Pontilly Neighborhood Planning District 6 Rebuilding Plan Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Introduction Table of Contents Approximately 100 days after Hurricane Katrina Basic assumptions also formed the basis for the Acknowledgements Introduction 2 struck, Motion M-05-592 was unanimously neighborhood rebuilding plan: passed by the City Council of New Orleans. This 1. That a flood protection system will be With grateful appreciation the planning team A. Pontilly Neighborhood motion ensured that community-based, designed to withstand future catastropic would like to thank all the residents of Location & History 3 neighborhood-by-neighborhood planning would loss from a 1 in 100 year storm and that District 6 who participated in this planning Recovery Vision & Goals 5 be central to decisions associated with the this is a commitment by the federal process and without whose participation this Planning Process 6 recovery of the most devastated areas of New government. plan would not be possible. Neighborhood Concerns 7 Orleans. The City Council was adamant that the Planning efforts Pre-Katrina 8 people most impacted by the storm would play a 2. That stringent building codes will be Project Directory central role in defining the future of their implemented to further limit wind B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina communities. Overall, 47 of the 73 damage. City of New Orleans Neighborhood Existing Conditions 9 neighborhoods delineated by the City’s Planning C. Ray Nagin, Mayor Land Use and Zoning 9 Commission have had plans prepared as part of 3. That the basic urban structure of the city Pre-Katrina Demographic Profile 10 this process. is sound and that rebuliding will respect New Orleans City Council: Income & Household Characteristics 12 this structure; and Oliver M. Thomas, President Roadway Hierachy and Jurisdiction 12 The City Council charged a team of consultants Housing, Architecture 12 Arnie Fielkow, Vice-President overseen by Lambert Advisory & SHEDO with 4. That there is an organized, coherent and Historic Preservation 13 Shelley Midura, District A assisting neighborhoods flooded by Hurricane operable hurricane evaluation program. Stacy S. Head, District B Katrina in developing revitalization plans that are C. Hurricane Katrina James Carter, District C thoughtful and can be implemented, for This section presents the Dillard neighborhood, Neighborhood Impacts 15 Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District D incorporation into a citywide recovery and one of seven within Planning District 6. This Residential Damage Assessment 15 Cynthia Willard-Lewis, District E improvement plan to be submitted to the State district-wide section of this report presents data, Commercial Damage Assessment 15 of Louisiana and federal funding agencies. This information and projects that impact the entire Infrastructure Damage Assessment 16 Project Management: document is one of forty-two (42) neighborhood district. This section discusses those projects as Parks & Open Space 17 Lambert Advisory, LLC plans that meet that mandate well as neighborhood projects specific to this Community Facilities 17 Paul Lambert neighborhood. SHEDO, LLC 2 D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios 19 Shelia Danzey Neighborhood Re-population 19 City planning Commission: Overall Planning Consultant: E. Neighborhood Recovery Plan 21 Planning District Strategic Initiatives 22 Designations Bermello-Ajamil & Partners, Inc. Plan Elements Alfredo C. Sanchez, AIA, AICP Key Projects 24 Hewitt-Washington, Inc. Land Use and Zoning 27 Lonnie Hewitt, AIA Transportation and Public Transit 27 Parks, Open Space and Neighborhood Planner: Landscape Architecture 27 Housing, Architecture 27 Hewitt Architects Historic Preservation 28 Lonnie Hewitt, AIA

F. Implementation and Funding Strategies 29

Images from left to right:

A: Welcome Home Sign B: UNO East Campus Entrance Feature C: New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

