhood Rebuilding Plan - Existing Land Use (Above) the neighborhood, with a long span of • Agricultural Street landfill; New Orleans Neighborhood Rebuilding Plan - Zoning (Below) industrial from St. Claude to Law between • Conflict between industry and adjacent Source: City Of New Orleans 1999 Land Use Plan Montegut and St. Ferdinand. residential; 9 • Intrusion of alcohol beverage and The St. Claude corridor is lined with tobacco sales in residential areas; commercial uses, two public schools • Noise, littering, and loitering; (Douglas High and Drew Elementary), as • Truck traffic and parking; well as Holy Angels Convent and School. • Stolen and abandoned vehicle dumping; • Blighted and vacant property; • "Shade tree" mechanics; • Lack of city facilities and services, such as streets, drainage, sewer and park space. St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

Type of Orleans transportation (2000) St. Claude Parish Total workers 16 years and over 3,545 188,703 Public bus 22.5% 12.4% Streetcar 0.1% 0.6% Taxicab 1.7% 0.5% Ferryboat 0.0% 0.2% Other Public transportation 0.0% 0.0% Car, truck or van 68.4% 76.3% Bicycle 1.1% 1.2% Walked 2.1% 5.2% Other, incl motorcyle 1.0% 0.9%

Orleans Average household Orleans Age (2000) St. Claude Parish income (2000) St. Claude Parish 5 years old and under 9.7% 8.4% Average household income $29,802 $43,176 6-11 years old 11.2% 9.2% Average household 10 12-17 years old 11.2% 9.1% income for households 18-34 years old 22.6% 25.9% reporting less than 35-49 years old 21.6% 21.9% $200,000 $25,110 $35,693 50-64 years old 13.8% 13.8% Average household 65-74 years old 6.0% 6.0% income for households 75-84 years old 3.1% 4.2% reporting more than 85 years old and older 0.8% 1.5% $200,000 $445,613 $381,840

Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile

Age Distribution Household Income Distribution Mobility and Transportation Based on 2000 Census information, The average household income for the The street patterns for the St. Claude truck, or van; however, this is much lower individuals between the ages of 18 and 34 neighborhood ($29,802) is 20% lower than neighborhood are completely open. The than the average for the city, explaining represented the largest percentage of the the average for the City of New Orleans as series of one-way streets are reportedly why public transportation usage is nearly neighborhood at 22.6%. This percentage is a whole. difficult for residents to traverse. Most twice that of the City as a whole. slightly lower than the percentage citywide streets in the neighborhood are continuous for the same age category. The percentage for north/south and east/west travel. A St. Claude has two major rail lines that of residents over the age of 65 is equal to large percentage of people in the border the neighborhood (New Orleans that of the Parish. neighborhood utilize individual vehicles to Public Belt and Norfolk/Southern). travel to work. Almost 67% of the total Images: workers 16 years and over travel by car, Median Age and Income Maps for Source: U.S. Census 2000; the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center at http://gnocdc.org/orleans/ District 7 City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

11 Recreation and Open Space and St. Claude are the major east/west arteries through the neighbor hood, while There are currently two parks within the Franklin, Desire, Louisa, Alvar and Poland neighborhood. Odile Davis Park is located serve as north/south thruways. Of the at the corner of Feliciana and Law and is a major arteries, three are state highways: 2.15-acre site that has a basketball court, North Claiborne (Hwy 39), North tennis court, baseball field and a Robertson (Hwy 39) and St. Claude (Hwy multipurpose field. 45).

Bunny Friend Park is located at the corner Traffic descending from the North of Desire and Prieur. The 2.26-acre park Robertson and North Claiborne overpasses was equipped with playground equipment, is reportedly a major problem in the a basketball court, baseball field and a neighborhood. St. Claude, North multi-purpose field. Post-Katrina the park Claiborne, North Robertson all have was converted to a FEMA trailer site. drawbridges that carry vehicular and rail traffic over the Industrial Canal. Image from left to right: A: Bunny Friend Park Roadway Hierarchy and B: Playground Jurisdiction

Maps: The roadway hierarchy for the St. Claude At right: Public Facilities neighborhood is pretty well defined with a Far right: City of New Orleans series of major and minor arterial streets. Transportation Master Plan Element 2004 North Miro, North Galvez, North Claiborne St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

Images clockwise from left::

A-C: Homes in St. Claude D: House Detail

Maps: Left: Blighted Properties by Neighborhood Below: Blighted and Adjudicated Properties

Housing, Architecture and Historic Preservation

Over 40% of the St. Claude neighborhood is classified as historic. The areas between Franklin Avenue and St. Ferdinand are classified as a National Register District, while the area from Burgundy to Urquart is a local historic district. The St. Mary's of the Angels complex on St. Claude has the only designated historical buildings in the 12 neighborhood.

