Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood Planning District 11 Rebuilding Plan Introduction Table of Contents Approximately 100 days after Hurricane Katrina Planning District 11 is the subject of the Acknowledgements A. Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine struck, Motion M-05-592 was unanimously following report. Neighborhood 3 passed by the City Council of New Orleans. This With grateful appreciation the planning team would Location and History 3 motion ensured that community-based, Basic assumptions also formed the basis for like to thank all the residents of District 11 who Recovery Vision and Goals 4 neighborhood-by-neighborhood planning would the Planning District 11 Recovery Plan: participated in this planning process and without Planning Process and be central to decisions associated with the whose participation this plan would not be Neighborhood Participation 5 recovery of the most devastated areas of New 1) That a flood protection system will be possible. Planning Efforts Pre-Hurricane Katrina 6 Orleans. The City Council was adamant that the designed to withstand future catastrophic people most impacted by the storm would play loss from a 1 in 100 year storm and that this B. Pre-Katrina Neighborhood Existing a central role in defining the future of their is a commitment by the Federal Government; Project Directory Conditions 7 communities. Overall, 47 of the 73 Land Use and Zoning 7 neighborhoods delineated by the City’s Planning 2) That stringent building codes will be City of New Orleans Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile 8 Commission have had plans prepared as part of implemented to further limit wind damage; C. Ray Nagin, Mayor Recreation and Open Space 10 this process. Roadway Hierarchy and Jurisdiction 10 3) That the basic urban structure of the city New Orleans City Council Housing, Architecture and The City Council charged a team of consultants is sound and that rebuilding will respect this Historic Preservation 11 overseen by Lambert Advisory & SHEDO with structure; Oliver M. Thomas, President assisting neighborhoods flooded by Hurricane Arnie Fielkow, Vice-President C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Katrina in developing revitalization plans that 4)That there is an organized, coherent and Shelley Midura, District A Impacts 13 are thoughtful and can be implemented, for operable Hurricane Evacuation Program. Stacy S. Head, District B Extent of Flooding 13 incorporation into a citywide recovery and James Carter, District C Damage Assessment improvement plan to be submitted to the State Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District D Residential Damage Assessment 13 of Louisiana and federal funding agencies. This Cynthia Willard-Lewis, District E Commercial Damage Assessment 13 document is one of forty-two (42) Infrastructure Damage Assessment 13 neighborhood plans that meet that mandate. Project Management Parks and Open Space Damage Assessment 14 Lambert Advisory, LLC Community Facilities 14 Paul Lambert 2 Civic Facilities 14 Schools and Universities 14 SHEDO, LLC Shelia Danzey D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios 15 Neighborhood Re-population 16 Overall Planning Consultant
E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan 17 Bermello-Ajamil & Partners, Inc. Strategic Initiatives 17 Alfredo C. Sanchez, AIA, AICP Plan Elements Key Recovery and Development Projects 19 Hewitt-Washington, Inc. Land Use and Zoning 20 Lonnie Hewitt, AIA Transportation and Public Transit 20 Parks, Open Space and Neighborhood Planner Landscape Architecture 20 St. Martin - Brown & Associates, LLP Housing, Architecture and Joseph St. Martin Historic Preservation 20 Deron Brown Utilities and Municipal Services 20 Human Services and Community Facilities 20
F. Implementation and Funding Strategies 21
Cover Images left to right: A: Fort Pike Aerial B: Snowy Egret C: Point aux Herbes City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
Below: Aerial Map of Viavant/Venetian Isles
A. Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood
Location and History
The Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine Neighborhood is located in Planning District Eleven. Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine includes the largest tract of predominantly uninhabited land in the City of New Orleans
The boundaries of Viavant / Venetian Isles / and Lake Catherine are the Industrial Canal and US Highway 11 to the west, Chef 3 Menteur Highway (US 90) and Lake Pontchartrain to the north, Orleans / St.Tammany Parish line to the east and the Intercoastal waterway /St. Bernard Parish line to the south.
Venetian Isle was originally owned by Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent and later by several prominent New Orleans families including the Lafon and Michoud families. The area east of Paris Road is referred to as Venetian Isles while the area west of Paris road is referred to as Viavant because the major landowners were the Viavant Family. The Lake Catherine neighborhood is located in the far eastern part of Planning District 11 adjacent to Bayou Savage and is surrounded by Lake Borgne and Lake St. Catherine.
The Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine areas are located outside of the City's levee protection system.