A. Pontilly Neighborhood

General Location and History north, Chef Menteur Highway to the south, the Industrial Canal to the east and the Location Peoples Avenue railroad right-of-way to the west. The New Orleans City Planning Commission Southern University at New Orleans (CPC) defined boundaries are different (SUNO) is located in Pontilly and from that of this neighborhood rebuilding specifically within the Pontchartrain Park effort. The CPC master plan identified this subdivision. SUNO is currently operating area as two neighborhoods: Pontchartrain in temporary buildings located on the Park and Gentilly Woods. Rebuilding north side of Leon C. Simon. The New efforts in these two neighborhoods Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is commenced prior to the city council's also located in Pontilly and specifically 3 Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan process. within the Gentilly Woods subdivision. It is The two neighborhoods began working currently re-opened and has provided together and identifying themselves as meeting space as well as house gutting “Pontilly”. The general boundaries of the volunteers to area neighborhood new Pontilly neighborhood are Leon C. associations. Simon to the north, Chef Menteur Highway to the south, the Industrial Canal to the During the neighborhood rebuilding east, and Peoples Avenue to the west. planning process, the small neighborhood of Indian Village joined in community The neighborhood is isolated from the rest outreach efforts of Planning District 6 and of Planning District 6 by railroad tracks is thus included in this report. Under the located on the eastern side of Peoples CPC planning district boundaries, Indian Avenue and from its neighbors to the east Village is represented by Planning District by the Industrial Canal. The two 7. This neighborhood however, is neighborhoods, Pontchartrain Park and physically cut-off form Planning District 7 Gentilly Woods, are further bisected by the by Interstate 10. Residents of Indian Dreux canal right-of-way. Village are better served by transportation, commercial activities and community Pontchartrain Park is generally bounded by facilities within Planning District 6 and Leon C. Simon Boulevard to the north, the specifically the Pontilly neighborhood. The Dreux canal right-of-way to the south, the Indian Village recovery projects are Industrial Canal to the east and the included with Pontilly and this recovery Peoples Avenue railroad corridor to the plan. west. Gentilly Woods is generally bounded by the Dreux canal right-of-way to the The neighborhood is also home to the very Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

large strip style commercial area, Gentilly course, a community center, the Wesley Woods Shopping Center located on Barron stadium, playgrounds, tennis western side of the Industrial Canal courts and lagoons. Prior to Hurricane fronting Chef Menteur Highway. It is one Katrina, the Pontchartrain Park was of the earliest shopping centers in the determined eligible for National Register New Orleans area and at one time District status. Residents have a desire included large department stores. Over for the park to become listed on the the years and with the advent of enclosed National Register. shopping malls in the region, the center declined. Prior to Hurricane Katrina The Joe M. Bartholomew, Sr. Municipal however, the shopping center was starting Golf Course received its name from one of 4 to revitalize with a chain restaurant, a the wealthiest yet humble African bank and drugstore. American men, Joseph M. Bartholomew. Mr. Bartholomew was born in New Orleans History in 1881. He attended school up to the Pontchartrain Park was one of the first eighth grade and at the age of 12 he areas in New Orleans designed to provide began working for a white family in the home ownership to middle and upper uptown area of New Orleans. After work income African Americans and at a time he would caddie at the nearby Audubon when other developments specifically Golf Course. He taught himself to play excluded black people. It is a suburban- golf and also taught others. He learned style neighborhood characterized by course maintenance and was made greens curvilinear streets. keeper at Audubon Golf Course.

Prior to residential development in 1954, Mr. Bartholomew's golfing talents the city owned the land and sold it to the prompted a wealthy Metairie Golf Club Lakeshore Land Company. Most of it was member to send him to New York to learn swamp and had to be dredged. golf course architecture. In the 1920s he Pontchartrain Park Homes was the built his first golf course, the Metairie Golf development company and Crawford Course. Over the next eight years he built Homes constructed the mostly two and courses in City Park (No. 1 and No. 2), the three bedroom homes. The plans were to Pontchartrain Park course, and other build a subdivision around the city's 185- courses throughout southeast Louisiana acre Pontchartrain Park. and one in the state of Mississippi. After years of discrimination from playing on Pontchartrain Park includes the historically any of the courses he built, Mr. significant Joe M. Bartholomew golf Bartholomew built a seven hole course for Planning District 6 Neighborhoods & Neighborhood Associations City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