The housing architecture mimics much of the historical style of Bywater and Marigny. The majority of the homes are French Creole style and are elevated 3 to 4 feet above the street.

There is a large number of vacant and blighted houses in the neighborhood. With such a large number of the properties being rental, many of the homes are poorly managed and maintained. Several of the abandoned houses throughout the neighborhood have become the haven for drug house and crime and have been classified as "crack houses."

Renters and owners Orleans (2000) St. Claude Parish Total occupied housing units 4,114 188,251 Owner occupied 44.9% 46.5% Renter occupied 55.1% 53.5% City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Impacts

Extent of Flooding meet the 1984 Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or be elevated to the Advisory Base Flood Much of the St. Claude neighborhood Elevation (ABFE), as adopted by the City received flood water ranging between 2 to of New Orleans. 4 feet. Depths were higher as flood waters moved north above St. Claude. Because Commercial Properties the majority of the homes are elevated, Damage Assessments many were not flooded; if they were, they had less than a foot of water. The outcome Above: St. Claude Neighborhood Elevation Map showing inundated areas of the neighborhoood. All commercial properties within the was different for those select few that were Below: St. Claude Neighborhood Flood Depth Map showing inundated areas of the neighborhoood. flooded areas sustained a significant slab on grade. Source: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Saint Louis District amount of flood damage. The commercial areas along St. Claude received the least 13 Wind Damage amount of flooding and have since been able to return more quickly than other Apart from the flooding of homes, properties in the neighborhood. Hurricane Katrina's winds damaged a substantial number of homes, in particular Infrastructure the roofing systems. Katrina's winds also uprooted a substantial number of trees on The infrastructure for the St. Claude private property, street rights of way and neighborhood was severely damaged. neutral grounds. This resulted in damage to the streets, curbs, and sidewalks. Telecommunications: The majority of the underground Residential Damage Assessment telecommunications lines were damaged due to corrosion from the saltwater. Bellsouth and Cox are currently replacing Less than 35 percent of the residential their copper infrastructure with fiber optic properties in the St. Claude neighborhood systems. were deemed substantially damaged according to the Damage Assessment Data Power: received from the City of New Orleans. Entergy has been able to restore 98% of These properties were located primarily the lighting and power services for the north of Miro. The majority of the neighborhood. They are continuing to Image at right: properties south of Claiborne were rated bring service to individual structures on a with a damage assessment level below daily basis. Commercial Property Damage - TLC 49%. Water & Sanitary Sewer: Services Homes damaged over 50% will have to St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

The sanitary sewer and water system in the St. Claude neighborhood received major damage. The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board is identifying and repairing leaks and breaks in the system daily. The lift station and pump stations serving the neighborhood are at 100% capacity.

Streets and Storm Sewer: The streets system was heavily damaged 14 by flood waters and subsidence of compacted fill used to support street surfaces. Recovery vehicles and debris contractors working on streets not designed to hold heavy traffic and equipment also took a toll. Over 27,000 linear feet of streets have been designated in poor condition and are in need of major repair. Katrina's debris has also resulted in clogged street drains and catch basins. The neighborhood also had poor street conditions and potholes pre-Katrina.

Signage and Way-Finding: Over 80% of the street signage is missing within the St. Claude neighborhood. These street signs are critical for way-finding, reconstruction and recovery.