This area is unique as it serves as the Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
Images from left to right:
A: Venetian Isles Welcome Sign B: View Across Chef Menteur Pass
4 home to some of New Orleans most notable Vision the use of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet redevelopment of its original "fishing camp" landmarks and major employers: (MRGO) channel given the desire of area style; The vision of the Neighborhood Recovery residents to see the channel closed. · Fort Pike State Park; Plan is to restore the quality of life in · Recover, expand, and design beautiful · Fort Macomb State Park, Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine to open spaces and parks; · Rigolets Lighthouse, the level that existed prior to Hurricane Neighborhood Recovery Goals · Folgers Coffee Plant; and Katrina plus make key improvements to the · Promote restoration of critical coastal · Lockheed Martin's NASA's Michoud quality of life in the neighborhood. The The recovery plan is to be used as a tool for wetlands and habitats that serve as buffers Assembly Facility neighborhood wants to continue to the community to achieve goals that ensure for Orleans Parish communities and maintain its quaint character while that the character Viavant / Venetian Isles / infrastructure; Many of the neighborhood's assets were enhancing the day-to-day quality of life for Lake Catherine is preserved. The plan will greatly devastated due to the flood waters neighborhood residents and encouraging provide a list of projects to be implemented · Restore and enhance the ability of the and catastrophic winds caused by Hurricane growth in property values. in the early, mid, and long term recovery area to attract major businesses in Katrina. However Folgers and NASA's phases. appropriately designated areas. Michoud, two of the major employers in the While not related to the residential areas of City, are currently operating. Planning District 11, local residents and The projects identified shall serve as business owners are also committed to catalyst for the rebuilding of the insuring the long term health and viability community. The goal for the Recovery Plan Recovery Vision and Goals of the major employers in the Planning is to carefully identify projects that can be District and particularly to the continued leveraged to benefit the community as a The Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan provides a buildout and development of the New whole such as: vision and framework for physical improvements, Orleans Regional Business Park (NORBP). economic sustainability and community · Maintain and enhance the character of enhancements for the Viavant / Venetian Isles / The buildout of NORBP however, should Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine Lake Catherine Neighborhood. proceed in a fashion which does not require providing opportunities for the City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
Planning Process and The initial meetings began with a group of By focusing on the facts generated from Neighborhood Participation 12 individuals and eventually grew into a the data collected, community members planning discussion involving over 2500 were able to refocus their personal opinion The Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake residents of the district. The community on how the neighborhood as a whole Catherine neighborhood consist of two began a planning process that allowed the would heal. The design teams evaluated neighborhood associations and the New residents, business owners, and other the data and presented recommendations Orleans Business Industrial District. stakeholders to determine how their in a series of open district planning Immediately after Hurricane Katrina and community should return. meetings. before the flood waters receded the records of the Property Owners and Business Design teams were created to help the The larger community meeting or charrette Associations were retrieved. NORBP association leaders understand the basic allowed individual community members to conducted a meeting in Baton Rouge to planning principles in developing recovery identify issues, opportunities, liabilities and 5 organize and create a network of plans for their neighborhoods. Association assets in their neighborhoods. In addition, associations to discuss the rebuilding leads took the information gathered at the the district planning meetings were used to process in Eastern New Orleans. These weekly district meetings into their inform residents of the recovery process meetings would prove to have great individual bi-weekly or monthly association and to provide information from local, state significance in the recovery of Eastern New meetings. and federal agencies involved in the Orleans. recovery of New Orleans. The neighborhood and district meetings Initial planning recommendations by a became a conduit for information pertinent Forums were conducted to allow individual variety of entities for the City of New for the community's return to be shared. community members the opportunity to get Orleans suggested that the majority of Community members began to work answers to questions pertinent to their Eastern New Orleans should become "green together to organize clean up efforts, return home. Surveys were used as tools to space" thereby significantly shrinking the debris removal, and to have services gauge the return intentions of residence footprint of the city. Members of Eastern restored. and business owners displaced throughout New Orleans who had lost the majority of the country. their possessions and even some of their The Community Design Team was made up loved ones were now given the task of of residents, business owners, property The planning process allowed the "proving their viability". owners, community based organizations, community to develop projects and target city support services, and elected officials. areas. The data collected and existing In early January, the leaders of the area's plans prepared Pre-Katrina for the known associations began meeting at the The purpose of the design team was to community were used to help set priorities Eastover Country Club temporary trailer analyze data, provide neighborhood for the projects identified by the Images from left to right: with planners, architects and statisticians history, identify neighborhood patterns, neighborhoods. to discuss the recovery process for the and to define the characteristics of the A: Digram of the Planning Process community. neighborhoods. B-C: General Neighborhood Meetings Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
Image left:
New Orleans East Rennaisance Zoning Plan 2002.
