Filmore Neighborhood Planning District 6 Rebuilding Plan Filmore 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 New Orleans. This 1. That a flood protection system will be With grateful appreciation the planning team A. Filmore 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 5 be central to decisions associated with the this is a commitment by the federal process and without whose participation this Planning Process 6 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 Planning Pre-Katrina 7 people most impacted by the storm would play a 2. That stringent building codes will be Project Directory central role in defining the future of their implemented to further limit wind B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina communities. Overall, 47 of the 73 damage. City of New Orleans Neighborhood Existing Conditions 9 neighborhoods delineated by the City’s Planning C. Ray Nagin, Mayor Land Use and Zoning 9 Commission have had plans prepared as part of 3. That the basic urban structure of the city Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile 10 this process. is sound and that rebuliding will respect New Orleans City Council: Income & Household Characteristics 11 this structure; and Oliver M. Thomas, President Parks, Open Space and The City Council charged a team of consultants Landscape Architecture 13 Arnie Fielkow, Vice-President overseen by Lambert Advisory & SHEDO with 4. That there is an organized, coherent and Roadway Hierachy and Jurisdiction 13 Shelley Midura, District A assisting neighborhoods flooded by Hurricane operable hurricane evaluation program. Stacy S. Head, District B Housing, Architecture 13 Katrina in developing revitalization plans that are Historic Preservation 13 James Carter, District C thoughtful and can be implemented, for This section presents the Dillard neighborhood, Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District D incorporation into a citywide recovery and one of seven within Planning District 6. This C. Hurricane Katrina Cynthia Willard-Lewis, District E improvement plan to be submitted to the State district-wide section of this report presents data, Neighborhood Impacts 15 of Louisiana and federal funding agencies. This information and projects that impact the entire Residential Damage Assessment 15 Project Management: document is one of forty-two (42) neighborhood district. This section discusses those projects as Commercial Damage Assessment 15 Lambert Advisory, LLC plans that meet that mandate well as neighborhood projects specific to this Infrastructure Damage Assessment 16 Paul Lambert neighborhood. Parks & Open Space 16 SHEDO, LLC 2 Community Facilities 16 Shelia Danzey

D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios 17 City planning Commission: Overall Planning Consultant: Neighborhood Re-population 18 Planning District Designations Bermello-Ajamil & Partners, Inc. E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan 19 Alfredo C. Sanchez, AIA, AICP Strategic Initiatives 19 Hewitt-Washington, Inc. Plan Elements Lonnie Hewitt, AIA Key Recovery Projects 21 Land Use and Zoning 25 Neighborhood Planner: Transportation and Public Transit 25 Parks, Open Space and Hewitt Architects Landscape Architecture 25 Lonnie Hewitt, AIA Housing, Architecture 25 Historic Preservation 25 Public Failities 26

F. Implementation and Funding Strategies 27

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. Filmore Neighborhood

General Location and History Mirabeau Gardens subdivision is bounded The New Orleans City Planning Commission by Mirabeau Avenue to the north, Virgil defined boundaries of the Filmore Boulevard to the south, the London Avenue neighborhood is Robert E. Lee Boulevard canal to the east, and Paris Avenue to the to the north, Harrison Avenue to the south, west. Mirabeau Gardens subdivision is London Avenue canal to the east, and primarily single-family residential and Bayou St. John to the west. It is one of the includes Francis Gregory Junior High largest neighborhoods found in Planning School and a large open/green space District 6. Five neighborhood groups (approximately 10 acres) located adjacent comprise the Filmore neighborhood: to the school and owned by the city of New Orleans. 3 1. Bancroft Park, 2. Mirabeau Gardens, The Oak Park subdivision is the largest of 3. Oak Park, the five subdivisions comprising the 4. Paris Oaks, and Filmore neighborhood and is bounded by 5. Vista Park Robert E. Lee Boulevard to the north, Filmore Avenue to the south, Paris Avenue Bancroft Park subdivision forms the to the east, and St. Bernard Avenue to the western section of the Filmore west. The subdivision is 75% single family neighborhood running parallel with Bayou residential and includes Lake Oaks/Henry St. John which is its western edge. St. Schaumburg Elementary public school and Bernard Avenue forms the eastern Redeemer-Seton High School and St. boundary of Bancroft Park subdivision with Francis Cabrini Church which is owned and Harrison Avenue forming its southern operated by the Catholic Archdiocese. This boundary and Robert E. Lee Boulevard site will be become the home for the forming its northern boundary. relocated Holy Cross High School. Oak Park is also located in this subdivision. This neighborhood is all single-family residential but includes the Hellenic Paris Oaks subdivision is bounded by Cultural Center and church and a former Mirabeau Avenue to the north, Harrison senior assisted care living facility. Homes Avenue to the south, Paris Avenue to the immediately adjacent to Bayou St. John east, and St. Bernard Avenue to the west. Images from left to right: located on the western side of Bancroft The subdivision is primarily single-family Drive are on relatively higher ground and residential but also contains duplex homes A: Vista Park Neighborhood Sign did not flood. Homes on the eastern side of as well as a small amount of multi-family B: Typical Home Bancroft Drive did flood. apartment complexes. This neighborhood Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Images from left to right:

A: Bancroft Park and Vista Park Homes

is also home to a significant sized with mainly single-family homes. Most of Planning District 6 Neighborhoods & Neighborhood Associations commercial center located at Paris Avenue the Filmore neighborhood area was owned and Mirabeau Avenue. Additionally, the by Alexander Milne, a Scotsman and a area includes the Sisters of St. Joseph philanthropist. Mr. Milne believed New facility which is approximately 30 acres in Orleans would eventually develop toward size. To date, no decision has been made Lake Pontchartrain despite the swamps. to re-open this facility. During his lifetime he accumulated a fortune in swampy real estate. It is from Vista Park subdivision is the smallest of the Mr. Milne’s landholdings that Filmore, five subdivisions that comprise the Filmore Dillard, and St. Anthony neighborhoods neighborhood. It is bounded by Robert E. were laid out in the 20th century. 4 Lee Boulevard to the north, Filmore Avenue to the south, the London Avenue This swampland between Bayou St. John canal to the east, and Paris Avenue to the and Elysian Fields north of Gentilly was west. The area slower than other areas to develop. The includes Jean Gordon Elementary school London Avenue canal was built before the and Pratt Park. A small commercial area turn of the century as part of the drainage fronts Leon C. Simon Boulevard adjacent system. However, the canal could not drain to Jean Gordon Elementary public school this section of land because it was on the and also includes a large apartment “lake side” of the pumping station. complex at the intersection of Paris Avenue and Leon C. Land located between Gentilly Boulevard Simon Boulevard. and Mirabeau Avenue could not be developed until after the Paris Avenue History Canal was dug in the 1930s, providing the necessary drainage. Lift pumps were The Filmore neighborhood gets its name constructed in 1945 to lift the water into from Filmore Avenue, which is a major the London Avenue canal from the areas east/west collector street. The original adjacent to it so that the land in Filmore spelling was “Fillmore” but residents and could be pumped out and made available street signs spell the name “Filmore”. for development.