Most importantly, the majority of the stop Images from left to right: signs and traffic signals at key intersections and streets are either missing A-C: Residential Structures Showing or damaged, creating a substantial traffic Damage Post-Katrina danger and hazard. D: Commercial Property Rail-lines Map at center: Damage Assessment Map City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Sidewalks / Pedestrian Circulation: site for resident of the neighborhoods as Even though the majority of the well as some outside the neighborhood. neighborhood travels by vehicular means, the neighborhood residents expressed their Civic Facilities: (Church and desire for pedestrian travel. The tree Community Facilities) canopies allowed for shaded passageways and walkable communities. However, All of the civic facilities within the St. Katrina's wind uprooted trees, causing Claude neighborhood were damaged. major damage to sidewalk systems. In There are no public libraries in the addition, debris contractors have neighborhood. The closest library is the substantially damaged sidewalks and curb Alvar Branch in the Bywater neighborhood. and gutter systems as they remove storm There were no community centers in the 15 related debris from the neighborhood. neighborhood.

Police / Fire: Churches served as a vital part of the St. Claude is serviced by the Fifth District neighborhood and have continued to do so Police Station. It is located at 3900 North post Katrina. Holy Angels opened its door Claiborne. Residents have expressed to the community to allow for extreme concern about the crime in the neighborhood groups to meet and discuss neighborhood. The station did receive recovery goals and opportunities. The flood waters and has since made minor Convent served as the meeting place for repairs allowing for the station to be the district-wide charrette that had over utilized again. St. Claude is serviced by the 450 participants. 3rd Fire District. Engine 24/Ladde r4 are located at Poland and St. Claude. The Schools and Universities station was damaged but is only in need of minor repairs. There are three public schools and one private school in the St. Claude neighborhood. Of the four schools within Parks and Open Space Images from left to right: the neighborhood only two (Douglas High and Drew Elementary) have opened post- All of the parks and open space within the Katrina. All of the schools were damaged A: Bunny Friend Park - now a Trailer Park St. Claude neighborhood were significantly B: Bywater Hospital Schools and Parks in the St. Claude Neighborhood (Above) but the two schools that have reopened damaged. In addition, the major corridor are located along St. Claude Avenue. C: Grace Baptist Church neutral grounds sustained damage to the D: Holy Angels School tree canopy and landscaping. Bunny Friend E: B. M. Palmer School There are no universities in the St. Claude Park is currently serving as a group trailer neighborhood. St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY

16 City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios

The recovery plan will follow the existing assumption and fact that the basic urban the Franklin Avenue Urban Design Corridor. • Renovation of St. Roch Market as an neighborhood urban plan and organization structure of the District and the It is important to provide protection of the open-air market; with special emphasis on restoring and neighborhood is sound and that long-term urban fabric along these gateways for the enhancing the residential quality of the St. property value enhancement is dependent neighborhood. • Development of elderly housing options Claude neighborhood and its retail upon the maintenance of the urban pattern within St. Claude at key potential sites commercial and civic areas. and layout of their neighborhood and • The restoration and improvement of such as the corner of Independence and community, although site specific neighborhood parks and open space to Villere or Montegut and Villere A number of basic assumptions support the improvements and strategies are critical to address not only the damage caused by ; overall neighborhood rebuilding effort. the reconstruction of the neighborhood. To Hurricane Katrina, but to also turn them • Recovery of all pre-Katrina blighted and These underlying assumptions are derived accomplish this goal the following actions into the community assets that these parks adjudicated properties; from the commitment of local, state and need to be carried out: were and can become. federal authorities to provide 1) the flood • Recovery of vacant properties along the 17 protection that makes a levee protected • Formulate policies and actions for the • The construction of bike and Press Street Railroad corridor; area livable and 2) the mitigation clean-up and maintenance of the pedestrian paths throughout the protection afforded by stringent building community's public realm and private neighborhood turning them into the • Musicians Village at old Kohn School codes and a hurricane evacuation system. parcels to create an adequate, healthy community assets that neighborhood has so site; These assumptions are: environment that allows the orderly desired. repopulation of the neighborhood and that • Recovery of old State office at the • A flood protection system will be projects an image of cleanliness and order • The reconstruction of the water and corner of Claiborne and Mandeville; designed to withstand future catastrophic needed to further aid community faith and sewer system by the City of New Orleans loss from a 1 in 100 year storm and that momentum for the reconstruction process. Water and Sewerage Board, and its • Renovation of Florida and Desire this is a commitment by the Federal continuous monitoring by the citizens of St. housing sites; and Government; • Identification and implementation of Claude and District 7. public sector financed Early Action projects • Transition of Agriculture Street Landfill • Stringent building codes will be to act as catalysts for neighborhood • Reconstruction and new construction site into green space. implemented to further limit wind damage; reconstruction. These include: of the street and sidewalk infrastructure damaged by the flooding, the subsequent • That there is an organized, coherent • Essential public facilities and repairs to the water and sewer lines to and operable Hurricane Evacuation programs identified in the Neighborhoods reinstall service to the community post Program; and Rebuilding Plan and other planning efforts Hurricane Katrina, by the overturned trees and documents. that succumbed to the winds of Hurricane • That the basic urban structure of the Katrina, and the debris removal machinery Images from left to right: city is sound and that rebuilding will • Implementation of key catalytic and heavy vehicles working in the respect the basic urban structure of the recovery projects to spur commercial neighborhood. A: Musicians Village City. development in the St. Claude B: A home being rebuilt according to neighborhood and Planning District 7 such • Assistance and guidance in undertaking FEMA Guidelines The rebuilding scenario is based on the as the St. Claude Main Street Initiative and several key district-wide projects, such as: St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