Planning Efforts Pre-Hurricane Planning Districts 9, 10 and 11. The New Katrina Orleans East Renaissance Plan, published area by the Renaissance Plan included the are attractive to business, residents and in June 2004 served as a comprehensive, following; visitors while also providing adequate and In 1994, the City Planning Commission strategic framework for future development safe access to neighborhoods and other decisions that attracted new projects, 6 adopted the Local Renaissance District · Land Use: New Orleans East shall be a area amenities. Administration Policy enabling residents to maximized present and future capital community of balanced and responsible take a more active role in the city planning improvement resources, balanced growth, growth that protects its resources and · Utilities and Infrastructure: New process with regard to revitalizing their economic development and the quality of promotes sensible development. Orleans East will have a quality, cost neighborhoods. This paved the way for life for the citizens of Eastern New Orleans. effective and environmentally responsible neighborhood groups to work with planners The Renaissance Plan allowed for all · Environment: New Orleans East shall infrastructure system designed in and the Planning Commission staff to draft citizens to participate and to be protect its valuable natural resources and coordination with desired growth patterns. a Strategic Neighborhood Renaissance Plan represented throughout the process. minimize any impacts existing and new which would then be considered for development will have on the environment. · Housing: New Orleans East will provide adoption by the City Council and the City The New Orleans East Renaissance Plan was a variety of housing to area residents in a Planning Commission. developed using information gathered from · Economic Development: New Orleans manner that protects sensitive areas, holds an intense citizen participation process East shall be a thriving economic and housing to the same high standards, By involving residents as major through a series of public meetings and industrial hub for the City of New Orleans creates dynamic neighborhoods, promotes stakeholders, such plans would be more interviews with community stakeholders and with a quality skilled workforce while affordability, and appreciates rural and practical and relevant in dealing with key leaders. Neighborhood groups such as exploring other economic development urban character. neighborhood problems. The City Council's homeowners associations and faith-based opportunities for expanded employment role became limited to the adoption of the groups provided vital information for and revenue base. · Facilities and Education: New Orleans plan, the enforcement of any regulatory developing the Plan. Their input adequately East will be known for coordination of adjustments to the plan, and in assisting addressed neighborhood issues and, in turn, · Park Recreation, and Open Space: New resources and quality facilities to meet and the residents in monitoring the plan. represented the concerns and future vision Orleans East shall have an abundance of exceed area educational needs. of the citizens of Eastern New Orleans. quality parks and open spaces that are On April 15, 1999, the New Orleans East interconnected by a pedestrian network · Safety and Clean-up: New Orleans East Economic Development Foundation The New Orleans East Renaissance Plan and protects the area's natural features. will be known for its coordination of highly also committed to long-term consistency (NOEEDF) and the New Orleans East regarded services to meet and exceed the Image left: Business Association (NOEBA) requested with the New Century New Orleans Master · Transportation: New Orleans East shall areas health, safety and welfare needs. Plan and all of its completed elements. the initiation of a Local Renaissance have strong transportation linkages that Zoning Maps 10 & 11B District for New Orleans East, specifically Key community goals established for the City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Existing Conditions
Land Use and Zoning The 7,000-acre NORBP which houses some of the largest employers in the City Over 77% of Planning District 11 is including Folgers, Bollinger Shipyards, designated as wetland, 17.1% as parkland among others is a unique asset for the and only 3.5% as residential use with 3.2% City. However, the condition of the roads being classified as Residential-Marine. The and infrastructure in the area has created areas south of Chef Menteur Highway challenges associated with attracting new better known as "NORBP" serve as the New development/users. Yet, despite these New Orleans Neighborhood Rebuilding Plan - Land Use (Above) Orleans Business Industrial District. challenges, ten new businesses located in New Orleans Neighborhood Rebuilding Plan - Zoning (Below) the Park in the year immediately Source: City Of New Orleans 1999 Land Use Plan preceding Katrina. 7 Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
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Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile
Age Distribution Mobility and Transportation
Based on the 2000 Census information, The Vivant / Venetian Isles/ Lake Catherine individuals between the ages of 18-34 neighborhoods are primarily accessed via years represented the largest percentage of US highway 90. Those traveling to visit the neighborhood at 21.7% for the Viavant such attractions as Bayou Savage, Fort Pike / Venetian Isles neighborhood and the ages and Fort Macomb, access the area via of 50-64 years represented the largest Interstate 10, US 90 or US Highway 11. percentage of the neighborhood at 28.4% Due to its location, individuals living in Lake for the Lake Catherine neighborhood. Catherine tend to travel by car, truck, or Source: U.S. Census 2000; the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center at http://gnocdc.org/orleans/ City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
van. However more than 23% of the residents of Vivant / Venetian Isles utilize public transportation.
The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet which has garnered much of the blame for the devastation of Eastern New Orleans and the City of New Orleans as a whole was once an active shipping channel supporting several port tenants and industries. However over the years the shipping channel has been utilized at a diminishing 9 rate and many residents of the City view its closure as a major measure of significantly enhanced storm-surge protection for the eastern areas of the City.