The Filmore neighborhood has a history George Pratt was one of the major shaped by many investors and developers investors in the area in the early 1900s. in the second half of the 20th century. Mr. Pratt incorporated his landholdings into Today, the neighborhood remains a Pontchartrain Realty Company in 1923. In conveniently located, family neighborhood 1939, he laid out the Mirabeau Gardens City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

subdivision. In 1946, Pontchartrain Realty Neighborhood Recovery Goals of the Holy Cross High School to the • Improve pedestrian connectivity sold a sizable portion of land to the west of Holy Redeemer and St. Francis within the neighborhood Mirabeau Gardens to Chester Owens. Mr. There are a variety of neighborhood Cabrini Church site as a • Restore the Neutral Grounds of Owens sold areas of what is now Bancroft recovery goals: neighborhood asset and a strong Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Mirabeau Park to individual developers. Shelby vehicle to strengthen neighborhood Avenue, Paris Avenue, FilmorAvenue, Construction Company also purchased a Rebuild and improve the recovery in Filmore and St. Bernard Avenue and Harrison parcel of this area and developed the neighborhood to exceed pre- Planning District 6 in general; Avenue Chester Garden Apartment complex which Hurricane Katrina levels: • Promote the reconstruction of public provided middle-class apartment dwellings. and parochial elementary schools Rebuild and improve the The apartments were demolished in the • Preserve and enhance the character located in Filmore and in Planning neighborhood to exceed pre- mid-1970s. The land to the north of of the Fillmore neighborhood’s District 6 in general Hurricane Katrina levels Mirabeau Avenue and stretching to Lake residential areas through the • Promote the recovery of large church 5 Pontchartrain between Paris Avenue and enhancement of the different owned parcels to make them once • Preserve and enhance thecharacterof Bayou St. John belonged to the Milne residential areas within the again neighborhood assets, maintain the Filmore neighborhood’s residential Asylum for Destitute Orphan Girls until neighborhood; a continuous line of communications character through the enhancement of 1924 when Bancroft Realty purchased it. In • Provide a variety of housing with church and city officials to the different residential areas within the mid-1900s a major part of the land was opportunities; monitor the recovery and evaluate the neighborhood sold to several developers that developed • Through the recovery process different options for these large sites • Maintain the predominantly single the current Oak Park subdivision. enhance the quality of life of the • Provide pedestrian and activity family character of Filmore Dillard neighborhood; linkages between the different • Through the recovery process enhance • Improve and enhance the existing institutional and retail elements of the quality of life of the Filmore Recovery Vision and Goals streets, sidewalks and infrastructure the neighborhood neighborhood system serving Dillard. • Work with the Lake Pontchartrain • Improve and enhance the existing Vision Basin Foundation to resolve issues streets, sidewalks and infrastructure Design attractive and vibrant retail related to the Bayou St. John flood system serving Filmore The vision for the recovery of the Filmore centers gates neighborhood is one of a neighborhood Design attractive and vibrant retail composed of low rise residential to include • Provide a mixed use redevelopment centers single family homes and two family homes option for the large shopping center Design beautiful open spaces, parks where appropriate, verdant vegetation with at Paris and Mirabeau Avenue; and improve pedestrian connectivity • Restore the Mirabeau and Paris supporting infrastructure reflective of its • Provide a mixed use redevelopment to neighborhood assets and Avenue and the Robert E. Lee and Paris pre-Katrina conditions, and a recovered and option for the area of Robert E. Lee destinations: Avenue shopping centers to become Images from left to right: healthy retail area to include mixed uses Boulevard and Paris Avenue. community assets that will serve the neighborhood and larger • Create beautiful open spaces that A: Lake Terrace Shopping Center community needs. Capitalize on neighborhood assets respond to the demands of their B: Vista Park Neighborhood location C: Bancroft Park Home • Build upon and support the relocation • Enhance existing neighborhood parks Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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

assets of each neighborhood as well as Issues/concerns identified by These were as follows: • Paris Oaks Association – August 2 discuss the broader planning projects participants include: • Edgewood Park Association – August 5 recommended as a result of the planning • Proximity to shopping • Oak Park Association – August 7 charrette. The specific questions are as • Abandoned houses and businesses • Bike paths • Gentilly Terrace and Gardens – follows: • Abandoned schools • Clean/quiet neighborhoods August 16 • Bayou St. John floodgates causing • Convenient/centrally located to other • Bancroft Park Association – 1. Please number and rank in order of stagnant water areas of the city September 11 importance (#1 being most important to • Blighted housing -- what to do with it • Lakefront access least important) issues/concerns within • City/Public services - • Large yards Outreach efforts by the consultant team your neighborhood. police/fire/garbage collection • Location to lake, bayou, mid-city, city were made to all neighborhood • Conditions of homes where residents park associations. In many instances the 2. Please list and rank in order of have not returned • Low to no crime neighborhood associations were not yet 7 importance the positive assets or • Damage to utility systems • Multi-cultural meeting as a group but attending the attributes of your neighborhood. • Debris removal • Oak trees/park-like environment regular monthly meetings of the GCIA • Drainage -- clogged drains • Parks within the neighborhoods and/or weekly meetings of the 3. Please provide us with your • Lack of adequate utility services • Proximity to schools & universities Land Use and Zoning Committee. input/feedback on the following projects • Lack of commercial/retail services • Quiet, peaceful, friendly, well kept that have been discussed in the planning • Lack of information neighborhoods Additionally, the consultant team forums/meetings for the planning district: • Lack of transit service • Returning residents are active and discussed the planning effort with the four • Levee protection interested in the community higher learning institutions located within (A) Creation of a “town center” mixed-use • Maintenance of parks and schools Planning District 6 to gain a better development at Elysian Fields and Gentilly • Mosquitoes The following are the neighborhoods understanding of rebuilding intentions. Boulevard. • Neighborhood plan and meeting dates: • Neighborhood redevelopment (B) Revitalizing all parks and green space • Police protection • Pontilly Neighborhood – April 29, May Pre-Katrina Planning Efforts and connecting some areas via • Quality of life issues 19, June 17, August 26 bike/walking trails. • Rebuilding/Re-Population • Indian Village Association – July 12, The 1999 New Century New Orleans (C) Creating an overlay zoning district • Resolution of LRA funding/commitment July 20, August 3 Master Plan included land use, along Gentilly Boulevard and Elysian Fields • Schools rebuilding • Gentilly Heights East Association – transportation, parks, recreation and open that would improve landscaping, signage, • Street conditions July 17 space, and economic development lighting, and parking. • Traffic signals/street signage • Vascoville Association – July 17 elements. Recommendations of the plan Images from left to right: (D) Creating a streetcar line along Elysian • Lower Gentilly Association – July 18, elements for Planning District 6 included Fields from the lake to the river. During the planning process and July 27 the following: A: Hellenic Cultural Center neighborhood association meeting • Sugar Hill Association – July 24 B: Vista Park (E) Redeveloping school sites which are held with Filmore area subdivision • Lake Oaks Association – July 26 • Continuation of its existing land use C: Beacon Light Chapel and Education not coming back possibly into community associations, participants were • Virgil Park Association – July 28 pattern in which residential development Center centers and/or elderly housing. asked to list assets/opportunities. • Lake Terrace Association – August 1 is uniformly distinctive, separated from Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

other uses with commercial signalization and pedestrian safety at development patterns located at major Elysian Fields/Gentilly Boulevard, nodes and along major corridors. Elysian Fields/I-610 and at Chef • Reduction of commercial spot zoning Menteur Highway in the area of the activities to strengthen residential areas Gentilly Shopping Center. and concentrate commercial activity at • Implementation of a commuter rail existing nodes including the regional system with a stop near SUNO between level shopping areas at Elysian Fields Slidell and downtown New Orleans. Avenue/Gentilly Boulevard and on Chef • Coordination and cooperation with the Menteur Highway. The plan also University of New Orleans to re-open recommended sub-area studies for access to the lakefront through the 8 these two commercial developments to Research and Technology Park including improve traffic circulation, improve shared cooperation and responsibilities quality of life problems, improve between UNO and the Orleans Levee the type of retail offered and the overall Board. appearance • Development of recreational facilities • Continuation of small clusters of along the Peoples Avenue rail corridor. neighborhood services and shops. • Utilization of green space to separate and screen more intense development from adjoining residential areas. • Monitoring of the large institutional uses(UNO, SUNO, Dillard and New OrleansBaptist Theological Seminary) to ensure a harmonious balance with adjacent residential areas. Growth of the institutional uses should be monitored. • Implementation of the Wisner Boulevard shared lane/designated bicycle path. • Identification and designation of practical bicycle routes throughout the area and install bike racks and at Image at left: institutions and around neighborhood commercial areas. A: Commercial Center Mirabeau and Paris • Improvements to intersection design, Aveneue City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Existing Conditions

