Landmarks’ Préservation The Journal of the Louisiana Landmarks Society Sexton in the City Vol. 51, No. 2 By Sandra Stokes and Michael Duplantier Summer 2014 James Wade, Editor More than two years of work to save the sexton cottages in New Orleans' publicly- owned Lafayette Cemeteries No. 1 and No. 2 was not enough to prevent the proposed Inside this issue: demolition of the historic cottages by the Sexton in the City 1 City of New Orleans. A Message from the 2 In March 2012, representatives of Louisi- President ana Landmarks Society, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, and Save Our Ceme- 1722 Esplanade 2 teries visited Holt, Lafayette No. 1 and La- fayette No. 2 Cemeteries to review the Harnett T. Kane Award 4 Presented to Michael work being proposed by the city. The Sexton Cottage at Lafayette Cemetery No. 2 Duplantier preservation groups learned that the $2.6 In September of 2012, after much debate, million of improvements at cemeteries From the Archives 5 the city agreed that instead of demolishing across the city included the demolition of the two cottages, it would allow preserva- Meet the New Board of 6 the historic sexton cottages at these three tionists to donate architectural designs Trustees cemeteries. and the project manual for the cottages' renovation, provided that the renovation Because federal funds were scheduled to plans would allow for construction within be used for the costs of replacing the cot- the available budget. The engagement of tages, the required Section 106 process the preservationists and the resulting solu- was initiated by FEMA, and representatives tions reached by the consenting agencies of the non-profits, along with other gov- were praised as a perfect example of a ernment agencies and contractors joined Section 106 process. There would no in the review process with the objective to New Gift Passes longer be any adverse effect to the historic “avoid, minimize, or mitigate” adverse im- LLS has developed a new way properties. pacts to the historic cemeteries. After it for members to introduce peo- ple to the Society and the Pitot was determined that the cottage at Holt House. We are offering a book- Cemetery was in good condition and could Over the course of the next year and a let of ten passes for you to easily be renovated, the city agreed to do half, the preservation groups and the city hand out as you choose. The worked together in good faith toward this booklet of ten costs $50.00 so, and the focus turned to the cottages in based on a discounted tour Lafayette No. 1 and No. 2. Saving these apparent win-win solution. The non-profits rate of $5.00 per person. cottages was more complicated. The build- worked tirelessly, meeting with the city ings had been allowed by the city to fall every step of the way. Architect Michael These Passes have no expira- into serious disrepair, and the city wanted Rouchell provided the drafting and the tion date and are handy to project manual, while John Schackai of Sus- have on hand for houseguests, to demolish the historic cottages to build new neighbors, or that person cinder block maintenance sheds clad in tainable Architects was the designer and at your office who just moved cement board. architect of record. The designs were to New Orleans. Continued on page 3... Page 2 Landmarks’ Préservation We are also all responsible for insur- A Message from the President ing that there are funding sources available to support the important wide organizations whose primary work of the Society. I urge you to get mission is standing up for the built involved in the fundraising activities environment of our city against those of the Society through volunteering to who would endanger the character of help with the Marché des Fêtes, sup- a unique place. When our neighbor- porting the Vino on the Bayou events, hood organizations need help to save or by making donations to the Society. their neighborhoods, we work with them to preserve the culture of our How else can you help support your city. Louisiana Landmarks Society? Increase your level of membership Dear LLS Friends and Supporters, The Pitot House also defines Louisiana Landmarks Society. We own the Pitot Write advocacy letters to your public officials when asked to do The Mission of the Louisiana Land- House because it was the only way so marks Society is to promote historic that we could save it from demolition Get involved in the work of the preservation through advocacy, educa- and preserve it as an important part of various committees tion and the operation of the Pitot our city and its story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of this important House. If you would like to volunteer, please save, and we pledge to you, the mem- contact Margot Hammond, our