Household Income Distribution
The average household income for the Vivant / Venetian Isles neighborhood ($20,595) is much lower than Lake Catherine ($54,763). This large difference is directly proportional to the 72.4% renters demographic for Vivant / Venetian Isles and 90.2% owner occupied classification for Lake Catherine.
Images from top to bottom:
A: Percent Change in Average Income B: Median Family Income 10 & 11B Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
Images from left to right:
A: Fort Macomb B: Fort Pike C: Pedestrian Pathway atop the Levee D: Snowy Egret at Bayou Sauvage
Recreation and Open Space Bayou Savage also offers the National Wildlife Refuge Bike Pathway. The 9-mile The Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake bike path runs mostly atop the levee along Catherine Neighborhood is known primarily Lake Pontchartrain and begins near the for its historic Fort Pike and Fort Macomb, junction of I-10 and US 11. While on the and for the federally recognized Bayou path, riders are afforded the opportunity to Savage Wildlife Refuge. see the habitat of both the protected marsh and Lake Pontchartrain. Views offer sites The Fort Pike (125 acres) and Fort Macomb of egrets, herons, gulls and the Louisiana (10 acres) State Parks were two forts built pelican. in the 1800's to serve as a defense system 10 to protect the navigational channels into New Orleans. Over the years Fort Macomb Roadway Hierarchy and fell into disrepair but Fort Pike was Jurisdiction preserved by the Louisiana Office of State Parks and was opened to the public for The roadway system of the Viavant / Venetian visitation prior to the storm. Isles / Lake Catherine neighborhood is dominated by Federal and State highways. Bayou Savage, with almost 23,000 acres of Interstate 10, US Highway 90 and US Highway which 13,000 acres are freshwater marsh and 11 are the primary east/west and north/south 400 acres are bottomland, attracted roads. All other streets are under jurisdiction of approximately 400,000 visitors annually. Visitors the City of New Orleans. Interstate 510/Paris have the options of walking trails, fishing, bird- Road acts as a bisector between Vivant and watching, canoeing, photography, crawfishing Venetian Isles. and crabbing, and wildlife observations. There are two residential subdivisions The refuge was established to enhance the within Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake population of migratory, shore and wading Catherine. Access to these areas are birds, to encourage natural diversity of fish gained from US Highway. and wildlife species, to protect endangered and threatened plant and animal species, to provide scientific research and environmental education, and to provide opportunities for fishing and wildlife recreation. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
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Housing, Architecture and for not only citizens of New Orleans, but Historic Preservation national visitors throughout the United States as well. The housing typologies of Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine originally The Rigolets Lighthouse located across consisted of small and large wooden from Fort Pike served as a lighthouse to houses on stilts. As development facilitate ships passing between Lake increased, builders utilized more suburban Borgne and Lake Pontchartrain. The building materials such as brick and stucco. lighthouse was constructed in 1831 and Traditionally, the homes are two stories remained active until 1861. In 1945 the with the living area on the second floor and lighthouse was abandoned and replaced storage, garage and non-essential living with an electric light nearby. It is now space on the first floor. privately owned and was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. There are several trailer camps along US Highway 90. A map showing the location of these camp sites can be found on page 16.
There are three local, state, or federal Historic Districts designated in the neighborhood. Fort Pike, Fort Macomb and Bayou Sauvage serve as major attractions Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
12 City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Impacts
Extent of Flooding Commercial Properties Damage The Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine neighborhood received a All commercial properties within the significant amount of flood waters. The flooded areas sustained a significant storm surge was estimated to be over 20 amount of flood damage. Many of the feet at some points. Many of the business in the NORBP have not yet businesses and homes were completely returned. However, both the NASA submerged and rendered uninhabitable by Michoud Plant and Folgers worked the storm surge. Many structures were aggressively to reopen immediately after reduced to splinters. Above: Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood Flood Damage the storm (NASA's plant was actually Map showing inundated areas of the neighborhoood (above). protected by an internal levee system that 13 Wind Damage Source: City of New Orleans - April 2006 mitigated significant damage) and were able to re-open within two months of Hurricane Katrina's winds damaged roofing Katrina. systems and uprooted a substantial number of trees on private property, street rights of way and neutral grounds. This Infrastructure resulted in damage to the streets, curbs, and related systems. The infrastructure for the Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine neighborhood was severely damaged. Damage Assessment Residential Damage Telecommunications:
