Village de L’est Neighborhood Planning District 10 Rebuilding Plan Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

Introduction Table of Contents Approximately 100 days after Planning District 10 is the subject of the Acknowledgements A. Village de L’Est Neighborhood 3 struck, Motion M-05-592 was unanimously following report. With grateful appreciation the Planning team Location and History 3 passed by the City Council of . would like to thank the residents of District 10, Recovery Vision and Goals 4 This motion ensured that community-based, Basic assumptions also formed the basis who participated in this planning process and Planning Process and Neighborhood Participation 5 neighborhood-by-neighborhood planning for the Planning District 10 Recovery Plan: without whom this effort would not have been Planning Efforts Pre-Hurricane Katrina 6 would be central to decisions associated with possible. the recovery of the most devastated areas of 1) That a flood protection system B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood New Orleans. The City Council was adamant will be designed to withstand future Project Directory Existing Conditions 9 that the people most impacted by the storm catastrophic loss from a 1 in 100 year Land Use and Zoning 9 would play a central role in defining the future storm and that this is a commitment by City of New Orleans Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile 9 of their communities. Overall, 47 of the 73 the Federal Government; C. , Mayor Recreation and Open Space 11 neighborhoods delineated by the City’s 2) That stringent building codes : Roadway Hierarchy and Jurisdiction 11 Planning Commission have had plans prepared will be implemented to further limit wind Oliver M. Thomas, President Housing, Architecture and Historic Preservation 12 as part of this process. damage; 3) That the basic urban structure Arnie Fielkow, Vice-President Shelley Midura, District A C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Impacts 15 The City Council charged a team of consultants of the city is sound and that rebuilding Stacy S. Head, District B Extent of Flooding 15 overseen by Lambert Advisory & SHEDO with will respect this structure; James Carter, District C Damage Assessment assisting neighborhoods flooded by Hurricane 4)That there is an organized, Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District D Residential Properties Damage Assessment 15 Katrina in developing revitalization plans that coherent and operable Hurricane Cynthia Willard-Lewis, District E Commercial Properties Damage Assessment 15 are thoughtful and can be implemented, for Evacuation Program. Infrastructure Damage Assessment 16 incorporation into a citywide recovery and Parks and Open Space Damage Assessment 17 improvement plan to be submitted to the State Project Management: Community Facilities 17 of and federal funding agencies. This Lambert Advisory, LLC Schools and Universities 17 document is one of forty-two (42) Paul Lambert neighborhood plans that meet that mandate. SHEDO, LLC D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios 19 Shelia Danzey Neighborhood Re-population 20 City Planning Commission: 2 Planning District Overall Planning Consultant: E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan 21 Designations Bermello-Ajamil & Partners, Inc. Strategic Initiatives 21 Alfredo C. Sanchez, AIA, AICP Plan Elements Key Recovery and Development Projects 24 Hewitt-Washington, Inc. Land Use and Zoning 25 Lonnie Hewitt, AIA Parks, Open Space and Landscape Architecture 26 Transportation and Public Transit 26 Neighborhood Planner: Housing, Architecture and Historic Preservation 26 St. Martin - Brown & Associates, LLP Utilities and Municipal Services 26 Joseph St. Martin Human Services and Community Facilities 26 Deron Brown

F. Neighborhood Planning Initiative 27

G. Implementation and Funding Strategies 33

Cover Images left to right:

A: Drawings - Redevelopment of the Versailles Business District B: Canoeing along Bayou Sauvage C: New Orleans - Batman Ride City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

A. Village de L’Est Neighborhood

Location and History recognized chain of amusement parks. Bayou Savage, which adjoins the built areas The Village de l’Est Neighborhood of the neighborhood, is a 20,000-acre wildlife encompasses the entire area of Planning refugee that is home to American bald eagles District 10. Village de l’Est is bordered by and American alligators. Paris Road / I-510 to the west, Chef Menteur Highway to the south, to Many of the neighborhood’s assets were the north, and US Highway 11 to the east. greatly devastated by the flood waters and The following neighborhoods and catastrophic winds of Hurricane Katrina. subdivisions are included:

• Oak Island I 3 • Oak Island II • Willowbrook • Village de l’Est

The history of development dates back to 1763 when the King of France gave the area as a land grant to Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent. Over the years the neighborhood passed through many different owners, but it wasn’t until the early 1960’s that major development began. In 1964, a 600-acre tract was developed with single-family and double-residential structures. It began primarily as a largely African-American neighborhood but since then thousands of Vietnamese immigrants settled in the area.

Even through a slowing of the economy during the 1980’s there was an increase in population within the neighborhood.

The Village de l’Est area features several churches, schools and commercial At right: Neighborhood Boundary Maps - developments. The area is home to Six Flags Village de L’Est Neighborhood New Orleans. Six Flags is a nationally Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

• Oak Island I • Oak Island II • Willowbrook • Village de l’Est

Recovery Vision and Goals the character Village de l’Est is preserved. The plan will provide a list of projects to be The Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan provides a implemented in the early, mid-, and long-term 4 vision and framework for physical recovery phases. The projects identified shall improvements, economic sustainability and serve as catalysts for the rebuilding of the community enhancements for the Village de community. The goal for the Recovery Plan is to L’est Neighborhood. carefully identify projects that can be leveraged to benefit the community as a whole, such as:

Vision • Improve and enhance the existing streets, sidewalks and infrastructure system serving The vision of the Neighborhood Recovery Plan Village de l’Est; is to restore the quality of life in Village de l’Est to the level that existed prior to Hurricane • Provide attractive residential options; Katrina plus make key improvements to the quality of life in the neighborhood by • Maintain and enhance the predominantly addressing concentrations of high-density single-family character of Village de l’Est providing apartments found along the I-10 and by opportunities for the inclusion of lower density encouraging the development of quality retail multi-family residential in the appropriate that will enhance the day-to-day life for locations; neighborhood residents and encourage growth in property values. • Adequately redevelop commercial areas such as the Versailles Business District;

