Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood Planning District 6 Rebuilding Plan Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Introduction Table of Contents Approximately 100 days after Hurricane Katrina 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. Gentilly Terrace 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 5 recovery of the most devastated areas of New government. plan would not be possible. Neighborhood Concerns 7 Orleans. The City Council was adamant that the people most impacted by the storm would play a 2. That stringent building codes will be Project Directory B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina central role in defining the future of their implemented to further limit wind Neighborhood Existing Conditions 9 communities. Overall, 47 of the 73 damage. City of New Orleans Land-Use and Zoning 9 neighborhoods delineated by the City’s Planning C. Ray Nagin, Mayor Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile 10 Commission have had plans prepared as part of 3. That the basic urban structure of the city Income & Household Characteristics 10 this process. is sound and that rebuliding will respect New Orleans City Council: Roadway Hierarchy and Jurisdiction 10 this structure; and Oliver M. Thomas, President Housing, Architecture 12 The City Council charged a team of consultants Historic Preservation 12 Arnie Fielkow, Vice-President overseen by Lambert Advisory & SHEDO with 4. That there is an organized, coherent and Shelley Midura, assisting neighborhoods flooded by Hurricane operable hurricane evaluation program. Stacy S. Head, C. Hurricane Katrina Katrina in developing revitalization plans that are Neighborhood Impacts 13 James Carter, District C thoughtful and can be implemented, for This section presents the Gentilly Terrace Residential Damage Assessment 13 Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, incorporation into a citywide recovery and neighborhood, one of seven within Planning Commercial Damage Assessment 14 Cynthia Willard-Lewis, improvement plan to be submitted to the State District 6. This district-wide section of this report Infrastructure Damage Assessment 14 of and federal funding agencies. This presents data, information and projects that Damage Assessment 14 Project Management: document is one of forty-two (42) neighborhood impact the entire district. This section discusses Parks & Open Space 14 Lambert Advisory, LLC plans that meet that mandate those projects as well as neighborhood projects Community Facilities 14 Paul Lambert specific to this neighborhood. SHEDO, LLC 2 D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios 17 Shelia Danzey Neighborhood Re-population 17 City planning Commission: Overall Planning Consultant: E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan 19 Planning District Strategic Initiatives 19 Designations Bermello-Ajamil & Partners, Inc. Plan Elements Alfredo C. Sanchez, AIA, AICP Land Use and Zoning 24 Hewitt-Washington, Inc. Transportation and Public Transit 24 Lonnie Hewitt, AIA Parks, Open Space and Landscape Architecture 24 Neighborhood Planner: Housing and Architecture 24 Historic Preservation 24 Hewitt Architects Lonnie Hewitt, AIA F. Implementation and Funding Strategies 25

Images from left to right:

A: Entrance Feature - Mirabeau Gardens B: Neighborhood Home C: Lake Area Middle School City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

A. Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood

General Location and History Peoples Avenue rail corridor to the east, and Clematis Avenue to the west. This Location subdivision is one of the largest in the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood comprising According to the Greater New Orleans approximately 222 acres. It includes Community Data Center, Gentilly Terrace Capdua Junior High School which has re- sits on a natural ridge created by Bayou opened as well as Saint James Catholic Sauvage, a former flood plain. The New High School which is c Orleans City Planning Commission (CPC) defined boundaries of the Gentilly Terrace urrently housing St. Mary's K-12 school. neighborhood forms the south eastern The majority of its land use is single- and area of Planning District 6. two-family homes with a small amount of 3 commercial activity intermixed throughout The CPC defined boundaries is Filmore the subdivision. Edgewood Park has Avenue to the north, Interstate 610 to the recently become eligible for National south, the Peoples Avenue rail corridor to Register District designation. Residents the east, Elysian Fields Avenue to the want to pursue the public comment west. The southern boundary of the process for eligibility. A portion of the neighborhood was slightly altered in the Gentilly Terrace & Gardens subdivision is a planning process. The neighborhood area National Register District. This commonly referred to as St. Roch Bend is subdivision, located in the northern section including in this report thus, extending the of the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood, is southern most boundary of the the largest in the neighborhood and one of neighborhood planning recovery effort to the largest throughout the entire Planning Florida Avenue. Four neighborhood groups District 6 comprising 381 acres. comprise the refined Gentilly Terrace The subdivision is bounded by Filmore neighborhood: Avenue to the north, Gentilly Boulevard to 1. Edgewood Park, the south, the Peoples Avenue rail corridor 2. Gentilly Terrace & Gardens, to the east, and Elysian Fields Avenue to 3. Lower Gentilly, and the west. The subdivision also includes the 4. St. Roch Bend. historic Gentilly Terrace Creative Arts Elementary School which has not re- Edgewood Park subdivision forms the opened. Brother Martin Catholic High Images from left to right: south eastern area of the Gentilly Terrace School which has re-opened is also located neighborhood. Edgewood Park is generally in the Gentilly Terrace & Gardens A: Gentilly Terrace and Gardens bounded by Gentilly Boulevard to the neighborhood. B: Gentilly Terrace School north, Interstate 10 to the south, the Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Lower Gentilly is bounded by Gentilly History Boulevard to the north, Interstate 610 to Planning District 6 Neighborhoods & Neighborhood Associations the south, Clematis Avenue to the east, The Gentilly area originated with the and Elysian Fields Avenue to the west. It emigration of Mathurin Dreux to Louisiana. is approximately 150 acres in size and In 1718, Dreux accompanied Bienville to includes Stuart Bradley Elementary School New Orleans and became a militia officer and Union Playspot. This neighborhood is in the province. Around 1727, after also directly across from the Gentilly leaving office, he was allowed to claim a Boulevard and Elysian Fields commercial large tract of land for his services. Dreux activity that is proposed to become a town recognized the value of high land and he center for Planning District 6. chose a tract along Bayou St. John which 4 included the Gentilly Ridge. The ridge During the neighborhood rebuilding rose from the flat land and extended planning process, a few residents of the across the rear of the city. This was the St. Roch Bend neighborhood joined in the highest region in the city and virtually free community outreach efforts of Planning from the danger of flooding. District 6. Under the CPC planning district boundaries, St. Roch Bend is represented Mathurin was later joined by his brother, by Planning District 7. This neighborhood Pierre and the two operated their home as however is physically constrained by a plantation including various enterprises Interstate 10 and Florida Avenue from such as cutting timber, making bricks and Planning District 7. Residents of this area raising cattle. Upon his death in 1772, the are better served by transportation, estate was divided among his children and commercial activities and community continued to be passed down the Dreux facilities within Planning District 6 and family over two generations. specifically the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood. Shortly after World War I, interest in developing Gentilly heightened. Two The general boundaries of the St. Roch primary factors contributed to its Bend subdivision are Interstate 610 to the development potential including its high north, Florida Avenue to the south, ground made possible by Bayou Sauvage Interstate 10 to the east and Elysian Fields and transportation access via the Avenue to the west. The neighborhood is Pontchartrain Railroad built in 1830, which mixture of single family, two-family and ran along Elysian Fields Avenue from multi-family with a small amount of downtown to . industrial land uses. It is approximately 108 acres in size. In the early 1900s, the Gentilly Terrace City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Images of the Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood Churches (facing page)