volun- The founding members of this society bers of the Louisiana Landmarks Soci- teer coordinator, at felt strongly about saving the built ety, that we will continue to be good [email protected]. environment of our city, and came stewards of this property. Remember, together to fight for it. you, the membership, are a part of We promise on our part to keep you, this house. You, the members, can the membership, the real owners of In becoming a member of the Louisi- make sure that it is paying its way by this Society, advised about how you ana Landmarks Society, you joined holding your weddings and other so- can help ensure that the uniqueness that advocacy organization envisioned cial or business affairs at the house of New Orleans is preserved. nearly 65 years ago. In becoming a and by supporting the events held member of LLS, you stood up to be there. This house will endure for the Sincerely, counted in the continuous efforts to next generation if you, the member- save New Orleans. This is what we do. ship, support it. Casey In fact, we are one of the only city- 1722 Esplanade By Charles A. Berg AIA, NCARB, MPS Early in the morning of May 10, 2014, a fire and explosion se- verely damaged a multi-family residence at 1722 Espla- nade. While no one was injured, the building, a large early 20th century home converted to 12 apartments, was severely damaged, with the riverside wall blown out and the roof and third floor al- most completely collapsed. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. At this time, some minor stabilization efforts have been implemented at the front façade, but according to the HDLC, no long-term plans have been submitted for restoration. With the roof open to the sky and elements, water damage and decay will continue. With no visible progress to protect it, this structure, the only remaining building between two parking lots on the uptown side of the street, is clearly in danger of being lost. You can help by contacting District “D” Councilmember Jared C. Brossett at [email protected], and urge enforcement that will mandate the 1722 Esplanade Avenue post fire and explosion repairs necessary to bring this forlorn residence back into com- merce, and prevent further blight. Vol. 51, No. 2 Page 3 Sexton and the City (Continued)... LLS OFFICERS approved by all parties at all levels. abruptly ending the Section 106 re- PRESIDENT The only remaining issue was that in view. The city left federal funds on T. Casey Stuart order for the city to accept the dona- the table rather than continue meeting tion of the architectural designs and with preservationists to discuss ways FIRST VICE PRESIDENT services, Sustainable Architects would to make the new designs blend better R. Stephen Chauvin also need to sign a Cooperative En- with the historic cemeteries that the SECOND VICE PRESIDENT deavor Agreement (CEA) with the city. cottages served. This cleared the path Sandra Stokes for the city to demolish the buildings The renovation of the cottages and build cement masonry buildings TREASURER reached an impasse when the negotia- with no further design consultation or Aubry A. Miller tions broke down over certain of the review from preservationists. obligations required by the city to be ASSISTANT TREASURER part of the CEA. The obligations could The Louisiana Landmarks Society, the Charles A. Berg not be agreed to, and the city eventu- Foundation for Historical Louisiana, RECORDING SECRETARY ally cancelled the working agreement Save Our Cemeteries and the dedi- Rachel Robinson to save the historic cottages. cated architects gave their all for more than two years to save these two his- CORRESPONDING SECRETARY The preservation groups then learned toric cottages, an effort deemed im- Betsy Stout that the city no longer found the pre- portant due to the critical role that the viously approved designs for the sex- cemeteries play in the cultural history TRUSTEES ton cottages acceptable, and had con- and authenticity of our city. The unfor- Michael D. Ballard Jr. cluded that the low maintenance of tunate result of this failed effort is Edward Bonin newly-constructed cement masonry particularly disappointing in that the Hilary Somerville Irvin structures was the only option. goals of the City of New Orleans and Heather Knight preservationists were not mutually Elizabeth M. Landis The preservationists then suggested exclusive. The restoration of the his- Howard W. Mielke ways to salvage something from the toric sexton cottages could have main- Thomas W. Milliner proposed demolition of the cottages, tained the cemeteries’ integrity, while Taylor Schmidt Pospisil such as using revised designs pro- meeting the programmatic and main- Drew Stewart vided by the preservationists to build tenance needs of the city.