Land Use and Zoning apartment complex. Across the street on Paris Avenue is a second apartment The Filmore neighborhood comprises a complex and commercial site. number of land use and zoning categories that include residential areas, institutional Institutional Areas areas and commercial areas. The primary land use designation within the Filmore A large percentage of land (nearly 16%) neighborhood is single-family residences utilized in the Filmore neighborhood is which comprises nearly 73% of the total classified as Institutional/Public and Semi- 859 acres of the neighborhood. Single/Two Public”. This classification includes schools family homes and multi-family complexes and community centers such as the Sisters comprise the smallest level of land uses of Saint Joseph center located on 9 inthe neighborhood, 2.51% and 1.11%, Mirabeau Avenue and St. Bernard Avenue, respectively. The Paris Oaks subdivision is the Hellenic Cultural Center located at the only sub-area of the Filmore Bayou St. John and Robert E. Lee neighborhood that contains any substantial Boulevard and the Holy Redeemer/Cabrini amount of duplex homes and multi-family site located on Paris Avenue. Additionally, complexes. four public schools are located in the Filmore neighborhood. Commercial Development Areas Zoning

Commercial activity is located in strip Zoning within the Filmore neighborhood centers with the largest area located on closely resembles the existing land use. Paris Avenue at Mirabeau Avenue in the Residents consistently expressed a desire Paris Oaks neighborhood. This commercial to maintain the single-family zoning of center is approximately nine acres in size their neighborhood and sub- and currently a laundry facility has re- neighborhoods. opened. Participants also expressed a strong desire A second commercial strip center is located to improve the quality and type of at the intersection of Paris Avenue and development within their neighborhood Robert E. Lee Boulevard in the Oak Park commercial centers. Sub-area master neighborhood. This neighborhood center plans are recommended for the two included a drug store, coffee shop, bank Image top right: commercial centers located in the Filmore and other service oriented establishments. neighborhood. These areas should be This area is approximately seven acres in A: Elderly Housing Complex studied further for mixed-use size. Adjacent to this area is a former development. Above: Planning District 6 Land Use - Filmore Neighborhood Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

The Lake Terrace shopping center area is Uses allowed include any permitted use in zoned B-1, Neighborhood Business District. the B-1, Neighborhood Business District The purpose of this district is to provide for and RM-2, Multiple Family Residential retail shopping and personal service uses, District. Lot area and lot frontage and to be developed either as a unit or on depth requirements will define the use of individual parcels, to serve the needs of a the mixed us projects within this site. relatively small area, primarily nearby, low- density residential neighborhoods. Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile Within the B-1 zoning district, residential mixed uses are permitted under the Demographic and Socio-Economic 10 requirements of the RM-1, Multiple Family Profile Residential District. Lot area and lot frontage and depth requirements will According to the 2000 U. S. Census, the define the use of mixed use projects within total population of the Dillard this site. The adjacent apartment complex neighborhood comprised nearly 15% of is zoned RM-1 as is the apartment complex the total Planning District 6 population. across the street on the east side of Paris The 2000 population of the Dillard Avenue and Robert E. Lee Boulevard. neighborhood was 6,440 persons. The neighborhood experienced a decrease in The shopping area located on Paris Avenue population from 1990, 6.10%. A similar and Mirabeau Avenue is zoned B-2, loss in population also occurred in the Neighborhood Business District. The decade of 1980 to 1990, 6.36%. Compared primary purpose of this district is to to other neighborhoods of Planning provide for retail shopping and personal District 6, only three of the seven service uses to be developed either as a neighborhoods experienced a population single unit or in individual parcels, to serve increase between 1990 and 2000 (Filmore the needs of a relatively small area, – 3.37%, Gentilly Terrace – 10.75%, St. primarily nearby medium-density Anthony – 9.72%). residential area. Floor area requirements are imposed on the permitted uses to restrict the size of the retail services. To The 2000 racial composition of the Dillard enhance the general character of the neighborhood was predominantly African district and its compatibility with its American, 89.7% with 8.2% white and surrounding residential uses, signs are 2.1% all other. This was an increase from Images top left: limited in number, area and type. the 1990 Census report of race when just Above: Planning District 6 Land Use - Filmore Neighborhood less than 85% of the population was A: Mirabeau Gardens City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

African American, 14% was white and 1.3% neighborhood was living below the poverty was other. Compared with Planning District rate. In comparison, Planning District 6 as 6 as a whole the 2000 African American a whole had nearly 15% of the total population was nearly 69% with population living in poverty. approximately 27% white and approximately 4.5% all other. Income and Household Characteristics Age and Gender In terms of household income, the Filmore Gender breakdown of the 2000 population neighborhood ranked second highest of the of the Filmore neighborhood as reported by seven neighborhoods comprising Planning Population % Change the Census Bureau was approximately 45% District 6 in 2000. In 1990 and 1980, it was 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 male and 55% female. This is similar to also the second highest ranked 11 that of Planning District 6 as a whole. In neighborhood in terms of mean household City of New Orleans 557,515 496,938 484,674 -10.87% -2.47% 1990, there were a higher percentage of income. The neighborhood did however Planning District 6 48,047 43,926 44,164 -8.58% 0.54% males in the Filmore neighborhood, 47.7% experience a substantial loss (12.18%) Dillard 7,324 6,858 6,440 -6.36% -6.10% and 52.3% female. Planning District 6 from the 1990reported mean household Filmore 6,681 6,712 6,938 0.46% 3.37% experienced a similar trend between 1990 income and also a significant decrease Gentilly Terrace 9,827 9,560 10,588 -2.72% 10.75% and 2000, with a slight decrease in the between 1980 and 1990, 16.52%. Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 2,955 2,542 2,147 -13.98% -15.54% male population (46.4% in 1990 and 45.7% Milneburg 6,287 5,708 5,640 -9.21% -1.19% in 2000) and hence increase in the female While median household income is a better Pontilly 8,927 7,630 7,017 -14.53% -8.03% population (53.6% in 1990 and 54.3% in measure for typical income of an area, it is St. Anthony 6,046 4,916 5,394 -18.69% 9.72% 2000) during the same timeframe. not available at the neighborhood or district Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from level. The Regional Planning Commission Regional Planning Commission In terms of age cohorts, the 35 – 49 years adjusted the mean household income had the largest percentage of the total reported here to reflect constant1999 population in the Filmore neighborhood in dollars. This constant dollar measure is 5 & under 6 - 17 Years 18 - 34 Years 35 - 49 Years 50 - 64 years 65+ Years the year 2000 with 23.1%. This was reasonable for comparative purposes over City of New Orleans 8.4% 18.3% 25.9% 21.9% 13.8% 11.7% followed by the 65+ years of age cohort time. Planning District 6 7.0% 16.4% 22.6% 22.3% 15.6% 16.2% with 19.2% of the total population in the Dillard 5.9% 14.5% 26.2% 18.2% 17.0% 18.2% neighborhood and nearly 18% of the The number of households reported in the Filmore 6.7% 15.4% 17.9% 23.1% 17.7% 19.2% population in the 18 – 34 years of age 2000 U. S. Census for the Filmore Gentilly Terrace 7.6% 18.7% 20.7% 25.6% 15.3% 12.1% cohort. neighborhood was 2,736, up 3.32% from Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 3.3% 11.7% 31.3% 16.7% 14.2% 22.8% the 1990 Census. In the prior decade, the Milneburg 7.9% 17.7% 21.5% 22.6% 15.5% 14.8% In terms of poverty, Filmore neighborhood number of households had dramatically Pontilly 7.4% 16.5% 21.0% 21.6% 15.0% 18.6% was more affluent than Planning District 6 increased by over 12%. According to the St. Anthony 7.3% 15.7% 27.8% 22.3% 13.2% 13.7% as a whole. According to the 2000 Census, 2000 Census, the Filmore neighborhood Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc.org and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional less than 12% of the population within the households comprised 15.9% of the total Planning Commission Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