Images from left to right:

A-B: Homes on the Musicians Village C: Shuttered Historic Home

Neighborhood Repopulation

The neighborhood repopulation process in St. Claude appears to be underway. According to data received from the City of New Orleans Mayor's Office of Technology, over 35% of the structures within the neighborhood have applied for rebuilding permits. Many of the properties were rental and under control of single ownership. Many of the renters are not 18 able to return due to the properties not being renovated.

Through the planning process, smaller neighborhood associations within St. Claude have been meeting bi-monthly and, in some cases, weekly to discuss recovery- related issues and visions. Pre-Katrina demographic information illustrated nearly a 7.5% decrease in population throughout the district.

St. Claude has a total housing stock of approximately 4,100 residential units. As of August 26, 2006 almost 1,500 units are either occupied or under renovation. These numbers show a commitment to repopulation of the neighborhood. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan

The St. Claude Neighborhood Recovery Encourage the creation of districts that Strategic Initiative No. 5: LOT NEXT DOOR Plan proposes to revitalize based on a include recognizable identity and clustered Develop and implement policies, series of strategic initiatives that have development of compatible land uses. regulations, and processes that The principal thrust of redevelopment been identified by the residents of represent the vision of each programs and policies that encourage the Planning Districts 7 as well as the St. Encourage green space buffers between neighborhood. speedy redevelopment of neighborhoods Claude neighborhood. industrial and residential properties. must match various government powers There is no better individual or group to and financing tools to the local housing ensure that the recovery of a community and real estate market conditions. Strategic Initiative No. 1: Strategic Initiative No. 3: or neighborhood is fairly represented than Promote efficient, long-term growth Utilize, revitalize, and maintain the the neighborhood itself. It is A key question will be how to most within St. Claude. urban areas of St. Claude while recommended that an advisory board be effectively encourage the redevelopment Establish boundaries for areas that are strengthening the economic capacity created, with representation from each of of homes and residential lots that fall into 19 available for intense development activity and quality of life in St. Claude. the neighborhood associations within St. public ownership. compared to those areas that require Utilize the area surrounding major Claude to ensure that the Recovery Plan sensitive development as a result of amenities to spur quality, dynamic continues to incorporate the needs and The "Lot Next Door" program is one of a floodplains and wetlands. economic development, including the requests of the community. series of proposed housing policies that proposed "St. Claude Main Street have been developed as part of the Development of "urban villages" along Initiative." Neighborhood associations within St. Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and takes Franklin Avenue and St. Claude Avenue Claude should continue to meet bi- direct aim at some particular market that will allow for daily needs of area Enhance existing green space and monthly with their residents and monthly hurdles that slow the redevelopment of residents. commercial areas. with elected officials, the business many of these properties. community, and neighborhood Development of the riverfront, allowing for Encourage infill development within the associations outside of the St. Claude In its simplest form the Lot Next Door a mixture of commercial, residential and existing urbanized area, including neighborhood to review, comment on, and program will offer homeowners who are recreational uses. demolition and rehabilitation of all update the recovery plans. committed to redeveloping their homes substandard structures and the ability to purchase publicly owned underdeveloped property. adjoining properties prior to these Strategic Initiative No. 2: Strategic Initiative No. 6: properties being offered to any other Maintain a balanced yet diverse and Implement Housing Recovery buyers. This option would be provided dynamic pattern of land uses that Strategic Initiative No. 4: Initiatives. should the property end up in public maintain a quality of life in St. Develop and implement suitable A number of housing initiatives are ownership either through the adjudication images from left to right: Claude. zoning classifications. proposed as part of the Neighborhoods process or through the sale of the Encourage the development of compatible Structure overlay zoning districts that Rebuilding Plan and are presented in the property to a public entity through the A: Holy Angels Church land uses, avoiding mixtures of restrict heavy truck traffic and alcohol and overall policy element of the plan and Road Home or other public acquisition B: Bunny Friend Park - now a Trailer incompatible uses in close proximity to tobacco sale districts with in a half-mile issued under separate cover. Below is a program. Camp Site each other. radius of schools and parks. summary of these policies. St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