Robert M. Conlin High School Gymnasium and Football Field (this page)

Company was formed and tasked with • Through the recovery process • Enhance existing neighborhood parks meeting was held. Subsequently, developing the Gentilly Terrace subdivision. enhance the quality of life of the Gentilly several committees were formed to It was not until 1935 that a boom occurred Terrace neighborhood • Improve pedestrian connectivity work toward rebuilding Planning and the area became established. within the neighborhood District 6. These committees include: • Improve and enhance the existing streets, sidewalks and infrastructure system • Restore the Neutral Grounds of • Land Use and Zoning, Recovery Vision and Goals serving the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood Elysian Fields, St. Roch Avenue, Franklin • Infrastructure & Environmental Vision Avenue and Filmore Avenue Quality, • Economic Revitalization/ The vision for recovery of the Gentilly Design attractive and vibrant retail Development, and Terrace neighborhood is one of a centers Planning Process and • Education Re-Development. neighborhood composed of low rise Neighborhood Participation 5 residential to include single family, duplex • Restore the Gentilly Shopping The tireless effort of residents has and multi-family homes where appropriate, Center to become a community asset Community Organization and resulted in several reports and lush vegetation with supporting through the inclusion of mixed uses and Reconstruction Efforts recommendations for rebuilding. All of infrastructure reflective of its pre-Hurricane public spaces and the creation of a town the committees' recommendations are Katrina conditions, vibrant community center In November 2005, the Gentilly Civic included in this rebuilding plan. facilities and exciting mixed use town Improvement Association (GCAI) was center (in adjacent Dillard neighborhood) Capitalize on neighborhood assets officially formed as a nonprofit entity Additionally, a charrette was held in anchoring the retail needs and image of the with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Planning District 6 in April of 2006. neighborhood and community. • Provide pedestrian and activity linkages between the different institutional The mission statement of the GCIA Proposed projects or concepts of the Neighborhood Recovery Goals and retail elements of the neighborhood reads as follows: proposed projects that residents want to undergo further study are also “We, the Gentilly Civic Improvement included in this rebuilding plan. There are a variety of neighborhood • Maintain National Register District status Association, are a diverse group of recovery goals: of the Gentilly Terrace & Gardens subdivision residents, businesses, and civic The University of New Orleans' College organizations who have come together of Urban and Public Affairs (now the Rebuild and improve the neighborhood to • Pursue National Register District to form one united voice dedicated to School of Urban and Regional Studies) exceed pre-Hurricane Katrina levels listing for the Edgewood Park subdivision preserving and improving our historic has also played a significant role in the Gentilly neighborhoods.” rebuilding planning efforts. The spring • Preserve and enhance the character Design beautiful open spaces, parks 2006 semester capstone studio class of the Gentilly Terrace's neighborhoods and improve pedestrian connectivity The GCIA has worked as an “umbrella” was dedicated to developing a plan for residential areas through the enhancement of to neighborhood assets and organization for the 22 neighborhood rebuilding the Planning District 6 area. the different residential areas within destinations: associations within the planning Graduate level planning students the neighborhood • Create beautiful open spaces that district. Further, the GCIA initiated performed field work assessments, rebuilding the neighborhoods in surveys and developed • Provide a variety of housing opportunities respond to the demands of their location December 2005 when the first public recommendations and projects toward Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

rebuilding. Finally, UNO's School of the planning charrette. The primary • Neighborhood Association Fields that would improve landscaping, Urban and Regional Studies is currently purpose was to discussthe projects in Meetings Members of the consultant signage, lighting, and parking. conducting a mail survey of all terms of residentsconcerns, issues and team attended and made presentations (D) Creating a streetcar line along residents in the planning district. opportunities. to many of the Planning District 6 Elysian Fields from the lake to the While results of the survey are not neighborhood associations. Additionally, river. available at this time, the survey will • August 26 District-Wide the consultant team administered a simple provide valuable information toward Meeting - At the third district level questionnaire to aid in documenting (E) Redeveloping school sites which are rebuilding including re-population, meeting the consultant team specific concerns and assets of each not coming back possibly into interests in the Lot Next Door program, presented all projects and the overall neighborhood as well as discuss the community centers and/or elderly interest levels in relocating within the strategy for rebuilding. Projects were broader planning projects recommended as housing. same or a nearby neighborhood, and functionally organized in terms a result of the planning charrette. The 6 reasons that may be the cause for ofinfrastructure, green/open spaceand specific questions are as follows: Issues/concerns identified by participants residents not returning, to name a few. recreation facilities, community include: facilities including schools and 1. Please number and rank in order of Public Outreach Efforts community facilities. importance (#1 being most important • Burned properties to least important) issues/concerns • Commercial uses encroaching The public outreach effort carried out • September 23 City-Wide within your neighborhood. into residential areas by this planning effort consisted of the Neighborhoods Meeting - At city-wide • Condition of homes that owners following district-wide and meeting for all “flooded” neighborhoods in 2. Please list and rank in order of have not returned to neighborhood level meetings: which presentations of all the projects that importance the positive assets or • Drainage compose the city of New Orleans attributes of your neighborhood. • Economic development • June 10 District-Wide Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan. At this • Housing Scoping Meeting - The consultant meeting the final list of projects for each of 3. Please provide us with your • Infrastructure and public team conducted an initial scoping the neighborhoods of Planning District 6 input/feedback on the following transportation meeting and presentation to residents were presented. projects that have been discussed in • Lack of adequate utility services of Planning District 6. The primary the planning forums/meetings for the • Lack of medical services purpose was to introduce the team • Weekly Land Use and Zoning planning district: • Law enforcement members, present the planning process Committee Meetings - Members of (A) Creation of a “town center” mixed- • Looting of homes under anticipated for the rebuilding planning the consultant team attended the use development at Elysian Fields and renovation effort, and discuss recovery planning weekly meetings of the GCIA Land Use Gentilly Boulevard. • Maintaining residential nature of efforts already underway. and Zoning committee to stay informed neighborhoods and maintain a dialogue with residents (B) Revitalizing all parks and green • No retail/commercial businesses • July 15 District-Wide regarding the various projects being space and connecting some areas via • Parks Meeting - The consultant team discussed as well as recommendations bike/walking trails. • Property values and taxes presented an update to residents of made in the planning charrette report. The • Public and community health Planning District 6 including full report of the committee is included in (C) Creating an overlay zoning district • Public education projects discussed at the neighborhood the appendix of this document. along Gentilly Boulevard and Elysian • Quality of life level as well as projects proposed in City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