African Americans on his own property in The university was open to all individuals Recovery Vision and Goals Neighborhood Recovery Goals and Harahan. regardless of race or color following a Objectines lawsuit against the state board of Vision On April 29, 1956, the Pontchartrain Golf educations. • Flood Mitigation - encourage use of FEMA Course was “unofficially” opened to African The vision for the recovery of the greater flood maps as a guide for rebuilding Americans. The match headlined several Gentilly Woods was built in the area of an Pontilly area is one of a safe neighborhood • Security - formulate a neighborhood prominent golfers of the time. The course old Native American portage. In the 1700s composed of residences, improved security plan was officially dedicated on May 5, 1956 and the land was a part of the holdings of commercial development, a renewed • Levees and Flood Gates - demand included Mr. Bartholomew, then Mayor Chep Alexander Milne, a Scottish footsman. He relationship with its neighbors, SUNO and accountability of responsible Morrison and Mr. Herbert Jahncke, believed the city would expand and develop the New Orleans Theological Seminary, governmental authorities president of the Parkway and Parks toward Lake Pontchartrain. improved pedestrian access, and • Transportation - establish pre- Commission, and others. connectivity with other areas of Planning Hurricane Katrina levels of public 5 During World War II, Andrew Jackson District 6. transportation service Mr. Bartholomew was the first African Higgins operated a plant in the • Schools - build state of the art K-6 American to be inducted in the Greater New neighborhood which built ships and landing Neighborhood Recovery Goals grade schools Orleans Sports Hall of Fame. In 1979 after craft for the U. S. Navy. The neighborhood • Services & Utilities - advocate private a renovation, the Pontchartrain Park Golf housed plant employees in plywood homes, There are a variety of neighborhood garbage collection, utilities service Course was renamed Joe M. Bartholomew called Higgins Huts. In the late 1940s, the recovery goals: center, underground utilities and Sr. Municipal Golf Course. Mr. Bartholomew Higgins Huts were torn down to make way curbside postal service died on October 12, 1971. for new homes. The new subdivision was Neighborhood Recovery Mission: • Senior Citizen Concerns - reestablish completed in 1950 and consisted of GI service for senior center and promote SUNO opened in 1959 in one building on starter homes. • Create a vision for the future of the development of Phase 2 the site of their present campus with 158 Pontilly community based on the • Physical Fitness - install walking paths students and 15 faculty members. When first developed, Gentilly Woods was desire and requirements of residents; around Pontchartrain Park Bachelor's degrees were conferred to its primarily an all-white neighborhood which • Delineate plans through which the • Insurance Matters - provide assistance first class in May 1963. Today, it is a fully included two and three bedroom homes Pontilly community has the greatest to residents accredited four-year, co-educational, liberal built by Crawford Homes. opportunity for revitalization; • Small Business Administration - arts, state school of higher learning for the • Establish specific action opportunities encourage low interest financing education of African Americans. Its main The New Orleans Baptist Theological and priorities taking into consideration • Information and Communications - campus is approximately 36 acres and has Seminary anchors the southwest corner of pre-existing conditions as well as establish city service center expanded to include a small area north of Gentilly Woods. Founded in 1917, the those as a result of Hurricane Katrina, • FEMA - conduct workshop regarding Leon C. Simon Boulevard. Originally, under seminary moved to this location in 1953 and trailer concerns Images left to right: the authority of the Louisiana State Board from its original location on Washington • Establish early action projects • Health Clinic - establish neighborhood of Education, it became a branch of Avenue in the Garden District. including land assembly, health clinic A: Press Drive Southern University and Agricultural and transportation and infrastructure • Commercial/Retail - encourage major B: Gentilly Terrace Shopping Center Mechanical College in Baton Rouge in 1973. improvements needed for the businesses to mover to Gentilly C: Pontchartrain Park redevelopment of the Pontilly community. corridor Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