2000 Total Real Mean Household Income % Change Housing Occupied Owner Renter 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 Units Housing Occupied Occupied City of New Orleans City of New Orleans 215,091 87.5% 46.5% 53.5% Planning District 6 $49,878 $45,343 $46,040 -9.09% 1.54% Planning District 6 18,442 93.2% 71.8% 28.2% Dillard $41,943 $37,489 $34,458 -10.62% -8.09% Dillard 2,775 93.6% 56.7% 43.3% Filmore $79,554 $66,410 $58,319 -16.52% -12.18% Filmore 2,822 96.2% 84.6% 15.4% Gentilly Terrace $38,375 $38,379 $42,492 0.01% 10.72% Gentilly Terrace 4,515 93.3% 69.6% 30.4% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks $104,178 $104,531 $113,660 0.34% 8.73% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 713 96.6% 95.1% 4.9% Milneburg $43,467 $36,324 $42,541 -16.43% 17.12% Milneburg 2,362 92.9% 71.3% 28.7% Pontilly $48,798 $39,178 $42,917 -19.71% 9.54% Pontilly 2,642 94.2% 82.2% 17.6% St. Anthony $40,082 $35,655 $38,533 -11.04% 8.07% Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from St. Anthony 2,613 87.4% 60.0% 40.0% Regional Planning Commission Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc.org and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Planning Commission Source: City of New Orleans, Mayor’s Office of Technology, GIS Department

households within Planning District 6. 2000 neighborhood was higher than owner average household size within the Filmore occupancy rate of Households % Change neighborhood was the third largest of all Planning District 6 as a whole. The Filmore 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 seven neighborhoods that comprise neighborhood owner occupancy rate for Planning District 6 17,757 17,001 17,205 -4.26% 1.20% Planning District 6, 2.51 persons per 2000 was 84.6%. The Filmore Dillard 2,576 2,591 2,551 0.58% -1.54% household. The average household size for neighborhood had the second highest Filmore 2,356 2,648 2,736 12.39% 3.32% the entire planning district was 2.52 owner occupancy rate of all seven Gentilly Terrace 4,360 4,083 4,231 -6.35% 3.62% persons as reported in the 2000 Census. neighborhoods within Planning District 6. Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 809 846 671 4.57% -20.69% Milneburg 2,409 2,228 2,204 -7.51% -1.08% In terms of poverty, Filmore neighborhood Mobility and Transportation Pontilly 2,686 2,447 2,493 -8.90% 1.88% was more affluent than Planning District 6 St. Anthony 2,561 2,158 2,319 -15.74% 7.46% 12 as a whole. According to the 2000 Census, According to the U.S. 2000 Census figures, Source: Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Planning Commission less than 12% of the population within the the majority of the Filmore population use neighborhood was living below the poverty private vehicles for their transportation. Of rate. In comparison, Planning District 6 as a the total households, 8.7% of these Average Household Size % Change whole had nearly 15% of the total households do not have a vehicle while 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 population living in poverty. 6.8% rides public transit to work. This Planning District 6 2.62 2.51 2.52 -4.20% 0.40% reflects the more distant location of the Dillard 2.63 2.44 2.39 -7.22% -2.05% Housing Characteristics Filmore neighborhood and its more affluent Filmore 2.80 2.52 2.51 -10.00% -0.40% population make up. Gentilly Terrace 2.25 2.34 2.50 4.00% 6.84% Housing styles and the architecture of Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 2.93 2.52 2.50 -13.99% -0.79% Planning District 6 were expressed as very Transit service operated by the Regional Milneburg 2.59 2.56 2.56 -1.16% 0.00% significant assets to residents of the Transit Authority include routes on Robert Pontilly 3.23 3.05 2.76 -5.57% -9.51% community. The housing complements and E. Lee Boulevard, Parish Avenue and St. Anthony 2.36 2.28 2.33 -3.39% 2.19% builds upon the sense of community and Mirabeau Avenue. Several routes connect Source: Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Planning Commission neighborhood character that residents with cross town bus routes including value. Gentilly Boulevard, Elysian Fields and Tota Housing Housing Age Franklin Avenue. Transit is a very All neighborhoods of Planning District 6 important public service to residents and Units (2000) 1990 - 2000 1980 - 1989 1970 - 1979 1960 - 1969 1959 - earlier have significantly high occupancy rate students of Planning District 6. All four Dillard 2,775 0.8% 9.4% 6.5% 16.4% 66.9% when compared to the city of New Orleans. institutions of higher learning are served by Filmore 2,822 5.5% 11.2% 6.8% 21.6% 54.9% Further, of the occupied housing units, all bus transit lines. A significant share of Gentilly Terrace 4,515 2.0% 2.2% 5.6% 13.4% 76.8% neighborhoods within Planning District 6 residents utilizes public transit to go to and Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 713 3.1% 5.7% 16.9% 34.1% 40.2% have a significantly higher owner from work. Milneburg 2,362 1.8% 3.9% 5.0% 14.6% 74.7% occupancy rate than that of the city as Pontilly 2,642 1.8% 3.5% 6.2% 19.2% 69.3% whole, 71.8% and 46.5%, respectively. St. Anthony 2,613 1.6% 1.4% 3.6% 15.3% 78.1% According to the 2000 Census, the Filmore Source: Regional Planning Commission City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Recreation and Open Space Avenue. While the London Avenue canal development era with the smallest lots provides a barrier between the Filmore containing bungalow-style homes. The Filmore neighborhood is home to four neighborhood and adjacent St. Anthony Individual lot areas and residential parks/recreation park facilities which neighborhood, bridge crossings are located structures are significantly larger on the comprise nearly 5% of the total area. at Mirabeau Avenue, Filmore Avenue and west side of Bancroft Place Road and Park These include the a large open space area Robert E. Lee Boulevard. Island. Lot areas and home size vary located in the Mirabeau Gardens depending on the different sub- subdivision and adjacent to Francis Gregory neighborhoods. Slab homes are Junior High School, Mirabeau Park also Housing, Architecture and predominant in large parts of the located in the Mirabeau Gardens Historic Preservation neighborhood and reflect the time period subdivision, Oak Park located Paris Oaks in which these homes were built, the late subdivision and Pratt Park located Vista Housing 1950s and through the 1960s. 13 Park subdivision. The primary land use within the Filmore Historic Preservation Residents of Bancroft Park subdivision neighborhood is single-family residences enjoy the open area and access to Bayou which comprises nearly 73% of the total There are no designated historical districts St. John and adjacency to City Park located 859 acres of the neighborhood. Single/Two within the Filmore neighborhood. on the west side of Wisner Boulevard. family homes and multi-family complexes Residents value this open space and comprise the smallest level of land uses in recreational facilities and have a strong the neighborhood, 2.51% and 1.11%, desire to see these areas rehabilitated. respectively. The Paris Oaks subdivision is the only sub-are of the Filmore neighborhood that contains any substantial Roadway Hierarchy and amount of duplex homes and multi-family Jurisdiction complexes.

As noted by many residents the area is Architecture convenient to I-610 and I-10 and is serviced by several major east/west arterial Although house types and sizes reflect streets including Robert E. Lee Boulevard, great variety, the common element Leon C. Simon Boulevard, Mirabeau throughout the neighborhood is its overall Avenue, and Filmore Avenue. middle/upper middle class family Images from left to right: environment. Individual houses range from Moreover, the area is served with excellent the pre-war and post-war cottages, A-B: Images of Rebuilding and Return north/south arterial streets including bungalows to post-war brick ranch on slab. C-D: Bankcroft Park and Vista Park Wisner Boulevard, St. Bernard Avenue, There is no predominant architectural style. Houses Paris Avenue, and nearby Elysian Fields Neighborhood lot sizes are standard for this Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

14

Images at left:

Typical Single-Family Residential City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Impacts