Over 40 percent of the residential The majority of the aboveground and properties in the Viavant / Venetian Isles / underground telecommunications lines Lake Catherine neighborhood were deemed were damaged due to corrosion from the substantially damaged according to the saltwater and wind damage. Bellsouth Damage Assessment Data received from and Cox are currently replacing their the City of New Orleans. copper infrastructure with fiber optic systems. Image at top: Damaged boats fill the shipping channel leading to Homes damaged over 50% will have to Power: Venetian Isles meet the 1984 Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or be elevated to the Advisory Base Flood Energy has been able to restore 85% of the Image at center: Debris-laden tree in the Elevation (ABFE) as adopted by the City of lighting and power services for the Bayou Savage New Orleans. neighborhood. They are continuing to bring Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
service to individual structures on a daily Most importantly the majority of the stop limits of the Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake basis. signs and traffic signals at key intersections Catherine neighborhood. Engine 31 is and streets are either missing or damaged located at 4300 Alba Road. The facility was Water & Sanitary Sewer: creating a substantial traffic danger and damaged due to flood and wind damage hazard. and is in need of major repairs. There are The sanitary sewer and water system in some areas of the district that have a more the Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Sidewalks / Pedestrian Circulation: than 10-minute response time. Catherine neighborhood received major damage. The New Orleans Sewerage and Due to the generally exurban nature of the Water Board are identifying and repairing residential areas of District 11, sidewalks Parks and Open Space leaks and breaks in the system daily. The do not even exist in most areas of the sewer lift stations are currently up and 14 neighborhoods. All of the parks and open space within the running. The draining station is not in Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine operation and drainage is currently being Police / Fire: neighborhood were significantly damaged. handled by the Bayou Savage. In addition the major corridor medians The Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake sustained damage to the tree canopy and Streets and Storm Sewer: Catherine area does not have a police landscaping. The streets system was heavily damaged station within its limits. However, the by not only flood waters but also from the neighborhood is served by the Seventh subsidence of the street surfaces from the District Police Station. It is located at Civic Facilities: (Church and weight of recovery vehicles and debris 10101 Dwyer Boulevard and serves the Community Facilities) contractors. largest population of all police districts citywide. All of the civic facilities within the Viavant / Katrina's debris has also resulted in The Seventh District serves an area Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine clogged street drains and catch basins. neighborhood were significantly damaged. The neighborhood also faced poor street covering 77,374 acres or 121 square miles. conditions and potholes Pre-Katrina. This It has been stated that Eastern New Orleans as a whole needs additional was not only an issue in Viavant / Venetian Schools and Universities Isles / Lake Catherine but citywide. substations. The Seventh District was devastated by floodwaters but has since The only school within the neighborhood is Signage and Way-Finding: undergone minor renovations. There are still additional renovations needed to bring the Delgado Community College Maritime, Over 90% of the street signage is missing the facility to full operating capacity. Fire and Industrial Training Facility. The Images from left to right: within the Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake training academy has received international Catherine neighborhood. These street The neighborhood is also serviced by the recognition for its US Coast Guard A-C: Residential Structures Showing signs are critical for way-finding, Fourth Fire District. One of the six facilities approved training. Damage Post-Katrina reconstruction and recovery. locations in the Fourth District is within the City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios
The recovery plan will follow the existing neighborhood urban plan and organization with special emphasis on restoring and enhancing the residential quality of the Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine neighborhood and enhancing its ability to attract compatible businesses to the area.
A number of basic assumptions support the overall neighborhood rebuilding effort. These are derived from the commitment of local, state and federal authorities to 15 provide flood protection that makes a levee protected area livable as well as the mitigation protection afforded by stringent building codes and hurricane evacuation system. These assumptions are:
• A flood protection system will be designed to withstand future catastrophic loss from a 1 in 100 year storm and that this is a commitment by the Federal Government;
• Stringent building codes will be implemented to further limit wind damage;
• That there is an organized, coherent and operable Hurricane Evacuation Program; Images at center: and
Above: Levees east of IHNC • That the basic urban structure of the city Below: Ongoing US Army Corps of is sound and that rebuilding will respect Engineers Levee Projects the basic urban structure of the City.