Renderings:

At left: A: Street Improvements (before) B: Street Improvements (after)

At right: C: Pedestrian Path (before) D: Pedestrian Path (before)

A C

20

B D

ELDERLY MODERATE INCOME First, there are many areas of the City that experienced similar trauma. with physical frailties. CONDOMINIUM ROAD HOME TIE-IN had a high concentration of elderly homeowners (Lower Ninth, Pontchartrain Additionally, there are a substantial Elderly homeowners are clearly a special It has become quite apparent through the Park, and Lakeview) that sustained number of areas of the City including group with specific needs, and there are neighborhood planning process that senior substantial damage and which will require Lakeview and areas of Gentilly where no programs targeted to this subgroup of households, which have some of the the demolition and reconstruction of many rebuilding homes with damage in excess of homeowners. strongest ties to the community and have homes. 50 percent will require the total A targeted elderly homeowner program, expressed some of the strongest voices for reconstruction at three feet above grade or which will allow elderly households to tie rebuilding and returning to the City, also Historically, the challenges of dealing with the Base Flood Elevations, whichever is their Road Home grant to senior specific face some of the most significant contractors, permit inspectors, lenders, greater. Many of these homes will have to elevator multi-story condominium projects challenges in redeveloping or rebuilding etc. have proven particularly difficult for be raised close to one story making them a to be developed throughout the City, is their homes. elderly households after they have difficult housing product type for people needed. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

There has been wide support for dedicated how quickly that property will be rebuilt for • Re-sell properties at fair market value • Enhance neighborhood street lighting; multi-family senior housing product in housing. and reduce price of lots only when very many parts of the City, but particularly in specific policy objectives are being met, • Create grant programs for all areas where younger homeowners have Additionally, and realistically, there are a such as providing for mixed-income housing neighborhood churches; aging parents living nearby. variety of neighborhoods throughout the in a neighborhood. City where reducing the cost of a lot or unit • Demolish Palmer School site and build In some cases, there may be a need to to essentially zero will not be enough to new state-of-the-art elementary school increase the grant amount or provide a low ensure the redevelopment of the property. Strategic Initiative No. 7: and community center; interest loan to the household if there is a These are generally those neighborhoods Identification and Promotion of Early gap between the value of the buyout (and where land values were quite low prior to Action Projects • Economic development of sites as listed insurance proceeds) and the market value Hurricane Katrina and homes were not built in Strategic Initiative No. 8 below. price of the condominium unit. unless there was significant targeted public There were several key early action 21 assistance related to construction. projects that the residents of St. Claude USE OF SECOND GENERATION FUNDS would like to see. Those projects are as Strategic Initiative No. 8: AND EXPANSION OF HOME Given the different market factors follows: Promote and Monitor the PURCHASER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS influencing the redevelopment of housing Implementation of Key Recovery / in different neighborhoods, there are a • Repairs to neighborhood infrastructure, Redevelopment Parcels and Projects One of the principal issues that has come variety of strategies that will have to be including major arterial streets and up repeatedly in neighborhood meetings is employed with regard to the sale of lots roadways; • Construct an elderly mid-rise how properties that end up in public acquired through the acquisition program condominium complex at the corner of ownership either through the adjudication on the open market. These strategies • Supplemental education programs for Independence and Villiere; or buy-back process are going to be resold include the following. both youth and adults; in the marketplace. • Conduct an economic development and • Recycle second generation proceeds from • Address the inadequate drainage on comprehensive study for the While the Lot Next Door program provides higher income neighborhood property sales many neighborhood streets; redevelopment of abandoned industrial one method for recycling lots in the to properties in neighborhoods where structure along Press corridor into mixed- market, there are going to be numerous values are lower. This will ensure that • Restore neighborhood services such as use facilities with small business lots that are not acquired by next door more housing redevelopment dollars will grocery stores, banks, gas and service incubators; neighbors that are going to have to be sold follow to low-income areas than could stations, pharmacies, and drug stores; to third party purchasers. otherwise have be imagined prior to • Conduct an economic development and Katrina. • Designate urban design corridors along comprehensive study for the future Images from left to right: Assuming that there are few new Franklin Avenue and St Claude Avenue, development pedestrian and bike path regulations associated with developing • Sell adjacent lots and blocks of lots in which will control landscaping, signage, along Railroad corridor leading to Florida A: Historic House with Storm Shutters housing (i.e., some requirement that public ownership to experienced for-profit building façade articulation, setback Avenue and Riverfront; B: Academy of the Holy Angels certain units must be homeownership vs. and not-for-profit developers when not requirements, right-of-way, parking C: Saint Vincent De Paul Cementary rental) it is likely that the value placed on purchased through the Lot Next Door requirements, pedestrian interaction, and • Conduct an economic development and D: World War I Memorial many properties for sale will determine program. median enhancements; comprehensive study for the future St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