The above transformed into a variety of Restore and revitalize existing public • Beautification, • Neighborhood character neighborhood recovery goals: facilities located in Pontilly • Business Development, • Neighborhood quietness • Subdivision Covenants •Neighbors are returning • Restore the Pontchartrain Park Senior Update/Renewal, and • Neighbors/families Rebuild and improve the Community Center and implement • Transportation and Transit Service. • Older and self supported residents neighborhood to exceed pre- Phase 2 plans • Proximity to schools and colleges Hurricane Katrina levels • Restore all parks, the golf course, tennis Throughout the recovery planning • Single-family homes courts, stadium and basketball courts meetings, participants identified the • Preserve and enhance the Pontilly and Indian following issues/concerns: In November 2005, the Gentilly Civic Village neighborhoods' residential areas Design beautiful open spaces, parks Improvement Association (GCAI) was • Provide a single-family housing and improve pedestrian connectivity • Abandoned houses being used by officially formed as a nonprofit entity with 6 opportunities and senior housing to neighborhood assets and squatters/drug activity the Louisiana Secretary of State. The opportunities destinations • Condition of properties in which mission statement of the GCIA reads as • Through the recovery process enhance owners have not returned follows: the quality of life in the Pontilly and • Create beautiful open spaces that • Condition of the Gentilly Woods Indian Village neighborhoods respond to the demands of their locations Shopping Center “We, the Gentilly Civic Improvement • Improve and enhance the existing streets, • Enhance existing neighborhood parks • Commercial area redevelopmen Association, are a diverse group of sidewalks and infrastructure system • Improve pedestrian connectivity • FEMA trailers being rented out residents, businesses, and civic serving Pontilly and Indian Village • Restore the neutral grounds of Press • Security/Crime organizations who have come together to • Create a safe and crime free Drive and Congress Street • Loss of businesses form one united voice dedicated to environment for all residents • Railroad vibrations preserving and improving our historic Planning Process and Neighborhood • Traffic signs/signals Gentilly neighborhoods.” Design attractive and vibrant Participation • Drainage/flooding neighborhood retail centers • Street conditions The GCIA has worked as an “umbrella” Community Organization and • Need for public transit organization for the 22 neighborhood • Restore the Gentilly Woods Shopping Reconstruction Efforts associations within the planning district. Further, Center to become a community asset Assets/opportunities identified by the GCIA initiated rebuilding the neighborhoods The Pontilly neighborhood group participants include: in December 2005 when the first public meeting Capitalize on neighborhood assets commenced recovery planning efforts in was held. Subsequently, several committees early 2006. As noted previously, the effort • Convenience - access to other areas, were formed to work toward rebuilding Planning • Build upon the city-wide institutional became a collaboration between the public transit District 6. These committees include: strength of SUNO and the Theological Pontchartrain Park subdivision and Gentilly • Convenient/nearby bank, post office Seminary to strengthen the neighborhoods Woods subdivision residents. Several visioning • Good public transit • Land Use and Zoning, • Provide pedestrian and activity linkages and recovery planning charrettes were held in • Schools nearby • Infrastructure and Environmental between the different institutional and early March and through April 2006. The Pontilly • Home ownership of the area Quality, retail elements of the neighborhood Collaborative as it was named organized several • Low traffic • Economic Revitalization/Development committees including: • Nearby park • Education Re-Development. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