• Revitalization of commercial The following are the Planning Efforts Pre-Katrina aharmonious balance with adjacent areas neighborhoods and meeting dates: residentialareas. Growth of the institutional • Security/crime The 1999 New Century New Orleans Master uses should be monitored. • Street conditions and street • Pontilly Neighborhood - April 29, Plan included land use, transportation, • Implementation of the Wisner lighting May 19, June 17, August 26 parks, recreation and open space, and Boulevard shared lane/designated bicycle • Vacant homes • Indian Village Association - July economic development elements. path. • Zoning - keep residential core 12, July 20, August 3 Recommendations of the plan elements for with stable home ownership • Gentilly Heights East Association - July 17 Planning District 6 included the following: • Identification and designation of • Vascoville Association - July 17 practical bicycle routes throughout the Assets/opportunities identified by • Lower Gentilly Association - July • Continuation of its existing land use area and install bike racks and at participants include: 18, July 27 pattern in which residential development institutions and around neighborhood • Sugar Hill Association - July 24 isuniformly distinctive, separated from other commercial areas. 7 • Churches within walking distance • Lake Oaks Association - July 26 uses with commercial development patterns • Community health • Virgil Park Association - July 28 located at major nodes and along major • Improvements to intersection • Diverse architecture • Lake Terrace Association - August corridors. design, signalization and pedestrian safety • Diversity/culture/ethnic diversity 1 • Reduction of commercial spot at Elysian Fields/Gentilly Boulevard, Elysian • Eligible Historic District (Edgewood Park) • Paris Oaks Association - August 2 zoning activities to strengthen residential Fields/I-610 and at Chef Menteur Highway in the • Family community • Edgewood Park Association - August areas and concentrate commercial activity area of the Gentilly Shopping Center. • Friendly neighbors/neighborhood 5 at existing nodes including the regional • Good transportation access • Oak Park Association - August 7 level shopping areas at Elysian Fields • Implementation of a commuter rail • Great location/close proximity • Gentilly Terrace and Gardens - Avenue/Gentilly Boulevard and on Chef system with a stop near SUNO between Slidell • Great people August 16 Menteur Highway. The plan also and downtown New Orleans. • Greenspace • Bancroft Park Association - recommended sub-area studies for these two • Historic District (Gentilly Terrace September 11 commercial developments to improve traffic • Coordination and cooperation with & Gardens) circulation, improve quality of life problems, the University of New Orleans to re-open • Historical homes Outreach efforts by the consultant team were improve the type of retail offered and the overall access to the lakefront through the • Large residential lots made to all neighborhood associations. In appearance Research and Technology Park including • Low crime (pre-Katrina) many instances the neighborhood shared cooperation and responsibilities • Neighborhood stability associations were not yet meeting as a group • Continuation of small clusters of between UNO and the Orleans Levee • Neutral grounds and trees but attending the regular monthly meetings neighborhood services and shops. Board. • Owner-occupied single-family residences of the GCIA and/or weekly meetings of the Images right to left: • People take care of their property Land Use and Zoning Committee. • Utilization of green space to • Development of recreational • Preservation separate and screen more intense facilities along the Peoples Avenue rail A: Clematis Street Community • Pride in the neighborhood Additionally, the consultant team development from adjoining residential corridor. Neighborhood • Prior to the storm - ability to discussed the planning effort with the areas. B: Robert M. Conlin High School Football walk to commercial services four higher learning institutions to gain Field • Quality of life a better understanding of rebuilding • Monitoring of the large institutional • Residential character intentions. uses (UNO, SUNO, Dillard and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) to ensure Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Existing Conditions

Land Use and Zoning Lower Gentilly western border of Elysian Fields Avenue is directly across from the The Gentilly Terrace neighborhood is largest commercial shopping center, Gentilly composed of a number of land uses and Shopping Center. Residents throughout the zoning categories that include single-family planning district embrace the town center and duplex family intermixed with institutional concept for this approximate 25 acre sites. and commercial activities primarily located Residents want the area to redevelop with along Elysian Fields Avenue and small improved retail and service establishments. neighborhood centers along Franklin Avenue The shopping center was in decline prior to and within the Edgewood Park subdivision. Hurricane Katrina. The present C-1 zoning, General Commercial District, allows for The predominant land use designation within retails and the inclusion of residential under 9 the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood is the RM-4 requirements. residential. The Gentilly Terrace neighborhood is mixed with single family Zoning residences which comprise approximately 55% of its total 861 acres. Single/two-family Zoning within the Gentilly Terrace duplex homes comprise the second largest neighborhood closely resembles its current land use classification, nearly 29%. The land use. Spot zoning however, was duplex homes are all located within the brought out as an issue in neighborhood Edgewood Park and St. Roch Bend meetings with residents of Lower Gentilly subdivisions. Multi-family residential uses subdivision and was also brought out in exist only within the St. Roch Bend sub-area the city's master land use plan. of the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood. Residents consistently expressed a desire Commercial Development Areas to maintain their residential zoning throughout the entire neighborhood. The largest commercial activity of the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood exist within the Gentilly Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile Terrace & Gardens subdivision at the intersection of Gentilly Boulevard and Elysian Population Fields Avenue. Edgewood Park and Lower Gentilly subdivisions contain neighborhood According to the 2000 U. S. Census, the total population of the Gentilly Terrace Images: level commercial activity along its western neighborhood was nearly 24% of the total Resulting Damage border of Clematis Avenue. Planning District 6 population. The 2000 Located on Clematis population of the Gentilly Terrace Street Additionally, the Gentilly Terrace & Gardens and Above: Planning District 6 Land Use Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

neighborhood was 10,588 persons. The neighborhood experience a 10.75% increase from 1990. Between 1980 and 1990, the neighborhood experienced a population loss of 2.72%. Gentilly Terrace was one of three neighborhoods throughout the planning district to experience a population increase between 1990 and 2000 (Filmore - 3.37% and St. Anthony - 9.72%).