• Develop Urban Design Corridors along Alcee Neighborhood Recovery Goals Fortier Boulevard;

The recovery plan is to be used as a tool for the • Create mixed-use districts at I-10 nodes; Aerial Map of the Village de L’Est Neighborhood (Above) community to achieve goals that ensure that City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

• Create a new Town Centre attracting quality Gulf Outlet as to limit the risk of another of Eastern New Orleans who had lost the owners, community based organizations, retail and dining; devastating storm surge; majority of their possessions and even city support services, and elected officials. some of their loved ones were now given • Recover, expand and design beautiful open • Prevention of the neighborhood becoming a the task of “proving their viability”. The purpose of the design team was to spaces and parks; dumping ground for Katrina-related debris, analyze data, provide neighborhood particularly as it relates to the Chef Menteur In early January, the leaders of the area’s history, identify neighborhood patterns, • Create new pocket parks to satisfy the needs Landfill which is currently operational but known associations began meeting at the and to define the characteristics of the of Village de l’Est residents; considered a major environmental and Eastover Country Club temporary trailer neighborhoods. development hazard. with planners, architects and statisticians • Promote the development of a senior to discuss the recovery process for the By focusing on the facts generated from housing village inclusive of a new church, community. The initial meetings began the data collected, community members chapel, cultural center and community garden; Planning Process and with a group of 12 individuals and were able to refocus their personal opinion 5 Neighborhood Participation eventually grew into a planning discussion on how the neighborhood as a whole • Replace the street tree canopy destroyed by involving over 2500 residents of the would heal. The design teams evaluated Hurricane Katrina; The Village de L’est neighborhood consists district. The community began a planning the data and presented recommendations of several smaller neighborhood process that allowed the residents, in a series of open district planning • Promote the redevelopment of the Six Flags associations and subdivisions. Immediately business owners, and other stakeholders to meetings. Theme Park site as a recreation and water park after Hurricane Katrina and before the flood determine how their community should area geared toward families; waters receded the records of the Property return. The larger community meeting or charrette Owners and Business Associations were allowed individual community members to • Promote the development of 15 to 20 acre retrieved. Design teams were created to help the identify issues, opportunities, liabilities and tracts in Lake Pontchartrain that can help serve association leaders understand the basic assets in their neighborhoods. In addition, as storm-surge buffers and eventually be The Business planning principles in developing recovery the district planning meetings were used to developed into lakefront dining and Associations (NOEBA) conducted a meeting plans for their neighborhoods. Association inform residents of the recovery process condominium living; in Baton Rouge to organize and create a leads took the information gathered at the and to provide information from local, state network of associations to discuss the weekly district meetings into their and federal agencies involved in the • Recover, expand, and design schools, rebuilding process in Eastern New Orleans. individual bi-weekly or monthly association recovery of New Orleans. churches and libraries; These meetings would prove to have great meetings. The neighborhood and district significance in the recovery of Eastern New meetings became a conduit for information Forums were conducted to allow individual • Rebuild state of the art educational facilities Orleans. pertinent for the community’s return to be community members the opportunity to get with community centers; shared. Community members began to answers to questions pertinent to their Initial planning recommendations soon work together to organize clean up efforts, return home. • Rebuild East New Orleans Regional Library after the storm by a variety of entities for debris removal, and to have services into a state of the art facility with media the City of New Orleans suggested that the restored. Surveys were used as tools to gauge the technology enhancements; majority of Eastern New Orleans should return intentions of residence and business become “green space” thereby significantly The Community Design Team was made up owners displaced throughout the country. • Promote the closure of the shrinking the footprint of the city. Members of residents, business owners, property The planning process allowed the Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

PlanningPlanning ProcessProcess Data & Analysis Community Design team

Phase I Presentation Phase II

DistrictDistrict 99 Phase V VisionVision PlanPlan

role became limited to the adoption of the adequately addressed neighborhood Phase III plan, the enforcement of any regulatory issues and, in turn, represented the adjustments to the plan, and in assisting concerns and future vision of the citizens Design Phase IV the residents in monitoring the plan. of Eastern New Orleans. Charrette Vision On April 15, 1999, the New Orleans East The New Orleans East Renaissance Plan Plan Economic Development Foundation also committed to long-term consistency (NOEEDF) and the New Orleans East with the New Century New Orleans Master ST.MARTIN BROWN & ASSOCIATES Business Association (NOEBA) requested Plan and all of its completed elements. LLP. the initiation of a Local Renaissance District for New Orleans East, specifically Key recommendations or facets of the 6 Planning Districts 9, 10 and 11. Renaissance Plan included the following; community to develop projects and target revitalization of the Versailles business areas. The data collected and existing plans district. The information and report The New Orleans East Renaissance Plan, • Land Use: New Orleans East shall be formed Pre-Katrina for the community were gathered from the Charrette has served as published in June 2004 served as a a community of balanced and responsible used to help set priorities for the projects the platform for the Village de l’Est comprehensive, strategic framework for growth that protects its resources and identified by the neighborhoods. rebuilding plan. future development decisions that promotes sensible development. attracted new projects, maximized Many of the members of the Vietnamese present and future capital improvement • Environment: New Orleans East community remained in their homes and Planning Efforts Pre-Katrina resources, balanced growth, economic shall protect its valuable natural resources rode out the storm. As the situation development and the quality of life for the and minimize any impacts existing and new In 1994, the City Planning Commission seemed to worsen the families that stayed citizens of Eastern New Orleans. The development will have on the environment. adopted the Local Renaissance District took care of each other. Eventually the Renaissance Plan allowed for all citizens Administration Policy, which enabled area had to be evacuated. When able to to participate and to be represented • Economic Development: New residents to take a more active role in the return, families began to rebuild. They throughout the process. Orleans East shall be a thriving economic and city planning process with regard to removed mold, gutted the homes and industrial hub for the City of New Orleans with revitalizing their neighborhoods. This paved replaced damaged and missing roofs. They The New Orleans East Renaissance Plan a quality skilled workforce while exploring the way for neighborhood groups to work showed an extreme commitment to was developed using information other economic development opportunities for with planners and the Planning Commission rebuilding their tight knit community. gathered from an intense citizen expanded employment and revenue base. staff to draft a Strategic Neighborhood participation process through a series of Renaissance Plan, which would then be Before any other area began their planning, public meetings and interviews with • Park, Recreation, and Open Space: considered for adoption by the City Council the Vietnamese community held a design community stakeholders and key leaders. New Orleans East shall have an abundance and the City Planning Commission. charrette with a group of architects, design of quality parks and open spaces that are Images from left to right: professionals, engineers and housing Neighborhood groups such as interconnected by a pedestrian network and By involving residents as major developers. The charrette spawned ideas homeowners associations and faith-based protects the area’s natural features. A: Diagram of the Planning Process stakeholders, such plans would be more on how to revitalize the area by creating a groups provided vital information for B-C: General Neighborhood Meetings practical and relevant in dealing with new community housing site and developing the Plan. Their input neighborhood problems. The City Council's City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Images of The New Orleans East Renaissance Plan 2002