At far right top to bottom: The rebuilding scenario is based on the Levee repairs along Highway 6 assumption and fact that the basic urban Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
structure of the District and the the community assets that these parks were neighborhood is sound and that long term and can become; property value enhancement is dependent upon the maintenance of the urban pattern • The construction of bike and pedestrian and layout of the neighborhood and paths throughout the neighborhood turning community, although site-specific them into the community assets that improvements and strategies are the key to neighborhood has so desired; the reconstruction of the neighborhood. To accomplish this goal the following actions • The reconstruction of the water and sewer need to be carried out: system by the City of New Orleans Water and Sewerage Board, and its continuous 16 • Formulate policies and actions for the monitoring by the citizens of Viavant / clean-up and maintenance of the Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine and District community, its public realm and the private 11. parcels, so that it creates an adequate healthy environment and allows for the • Reconstruction of the roadway orderly repopulation of the neighborhood infrastructure damaged by the flooding, the and that projects an image of cleanliness subsequent repairs to the water and sewer and order needed to further aid community lines to reinstall service to the community faith and momentum for the reconstruction post Hurricane Katrina, by the overturned process. trees that succumbed to the winds of Hurricane Katrina and the damage caused by • Identification and implementation of the weight and action of the debris removal public sector financed Early Action projects machinery and heavy vehicles removing to act as catalysts for neighborhood debris from the neighborhood. reconstruction. These include: Neighborhood Repopulation • Essential public facilities and programs identified in the Neighborhoods Rebuilding The neighborhood repopulation process in Plan and other planning efforts and Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine Over a two month period a ground survey documents. appears to be well underway. According to was conducted for Planning Districts 9, 10 Images at top left to right: data received from the City of New Orleans and 11. The survey indicates that over • The restoration and improvement of Mayor's Office of Technology over 40% of 40% of the Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Residential Structures being rebuilt regional and state parks and open space to the structures within the neighborhood have Catherine neighborhood is in the process address not only the damage caused by applied for rebuilding permits. of reconstruction or has shown a Diagram: Location of Trailer homes and Hurricane Katrina, but to also turn them into commitment to rebuild and reconstruct. Group Trailer Sites City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan
The Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake while strengthening the economic representation from each of the and financing tools to the local housing Catherine Neighborhood Recovery Plan capacity and quality of life in Eastern neighborhood associations within Viavant and real estate market conditions. A key proposes to revitalize based on a series of New Orleans. / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine to ensure question will be how to most effectively strategic initiatives that have been that the Recovery Plan continues to encourage the redevelopment of homes identified by the Eastern New Orleans • Utilize the area surrounding major incorporate the needs and request of the and residential lots that fall into public Planning Districts 9, 10, and 11. amenities to spur quality, dynamic community. ownership. economic development, including the Strategic Initiative No. 1: proposed "Eastern New Orleans Town Neighborhood associations within Viavant The “Lot Next Door” program is one of a Promote efficient, long term growth Centre", the medical facilities, restoration / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine should series of proposed housing policies which within Eastern New Orleans. of Lincoln Beach, and a potential Regional continue to meet bi-monthly with their have been developed as part of the Airport; residents and monthly with Elected Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and takes • Establish boundaries for areas that are Officials, the business community, the direct aim at some particular market 17 available for intense development activity • Enhance existing neighborhoods, New Orleans East Economic Development hurdles that slow the redevelopment of compared to those areas that require subdivisions and commercial areas Foundation (NOEEDF), and neighborhood many of these properties. sensitive development as a result of associations outside of the Viavant / floodplains and wetlands. • Encourage infill development within the Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine In its simplest form the Lot Next Door existing urbanized area, including demolition neighborhood to review, comment and program will offer homeowners who are and rehabilitation of substandard structures update the recovery plans. committed to redeveloping their home, the Strategic Initiative No. 2: and underdeveloped property. ability to purchase publicly owned Maintain a balanced yet diverse and adjoining properties prior to these dynamic pattern of land uses that • Provide broad local and State incentive Strategic Initiative No. 6: properties being offered to any other maintain a quality of life in Eastern packages to compatible businesses who Implement Housing Recovery buyers. This option would be provided New Orleans. locate in the area, particularly in the Initiatives. should the property end up in public NORBP. ownership either through the adjudication • Encourage the development of A number of housing initiatives are process or through the sale of the compatible land uses, avoiding mixtures of proposed as part of the Neighborhoods property to a public entity through the incompatible uses in close proximity to Strategic Initiative No. 4: Rebuilding Plan and are presented in the Road Home or other public acquisition each other. Develop and implement policies, overall policy element of the plan and program. regulations, and processes that issued under separate cover. Below is a • Encourage the creation of districts that represent the vision of each summary of these policies. ELDERLY MODERATE INCOME include recognizable identity and clustered neighborhood. CONDOMINIUM ROAD HOME TIE-IN development of compatible land uses. LOT NEXT DOOR Images at top left to right: There is no better individual or group to It has become quite apparent through the ensure that the recovery of a community or The principal thrust of redevelopment neighborhood planning process that senior A: Michoud Space Center Strategic Initiative No. 3: neighborhood is fairly represented than programs and policies that encourage the households which have some of the B: Michoud Space Center Roof Damage Utilize, revitalize, and maintain the the neighborhood itself. It is recommended speedy redevelopment of neighborhoods strongest ties to the community and have C: Earth Movers at a Levee urban areas of Eastern New Orleans to create an advisory board consisting of must match various government powers expressed some of the strongest voices for Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