10 The 2000 racial composition of the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood was predominantly African American, 68.4% with 27.3% white and 4.4% other. Compared with Planning District 6 as a whole the 2000 African American population was nearly 69% of the total with approximately 27% white and 4.5% all other.

Age and Gender

Gender breakdown of the 2000 population of the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood as reported by the Census Bureau was nearly 45% male and 55% female. Gender breakdown reported in the 1990 Census was nearly identical to that reported in the 2000 Census. Gender breakdown for the planning district as a whole was 45.7% male and 54.3% female.

Unlike other neighborhoods in Planning District 6, the age breakdown of the population is rather close across cohorts. Nearly 9% of the 2000 population was Above: Planning District 6 Zoning - Gentilly Terrace reported in the 6 - 17 years age cohort, City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

21% reported in the 18 - 34 years cohort, Gentilly Terrace neighborhood was fourth and 1969, approximately 605 housing 26% in the 35 - 49 years cohort, 15% largest of all the seven neighborhoods of units were built. In the following three reported in the 50 - 64 years of age cohort, the planning district, 2.50 persons per decades, approximately 443 housing units and only 21% in the 65+ years of age cohort. household. The average household size for were built. the entire planning district was 2.52 Income and Household Characteristics persons as reported in the 2000 Census. Mobility and Transportation

In terms of household income, the Gentilly In terms of poverty, the Gentilly Terrace According to the U.S. 2000 Census figures, Terrace neighborhood ranked third, fifth neighborhood was third highest percentage the majority of the Gentilly population use and seventh lowest of the seven of persons living below poverty compared private vehicles for their transportation. Of neighborhoods comprising Planning District with all seven neighborhoods of the the total households, approximately 16% 6 in the years 2000, 1990 and 1980, planning district. According to the 2000 of these households do not have a vehicle 11 respectively. Although its ranking was Census, 16.1% of the population within the while 11% rides public transit to work. rather low, the neighborhood experienced a neighborhood was living below poverty. In While there is a great dependency on significant gain in real mean household comparison, Planning District 6 as a whole automobile for travel, the neighborhoods income between 1990 and 2000, 10.72% had nearly 15% of the total population central location within the city of New and an insignificant change in the prior living in poverty. Orleans and the potential availability of decade, 0.01%. While median household transit to reach destinations within the city income is a better measure for typical Housing Characteristics could lower this dependency on income of an area, it is not available at the automobile traffic. neighborhood or district level. The The neighborhoods of Planning District 6 Regional Planning Commission adjusted the have a significantly high occupancy rate Transit service operated by the Regional mean household income reported here to when compared to the city of New Orleans. Transit Authority in the area of the Gentilly reflect constant dollars. This constant Further, of the occupied housing units, all Terrace neighborhood include routes on dollar measure is reasonable for neighborhoods within Planning District 6 Gentilly Boulevard, Elysian Fields Avenue comparative purposes over time. have a significantly higher owner and Franklin Avenue. Several routes occupancy rate than that of the city as connect with cross town bus routes. The number of households reported in the whole, 71.8% and 46.5%, respectively. 2000 U. S. Census for the Gentilly Terrace Recreation and Open Space neighborhood was 4,231, an increase of The Gentilly Terrace neighborhood owner 3.62% from the 1990 Census. In the prior occupancy rate for 2000 was 69.6% while Only one park is designated on the city's decade, the number of households had Planning District 6 as a whole was 71.8%. community facilities map, Union Playspot declined by 6.35%. According to the 2000 The majority of the 4,515 housing units in located in the Lower Gentilly subdivision. Census, the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood were The land use map for Planning District 6 households comprised 24.5% of the total built prior to 1959, 76.8%, hence provided by the city, illustrates the right of households within Planning District 6. demonstrating the historical significance of way area along Interstate 610 as green 2000 average household size within the areas of this neighborhood. Between 1960 space/parkland. For this reason, the Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

calculations of this land use classification is total 381 acres is single family residences. Gentilly Boulevard on its southern side higher than useable parks/greenspace. In the Lower Gentilly subdivision single constitute the first 20th century New Orleans family residences comprise 74% of the total neighborhood to be listed on the National Roadway Hierarchy and Jurisdiction 150 acres. Edgewood Park is comprised of Register. Additionally, the Gentilly Terrace single/two-family homes comprising over Elementary School building is of historic value. As noted by many residents the area is 80% of its total 222 acres. Within St. Roch convenient and accessible to other areas in Bend neighborhood nearly 69% of the land Edgewood Park subdivision has been the planning district and the rest of the use is single/two-family residences of the declared eligible for listing as a National city. Interstate 610 and Interstate 10 total 108 acre sub-area. Register District but must undergo the public provides convenient access to all of the review and approval process. Residents of Planning District 6 with entrance/exit Architecture the neighborhood have expressed a desire to 12 ramps nearby the Gentilly Terrace pursue this designation. neighborhood on Elysian Fields Avenue and Distinct housing styles exist throughout the Franklin Avenue. Elysian Fields Avenue, Gentilly Terrace neighborhood. Edgewood Franklin Avenue and Gentilly Boulevard are Park and Lower Gentilly can best be primary arterial streets providing access to described as an eclectic variety of the neighborhood. Elysian Fields Avenue is bungalows and cottages, most of which are the only street to run from the Mississippi raised on piers. Small duplexes also exist Rive to Lake Pontchartrain. through these two sub-areas. Many of the duplexes in the Lower Gentilly area are two- Access into the neighborhoods is from story with front porches. Homes within the Elysian Fields Avenue, Gentilly Boulevard, historic section of Gentilly Terrace & Filmore Avenue, St. Roch Avenue, Florida Gardens are California style bungalows, Avenue and Franklin Avenue. All but St. English cottages and Spanish and Roch Avenue form the boundaries of the Mediterranean revival homes. The homes neighborhood area. are also distinguished from other areas of the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood by each housing site on a small hill. The northern Housing, Architecture and section of this subdivision (which is not on Historic Preservation the National Register), closer to Filmore Avenue does not necessarily have a consistent style but many are slab-on-grade. Housing Historic Preservation Single family residences comprise the majority of the residential uses within the The southern section of Gentilly Terrace & Gentilly neighborhood. Within Gentilly Gardens subdivision and the homes fronting Terrace & Gardens subdivision 92% of the City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Impacts