The tireless effort of residents has resulted in Public Outreach Efforts Meeting - A city-wide meeting for all The following are the neighborhoods and several reports and recommendations for flooded neighborhoods” in which meeting dates: rebuilding. All of the committees' The public outreach effort carried out by this presentations of all the projects that recommendations are included in this rebuilding planning effort consisted of the following compose the city of New Orleans • Pontilly Neighborhood - April 29, plan. district-wide and neighborhood level meetings: Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan. At May 19, June 17, August 26 • June 10 District-Wide Scoping Meeting this meeting the final list of projects • Indian Village Association - July 12, Additionally, a charrette was held in Planning The consultant team conducted an for each of the neighborhoods of July 20, August 3 District 6 in April of 2006. Proposed projects or initial scoping meeting and Planning District 6 were presented. • Gentilly Heights East Association - July concepts of the proposed projects that residents presentation to residents of Planning 17 want to undergo further study are also included District 6. The primary purpose was to • Weekly Land Use and Zoning • Vascoville Association - July 17 in this rebuilding plan. introduce the team members, present Committee Meetings - Members of • Lower Gentilly Association - July 18, July the planning process anticipated for the consultant team attended the 27 7 The University of New Orleans' College of Urban the rebuilding planning effort, and weekly meetings of the GCIA Land • Sugar Hill Association - July 24 and Public Affairs (now the School of Urban and discuss recovery planning efforts Use and Zoning committee to stay • Lake Oaks Association - July 26 Regional Studies) has also played a significant already underway. informed and maintain a dialogue • Virgil Park Association - July 28 role in the rebuilding planning efforts. The spring with residents regarding the • Lake Terrace Association - August 1 2006 semester capstone studio class was • July 15 District-Wide Meeting - The various projects being discussed • Paris Oaks Association - August 2 dedicated to developing a plan for rebuilding the consultant team presented an update as well as recommendations made • Edgewood Park Association - August 5 Planning District 6 area. Graduate level planning to residents of Planning District 6 in the planning charrette report. • Oak Park Association - August 7 students performed field work assessments, including projects discussed at the The full report of the committee is • Gentilly Terrace and Gardens - August surveys and developed recommendations and neighborhood level as well as projects included in the appendix of this 16 projects toward rebuilding. proposed in the planning charrette. document. • Bancroft Park Association - September The primary purpose was to discuss 11 Finally, UNO's School of Urban and Regional the projects in terms of residents • Neighborhood Association Meetings Studies is currently conducting a mail survey of concerns, issues and opportunities. Members of the consultant team Outreach efforts by the consultant team were all residents in the planning district. While attended and made presentations to made to all neighborhood associations. In results of the survey are not available at this • August 26 District-Wide Meeting - At many of the Planning District 6 many instances the neighborhood associations time, the survey will provide valuable the third district level meeting the neighborhood associations. Additionally, were not yet meeting as a group but attending information toward rebuilding including re- consultant team presented all projects the consultant team administered a the regular monthly meetings of the GCIA population, interests in the Lot Next Door and the overall strategy for rebuilding. simple questionnaire to aid in and/or weekly meetings of the Land Use and program, interest levels in relocating within the Projects were functionally organized in documenting specific concerns and Zoning Committee. same or a nearby neighborhood, and reasons terms of infrastructure, green/open assets of each neighborhood as well that may be the cause for residents not space and recreation facilities, community as discuss the broader planning Additionally, the consultant team discussed the returning, to name a few. facilities including schools and community projects recommended as a result of planning effort with the four higher learning facilities. the planning charrette. institutions to gain a better understanding of rebuilding intentions. • September 23 City-Wide Neighborhoods Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

Pre-Katrina Planning Efforts of life problems, improve the type of University of New Orleans to re-open retail offered and the overall appearance access to the lakefront through the The 1999 New Century New Orleans Master • Continuation of small clusters of Research and Technology Park including Plan included land use, transportation, parks, neighborhood services and shops. shared cooperation and responsibilities recreation and open space, and economic between UNO and the Orleans Levee Board. development elements. These plans provided a • Utilization of green space to separate wide spectrum of public involvement for and screen more intense development • Development of recreational facilities residents while addressing district-wide issues from adjoining residential areas. along the Peoples Avenue rail corridor. and opportunities and neighborhood concerns. As part of this planning process these previous • Monitoring of the large institutional planning efforts were evaluated with the uses (UNO, SUNO, Dillard and New 8 intention of providing a neighborhood plan that Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) reflects the continuous city planning process to ensure a harmonious balance with that preceded the devastation of Hurricane adjacent residential areas. Growth of Katrina and this neighborhood's recovery effort. the institutional uses should be monitored.

Recommendations of the plan elements • Implementation of the Wisner for Planning District 6 included the Boulevard shared lane/designated following: bicycle path.