rebuilding and returning to the City, also their Road Home grant to senior specific certain units must be homeownership vs. and not-for-profit developers when not face some of the most significant elevator multi-story condominium projects rental) it is likely that the value placed on purchased through the Lot Next Door challenges in redeveloping or rebuilding to be developed throughout the City. many properties for sale will determine program. their homes. how quickly that property will be rebuilt for There has been wide support for dedicated housing. • Re-sell properties at fair market value First, there are many areas of the City that multi-family senior housing product in and reduce price of lots only when very had a high concentration of elderly many parts of the City, but particularly in Additionally, and realistically, there are a specific policy objectives are being met, homeowners (Lower Ninth, Pontchartrain areas where younger homeowners have variety of neighborhoods throughout the such as providing for mixed-income Park, and Lakeview) which sustained aging parents living nearby. In some City where reducing the cost of a lot or unit housing in a neighborhood. substantial damage and which will require cases, there may be a need to increase the to essentially zero will not be enough to the demolition and reconstruction of many grant amount or provide a low interest loan ensure the redevelopment of the property. 18 homes. to the household if there is a gap between These are generally those neighborhoods Strategic Initiative No. 7: the value of the buyout (and insurance prior to Hurricane Katrina where land Identification and Promotion of Early Historically, the challenges of dealing with proceeds) and the market value price of values were quite low and homes were not Action Projects contractors, permit inspectors, lenders, the condominium unit. built unless there was significant targeted etc. has proven particularly difficult for public assistance related to construction. There were several key early action many elderly households after they have Use of Second Generation Funds and projects that the residents of Viavant / experienced similar trauma. Expansion of Home Purchaser Given the different market factors Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine would like Assistance Programs influencing the redevelopment of housing to see. Those projects are as follows: Additionally, there are a substantial in different neighborhoods, there are a number of areas of the City including One of the principal issues that has come variety of strategies that will have to be • Repair of neighborhood infrastructure Lakeview, areas of Gentilly, where up repeatedly in neighborhood meetings is employed with regard to the sale of lots inclusive of major arterial streets and rebuilding homes with damage in excess how properties that end up in public acquired through the acquisition program roadways; of 50 percent will require the total ownership either through the adjudication on the open market. These strategies reconstruction at three feet above grade or buy back process are going to be resold include the following. • Beautification of the medians along US or the Base Flood Elevations, whichever is in the marketplace. Highway 90 and US Highway 11; greater. Many of these homes will have to • Recycle second generation proceeds be raised close to one story making them While the Lot Next Door program provides from higher income neighborhood property • Restoration of neighborhood services a difficult housing product type for people one method for recycling lots in the sales to properties in neighborhoods where such as grocery stores, banks, gas and with physical frailties. market, there are going to be numerous values are lower. This will ensure that service stations, as well as pharmacies and lots that are not acquired by next door more housing redevelopment dollars will drug stores; Elderly homeowners are clearly a special neighbors that are going to have to be sold follow to low-income areas than could Images at top left to right: group with specific needs, and currently to third party purchasers. otherwise have been imagined prior to • Relocation of MRGO port tenants there are no programs targeted to this Katrina. allowing for the closure of MRGO; A: Typical Residence subgroup of homeowners. A targeted Assuming that there are few new B: Interstate 10 at Bullard elderly homeowner program is needed regulations associated with developing • Sell adjacent lots and blocks of lots in • Rehabilitation of five critical areas C: Bullard Corridor which will allow elderly households to tie housing (i.e., some requirement that public ownership to experienced for-profit (Point Aux Herbes, Chef Pass, Alligator D: Typical Residence City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
Point, Sawmill Pass, Hospital Wall) along the East Orleans Bridge and stone armoring of 45,000 feet of erosion hotspots between the eastern most point of the levee system and St. Tammany;
• Restoration and Preservation of Bayou Savage Wildlife Refuge;
• Creation of new wetlands and restoration of existing wetlands that border Braziller Island and Paradise Beach. 19
Strategic Initiative No. 8: Promote and Monitor the Implementation of Key Recovery / Redevelopment Parcels and Projects
Plan Elements Key Recovery and Development Projects
• Conduct an economic development and comprehensive study for the development of commercial development @ Interstate 510 and Paris Road;
• Conduct an economic development and comprehensive study for the future Image upper left: development of the land parcel located at Interstate 510 and Paris Road; Michoud space center interior damage • Relocation of MRGO port tenants At right: The Projects Map for the allowing for the closure of MRGO. Viavant/Venetian Isles/ Lake Catherine Neighborhood Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