Parts of the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood All properties that experienced greater than were severely flooded. Areas adjacent to 50% damage are now required to meet the Gentilly Boulevard or Gentilly ridge were new base flood elevation requirement of spared deep flood water. The northern three feet above the highest existing and southern areas of the neighborhood adjacent grade (HEAG). The HEAG of any received the highest flood waters of seven individual property must be measured and to eight feet and higher with the highest documented by a registered professional flood waters parallel to I-610. engineer or land surveyor and listed on a property survey or elevation certificate. The Residential Properties Damage New Orleans City Council recently adopted Assessment by ordinance the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) advisory base 13 Field reconnaissance performed by the city of flood elevation (BFE). The new BFE requires New Orleans of each residential structure homes that were damaged more than 50% determined the extent of damage caused by to raise the structure a minimum of three flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane feet above the HEAG. For those residential Katrina. The damage assessment was utilized structures that were in compliance with the by the city of New Orleans for the purposes of 1984 BFE requirements and where the floor issuing permits to homeowners for rebuilding. elevation is above three feet, raising of the Residents are provided the opportunity to structure is not required, and thus challenge the city's damage assessment. grandfathered in under the 1984 BFE.

Within the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood a substantial number of homes were deemed to Commercial Properties be at least 50% damaged. Properties north of Damage Assessment Gentilly Boulevard, the Gentilly ridge, suffered the greatest damage with most Although the major commercial area of being assessed in the city of New Orleans the Terrace neighborhood, the shopping latest evaluation at over 40%. Areas closed center and retail area at the intersection to Interstate 610 and Interstate !0 were of Gentilly Boulevard and Elysian Fields, deemed at least 50% damaged. was spared deep flood waters, the depth of flooding was enough to enter the Residential structures parallel with and within commercial buildings that were at the first two blocks off Gentilly Boulevard in sidewalk level. the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood fared better with substantial number of homes being less than 30% damaged. Source: City of New Orleans, Mayor’s Office of Technology, GIS Department Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Institutional Properties reasons that not only address traffic Damage Assessment movement but also way-finding for emergency vehicles. The city of New The infrastructure damage assessment was Orleans is moving forward in negotiations limited to drive-by field reconnaissance with FEMA to provide for the replacement of conducted by the planning team and discussed damaged and destroyed street signs, traffic with residents of the neighborhoods. signs and signals, evacuation routes, etc.

Street Lights Infrastructure Damage Assessment Individual installations sustained damage 14 from wind, flooding, etc. Repairs are being Street Conditions made incrementally

Elysian Fields Avenue, Gentilly Boulevard Parks, Open Space Damage Assessment and segments of Franklin Avenue, St. Roch Avenue and Florida Avenue in the area of Union Playspot located in the Lower the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood are in Gentilly subdivision did flood in the relatively good condition. Localized aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. damage occurred on most if not all streets serving the specific neighborhoods. Community Facilities Damage Assessment Drainage Structures Gentilly Terrace and School, located in Repetitive flooding has not occurred within Gentilly Terrace & Gardens was damage the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood, however, by Hurricane Katrina and was Stuart residents repeatedly noted during meetings Bradley Elementary School located in that clogged catch basins are causing street Lower Gentilly subdivision. flooding during periods of rainfall. All catch basins need to be cleaned.

Signage and Way-Finding

Numerous street signs and way-finding signs, including traffic signs were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. These signs need to be replaced for safety Planning District 6 Damage Assessment - Gentilly Terrace City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Image below:

Aerial view of Gentilly Shopping Center - Elysian Fields Avenue and Gentilly D. Neighborhood Terrace Rebuilding Scenarios

On a district-wide level, the GCIA Neighborhood Re-Population Infrastructure and Environmental Quality committee addressed all infrastructure and Several factors indicate that the individual public services/utilities projects including: neighborhoods that comprise the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood will re-populate as • Street Repair Improvements/Projects, time progresses including; • Street Lighting Restoration Projects, • Traffic Control Restoration Projects, • Sidewalk Repair Improvements/Projects, • The commitment of residents in • Neutral Grounds Restoration participating in this planning effort Improvements/Projects and working with the GCIA in • Drainage Improvements/Projects, rebuilding their individual homes 15 • Levees, Flood Walls and Storm Surge and the entire community; Protection Improvements/Projects, • Coastal Wetlands Projects, • The significant number of trailers • Garbage Collection, and located on individual properties; • Transit Service Projects. • The resurgence, commitment and A copy of the complete report can be found on participation of residents in their individual the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association: neighborhood association meetings; www.gcia.us. Specific recommendations are included in this Neighborhood Recovery Plan. • The significant amount of construction Repair of basic infrastructure and restoration of activity occurring in the neighborhood; basic public services are of the highest importance to residents of the Gentilly Terrace • Neighborhood geographica lcharacteristics neighborhood as well as the community at-large. where it is a point of destination within • The rapid implementation of Early the city of New Orleans with clearly Action projects to further aid in The following are specific infrastructure defined boundaries, linked to the city's repopulation through the provision recommendations from the committee traditional urban grid and the major of basic services, retail opportunities, report that are beneficial to all residents expressway access routes serving clean and rebuilt parks and recreation not just at the neighborhood level, planning the region. district level, but are beneficial city and areas, and improved infrastructure, signage, streets and sidewalks. region wide. All other recommendations Related Challenges that evolved from the committee were discussed with residents during the Challenges to re-population that need to be planning process and are included in the and are being addressed by the community proposed projects section of this report. and in the plan include: Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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E. Neighborhood Recovery