Left: Recommended Zoning Below: Recommended Parks, Playgrounds and Playspots

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• Transportation: New Orleans East shall have strong transportation linkages that • Facilities and Education: “New Orleans are attractive to business, residents and East will be known for coordination of visitors while also providing adequate and resources and quality facilities to meet and safe access to neighborhoods and other area exceed area educational needs.” amenities. • Safety and Clean-up: “New Orleans • Utilities and Infrastructure: New East will be known for its coordination of Orleans East will have a quality, cost effective highly regarded services to meet and exceed and environmentally responsible the areas health, safety and welfare needs.” infrastructure system designed in coordination with desired growth patterns.

• Housing: New Orleans East will provide a variety of housing to area residents in a manner that protects sensitive areas, holds housing to the same high standards, creates dynamic neighborhoods, promotes affordability, and appreciates rural and urban character. Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

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8 City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Village de L’Est Neighborhood Present B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina Land-Use Map (Above left)

Neighborhood Existing Village de L’Est Neighborhood Present Conditions Zoning Map (Below left)

Land Use and Zoning Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile A number of different zoning classifications are identified, but the Village de l’Est Age neighborhood is comprised of primarily single-family detached residential structures. Based on 2000 Census information, There are several pockets of high density individuals between the ages of 18-34 multi-family developments that line Interstate years represented the largest percentage 10, and Chef Menteur Highway. Commercial of the neighborhood at 26.6%. This development is spread along Chef Menteur percentage is also reflective of the Highway. percentage citywide for the same age 9 category. The percentage of residents Village de l’Est is part of Planning District 10. over the age of 65 is far lower than for The areas that have not been urbanized are that of the Parish. However there is a still classified as marsh land, wetland, or large number of elderly that live within the parkland. More than 20,000+ acres are Vietnamese community of Village de l’Est. under the authority of the US Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The regional classified Household Income Distribution park is utilized as a wildlife refuge and offers walking paths, boating and other eco-tourist- The average household income for the related activities. neighborhood ($36,856) is almost 20% lower than the City of New Orleans as a whole.

Mobility and Transportation The Village de l’Est neighborhood is primarily accessed either by or Chef Menteur Highway. There is a Michoud Boulevard exit but the area is underdeveloped and lacks adequate lighting. Most individuals therefore utilize the Bullard Avenue exit and travel to Lake Forest Boulevard to the east.

There were plans pre-Katrina to widen Lake Forest Boulevard at this location to accommodate the traffic that served it. Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

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Michoud Boulevard is the only thoroughfare truck, or van. Public transportation is only that travels completely through the utilized by 8.4% of the population as neighborhood. Alcee Fortier and Dwyer reported by the 2000 Census. Prior to the Road are also heavily utilized. Interstate storm there was only one public bus line. 510 lines the western edge of the This traveled along Chef Menteur Highway neighborhood. Lake Forest Boulevard exit serves the neighborhood.

As is the case in most suburban/exurban Upper left: The Median Age Map of the areas, the majority of residents in the Village de L’Est Neighborhood2000 neighborhood utilize individual vehicles to Source: U.S. Census 2000; the Greater New Orleans travel to work. Almost 88% of the total Community Data Center at Above: The Median Family Income Map http://gnocdc.org/orleans/ workers 16 years and over travel by car, of the Village de L’Est Neigborhood 2000 City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

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Roadway Hierarchy and Jurisdiction

The Village de l’Est neighborhood is surrounded by Federal and State highways. There are several primary and tertiary streets within the neighborhood. These are all under the jurisdiction of the City of New Orleans.

The neighborhood is bounded by Highway 47 Recreation and Open Space The refuge was established to enhance the / Hayne Boulevard to the North, Chef population of migratory, shore and wading Menteur Highway (US 90) to the South, The most notable recreation and open birds, to encourage natural diversity of fish to the West and US Highway and wildlife species, to protect endangered 11 to the East. Images: space is the Bayou Savage National Wildlife and threatened plant and animal species, to Photos: Bayou Savage National Wildlife Refuge. With almost 23,000 acres, 13,000 provide scientific research and Refuge acres of freshwater marsh and 400 acres of environmental education, and to provide Maps: At right: Roadways bottomland, the refuge attracts opportunities for fishing and wildlife Classifications approximately 400,000 visitors annually. recreation. Far right: Recreation and Open Visitors have the options of walking trails, Areas in the Village de fishing, bird watching, canoeing, L’Est Neighborhood photography, crawfishing and crabbing, and wildlife observations. Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

Housing, Architecture and Historic Preservation

As the neighborhood was developed marshland was drained, backfilled and double- and single-family structures were built. Many of the homes are ranch style and are constructed on grade level concrete slabs. Over the years several estate homes were built with in the neighborhood. The most recent 12 development in the neighborhood was the Oak Island subdivision. The subdivision was developed in two phases.