Most all of the Filmore neighborhood was the highest existing adjacent grade severely flooded. The estimated flood (HEAG). The HEAG of any individual levels were over eight in the area north of property must be measured and Mirabeau Avenue and east of Bancroft documented by a registered professional Place Drive. Very few homes escaped engineer or land surveyor and listed on a flooding with the exception of those homes property survey or elevation certificate. located in Park Island (within Bancroft Park) and those homes located on the The New Orleans City Council recently western side (along Bayou St. John) of adopted by ordinance the Federal Bancroft Place Drive. In the area south of Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Mirabeau Avenue, flood levels were slightly advisory base flood elevation (BFE). The lower than eight feet with the exception of new BFE requires homes that were 15 homes near the London Avenue canal. As damaged more than 50% to raise the residents expressed however, the structure a minimum of three feet above difference of a few inches of water was the HEAG. For those residential structures insignificant when the norm was eight feet. that were in compliance to the 1984 BFE requirements and where the floor Residential Properties Damage elevation is above three feet, raising of Assessment the structure is not required, and thus grandfathered in under the 1984 BFE. Field reconnaissance performed by the city of New Orleans of each residential Commercial Properties Damage structure determined the extent of damage Assessment caused by flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The damage assessment All commercial properties within Filmore was utilized by the city of New Orleans for suffered substantial flood damage. The the purposes of issuing permits to shopping center at Paris Avenue and Mirabeau homeowners for rebuilding. Residents are Avenue suffered over five feet of flooding and provided the opportunity to challenge the has not reconstructed. A laundry mat has re- city’s damage assessment. opened in one of the out parcels of this shopping center. The Lake Terrace shopping Within the Filmore neighborhood the center at Paris Avenue and Robert E. Lee also majority of homes were determined to be suffered substantial flooding and has not been at least 50% damaged. All properties that reconstructed Image top right: experienced greater than 50% damage are now required to meet the new base flood Source: City of New Orleans, Mayor’s Office of Technology, GIS Department A: Lake Terrace Shopping Center elevation requirement of three feet above Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Infrastructure Damage as all the neutral grounds in the Filmore Assessment neighborhood. These include the open space located adjacent to the Francis The infrastructure damage assessment was Gregory Junior High School, Mirabeau Park, limited to drive-by field reconnaissance Oak Park and Pratt Park. Additionally, a conducted by the planning team and substantial number of trees located in the discussed with residents of the neutral grounds died as a result of the salt neighborhoods. Additionally, the water intrusion. Infrastructure and Environmental Quality committee of the Gentilly Civic Community Facilities Damage Improvement Association also reviewed Assessment 16 infrastructure conditions. The recommendations and improvements are Several schools were severely damaged in included in the plan section of this report. the flood of Hurricane Katrina including Redeemer-Seton Academy and St. Francis Signage & Wayfinding Cabrini Church located in Oak Park Numerous street signs and way-finding subdivision, Jean Gordon Elementary signs, including traffic signs were School located in Vista Park subdivision, destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. These Henry Schaumburg Elementary School need to be replaced for safety reasons that located in Oak Park subdivision, and not only address traffic movement but also Bienville Elementary School located in Oak way-finding for emergency vehicles. The Park subdivision. city of New Orleans is moving forward in negotiations with FEMA to provide for the replacement of damaged and destroyed street signs, traffic signs and others.

Street Lights Individual installations sustained damage from wind, flooding, etc. Repairs are being made incrementally.

Parks, Open Space Damage Assessment

Hurricane Katrina totally flooded all the parks in the Filmore neighborhood as well Planning District 6 Damage Assessment City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios

The neighborhood rebuilding scenarios for have expressed their desire to see a new the Filmore neighborhood address the type of building pattern created in this future development of the residential major site. The size of the land parcel is areas, the future development of the substantial in the neighborhood of institutional uses, and the commercial approximately nine acres. The scenario of areas. rebuilding the commercial center as it originally was is not the preferred Residential Areas – Residents have neighborhood scenario. expressed a desire to rebuild their community in the same fashion, for the 2) Mixed use Retail Center - residential areas, as it was before Rebuild the shopping center as a mixed use Hurricane Katrina; substantial single family project incorporating open spaces, mixed 17 homes in the areas designated as single uses to include residential, limited retail family areas. These of course will have to that will be an asset to the neighborhood comply with the Advisory Base Flood and the community. This project could be Elevation requirements for properties a mix of town homes, garden apartments, damaged over 50%. and retail in a setting that enhances the scale of activities in the neighborhood and Commercial Areas – The major commercial provides needed shopping opportunities area, the shopping center at Paris Avenue within walking distance to the residents. and Mirabeau Avenue and the Lake Terrace The site is also located on a transit line and Shopping Center at Paris Avenue and nearby large parcel that has potential for Robert E. Lee Boulevard present two senior housing. rebuilding scenarios on which the community and the neighborhood has Lake Terrace shopping center rebuilding expressed itself: scenarios evaluated address: Images from left to right: (facing page) For the shopping center at Paris and 1) Rebuild as Before – Mirabeau Avenue the rebuilding scenarios Rebuild the Lake Terrace shopping center A: Jean Gordon School are: in the same strip shopping center fashion. B: Typical Street -Filmore This is not a preferred scenario for the C: E. H. Philips Junior High School 1) Rebuild as Before - rebuilding of the commercial center. Being D: St. Joseph Novitate Rebuild the strip shopping center. This is in close proximity to more affluent not the preferred rebuilding scenario for residential areas and Robert E. Lee Images (this page) this commercial area. During various Boulevard, a major east-west thoroughfare A: Dead Magnolia Trees - Paris Avenue community meetings, members of the makes the possibility that the shopping B: Lake Terrace Shopping Center neighborhood and the community at-large center will return as it was before a Aerial of the Lake Terrace Shopping Center (Above) Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

possibility. However, this is not the participating in this planning effort and Related Challenges preferred scenario. working with the GCIA in rebuilding Challenges to re-population that need to their individual homes and the entire be and are being addressed by the 2) Mixed Use Retail Center - community; community and in the plan include: Rebuild the shopping center as a mixed use • The significant number of trailers project incorporating open spaces, mixed located on individual properties; • The larger percentage of elderly uses to include residential, retail, • The resurgence, commitment and population of the Filmore neighborhood as entertainment that will be an asset to the participation of residents in their compared to Planning District 6 and the neighborhood and the community. This individual neighborhood association city of New Orleans, 19.2%, 16.2%, project could be a mix of town homes, meetings; 11.7%, respectively. This larger age group garden apartments, and retail in a setting • The commitment of religious and over 65 years of age may choose not to that enhances the scale of activities in the 18 educational institutions to re-open return to the neighborhood. neighborhood and provides needed their facilities and serve as shopping opportunities within walking neighborhood and community anchors; The Filmore neighborhood and District 6 in distance to the residents. • The announced relocation of Holy general are addressing this issue through Cross High School to the Redeemer the proposal and evaluation of land use The viability of the site as a mixed use –Seton/St. Francis Cabrini site will changes to accommodate elderly housing project may depend largely on the interest make Filmore and Planning District 6 in developments including assisted living of major educational institutions such as general more attractive to families, facilities. One such opportunity within the the University of New Orleans and others. improve the image of the Filmore neighborhood is the former Sisters The presence of the large apartment neighborhood, and bring added of Saint Joseph facility located on Mirabeau complexes adjacent and to its east economic activity to the area; Avenue. provides the opportunity to create a real • The return of UNO to its campus; mini-town center in this site. The • Neighborhood geographical • The rapid implementation of Early economic viability and any gap financing characteristics where it is a point of Action projects to further aid in re- that may be required will have to be destination within the city of New population through the provision of basic addressed through an economic analysis. Orleans with clearly defined services, retail opportunities, clean and A small sub-area plan for the totality of boundaries, linked to the city’s rebuilt parks and recreation areas, and these sites is recommended. traditional urban grid and the major improved infrastructure, signage, streets expressway access routes serving the and sidewalks. region; and Neighborhood Re-Population • Numerous private redevelopment • Establishing options for the housing initiatives including the raising redevelopment of large key major sites and Several factors indicate that the individual of homes, the construction of modular providing the design controls to ascertain neighborhoods that comprise the Filmore housing prototypes for sale and that these sites will be redeveloped in a neighborhood will re-populate as time construction in the neighborhood. fashion that will increase the attractiveness progresses including; of the neighborhood and its surrounding • The commitment of residents in area. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