On a district-wide level, the GCIA Infrastructure Levees, Flood Walls and Storm Surge independent board of consultants to • Repair, replace and maintain conduits and Environmental Quality committee Protection Improvements/Projects review adequacy of interim and for storm water drainage. Construct addressed all infrastructure and public permanent flood protection repairs subsurface drainage in neighborhoods services/utilities projects including: Policy Recommendation - Institute a and improvements. where it does not currently exist. system of accountability and transparency for • Repair, replace and maintain pumps • Street Repair Improvements/Projects, drainage system operations and system Street Repair Improvements/Projects as necessary. • Street Lighting Restoration Projects, failures. Establish transparent and accountable Policy Recommendation -- The report • Build safe houses for drainage pump • Traffic Control Restoration Projects, governance system to set objectives, track recommends the institution of a system of personnel. • Sidewalk Repair Improvements/Projects, progress, verify completion and assess lessons accountability and transparency be • Install gutter barriers to prevent • Neutral Grounds Restoration learned. Assure adequate funding is provided implemented for all public works projects so as street runoff from entering buildings. Improvements/Projects for objectives and assure outlays are properly to keep residents informed as repairs progress • Perform storm water management • Drainage Improvements/Projects, spent. Establish a clear protocol for residents and are scheduled. Additionally, with regard analysis to create holding ponds or 17 • Levees, Flood Walls and Storm Surge and governmental agencies to report and track to street improvements the following are subsurface basins in open spaces to Protection Improvements/Projects, complaints and problems. recommendations of the Infrastructure and retain flood waters away from streets • Coastal Wetlands Projects, Environmental Quality committee: and residences. Implement storm • Garbage Collection, and • Repair/upgrade all breached levees water best management practices. • Transit Service Projects. and flood walls. • Implement a pavement management • Enforce the Louisiana Discharge • Install flood gates on London Avenue system to prioritize street improvements. Elimination System Storm Water A copy of the complete report can be found on and on Industrial Canal at Lake • Lower streets by removing years of Pollution Prevention Plans for all the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association: Pontchartrain. accumulated patches and resurfacings. construction sites greater than one acre. www.gcia.us. Specific recommendations are • Relocate London Avenue Canal • Reassess functional classifications to included in this Neighborhood Recovery Plan. pumps station to northern end at secure federal funding for roadway Coastal Wetlands Projects Repair of basic infrastructure and restoration of Lake Pontchartrain. repair funding. • Provide emergency federal resources basic public services are of the highest • Implement competent system for for repairing hurricane-damaged wetlands. importance to residents of the Gentilly Terrace reporting/recording complaints Drainage Improvements/Projects • Achieve Coast 2050 objectives by neighborhood as well as the community at-large. concerning flood protection. Policy Recommendation - Institute a system directing a larger share of oil/gas Streamline and improve telephone of accountability and transparency for revenues to coastal restoration and The following are specific infrastructure and website systems for reporting drainage system operations and system link levee funding to wetlands. recommendations from the committee report problems and complaints. Provide failures. Establish transparent and that are beneficial to all residents not just at the awareness training and publications accountable governance system to set In addition to the above infrastructure and neighborhood level, planning district level, but to inform lay people on hour to objectives, track progress, verify completion public services/utilities projects, open ditch are beneficial city and region wide. All other identify and report levee problems to and assess lessons learned. Assure drainage still exist in some areas of the recommendations that evolved from the responsible agencies. adequate funding is provided for objectives Lower Gentilly subdivision and St. Roch Bend committee were discussed with residents during • Institute system of technical and assure outlays are properly spent. sub-area. Residents want these open Image: the planning process and are included in the oversight for flood protection Establish a clear protocol for residents and ditches/drainage covered. proposed projects section of this report. projects. Require the U.S. Army governmental agencies to report and track A: Gentilly Terrace Streetscape Corps of Engineers retain an complaints and problems. B: Gentilly Terrace House Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

The Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood Recovery London Avenue canal pump station to the center for the benefit of Gentilly Terrace and neighborhood planning process is that senior Plan proposes a series of strategic initiatives northern end of the canal at Lake Planning District 6 residents. The Housing households which have some of the strongest to address reconstruction of the damaged Pontchartrain. It is imperative that this Assistance Centers will provide expedited services ties to the community and have expressed community assets including: community initiative continue and that for permits, fees, inspections and general some of the strongest voices for rebuilding residents continue to monitor progress and management assistance. Lot Next Door Program and returning to the city, but also face some Strategic Initiative No. 1 keep a vigilant watch and maintain pressure The principal thrust of redevelopment of the most significant challenges in Manage and Improve the Overall Safety and for action and improvements. programs and policies that encourage the redeveloping or rebuilding their homes. Appearance of Neighborhood Promote the speedy redevelopment of neighborhoods, requirement to gut and secure damaged Strategic Initiative No. 4 must match various government powers and First, there were many areas of the city which homes as well as property upkeep and Continue Participation in District Wide financing tools to the local housing and real had a high concentration of elderly maintenance. Recovery Efforts Neighborhood estate market conditions. A key issue will be homeowners including District 6 which 18 improvements cannot be limited to the to most effectively encourage the sustained substantial damage and which will Strategic Initiative No. 2 boundaries of the specific Gentilly Terrace redevelopment of homes and residential lots require the demolition and reconstruction of Maintain Communication, Dialogue and neighborhood. The recovery of the adjacent that fall into public ownership. This is a major many homes. Historically, the challenges of Monitoring with City and State Agencies for neighborhoods will have a direct and positive concern in District 6. The “Lot Next Door” dealing with contractors, permit inspectors, Continued Improvements to Utilities and impact on the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood program is one of a series of proposed lenders, etc. has proven particularly Streets and Clean Up All throughout the and will translate into a faster recovery and housing policies which have been developed overwhelming for many elderly households recovery process the neighborhood has met increased property values for the Gentilly as part of the Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan after they have experienced such trauma with city and state agencies to identify Terrace residents. and takes direct aim at some particular (physical and psychological) as has been locations of leaking water supply pipes, market hurdles that slow the redevelopment visited upon other communities after other leaking fire hydrants, missing street lights Strategic Initiative No. 5 of many of these properties. disasters. and other community deficiencies that need Implement Housing Recovery Initiatives It is to be addressed for reconstruction. It is important to implement housing recovery In its simplest form, the Lot Next Door Additionally, there are a substantial number of imperative that this community initiative initiatives to encourage the local program will offer homeowners who are areas of the city including neighborhoods of continue in order to keep a constant watch neighborhood to actively participate in the committed to redeveloping their home, the Planning District 6, among others where and pressure for action and improvements. reconstruction process of the properties on ability to purchase publicly owned adjoining rebuilding homes with damage in excess of the street where they live, on their blocks and properties prior to these properties being 50% will require the total reconstruction at Strategic Initiative No. 3 in their neighborhoods. Private citizen activity offered to any other buyers. This option three feet above grade or the Base Flood Maintain Communication, Dialogue and will be the most important driving force in the would be provided should the property end up Elevations whichever is greater. Many of Monitoring of Levees, Flood Walls and Storm recovery of each of the neighborhoods of in public ownership either through the these homes will have to be raised close to Surge Protection Improvements/Projects Planning District 6. In order to provide the adjudication process or through the sale of one story making them a difficult housing The Infrastructure and Environmental Quality required assistance and incentives to these the property to a public entity through the product-type for people with physical frailties. committee report calls for the repair/upgrade private citizens, the city of New Orleans Road Home or other public acquisition Elderly homeowners are clearly a special case Images from left to right: of all breached levees and flood walls, should implement the following housing program. with specific needs, and currently there are no installation of flood gates on the London reconstruction programs: Housing Assistance programs targeted to this subgroup of A: Typical Gentilly House and Avenue and Industrial canals at Lake Centers actively support and assist in the Elderly Housing Road Home Link homeowners. A targeted elderly homeowner Neighborhood Street Pontchartrain, and the relocation of the inception of a “one-stop” housing assistance What has become quite apparent through the program is needed which will allow elderly B: Clematis Street Reconstruction City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