There are no local, state, or federal Historic Districts designated in the neighborhood.

Images from left to right:

A-C: Typical Single-family Residences

Above: Blighted Properties Pre-Katrina City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Maps at left and below:

A: Federally Assisted Multi-family Housing

B: Managed Multi-family Housing over 50 Units

13 Source: 2002 Renaissance Plan - Villavaso & Associates, LLC Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

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C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Impacts

Extent of Flooding New Orleans. These properties were located north of Dwyer Road. The The Village de L’est neighborhood received majority of the properties south of Chef a significant amount of flood waters. The Menteur were rated with a damage neighborhood was the first to receive the assessment level below 49%. brunt of Katrina’s devastating storm surge. As the surge pushed through the Homes damaged over 50% will have to Mississippi Gulf River outlet into Lake meet the 1984 Base Flood Elevation (BFE) Borgne, the waters easily topped and or be elevated to the Advisory Base Flood breached the levee systems. Many of the Elevation (ABFE) as adopted by the City of homes and structure in the neighborhood New Orleans. received in excess of 6 feet of floodwater. 15 Commercial Properties Wind Damage Damage Assessment

Apart from the flooding of homes, All commercial properties within the Hurricane Katrina’s winds damaged a flooded areas sustained a significant substantial number of homes, in particular amount of flood damage. The commercial the roofing systems. Katrina’s winds also areas primarily run along Chef Menteur uprooted a substantial number of trees on Highway. Because they received a lesser private property, on street rights of ways amount of flooding and they have been and on neutral grounds. This resulted in able to return quicker than the other damage to the streets, curbs, and properties in the neighborhood. sidewalks. The commercial areas listed below sustained substantial flood and wind Damage Assessment damage:

Residential Damage • Versailles Business District Assessment • Ye Ole Village Shopping Center • Samson Plaza Shopping Center Over 50 percent of the residential • Six Flags Amusement Park Images from left-right: properties in the Village de L’est neighborhood were deemed substantially Of the four areas noted, only a portion of A- B: Six Flags Amusement Park- Village damaged according to the Damage the Versailles Business District has de L’Est Assessment Data received from the City of Village de L’Est Neighborhood Elevation Map Source: City of New Orleans - April 2006 reopened. Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

Infrastructure

The infrastructure for the Village de L’est neighborhood was severely damaged.

Telecommunications: The majority of the underground telecommunications lines were damaged due to corrosion from the saltwater. Bellsouth and Cox are currently replacing their copper infrastructure with fiber optic 16 systems.

Power: Entergy has been able to restore 100% of the lighting and power services for the neighborhood. They are continuing to bring service to individual structures on a daily basis.

Water & Sanitary Sewer: The sanitary sewer and water system in the Village de L’est neighborhood received major damage. The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board are identifying and repairing leaks and breaks in the system daily. The lift station and pump stations serving the neighborhood are at 100% capacity. Images from left to right at top: Streets and Storm Sewer: The street system was heavily damaged by A: Home showing Storm Damage not only flood waters but also from the B-C: Infrastructure Damage subsequent from subsidence of compacted fill used to support street surfaces. Map at center: Recovery vehicles and debris contractors City of New Orleans Damage working on streets not designed to hold Assessment Map City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

heavy traffic and equipment also took a Source: 2002 Renaissance Plan - Villavaso & Associates, LLC Police / Fire: toll. Village de L’est does not have a police station within the limits of the Katrina’s debris has also resulted in neighborhood. However the neighborhood clogged street drains and catch basins. is served by the Seventh District Police The neighborhood also faced poor street Station. It is located at 10101 Dwyer conditions and potholes Pre-Katrina. This Boulevard and serves the largest was not only an issue in Village de l’Est but population of all police districts citywide. city wide. The Seventh District Station serves an Signage and Way-Finding: area covering 77,374 acres or 121 square Over 75% of the street signage is missing miles. It has been stated that Eastern 17 within the Village de l’Est neighborhood. New Orleans as a whole needs additional These street signs are critical for way- substations. The Seventh District was finding, reconstruction and for recovery devastated by floodwaters but has since and emergency personnel. received minor renovations. However, there are renovations needed to bring the Most importantly the majority of the stop facility to full operating capacity. signs and traffic signals at key intersections and streets are either missing or damaged The neighborhood is also serviced by the creating a substantial traffic danger and Fourth Fire District Station. One of the six hazard. facilities locations in the Fourth District is within the limits of the Village de l’Est Sidewalks / Pedestrian Circulation: neighborhood. Engine 37 is located at Although the majority of the neighborhood 13400 Chef Menteur Highway. The facility travels by vehicular means, the was damaged due to flood and wind neighborhood residents expressed their damage and is need of major repairs. desire for pedestrian travel. The tree canopies allowed for shaded passageways Images from left to right: and walkable communities. Katrina’s wind Parks and Open Space damaged uprooted trees causing major A: Broken Water Line damage to sidewalk systems. In addition, All of the parks and open space within the B-C: Storm-Damaged Parks and open debris contractors have substantially Village de L’est neighborhood were spaces damaged sidewalks and curb and gutter significantly damaged. In addition the systems as they remove storm related major corridor neutral grounds sustained debris from within the neighborhood. damage to the tree canopy and landscaping. Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

Civic Facilities: (Church and Community Facilities)

All of the civic facilities within the Village de L’est neighborhood were significantly damaged.