E. Neighborhood Recovery

On a district-wide level, the GCIA All other recommendations that evolved flood protection. Streamline and improve Drainage Improvements/Projects Infrastructure and Environmental Quality from the committee were discussed with telephone and website systems for Policy Recommendation – committee addressed all infrastructure and residents during the planning process and reporting problems and complaints. public services/utilities projects including: are included in the proposed projects Provide awareness training and Institute a system of accountability and section of this report. publications to inform lay people on hour to transparency for drainage system • Street Repair Improvements/Projects, identify and report levee problems to operations and system failures. • Street Lighting Restoration Projects, Levees, Flood Walls and Storm Surge responsible agencies. • Traffic Control Restoration Projects, Protection Improvements/Projects Establish transparent and accountable • Sidewalk Policy Recommendation – • Institute system of technical oversight governance system to set objectives, track RepairImprovements/Projects, for flood protection projects. Require the progress, verify completion and assess • Neutral Grounds Restoration Institute a system of accountability and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers retain an lessons learned. Improvements/Projects transparency for drainage system independent board of consultants to review 19 • Drainage Improvements/Projects, operations and system failures. adequacy of interim and permanent flood Assure adequate funding is provided for • Levees, Flood Walls and Storm Surge protection repairs and improvements. objectives and assure outlays are properly Protection Improvements/Projects, Establish transparent and accountable spent. • Coastal Wetlands Projects, governance system to set objectives, track Street Repair Improvements/Projects • Garbage Collection, and progress, verify completion and assess Policy Recommendation -- Establish a clear protocol for residents and • Transit Service Projects. lessons learned. governmental agencies to report and track The report recommends the institution of a complaints and problems. A copy of the complete report can be found Assure adequate funding is provided for system of accountability and transparency on the Gentilly Civic Improvement objectives and assure outlays are properly be implemented for all public works • Repair, replace and maintain conduits Association: www.gcia.us. Specific spent. projects so as to keep residents informed for storm water drainage. Construct recommendations are included in this as repairs progress and are scheduled. subsurface drainage in neighborhoods Neighborhood Recovery Plan. Repair of Establish a clear protocol for residents and where it does not currently exist. basic infrastructure and restoration of governmental agencies to report and track Additionally, with regard to street • Repair, replace and maintain pumps as basic public services are of the highest complaints and problems. improvements the following are necessary. importance to residents of the Filmore recommendations of the Infrastructure and • Build safe houses for drainage pump neighborhood as well as the community at- • Repair/upgrade all breached levees and Environmental Quality committee: personnel. large. flood walls. • Install gutter barriers to prevent street • Install flood gates on London Avenue • Implement a pavement management runoff from entering buildings. The following are specific infrastructure and on Industrial Canal at Lake system to prioritize street improvements. • Perform storm water management recommendations from the committee Pontchartrain. • Lower streets by removing years of analysis to create holding ponds or report that are beneficial to all residents • Relocate London Avenue Canal pumps accumulated patches and resurfacings. subsurface basins in open spaces to retain Images from left to right: not just at the neighborhood level, station to northern end at Lake • Reassess functional classifications to flood waters away from streets and planning district level, but are beneficial Pontchartrain. secure federal funding for roadway repair residences. Implement storm water best A: Holy Cross School Sign city and region wide. • Implement competent system for funding. management practices. B: St. Francis Cabrini Church reporting/recording complaints concerning • Enforce the Louisiana Discharge Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Elimination System Storm Water Pollution that need to be addressed for It is also important to support and obtain Lot Next Door Program Prevention Plans for all construction sites reconstruction. It is imperative that this the support of the largest nearby greater than one acre. community initiative continue in order to institution, the University of New Orleans. The principal thrust of redevelopment keep a constant watch and pressure for Close cooperation will result in a benefit to programs and policies that encourage the Coastal Wetlands Projects action and improvements. all the neighbors and the surrounding speedy redevelopment of neighborhoods, • Provide emergency federal resources neighborhoods. must match various government powers for repairing hurricane-damaged wetlands. Strategic Initiative No. 3 and financing tools to the local housing and • Achieve Coast 2050 objectives by Maintain Communication, Dialogue Strategic Initiative No. 5 real estate market conditions. directing a larger share of oil/gas revenues and Monitoring of Levees, Flood Implement Housing Recovery to coastal restoration and link levee Walls and Storm Surge Protection Initiatives A key issue will be to most effectively funding to wetlands. Improvements/Projects It is important to implement housing encourage the redevelopment of homes 20 The Infrastructure and Environmental recovery initiatives to encourage the local and residential lots that fall into public In addition to the above infrastructure and Quality committee report calls for the neighborhood to actively participate in the ownership. This is a major concern in public services/utilities projects, the repair/upgrade of all breached levees and reconstruction process of the properties on District 6. Filmore Neighborhood Recovery Plan flood walls, installation of flood gates on the street where they live, on their blocks proposes a series of strategic initiatives to the London Avenue and Industrial canals at and in their neighborhoods. The “Lot Next Door” program is one of a address reconstruction of the damaged Lake Pontchartrain, and the relocation of series of proposed housing policies which community assets including: the London Avenue canal pump station to Private citizen activity will be the most have been developed as part of the the northern end of the canal at Lake important driving force in the recovery of Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and takes Strategic Initiative No. 1 Pontchartrain. It is imperative that this each of the neighborhoods of District 6. In direct aim at some particular market Manage and Improve the Overall community initiative continue and that order to provide the required assistance hurdles that slow the redevelopment of Safety and Appearance of residents continue to monitor progress and and incentives to these private citizens, the many of these properties. Neighborhood keep a vigilant watch and maintain city of New Orleans should implement the Promote requirement to gut and secure pressure for action and improvements. following housing reconstruction programs: In its simplest form, the Lot Next Door damaged homes as well as property upkeep program will offer homeowners who are and maintenance. Strategic Initiative No. 4 Housing Assistance Centers committed to redeveloping their home, the Continue Participation in District ability to purchase publicly owned adjoining Strategic Initiative No. 2 Wide Recovery Efforts Actively support and assist in the inception properties prior to these properties being Maintain Communication, Dialogue Neighborhood improvements cannot be of a “one-stop” housing assistance center offered to any other buyers. This option and Monitoring with City and State limited to the boundaries of the specific for the benefit of the Filmore neighborhood would be provided should the property end Agencies for Continued Improvements Filmore neighborhood. The recovery of the and Planning District 6 residents. The up in public ownership either through the to Utilities and Streets and Clean Up adjacent neighborhoods will have a direct Housing Assistance Centers will provide adjudication process or through the sale of During the recovery process, planning team and positive impact on the Filmore expedited services for permits, fees, the property to a public entity through the members met with city and state agencies neighborhood and will translate into a inspections and general management Road Home or other public acquisition to identify locations of leaking water supply faster recovery and increased property assistance. program. pipes, leaking fire hydrants, missing street values for residents. lights and other community deficiencies City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Elderly Housing Road Home Link type for people with physical frailties. Hurricane Katrina, improvements to the B. Restoration of Mirabeau Park and neutral grounds, street improvements and Deficiency Assessment It has become quite apparent through the Elderly homeowners are clearly a special others. C. Restoration of Oak Park and neighborhood planning process that senior group with specific needs, and currently Deficiency Assessment households which have some of the there are no programs targeted to this Strategic Initiative No. 7 D. Restoration of Pratt Park and strongest ties to the community and have subgroup of homeowners. Promote and Monitor the Deficiency Assessment expressed some of the strongest voices for Implementation of Key rebuilding and returning to the city, also A targeted elderly homeowner program is Recovery/Redevelopment Parcels and The parks of the Filmore neighborhood are face some of the most significant needed which will allow elderly households Projects vital assets to residents and the community challenges in redeveloping or rebuilding to tie their Road Home grant to senior The continued monitoring and community at-large. Residents want the parks their homes. specific elevator multi-story condominium interest in the major development projects restored and an assessment of deficiencies projects to be developed throughout the and parcels identified in Filmore are crucial performed to further identify needs 21 First, there were many areas of the city city. There has been wide support for for the recovery of the neighborhood. including equipment and user amenities which had a high concentration of elderly dedicated multi-family senior housing Among some of the most crucial key (i.e., benches, trees, landscaping, water homeowners including District 6 which product in many parts of the city, but recovery projects is the redevelopment of fountains, enclosed facilities). sustained substantial damage and which particularly in areas where younger the commercial sites located on Robert E. will require the demolition and homeowners have aging parents living Lee Boulevard at Paris Avenue and on Schools and Community Facilities reconstruction of many homes. nearby. Mirabeau and Paris Avenues. Projects Historically, the challenges of dealing with contractors, permit inspectors, lenders, In some cases, there may be a need to Additionally, the elderly housing E. Assist and Support Relocation of etc. has proven particularly overwhelming increase the grant amount or provide a low opportunities and reconstruction and/ or Holy Cross High School to Holy for many elderly households after they interest loan to the household if there is a demolition of schools and community Redeemer-Seton/St. Francis Cabrini have experienced such trauma (physical gap between the value of the buyout (and centers are key recovery projects. Site and psychological) as has been visited insurance proceeds) and the market value Neighborhood interests should monitor and upon other communities after other price of the condominium unit. help bring about the construction of these The very recent decision of Holy Cross High disasters. key recovery projects indicated below that School to relocate to the Redeemer- Strategic Initiative No. 6 form part of the Neighborhoods Rebuilding Seton/St. Francis Cabrini site will have Additionally, there are a substantial number Identify and Promote Early Action Plan and have been vetted by the tremendous positive impact to this of areas of the city including Projects Early action projects serve neighborhood and the community through neighborhood and all of Planning District 6. neighborhoods of Planning District 6, to generate community confidence the public involvement process. Residents of the Filmore neighborhood and among others where rebuilding homes with through the commitment of the public other neighborhoods of Planning District 6 damage in excess of 50% will require the sector to create investments in the Proposed Projects Description strongly supported this relocation. total reconstruction at three feet above community. grade or the Base Flood Elevations Potential Early Action projects include Parks and Open Space Recreation F. Francis Gregory Junior High School whichever is greater. Many of these homes identifying adaptive reuse for major Projects – Demolish and/or Renovate for Image at top: will have to be raised close to one story facilities that will not be reconstructed to A. Restoration of Open Space and School and Neighborhood Community making them a difficult housing product- house the functions that existed prior to Deficiency Assessment Center Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