households to tie their Road Home grant to Center and its conversion to a town center with Schools and Community Facilities mobility improvements will allow for safer senior specific elevator multi-story mixed uses is a Key Recovery project for the Improvements/Projects pedestrian improvements to the major condominium projects to be developed Gentilly Terrace neighborhood, District 6 and commercial center at Elysian Fields which is throughout the city. There has been wide the City of New Orleans in general. C. Renovate & Re-Open Gentilly Terrace also a major transit transfer point and to the support for dedicated multi-family senior Neighborhood interests should monitor and School strip commercial area at I-610. Additionally, housing product in many parts of the city, but help bring about the construction of these key The Gentilly Terrace School building is of many of the sidewalks throughout the particularly in areas where younger recovery projects indicated below that form historical significance and to date has not neighborhoods are not in compliance with the homeowners have aging parents living nearby. part of the Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and been cleaned nor remediated for mold. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). When In some cases, there may be a need to increase have been vetted by the neighborhood and the facility should as at a minimum be protected reconstructed all sidewalks should at a the grant amount or provide a low interest loan community through the public involvement and re-opened as a school to include minimum meet ADA standards. to the household if there is a gap between the process. neighborhood community center as pre- value of the buyout (and insurance proceeds) Hurricane Katrina. F. Develop “Rails with Trails” 19 and the market value price of the condominium Proposed Projects Description Walking/Bicycle Path Along Peoples unit. D. Re-Open Stuart Bradley K-8 School Avenue Corridor Parks/Open Space and Recreation Re-opening of this school will serve the lower With a goal of improved pedestrian mobility Strategic Initiative No. 6 Improvements/Projects area of Planning District 6. While the school and connectivity of neighborhoods Identify and Promote Early Action Projects was boarded some time ago, it has recently throughout the planning district, residents Early action projects serve to generate A. Restoration of Union Playspot and been broken into. The facility sits would like to improve the rail corridor with an community confidence through the Deficiency Assessment deteriorating with over grown weeds. It is adjacent walking and bicycle path complete commitment of the public sector to create Union Playspot is the only public open space in adjacent to the only park in the neighborhood with user amenities (i.e., benches, shade investments in the community. Potential Early the neighborhood. Residents want the park and should be cleaned. If the school is not trees, water fountains). While Pontilly Action projects include identifying adaptive restored as well as an assessment of scheduled to re-open in the next academic recognizes the path may have to be on the reuse for major facilities that will not be deficiencies in terms of playground equipment school year it should be demolished and western side of the rail right-of-way, it should reconstructed to house the functions that needs, user amenities (i.e., benches, trees, maintained as greenspace until such time be connected via a tunnel (similar to existed prior to Hurricane Katrina, landscaping, water fountains, enclosed that a new school is constructed. Tammany Trace as it crosses Highway 190) in improvements to the Neutral Grounds, street facilities). the area of Dreux Canal. improvements and others. Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements/Projects B. Landscape Noise Barriers (to be G. Filmore Avenue Designated/Shared Strategic Initiative No. 7 installed) Along I-610 and I-10 E. Implement City Planning Commission Bicycle Lane Designation of a bicycle lane Promote and Monitor the Implementation of When Interstate 610 was built it bisected the & Regional Planning Commission along Filmore Avenue will provide additional Key Recovery/Redevelopment Parcels and Gentilly Terrace neighborhood and destroyed Pedestrian Improvements east/west connectivity throughout the entire Images from left to right: Projects The continued monitoring and homes and trees that lined Benefit Street. Plans previously prepared by the City planning district and connect with the Peoples community interest in the major development Noise barriers were not built in this area along Planning Commission and the Regional Avenue “Rails with Trails” project. A: Typical Gentilly Neighborhood Street projects and parcels identified in Gentilly the interstates. Residents want the Planning Commission recommended B: Chef Menteur Highway and Railroad Terrace are crucial for the recovery of the interstates to be noise insulated and pedestrian improvements to intersections on Neutral Grounds Projects Right-of-Way neighborhood. Among some of the most crucial landscaped to further reduce noise and Elysian Fields Avenue at Gentilly Boulevard key recovery projects is the Gentilly Shopping provide additional green landscaping. and adjacent to the I-610 overpass. These H. Restore all Neutral Grounds and Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Create Welcome Signs to Neighborhoods Open ditch drainage still exists within some street in the city that connects all the of New Orleans. - Major arterial streets throughout the city areas of the Lower Gentilly and St. Roch neighborhoods of Planning District 6 and the have wide neutral grounds and typically are Bend subdivisions. Residents want these lakefront to the and The April planning charrette addressed the tree lined thus offering valued green space. open ditches/drainage covered. downtown New Orleans. issue of housing rehabilitation as follows: Most if not all Magnolia trees did not survive the flooding of Hurricane Katrina. Residents Land Use and Zoning Recommendations/Projects Additionally, residents recommended “Every resident of Gentilly should be able to have a very strong desire to restore the including a rail stop at the Peoples Avenue return to his or her renovated or replaced neutral grounds of the neighborhoods and Residents of the Gentilly Terrace rail corridor on Gentilly Boulevard that will home if desired, and should be provided further prepare a landscaping master plan neighborhood want to maintain their also serve for hurricane evacuation needs to effective neighborhood-level assistance to do that includes a tree planting policy. residential zoning. They also have a desire to people without any means of evacuation. so. At the same time, vacant homes should improve commercial development and want be made available to new buyers, or 20 Sub-Area Master Planning Projects to implement a design overlay ordinance on Parks, Open Space and Landscape selectively consolidated to form sites fro new Elysian Fields Avenue and Gentilly Boulevard. Architecture Projects public squares. Houses should be I. Prepare Sub-Area Master Plan for This overlay ordinance is modeled from the encouraged across a range of types and Elysian Fields/Gentilly Boulevard current ordinance implemented on N. Restoration of all parks is a high priority. In prices, including affordable homes.” Shopping Center - Residents strongly desire in New Orleans. While addition to restoration of existing parks, Residents and participants of this planning to rebuild this shopping center into a “Town underlying zoning would not be affected, the residents want to assess the deficiencies of process embraced the above statement. Center” to include mixed uses of residential, goal is to improve landscaping, signage, the existing parks in terms of playground Housing rehabilitation and the need for improved (from pre-Hurricane Katrina) retail, lighting, parking and screening of dumpsters. equipment needs, user amenities (i.e., professional assistance was made a priority at entertainment, movie theatre, and offices as a benches, trees, landscaping, water fountains). every public meeting. Additionally, residents regional attraction that is transit and Development of a town center at Elysian One goal of the plan is to provide improved expressed concern for the elderly and their pedestrian friendly. This site offers attributes Fields and Gentilly Boulevard may require connectivity within the entire planning district. rebuilding ability. As noted previously, of transit oriented development. Reconfigured zoning amendments to allow for mixed uses. Planning District 6 has a high percentage of buildings moving the parking to the rear of the The sub-area master plan should address the Housing, Architecture and Historic residents 65 years of age and older. buildings and the building closer to the street zoning requirements for the town center. Preservation Projects with adequate landscaping, lighting and Options discussed during planning meetings amenities are envisioned. This site was Transportation and Public Transit Projects The Gentilly Terrace neighborhood is included limiting a number of single-family included in the planning charrette and comprised of a mix of single family and structures to be redeveloped as doubles or residents embrace the concept of a town Transit service will be a key component of duplex homes in the middle to upper income two-family dwelling units as well as center, but the reconfiguration of Gentilly successful development of a town center. In price range. Housing styles and architecture redevelopment of former privately operated Images from left to right: Boulevard was of major concern. The addition to restoring pre-Katrina transit of Planning District 6 are very significant community centers into senior assisted care proximity of this site to Dillard University, a service, residents recommend assets to the community. The housing styles living or senior housing with age restrictions. A: Camel Back well traveled corridor along Gentilly Boulevard commencement of the federal process to compliment and build upon the sense of To review the conversion concept a review of B: Historic District House and Elysian Fields Avenue offer a unique study construction of either a streetcar or community and neighborhood character that existing zoning was performed particularly in C: Historic District House opportunity to make this a reality. light rail system connecting the French residents value. All neighborhoods of light of residents' desires to maintain existing D: Typical Gentilly House Quarter and the lakefront via Elysian Fields Planning District 6 have significantly high residential zoning. A significant portion of E: Shotgun House J. Covering of Open Ditch Drainage - Avenue. Elysian Fields Avenue is the only owner occupancy when compared to the city the Gentilly Terrace neighborhood is already City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