Churches served as a vital part of the neighborhood and have continued to do so post Katrina. The Mary Queen of Vietnam Church opened its doors to the community 18 almost immediately upon being able to return to the city. The church has been the meeting place for neighborhood association meetings as well as the site of the only group trailer site in the neighborhood.

The Mary Queen of Vietnam church serves over 6,000 parishioners and serves as the center of the Village de L’est neighborhood. The community is very close knit and rooted culturally in the church.

Schools and Universities

The neighborhood has two schools that service it, Sarah T. Reed High School and Village de L’est Elementary. Both schools were substantially damaged. Post Katrina Sarah T. Reed has reopened as a Grade 9 - 12 High School at its pre-storm location Image top left: and Einstein Charter School (K-8) has opened on the Village de L’est Elementary A: Sara T. Reed High School site. There are no universities within the limits of the Village de l’Est neighborhood. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios

The recovery plan will follow the existing the reconstruction of the neighborhood. To neighborhood urban plan and organization accomplish this goal the following actions with special emphasis on restoring and need to be carried out: enhancing the residential quality of the Village de L’est neighborhood and its retail • Formulate policies and actions for the commercial and civic areas. clean-up and maintenance of the community, both its public realm and the A number of basic assumptions support the private parcels, so as to create an adequate overall neighborhood rebuilding effort. healthy environment that allows for the orderly repopulation of the neighborhood • A flood protection system will be and that projects an image of cleanliness designed to withstand future catastrophic and order needed to further aid community 19 loss from a 1 in 100 year storm and that faith and momentum for the reconstruction this is a commitment by the Federal process. Government; Identify and implement public sector • Stringent building codes will be financed Early Action projects to act as implemented to further limit wind damage; catalysts for neighborhood reconstruction. These include: • That there is an organized, coherent and operable Hurricane Evacuation • Essential public facilities and programs Program; and, identified in the Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and other planning efforts and • That the basic urban structure of the documents. city is sound and that rebuilding will respect the basic urban structure of the • Implementation of key catalytic City. recovery projects to spur commercial development in the Village de L’est The rebuilding scenario is based on the neighborhood and Planning District 10 such • The development of neighborhood • The reconstruction of the water and assumption and fact that the basic urban as the Alcee Fortier Boulevard Renaissance Images at right: parks and open space to turn them into the sewer system by the City of New Orleans structure of the District and the Corridor. It is important to provide community assets Water and Sewerage Board, and its neighborhood is sound and that long term protection of the urban fabric along these A-B: Statistical Data showing: continuous monitoring by the citizens of property values are dependent upon the gateways for the neighborhood as well as • The construction of bike and Village de L’est and District 10; maintenance of the urban pattern and the redevelopment Chef Menteur Highway The change in General Population from pedestrian paths throughout the layout of their neighborhood and through the New Orleans Main Street 1990-2000; neighborhood turning them into the • Reconstruction of the street and community, and that site specific Initiative. The Change in Demographics in New community assets that neighborhood has sidewalk infrastructure damaged by the improvements and strategies are the key to Orleans so desired; flooding, the subsequent repairs to the Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

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Above: Location of Group Trailer Sites and Trailer Locations Above: Permits Issued Post-Katrina

water and sewer lines to reinstall service underway. According to data received from Over a two month period a ground survey As of August 26, 2006, almost 2,700 units to the community post Hurricane Katrina, the City of New Orleans Mayor’s Office of was conducted for Planning Districts 9, 10 are either occupied or under renovation. by the overturned trees that succumbed to Technology over 95% of the structures and 11. The survey indicates that over These numbers show a definite the winds of Hurricane Katrina and theexciting commercial corridor for the area; within the neighborhood have applied for 80% of the Village de L’est neighborhood commitment to repopulation of the damage caused by the weight and action rebuilding permits. is in the process of reconstruction or has neighborhood. of the debris removal machinery and heavy shown a commitment to rebuild and • Development of elderly housing vehicles removing debris from theoptions within Village de L’est; Through the planning process smaller reconstruct. neighborhood. subdivisions and neighborhood associations within Plum Orchard have Over 3,000 residential units or 80% of the Assistance and guidance in undertaking • Providing economic incentives for housing stock has been gutted within the the redevelopment of major land parcels been meeting to discuss recovery related key district-wide projects such as: issues and visions. Pre-Katrina Village de l’Est neighborhood as of August along Interstate 10 Service Road and the Neighborhood Repopulation demographic information illustrated growth 26, 2006. “Cummings Tract”. • The Versailles Business District trends in Eastern New Orleans. From 1990 Corridor to take advantage of a unique The neighborhood repopulation process in to 2000 the total population increased by Village de L’est has a total housing stock opportunity to create a vibrant and Village de L’est appears to be well 5.75% while the city as a whole decreased of approximately 3,800 residential units. by (2.5%). City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan

The Village de L’est Neighborhood • Encourage the creation of districts that Recovery Plan proposes to revitalize based have a recognizable identity and clustered on a series of strategic initiatives that have development of compatible land uses. been identified by the Eastern New Orleans Planning Districts 9, 10, and 11. Strategic Initiative No. 3: Strategic Initiative No. 1: Utilize, revitalize, and maintain the Promote efficient, long term growth urban areas of Eastern New Orleans within Eastern New Orleans. while strengthening the economic capacity and quality of life in Eastern • Establish boundaries for areas that are New Orleans. available for intense development activity 21 compared to those areas that require • Utilize the area surrounding major sensitive development as a result of amenities to spur quality, dynamic floodplains and wetlands. economic development, including the proposed “Eastern New Orleans Town • Develop a Main Street Corridor along Centre”, the medical facilities, restoration Chef Menteur Highway, yet still depend on of Lincoln Beach, and a potential Regional the commercial core of the proposed Airport. “Eastern New Orleans Town Centre” for specialty services. The Chef Menteur Main • Enhance existing neighborhoods, Street Initiative will focus on neighborhood subdivisions and commercial areas. commercial revitalization through economic restructuring, promotion, design and • Encourage infill development within organization. the existing urbanized area, including demolition and rehabilitation of substandard structures and Strategic Initiative No. 2: underdeveloped property. Maintain a balanced yet diverse and Images at top from left to right: dynamic pattern of land uses that maintain a quality of life in Eastern Strategic Initiative No. 4: A-C: Signs of storm damage New Orleans. Develop and implement suitable zoning classifications which reduce Rendering: Revitalized Landscaped • Encourage the development of the concentrations of multi-family median throughout the compatible land uses, avoiding mixtures of residential. neighborhoods - Initiative #2 incompatible uses in close proximity to each other. Current zoning has allowed for mass Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