22

Diagram:

Projects Map proposed for the St. Claude Neighborhood City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

development of low-rise, mixed-use Transportation and Public development and green space with access Transit to the levee and riverfront; The recovery transportation strategies and • Conduct an economic development and planning objectives mimic those of the comprehensive study for the 2004 New Orleans New Century Master redevelopment of the Press Street Wharf plan and the Upper Ninth War Community into mixed-use development with Plan. Key major transportation projects commercial, residential, and green space. include:

• Repair and improve mobility of the key Land Use and Zoning thoroughfares and enhance the existing 23 street infrastructure through coordinated Policies should include: efforts with the Department of Public Works, RTA and LADOTD to ensure • Enforce current zoning; efficient lasting repairs;

• Create Renaissance (urban design) • Promote pedestrian and bicycle Corridors along Franklin Avenue and pathways primarily along Press Railroad Almonaster Boulevard; corridor leading to Florida Avenue and the Riverfront; • Rezone underutilized industrial zoning uses along Montegut and St. Ferdinand • Investigate the opportunities for into Mixed Use Residential and reestablishing the Desire Street car line, Commercial. extension of riverfront street car line and St. Claude Avenue;

Parks and Open Space and • Add benches and pedestrian lighting • Create new neighborhood pocket park at Miro, North Claiborne, Galvez and St. Landscape Architecture along designated pedestrian routes. Bartholomew and Derbigny. Park should be Claude. equipped with playground equipment, Projects should include: Public Transit improvements are to be water fountains, water feature element and • Provide neighborhood identification signs proposed by the Regional Transit multi-purpose field; at entrances to all neighborhoods and • Restore all existing neighborhood parks Authority. Images clockwise from left: and playground facilities as illustrated in subdivisions, with locations to be shown facilities inventory inclusive of Odile • Provide tree enhancements along major determined by active neighborhood Renderings for the St. Claude Urban Davis and Bunny Friend Park; thoroughfares such as: Alvar, Louisa, St. associations. Corridor Ferdinand, Clouet, North Robertson, North St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

inadequate areas.

Additional street lighting and guard arms at railroad track intersections should be installed to increase safety for the area. All damaged sidewalks and curbs should be repaired and or missing curbs installed.