zoned for duplex homes thus there is ample supply of this housing stock.

As part of this Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan, a number of housing initiatives are proposed and presented in the overall policy element of the plan and issued under separate cover. These have also been identified as part of the Strategic Initiatives recommended as part of the neighborhood recovery plan, specifically Strategic Initiative No. 5 Housing Recovery Strategies. 21

Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood Projects Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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F. Implementation and Funding Strategies

Funding Matrix New Orleans and neighborhood groups and • Housing initiatives for which there advisory committees. may be dollars already allocated What ties the Neighborhoods Rebuilding through the Road Home, LIHTC, Plan to funding are the identification of Each matrix matches proposed projects with private funding sources, or other specific projects and an estimate of initial potential funding sources identified through sources but where the additional cost (by project) for each neighborhood. the planning process and while not gap in funding is impossible to The costs analyses are provided on an exhaustive in its scope, it serves as a guide determine at this point; order-of-magnitude basis as to the scope to where funds could originate. A and magnitude of the project proposed and substantial financial commitment by federal • Other policies including land use the investment required to construct it. As and state entities are a vital ingredient in and zoning regulations which the such, variations as to the scope of the the recovery effort and will provide the community believed to be in the project could result in variations on the necessary economic infrastructure to attract short and long term interest of 23 final cost of construction. the private investment required to create the community; and, stable and vibrant communities. In the process of cost analyses, • Recurring operations (i.e. expanded consultations were carried out with the City Each funding matrix, based upon police patrols, library operations, of New Orleans Public Works Department consultation with neighborhood residents park operations, etc.) that either tie to identify general cost guidelines typically through the community meeting process, to certain capital improvements or used for the calculation of street also ranked projects based upon priority of are important to the health of the improvements and reconstruction; need with regard to recovery: “Early community through the expansion additionally other sources of cost Action/Critical”; “Mid-Term/Needed”; and of existing services. identification included the Means Cost Data “Long Term/Desired”. This ranking provides and our team's professional experience a general guide as to what communities inside and outside of New Orleans. believe is the most important priorities with regard to revitalization and redevelopment. No single source of funding or financial plan will be capable of dealing with the Finally, there are a variety of items or capital improvements needs for total initiatives listed on the funding matrix redevelopment and reconstruction of all where a capital cost can not be attached or the neighborhood projects and needs. determined without further study, but the However, the funding matrix included in community believed needed to be a central this report show different funding sources part of the plan. These include: that could be made available for specific projects and it should be expected that • Undertaking specific further studies to layering of multiple sources of funding will determine the actual cost to governmental be required in most cases. The ability to entities for certain public/private initiatives obtain these funds will rest with the City of (for which we have noted the cost of the study); Gentilly Terrace Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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