Images at center:

Examples of Low-Density Condominiums- Initiative #4

At left: Single-Family Residential

concentration of subsidized housing in LOT NEXT DOOR single development sites. It has clearly been expressed that there is no opposition The principal thrust of redevelopment to affordable or subsidized housing but programs and policies that encourage the opposition to high density concentrations speedy redevelopment of neighborhoods at such sites. With the newly formed RM- must match various government powers 2E multi-family district a variety of low to and financing tools to the local housing medium density will be able to be and real estate market conditions. A key developed in a way that is compatible to question will be how to most effectively the surrounding single family encourage the redevelopment of homes neighborhoods. and residential lots that fall into public 22 ownership. Current density regulations would be capped at sixteen (16) units per gross acre. The “Lot Next Door” program is one of a Design standards would allow for series of proposed housing policies which articulation of building facades, clearly have been developed as part of the defined pedestrian paths, lush landscaping, Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and takes courtyards, planting areas, articulated roof direct aim at some particular market lines, and restrictions on blank walls facing hurdles that slow the redevelopment of streets or public open spaces. many of these properties.

In its simplest form the Lot Next Door Strategic Initiative No. 5: Develop program will offer homeowners who are and implement policies, regulations, committed to redeveloping their homes, and processes that represent the the ability to purchase publicly owned vision of each neighborhood. adjoining properties prior to these The Village de L’est Neighborhood Strategic Initiative No. 6: Implement properties being offered to any other There is no better individual or group to associations should meet bi-monthly with Housing Recovery Initiatives. buyers. ensure that the recovery of a community or their residents and monthly with elected neighborhood is fairly represented than the officials, the business community, the New A number of housing initiatives are This option would be provided should the neighborhood itself. It is recommended Orleans East Economic Development proposed as part of the Neighborhoods property end up in public ownership either that an advisory board be created with Foundation (NOEEDF), and neighborhood Rebuilding Plan and are presented in the through the adjudication process or representation from each of the associations outside the neighborhood to overall policy element of the plan and through the sale of the property to a neighborhood associations within Village review, comment on and update the issued under separate cover. Below is a public entity through the Road Home or de l’Est to ensure that the Recovery Plan recovery plans. summary of these policies. other public acquisition program. continues to incorporate the needs and requests of the community. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

ELDERLY MODERATE INCOME housing product type for people with While the Lot Next Door program provides • Recycle second generation proceeds CONDOMINIUM ROAD HOME TIE-IN physical frailties. one method for recycling lots in the from higher income neighborhood property market, there are going to be numerous sales to properties in neighborhoods where It has become quite apparent through the Elderly homeowners are clearly a special lots that are not acquired by next door values are lower. This will ensure that neighborhood planning process is that group with specific needs, and currently neighbors that are going to have to be sold more housing redevelopment dollars will senior households which have some of the there are no programs targeted to this to third party purchasers. follow to low-income areas than could strongest ties to the community and have subgroup of homeowners. otherwise have be imagined prior to expressed some of the strongest voices for Assuming that there are few new Katrina. rebuilding and returning to the City, also A targeted elderly homeowner program is regulations associated with developing face some of the most significant needed which will allow elderly households housing (i.e., some requirement that • Sell adjacent lots and blocks of lots in challenges in redeveloping or rebuilding to tie their Road Home grant to senior certain units must be homeownership vs. public ownership to experienced for-profit their homes. specific elevator multi-story condominium rental) it is likely that the value placed on and not-for-profit developers when not 23 projects to be developed throughout the many properties for sale will determine purchased through the Lot Next Door First, there are many areas of the City that City. how quickly that property will be rebuilt for program. had a high concentration of elderly housing. homeowners (Lower Ninth, Pontchartrain There has been wide support for dedicated • Re-sell properties at fair market value Park, and Lakeview) which sustained multi-family senior housing product in Additionally, and realistically, there are a and reduce price of lots only when very substantial damage and which will require many parts of the City, but particularly in variety of neighborhoods throughout the specific policy objectives are being met, the demolition and reconstruction of many areas where younger homeowners have City where reducing the cost of a lot or such as providing for mixed-income homes. aging parents living nearby. In some cases, unit to essentially zero will not be enough housing in a neighborhood. there may be a need to increase the grant to ensure the redevelopment of the Historically, the challenges of dealing with amount or provide a low interest loan to property. These are generally those contractors, permit inspectors, lenders, etc. the household if there is a gap between the neighborhoods prior to Hurricane Katrina Strategic Initiative No. 7: has proven particularly difficult for many value of the buyout (and insurance where land values were quite low and Identify and Promote Early Action elderly households after they have proceeds) and the market value price of the homes were not built unless there was Projects experienced similar trauma. condominium unit. significant targeted public assistance related to construction. There were several key early action Additionally, there are a substantial number USE OF SECOND GENERATION FUNDS AND projects that the residents of Village de of areas of the City including Lakeview, EXPANSION OF HOME PURCHASER Given the different market factors l’Est would like to see. Those projects are areas of Gentilly, where rebuilding homes ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS influencing the redevelopment of housing as follows: with damage in excess of 50 percent will in different neighborhoods, there are a require the total reconstruction at three One of the principal issues that has come variety of strategies that will have to be • Repair neighborhood infrastructure feet above grade or the Base Flood up repeatedly in neighborhood meetings is employed with regard to the sale of lots inclusive of major arterial streets and Elevations, whichever is greater. how properties that end up in public acquired through the acquisition program roadways; ownership either through the adjudication on the open market. These strategies Many of these homes will have to be raised or buy back process are going to be resold include the following. • Beautification of the medians along close to one story making them a difficult in the marketplace. Interstate 10 and the interchanges at Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