Human Services and Community Facilities 24 Throughout the neighborhood planning process it became evident that healthcare was a primary concern for the residents of Rendering: Proposed State-of-the-Art School the neighborhood. There is a lack of healthcare facilities in the area. Affordable healthcare should be provided and low-income residents welcomed. Housing Architecture and that will maintain the integrity and the signage need to be addressed immediately architectural character of the housing as they are critical to way finding not only Historic Preservation The neighborhood has no gymnasiums or stock. for residents of the St. Claude public swimming pools. The newly neighborhood also for the recovery The St. Claude neighborhood is comprised proposed pocket park should be equipped Encourage the preservation, rather than contractors working in the area. of a mixture of single family and multi- with water features allowing youth and demolition, of the historic properties family homes. It is the desire of the adults the ability to cool off from the heat damaged during Katrina. Continue Garbage collection needs to be collected in neighborhood to maintain and enhance the and humid conditions that are often dialogue with both local and national the same manner as any other existing and historical character of the present in New Orleans. primarily residential neighborhoods and historic preservation groups to include neighborhood within the City of New areas not currently within designated Orleans. Response times from police, fire encourage low-rise elderly condominium The state-of-the-art school proposed at historical districts. and other city services need to be quicker sites. the Palmer Elementary site would also and more reliable. allow for a much needed gymnasium and Due to the mixture of residential zoning should serve as a community center for Utilities and Municipal Services Drainage within the neighborhood is throughout the St. Claude neighborhood, the neighborhood as it recovers. all of the housing programs listed above inadequate, which often leads to extensive are applicable as the neighborhood As St. Claude recovers in the rebuilding flooding during torrential rainfalls. All recovers. It is recommended that process, it is essential that utilities and existing street drains need to be cleaned neighborhood associations draft covenants municipal services be addressed and flushed and additional drainage immediately. Traffic signals and street installed to accommodate the current City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

F. Implementation and Funding Strategies

The connection between the with potential funding sources identified be dollars already allocated through the Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and through the planning process and while not Road Home, LIHTC, private funding potential funding sources is graphically exhaustive in its scope, it serves as a guide sources, or other sources but where the represented by the Implementation Priority to where funds could originate. Substantial additional gap in funding is impossible to Matrix. The costs estimates are provided financial commitments by federal and state determine at this point; on an order-of-magnitude basis. As such, entities are a vital ingredient in the variations as to the scope of the project recovery effort and will provide the • Other policies, including land use and could result in variations in the final cost necessary economic infrastructure to zoning regulations, which the community of construction. attract the private investment required to believed to be in the short and long term create stable and vibrant communities. interest of the community; and In the process of cost analyses, consultations were carried out with the Each funding matrix, based upon • Recurring operations (i.e., expanded 25 City of New Orleans Public Works consultation with neighborhood residents police patrols, library operations, park Department to identify general cost through the community meeting process, operations, etc.) that either tie to certain guidelines typically used for the calculation also ranked projects based upon priority of capital improvements or are important to of street improvements and reconstruction. need with regard to recovery: "Early the health of the community through the Other sources of cost identification Action/Critical"; "Mid-Term/Needed"; and expansion of existing services. included the Means Cost Data and our "Long Term/Desired". This ranking team's professional experience inside and provides a general guide as to what outside New Orleans. communities believe are the most important priorities with regard to revitalization and No single source of funding or financial redevelopment. plan will be capable of dealing with the capital improvement needs for total Finally, there are a variety of items or Acronyms FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency redevelopment and reconstruction of all initiatives listed on the funding matrix CDBG: Community Development Block Grant the neighborhood projects and needs. where a capital cost can not be attached or HUD: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development However, the funding matrix included in determined without further study, but the USACE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CIP: Capital Improvement Plan this report shows different funding sources community believed needed to be a central LRA: Louisiana Recovery Authority that could be made available for specific part of the plan. These include: SWB: Sewage & Water Board LHFA: Louisiana Housing Finance Agency projects and it should be expected that HANO: Housing Authority of the City of New Orleans layering of multiple sources of funding will • Undertaking specific further studies to HOME: HUD Low Income Housing Program be required in most cases. The ability to determine the actual cost to governmental EDA: Economic Development Administration TIF: Tax Increment Financing obtain these funds will rest with the City of entities for certain public/private initiatives NMTC: New Market Tax Credits New Orleans and neighborhood groups and (for which we have noted the cost of the BID: Business Improvement District FHWA: Federal Highway Administration advisory committees. study); FTA: Federal Transit Administration LDOT: Louisiana Department of Transpiration Each matrix matches proposed projects • Housing initiatives for which there may NGO: Non-Government Organizations St. Claude Neighborhood, Planning District Seven

26