Land Use and Zoning Transportation and Public mixture of single family detached homes, request to provide an additional police Transit fishing camps and trailers. It is the desire station to support the neighborhood. No new land use or zoning changes were of the neighborhood to maintain and requested. The recovery transportation strategies and enhance the fabric of the single family planning objectives respect those proposed detached residential neighborhoods and Human Services and Community in the 2004 New Orleans East Renaissance trailer camps. It is recommended that Facilities Parks and Open Space and Plan. Key major transportation projects neighborhood associations draft covenants Landscape Architecture include: that will maintain the integrity and the Throughout the neighborhood planning architectural character of the housing process it became evident that healthcare • Restoration of all Bayou Savage and • Repair and improve mobility of the key stock. was a primary concerns for the residents of Fort Pike; thoroughfares and enhance the existing the neighborhood. Although there are no 20 street infrastructure; It has been strongly expressed that the hospitals within the neighborhood, there • Revitalization of the Lincoln Beach and Historic Fort Pike and the Bayou Savage were several doctors' offices that were implementation of the pre-Katrina • Promotion of pedestrian and bicycle Wildlife Refuge be not only restored but damaged and have not reopened. It is Supplemental Environmental Program (SEP) pathways to tie into the Bayou Savage safeguarded against any potential threat requested by the community that the two and Submersed Aquatic Vegetation (SAP) Bikeway; that may diminish their potential resources. hospitals within planning district nine be programs that were put in place to improve not only renovated but re-designed to the ecology of Lake Pontchartrain allowing • Investigate the opportunities for become a potential medical teaching for swimming and fishing once again; affordable rapid mass transit between facility. Baton Rouge, Louis Armstrong Utilities and Municipal Services • Provide tree enhancements along major International Airport, the New Orleans Community facilities are going to be a thoroughfares such as: Old Chef Highway, Central Business District (CBD), and As Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine critical part in the recovery process. As Victory Road and US Highway 11; Eastern New Orleans; recovers in the rebuilding process it is individuals deal with the daily stress of essential that utilities and municipal rebuilding, community facilities will be able • Interstate I-10 interchange • Addition of benches and pedestrian services are addressed immediately. Traffic to provide not only a venue for critical beautification at Interstate 510 and US lighting along designated pedestrian signals and signs as well as street signage recovery information, but also serve as a highway 90; routes. need to be addressed immediately as they recreational venue for children and adults are critical to way finding not only for alike. • Provide neighborhood identification Public Transit improvements are as to be residents of the Viavant / Venetian Isles / signs at entrances to all neighborhoods and proposed by the Regional Transit Authority Lake Catherine neighborhood but to the subdivisions. Locations to be determined recovery contractors working in the area. by active neighborhood associations. Housing Architecture and As stated previously in the report, Viavant / Historic Preservation Venetian Isles / Lake Catherine make up Images from left to right: Planning District 11. There is only one fire The Viavant / Venetian Isles / Lake station and no police stations within the A-B: Fort Macomb Catherine neighborhood is comprised of a neighborhood. It is the community's C-D: Fort Pike City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan
F. Implementation and Funding Strategies
Funding Matrix New Orleans and neighborhood groups and study); advisory committees. The connection between the Neighborhoods • Housing initiatives for which there may Rebuilding Plan and the potential funding Each matrix matches proposed projects with be dollars already allocated through the sources is graphically represented by the potential funding sources identified through Road Home, LIHTC, private funding sources, Implementation Priority Matrix. The costs the planning process and while not or other sources but where the additional analyses are provided on an order-of- exhaustive in its scope, it serves as a guide gap in funding is impossible to determine at magnitude basis as to the scope and to where funds could originate. Substantial this point; magnitude of the project proposed and the financial commitments by federal and state investment required to construct it. As entities are a vital ingredient in the • Other policies, including land use and such, variations as to the scope of the recovery effort and will provide the zoning regulations, which the community project could result in variations on the final necessary economic infrastructure to attract believed to be in the short and long term 21 cost of construction. the private investment required to create interest of the community; and stable and vibrant communities. In the process of cost analyses, • Recurring operations (i.e. expanded consultations were carried out with the City Each funding matrix, based upon police patrols, library operations, park of New Orleans Public Works Department to consultation with neighborhood residents operations, etc.) that either tie to certain identify general cost guidelines typically through the community meeting process, capital improvements or are important to used for the calculation of street also ranked projects based upon priority of the health of the community through the improvements and reconstruction; other need with regard to recovery: “Early expansion of existing services. sources of cost identification included the Action/Critical”; “Mid-Term/Needed”; and Means Cost Data and our team’s “Long Term/Desired”. This ranking provides professional experience inside and outside a general guide as to what communities New Orleans. believe is the most important priorities with regard to revitalization and redevelopment. No single source of funding or financial plan will be capable of dealing with the Finally, there are a variety of items or capital improvement needs for total initiatives listed on the funding matrix redevelopment and reconstruction of all where a capital cost can not be attached or the neighborhood projects and needs. determined without further study, but the However, the funding matrix included in community believed needed to be a central this report shows different funding sources part of the plan. These include: that could be made available for specific projects and it should be expected that • Undertaking specific further studies to layering of multiple sources of funding will determine the actual cost to governmental be required in most cases. The ability to entities for certain public/private initiatives obtain these funds will rest with the City of (for which we have noted the cost of the Viavant/Venetian Isles/Lake Catherine Neighborhood, Planning District Eleven
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