At right:

The Projects List for the Plum Orchard Neighborhood

Michoud Boulevard as well as along Chef Menteur Highway at Michoud Boulevard and Alcee Fortier Boulevard

• Designation and implementation of the proposed RM-2E zoning district for multi-family sites adjacent to the neighborhood;

• Restoration of neighborhood services such as grocery stores, banks, gas and 24 service stations, as well as pharmacies and drug stores;

• Designation of urban design corridors along Alcee Fortier Boulevard which will control landscaping, signage, building façade articulation, setback requirements, right-of-way, parking requirements, pedestrian interaction, and median enhancements;

• Economic Development of sites as listed in Strategic Initiative No. 8 below.

Strategic Initiative No. 8: Promote and Monitor the Implementation of Key Recovery/ Redevelopment Parcels and Projects

Projects specific to the Village de l’Est Neighborhood are indicated on the Projects Diagram to the right. Others include:

• Conduct an economic development and City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

comprehensive study for the Land Use and Zoning redevelopment of the Versailles Business District. Policies should encourage the:

• Conduct an economic development and • Creation of a multifamily design comprehensive study for the future development district (RM-2E) to replace all development of the land parcel located at MF-3 districts in Eastern New Orleans Interstate 510 and Paris Road; allowing for better design control, code enforcement, and balance of density; • Conduct an economic development and comprehensive study for the future • Creation of Renaissance (urban design) development of entertainment districts Corridors along Alcee Fortier Boulevard; 25 along Interstate 10 and Paris Road; • Development of a Main Street Corridor • Conduct an economic development and along Chef Menteur Highway. The Chef comprehensive study for the future Menteur Main Street Initiative will focus development of the site; on neighborhood commercial revitalization through economic restructuring, • Development of senior housing promotion, design and organization. community on 28-acre site along Dwyer Road. The housing community program includes a child day care center, new Environmental & Solid Waste church and parking lot, three housing buildings, independent living assisted living One major project deemed important by skilled care facility, a chapel, rectory raised residents is the closing of the Chef boardwalk allowing views of wet-lands, a Menteur Landfill, which the neighborhood cultural center, and vegetable garden. believes causes a major environmental and health hazard for residents and serves as a tremendous barrier for future development and land value enhancement in all Eastern New Orleans.

Images: The neighborhood believes that if the Chef Menteur Landfill continues to At left: Proposals for Bus lanes and stops operate, the neighborhood residents will (before -upper image and after - lower face the same fate as those living near the image) Agriculture Street Landfill in the 9th Ward Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

Images from left to right:

A: Canoeing in Bayou Sauvage B: Proposed Pedestrian pathways along Dwyer Canal C: Six Flags - New Orleans

of the City with significant proven • Support the redevelopment of the Six • Extension of Lamb Road to provide and the architectural character of the no hospitals within the neighborhood, there environmental hazards rendering the Flags property as a major entertainment contiguous stretch between Hayne housing stock. were several doctors’ offices that were surrounding residential areas essentially attraction for the area with enhanced retail Boulevard and Morrison Road; damaged and which have not been re- uninhabitable. and regional entertainment elements established. It is requested by the including Water Park and other related • Extension of Dwyer Road between Utilities and Municipal Services community that the two hospitals within the water features. Interstate 510 and Toulan; planning district be not only renovated but Parks and Open Space and As Village de L’est recovers in the re-designed to become potential medical Landscape Architecture • Pedestrian Bridges creating linkage rebuilding process it is essential that and teaching facilities. Transportation and Public Transit between proposed housing community and utilities and municipal services are Projects should include the: retail commercial corridor at Chef Menteur addressed immediately. Traffic signals and The development of community facilities in The recovery transportation strategies and Highway. signs as well as street signage need to be this neighborhood is going to be a critical 26 • Creation of new neighborhood parks in planning objectives mimic those of the addressed immediately as they are critical part of the recovery process. As individuals Oak Island I and Oak Island II; 2004 New Orleans East Renaissance Plan. Public Transit improvements are as to be to way finding not only for residents of the deal with the daily stress of rebuilding, Key major transportation projects include: proposed by the Regional Transit Authority. Village de L’est neighborhood but to the community facilities will be able to provide • Create a linear park along Michoud recovery contractors working in the area. not only a venue for critical recovery Bayou; • Repair and improve mobility of the key information, but also a recreational venue thoroughfares and enhance the existing There is one fire station and no police for children and adults alike. • Provide tree enhancements along major street infrastructure; Housing Architecture and Historic stations within the neighborhood. It is the north/south thoroughfares such as: Preservation community’s request to provide an Although not located directly within the Michoud Boulevard and Alcee Fortier • Promotion of pedestrian and bicycle additional police station to support the Village de l’Est neighborhood it has been Boulevard; pathways along Dwyer Road; The Village de L’est neighborhood is neighborhood. requested that Joe Brown Memorial Park as comprised of a mixture of single-family well as the Louisiana Nature and Science • Provide tree enhancements along major • Investigation of the potential for detached, doubles, and multi-family homes Although there are no libraries directly Center be renovated and opened to the east/west thoroughfares such as: affordable rapid mass transit between and apartment complexes. It is the desire within the Village de l’Est neighborhood it is public. These two locations were a critical Lake Forest Boulevard and Dwyer Road; Baton Rouge, Louis Armstrong of the neighborhood to maintain and strongly desired that the New Orleans East support structure for the Village de l’Est International Airport, the New Orleans enhance the structure of the single family Public Library located in Read Boulevard neighborhood. • Provide neighborhood identification signs Central Business District (CBD), and detached residential neighborhoods and East be renovated and opened to the public at entrances to all neighborhoods and Eastern New Orleans; encourage the multi-family complexes to as soon as possible. In addition a new cultural center serving subdivisions; the locations to be rebuild under the proposed RM-2E District. the Vietnamese community would be part determined by active neighborhood • Addition of benches and pedestrian of the Senior Housing community associations; lighting along designated pedestrian Due to the mix of residential zoning Human Services and Community mentioned above. routes; throughout the Village de L’est Facilities • Restoration of Bayou Savage Wildlife neighborhood, all of the housing programs Refuge allowing for the regeneration of one • An economic development and listed above are applicable as the Throughout the neighborhood planning of the most significant tourist attractions comprehensive study for an alternative site neighborhood recovery. It is recommended process it became evident that healthcare for the City of New Orleans; location for a Regional Airport; that neighborhood associations draft was the primary concerns for the residents covenants that will maintain the integrity of the neighborhood. Although there are City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