G. Lake Area Middle School and/or Jean Gordon/Henry Schaumburg Elementary School – Demolish and or Renovate for School and Neighborhood Community Center

H. Demolish all Public Schools Not Re-Opening and Reserve as Green Space Until New School is Built

I. Convert Sisters of Saint Joseph 22 Facility to Senior Assisted Care Living Facility

Residents have strategically considered redevelopment/revitalization of all schools and community facilities with consideration of re-population. Additionally, residents want schools to become multi-functional offering community centers to the neighborhoods.

The Lake Terrace subdivision just north of the Filmore neighborhood, Lake Oaks subdivision just north of nearby Milneburg neighborhood and Bancroft Park subdivision within the Filmore neighborhood were less flooded than other areas of Planning District 6. These areas are thus re-populating at a quicker rate than those areas more impacted by flooding.

Strategically, the Francis Gregory Junior High School, located in the Mirabeau Gardens subdivision should re-open to Oportunity site located on Robert E. Lee Boulvevard and Paris Avenue: Commercial and Apartments (Image at top) serve this area of the Filmore See Rebuilding Plan Projects “G” and “P.” City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

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Filmore Neighborhood Rebuilding Plan Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

neighborhood and Planning District 6. The The former senior care living care facility This project will help achieve the overall Avenue have wide neutral grounds that school is also adjacent to a very large open located adjacent to the Hellenic Center is goal of improved mobility and connectivity included magnolia trees and other space parcel of land that will add value to one such opportunity. Additionally, the throughout the planning district. landscaping prior to the flooding of public facilities for residents of the area. If Sisters of Saint Joseph facility located in Hurricane Katrina. The neutral grounds the school is not planned to be re-opened the Paris Oaks subdivision is also an L. Extend Wisner Boulevard provide added green space throughout the in the next academic school year, it should opportunity. This site also offers transit Designated/Shared Use Path to the neighborhoods. Residents have a strong be demolished as quickly as possible and service along Mirabeau Avenue as well as Lakefront desire to restore the neutral grounds. A the site held as green space until such time shopping with the nearby shopping center landscaping master plan inclusive of a tree that a new school is required. (recommended for a sub-area master plan). The current funding for the Wisner planting policy is also recommended for the Boulevard bicycle lane designation does not restoration of all neutral grounds Similarly, Lake Area Middle School and/or connect it to the lakefront. Residents want throughout the entire planning district. Jean Gordon or Henry Schaumburg Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements this project to connect to the lakefront area 24 Elementary School should be re-opened Projects of Planning District 6. O. Prepare Sub-Area Master Plan for and also include community meeting Mirabeau Avenue/Paris Avenue facilities to serve this area of the Filmore J. Wisner Boulevard M. Filmore Avenue Shopping Center neighborhood and Planning District 6. Designated/Shared Use Path Designated/Shared Bicycle Lane Residents strongly desire to see this These facilities are located adjacent to the One goal of the recovery plan is to improve Designation of a bicycle lane along Filmore shopping center rebuild in a more user- more rapidly re-populating area of Planning connectivity throughout Planning District 6. Avenue will provide additional east/west friendly layout and create a mini town District 6. If the schools are not re-opened The proposed (and funded) connectivity throughout the entire planning center to include mixed uses of residential they should be demolished and remain designated/shared use path on Wisner district and improve mobility, thus town homes or garden apartments, green space until such time that a new Boulevard will connect the Filmore achieving the overall goal of the neighborhood level retail incorporating school is required. neighborhood north/south to Bayou St. neighborhood recovery plan. The project green space with pedestrian amenities and John and the existing neutral ground will connect with the proposed “Rails with transit service. Reconfigured buildings that Bienville Elementary School, located in the designated bicycle path on Jefferson Davis Trails” project within the Milneburg and include moving the parking to the rear of Oak Park subdivision, is adjacent to Oak Boulevard. The project should also connect Gentilly Terrace neighborhoods. the buildings that are moved closer to the Park. The facility should be demolished to the lakefront (see Project L). street with adequate landscaping, lighting and held as green space until such time and amenities are envisioned. The current that a new school is required. This policy is Neutral Grounds Projects zoning of the site will allow for a mixed use recommended for all public schools K. Robert E. Lee Boulevard development. throughout Planning District 6. Designated/Shared Bicycle Lane N. Restore all Neutral Grounds and Create Welcome Signs to P. Prepare Sub-Area Master Plan for The Filmore neighborhood offers great The city of New Orleans’ 1999 master plan Neighborhoods Paris Avenue/Robert E. Lee Boulevard opportunities to provide for senior assisted transportation element recommended the Shopping Center care living. While the 65+ age population designation of Robert E. Lee Boulevard as a The major streets serving the Filmore of the Filmore neighborhood is not the bicycle route. Robert E. Lee Boulevard has neighborhood including Robert E. Lee This small neighborhood center has highest within Planning District 6, it offers been funded for resurfacing which will also Boulevard, Paris Avenue, St. Bernard potential to become a mini town center opportunity sites for assisted care living. included designation of a bicycle route. Avenue, Filmore Avenue and Mirabeau offering a mix of town homes or garden City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

apartments with a live/work office The neighborhood has a desire to improve Avenue will provide east/west connectivity HOUSING, ARCHITECTURE AND environment and small scale retail servicing commercial development and wants to and improved mobility. Recommendations HISTORIC PRESERVATION the center. Additionally, the site has great implement a design overlay ordinance on also include implementation of the City potential with nearby UNO, the soon to be Elysian Fields Avenue and Gentilly Planning Commission and Regional Housing Holy Cross High School and the faster Boulevard. As noted previously, residents Planning Commission adopted bicycle and paced re-population of the immediate area. propose that the existing commercial pedestrian improvements. Wisner centers be master planned to included Boulevard is designated for a shared use The Filmore neighborhood is comprised of a mix of single family and duplex homes in Further, the apartment complex mixed-use developments that would include path and should be extended to and the middle to upper middle income price immediately behind this facility and the residential living, neighborhood retail, and connected with the lakefront. range. Housing styles and architecture of apartment complex located across Paris neighborhood services. This should be a Planning District 6 are very significant Avenue offer opportunities to expand the very high priority given re-population of the assets to the community. The housing town center concept. northern area of Planning District 6 and the very recent decision of Holy Cross High PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND styles compliment and build upon the sense of community and neighborhood 25 Potential opportunities may also exist to School to relocate in the Filmore LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE character that residents value. All partner with the University of New Orleans neighborhood. PROJECTS neighborhoods of Planning District 6 have to supply faculty housing. The site is also Restoration of all parks is a high priority. In significantly high owner occupancy when served with transit and offers attributes of addition to restoration of existing parks, compared to the city of New Orleans. transit oriented development. TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC residents want to assess the deficiencies of Reconfigured buildings moving the parking TRANSIT PROJECTS the existing parks in terms of playground The April planning charrette addressed to the rear of the buildings with adequate In addition to restoring pre-Katrina transit equipment needs, user amenities (i.e., the issue of housing rehabilitation as amenities and a thriving center of service, residents recommend benches, trees, landscaping, water follows: integrated residential, neighborhood retail commencement of the federal process to fountains, and services are envisioned. The current “Every resident of Filmore should be able study construction of either a streetcar or zoning of the site will allow for a mixed use to return to his or her renovated or light rail system connecting the French enclosed facilities) as well as needs for development and allow for the replaced home if desired, and should be Quarter and the lakefront via Elysian Fields ballparks, soccer fields, gymnasiums and incorporation of the adjacent apartments. provided effective neighborhood-level Avenue. Elysian Fields Avenue is the only the like. assistance to do so. At the same time, street in the city that connects all the LAND USE AND ZONING vacant homes should be made available to neighborhoods of Planning District 6 and Major arterial streets have wide neutral new buyers, or selectively consolidated to the lakefront to the French Quarter and grounds that were lined with magnolia Land Use and Zoning form sites fro new public squares. Houses downtown New Orleans. trees. The neutral grounds are valued Recommendations/Projects should be encouraged across a range of green space. Residents have a very strong Residents of the Filmore neighborhood One goal of the plan is to provide improved desire to restore the neutral grounds of the types and prices, including affordable want to maintain their single family zoning connectivity and hence mobility within the neighborhoods and further prepare a homes.” but want consideration and further study entire planning district. The proposed (and landscaping master plan that includes a for mixed-use development on sites Residents and participants of this planning funded) designated/shared use path along tree planting policy. previously developed as strip commercial process embraced the above statement. Robert E. Lee Boulevard will improve centers. Housing rehabilitation and the need for pedestrian and bicycle mobility. Similarly, a professional assistance was made a designated/shared use path along Filmore priority at every public meeting. Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Additionally, residents expressed concern for enforced by the city of New Orleans where Prefabricated Homes Public Facilities the elderly and their rebuilding ability. As local design professionals and residents sit noted previously, Planning District 6 has a as reviewers may provide a vehicle for the Recently on West End Boulevard a new Residents have strategically considered high percentage of residents 65 years of age orderly aesthetic reconstruction of the prefabricated home was constructed; redevelopment/revitalization of schools and and older. neighborhood. another company is in the process of community facilities with consideration to re- constructing a pre-fabricated home at the population. The very recent decision of Holy As part of this Neighborhoods Rebuilding Residential Design Guidelines should be intersection of Mirabeau Avenue and Franklin Cross High School to relocate to the Plan, a number of housing initiatives are developed in close cooperation with the Avenue. These homes are attractive addition Redeemer-Seton/St. Francis Cabrini site will proposed and presented in the overall policy residents of Planning District 6 and could to the community and their design does not have a tremendously positive impact on this element of the plan and issued under include additional controls and requirements exhibit the fact that the homes arrived on- area. Residents of the Filmore neighborhood separate cover. such as front porches, special setbacks and site on several trailers. strongly supported therelocation. build to lines, location of garages, heights, Architecture Design Guidelines for and others. The use of contextually designed pre- Residents want to have schools re-opened in 26 Residential Construction fabricated homes for the neighborhood their community and further to have these should not be curtailed, but its design and schools provide multi-functional facilities to As the community rebuilds there is a need to Commercial Design Guidelines aesthetics controlled to ensure a fit between include community meeting space. Francis develop Architectural Design Guidelines and the new construction and a specific Gregory Junior School, located in the a mechanism for their enforcement in order Commercial Design Guidelines need to be neighborhood’s appearance. Mirabeau Gardens neighborhood should be to assure citizens that new construction will developed for the major commercial sectors re-opened and also include space for be compatible with the existing architectural in the Filmore neighborhood and all of Historic Preservation community meetings. If the school is not re- fabric of the neighborhood and particular Planning District 6. The proposed sub-area opened it should be demolished and held as sub-areas. master plans should also include The Filmore neighborhood development green space until such time that a new Architectural Design Guidelines which can be pattern begins from the late1940s to the late school is required. No private development The raising of homes to respond to the 1984 enforced as part of the Commercial Design 1960s. While some of the older homes may should be allowed on the site. Base Flood Elevation or the 3’0” rule of the Guidelines to ensure that new construction qualify for potential historic designation by Similarly, Lake Area Middle School and/or Advisory Base Flood Elevation requires strict being built in the commercial areas will be being over 50 years old, substantial areas of Jean Gordon/Henry Schaumburg Elementary observance to architectural design principles compatible with the vision of the community. Filmore date from the 1960s making School should be re-opened and also include that will make the new or raised construction Additionally Commercial Design Guidelines qualification for historic designation community meeting space to serve this area compatible with existing residential buildings can regulate the signage that may be submission to the National Register of of the Filmore neighborhood and Planning in the area. included as part of commercial retail Historic Places not feasible. Individual District 6. projects. houses, however, upon reaching this The photographs illustrate recent examples threshold, and if deemed appropriate by the Use of Louisiana Pattern Book Residents feel strongly that if these schools of buildings being constructed that are owner, may be submitted for consideration are not to be re-opened they should be raised and where the issue of compatibility based on either architectural or historic The Louisiana Speaks Pattern book was demolished and remain as green spaces until with the surrounding architectural context is significance as individual property listings. or may be an issue. contracted by the LRA to develop design and such time that a new school is required. No development guidelines for specific private development should be allowed on Architectural Design Guidelines and an Louisiana residential types. this site or that of any other school which Architectural Design Review process may be demolished. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

F. Implementation and Funding Strategies

Funding Matrix New Orleans and neighborhood groups and • Housing initiatives for which advisory committees. there may be dollars already allocated The connection between the Neighborhoods through the Road Home, LIHTC, Rebuilding Plan and the potential funding Each matrix matches proposed projects private funding sources, or other sources is graphically represented by the with potential funding sources identified sources but where the additional gap Implementation Priority Matrix. The costs through the planning process and while not in funding is impossible to determine analyses are provided on an order-of- exhaustive in its scope, it serves as a guide at this point; magnitude basis as to the scope and to where funds could originate. Substantial magnitude of the project proposed and the financial commitments by federal and state • Other policies, including land investment required to construct it. As entities are a vital ingredient in the use and zoning regulations, which the such, variations as to the scope of the recovery effort and will provide the community believed to be in the short project could result in variations on the necessary economic infrastructure to and long term interest of the attract the private investment required to community; and final cost of construction. 27 create stable and vibrant communities. In the process of cost analyses, • Recurring operations (i.e. consultations were carried out with the City Each funding matrix, based upon expanded police patrols, library of New Orleans Public Works Department to consultation with neighborhood residents operations, park operations, etc.) that identify general cost guidelines typically through the community meeting process, either tie to certain capital used for the calculation of street also ranked projects based upon priority of improvements or are important to the improvements and reconstruction; other need with regard to recovery: “Early health of the community through the sources of cost identification included the Action/Critical”; “Mid-Term/Needed”; and expansion of existing services. Means Cost Data and our team’s “Long Term/Desired”. This ranking professional experience inside and outside provides a general guide as to what New Orleans. communities believe is the most important Acronyms priorities with regard to revitalization and FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency redevelopment. CDBG: Community Development Block Grant No single source of funding or financial HUD: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Developmen plan will be capable of dealing with the USACE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers capital improvement needs for total Finally, there are a variety of items or CIP: Capital Improvement Plan redevelopment and reconstruction of all the initiatives listed on the funding matrix LRA: Louisiana Recovery Authority SWB: Sewage & Water Board neighborhood projects and needs. where a capital cost can not be attached or LHFA: Louisiana Housing Finance Agency determined without further study, but the HANO: Housing Authority of the City of New Orleans However, the funding matrix included in community believed needed to be a central HOME: HUD Low Income Housing Program part of the plan. These include: EDA: Economic Development Administration this report shows different funding sources TIF: Tax Increment Financing that could be made available for specific NMTC: New Market Tax Credits projects and it should be expected that • Undertaking specific further studies BID: Business Improvement District to determine the actual cost to FHWA: Federal Highway Administration layering of multiple sources of funding will FTA: Federal Transit Administration be required in most cases.The ability to governmental entities for certain LDOT: Louisiana Department of Transportation obtain these funds will rest with the City of public/private initiatives (for which we have NGO: Non-Government Organizations noted the cost of the study); Filmore Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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