F. Neighborhood Initiatives

Vietnamese Community History and Initaitives

In 1975, hundreds of thousands of very close-knit community that is rooted in Vietnamese fled their homeland of Vietnam, culture and the church. a country ravaged by relentless war. Following the war, the New Orleans In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the city of Archbishop, Philip Hannan, traveled to New Orleans. The storm destroyed the city’s refugee camps in the United States and levees causing massive flooding in the invited the Vietnamese and their priests to adjacent communities. As the water level move to New Orleans. began to rise in New Orleans East and seep into homes, those Vietnamese families who rode out the hurricane took care of each The Vietnamese people followed their 27 priests and established the first Vietnamese other. community in New Orleans. The Vietnamese population grouped in four When the area had to be evacuated, the communities: Avondale, Marrero, Versailles, community left together. Five months after and Woodlawn. Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans East, families returned to rebuild In 1980, all Vietnamese and Southeast their community. Houses have been gutted, Asian Catholics were established as a mold has been cleaned, and roofs have personal parish. Six years later the Mary been replaced. The people are committed Queen of Vietnam Church was built. In to restoring their community to what it once 2000, the Vietnamese personal parish was. divided into two parishes: Mary Queen of Vietnam for the east bank of the Mississippi Recently a group of architects, design River and St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh for the professionals, civil engineers, and housing west bank. developers came together to create concepts for the development of new Today, the Mary Queen of Vietnam church community housing and the revitalization of serves over six thousand parishioners and the Versailles business district. Three focus has become the center of the New Orleans groups – seniors, business owners, and East community. The Vietnamese refugees youth – were formed to discuss their ideas who had lost everything during the war for improvement. arrived in Louisiana with only their family and their faith. As a result, the Vietnamese The following diagrams and renderings on people in New Orleans East have formed a pages 27-32 are the products of this initiative by the community. Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

28 City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Rendering on this and the preceding page:

A Community Proposal for the Redevelopment of the Versailles Business District.

29 Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

Rendering at left and next two pages:

Development of senior housing community on 28 acre site along Dwyer Road.

The housing community program includes a child day care center, new church and parking lot, three housing buildings, independent living assisted living skilled care facility, a chapel and a rectory, raised boardwalk allowing views of wet- lands, a cultural center, and A vegetable garden.

30

Site Plan Scale: 1”=60’ City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

31 Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

32 City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

G. Implementation and Funding Strategies

Funding Matrix obtain these funds will rest with the City of to determine the actual cost to New Orleans and neighborhood groups and governmental entities for certain public/private initiatives (for which we The connection between the advisory committees. have noted the cost of the study); Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and the potential funding sources is graphically Each matrix matches proposed projects • Housing initiatives for which there represented by the Implementation Priority with potential funding sources identified may be dollars already allocated through Matrix. The costs analyses are provided on through the planning process and while not the Road Home, LIHTC, private funding an order-of-magnitude basis as to the exhaustive in its scope, it serves as a guide sources, or other sources but where the scope and magnitude of the project to where funds could originate. additional gap in funding is impossible to proposed and the investment required to Substantial financial commitments by determine at this point; construct it. As such, variations as to the federal and state entities are a vital scope of the project could result in ingredient in the recovery effort and will 33 • Other policies, including land use variations on the final cost of construction. provide the necessary economic infrastructure to attract the private and zoning regulations, which the community believed to be in the short and In the process of cost analyses, investment required to create stable and long term interest of the community; and, consultations were carried out with the City vibrant communities. of New Orleans Public Works Department to • Recurring operations (i.e., identify general cost guidelines typically Each funding matrix, based upon expanded police patrols, library used for the calculation of street consultation with neighborhood residents operations, park operations, etc.) that improvements and reconstruction; other through the community meeting process, either tie to certain capital improvements sources of cost identification included the also ranked projects based upon priority of or are important to the health of the Means Cost Data and our team’s need with regard to recovery: “Early community through the expansion of professional experience inside and outside Action/Critical”; “Mid-Term/Needed”; and existing services. New Orleans. “Long Term/Desired”. This ranking provides a general guide as to what No single source of funding or financial communities believe are the most plan will be capable of dealing with the important priorities with regard to capital improvement needs for total revitalization and redevelopment. redevelopment and reconstruction of all the neighborhood projects and needs. Finally, there are a variety of items or initiatives listed on the funding matrix However, the funding matrix included in where a capital cost can not be attached or this report shows different funding sources determined without further study, but the that could be made available for specific community believed needed to be a central projects and it should be expected that part of the plan. These include: layering of multiple sources of funding will be required in most cases. The ability to • Undertaking specific further studies Village de L’Est Neighborhood, Planning District Ten

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