• Continuation of its existing land use • Identification and designation of practical pattern in which residential development bicycle routes throughout the area and is uniformly distinctive, separated from install bike racks and at institutions and other uses with commercial development around neighborhood commercial areas. patterns located at major nodes and along major corridors. • Improvements to intersection design, signalization and pedestrian safety at • Reduction of commercial spot zoning Elysian Fields/Gentilly Boulevard, activities to strengthen residential areas Elysian Fields/I-610 and at Chef and concentrate commercial activity at Menteur Highway in the area of the existing nodes including the regional Gentilly Shopping Center. level shopping areas at Elysian Fields Avenue/Gentilly Boulevard and on Chef • Implementation of a commuter rail system Menteur Highway. The plan also with a stop near SUNO between Slidell recommended sub-area studies for and downtown New Orleans. these two commercial developments to improve traffic circulation, improve quality • Coordination and cooperation with the City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

B. Pre-Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Existing Conditions

Land Use and Zoning Recommendations of the plan elements for Planning District 6 All three subdivisions within Pontilly are included the following: comprised primarily of single family Commercial development exist within the residences with a small number of duplex Pontilly neighborhood strictly along Chef homes in the Indian Village neighborhood. Menteur Highway with small neighborhood Over 65% of the land uses within Gentilly commercial activity along the old Gentilly Woods subdivision is single family Boulevard adjacent to Indian Village. The residential, with approximately 1.5% Gentilly Woods Shopping center is one of dedicated to parks/open space at the the earliest shopping centers in the New Harris Playground which is located adjacent Orleans area and at one time included to Saint Benedict Moor School and Church, large department stores. Over the years 9 the only institutional land use in Gentilly and with the advent of enclosed shopping Woods. malls in the region, the center declined. Prior to Hurricane Katrina however, the The Pontilly community enjoys a significant shopping center was starting to revitalize amount of green space with Pontchartrain with a chain restaurant, a bank and Park and Joe Bartholomew Golf course. drugstore. Excluding the park and golf course, Pontchartrain Park subdivision is a Zoning significantly large subdivision of approximately 619 acres. Of this total, Zoning within the Pontilly neighborhood is over 46% is comprised with single family nearly a perfect mirror image of the residences. The nearly 200 acre park existing land use with the exception of the comprises nearly 32% of the total land in SUNO and the New Orleans Baptist the subdivision and also includes the Seminary which are both zoned multi Pontchartrain Park Senior Community family. The city of New Orleans zones all Center. Mary Dora Coghill Elementary higher learning institutions as multiple School site is also located in Pontchartrain families so as to allow for student housing Park subdivision. and services to students.

Single family residences within Indian While a sub-area master plan is Village comprise just over 46% of this 69 recommended for the Gentilly Woods acre subdivision. There are no parks and Shopping Center, it is zoned for community centers located in Indian commercial activities. However, if Village. community members desire a mixed use development, the study should consider Above: Planning District 6 Land Use Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

possible zoning amendments if necessary. 3.9% all other. This was an increase from This is discussed further in the rebuilding the 1990 Census report of race when plan section of this report. The entire 73.2% of the population was African shopping center area however, is zoned C- American, nearly 26% was white and 1.1% 1, General Commercial District, which was other. Compared with Planning allows for retail and the inclusion of District 6 as a whole the 2000 African residential under the RM-4 zoning district American population was nearly 69% with requirements. Additional design controls approximately 27% white and may be added so that the development approximately 4.5% all other. meets the expectations of the neighborhood and community. Age and Gender 10 Pre-Katrina Demographic Gender breakdown of the 2000 population Profile of the Pontilly neighborhood as reported by the Census Bureau was nearly 48% Population male and 52% female. This neighborhood experienced a slight decrease in the male According to the 2000 U. S. Census, the population (and hence increase in the total population of the Pontilly female population) between 1990 and neighborhood comprised nearly 16% of the 2000. Gender breakdown for Planning total Planning District 6 population. The District 6 as a whole was 45.7% male and 2000 population of the Pontilly 54.3% female in 2000. neighborhood was 7,017persons. The neighborhood experienced a decrease in Like other neighborhoods of Planning population from 1990, 8.03%. A larger District 6, Pontilly has a high percentage of decrease in population occurred in the elderly persons. The city of New Orleans' decade of 1980 to 1990, 14.53%. reported 65+ population as a percentage Compared to other neighborhoods of of total population was 11.7% in 2000 Planning District 6, only three of the seven compared with Planning District 6 at neighborhoods experienced a population 16.2%. Pontilly's elderly population increase during between 1990 and 2000 comprised nearly 19% of its total (Filmore - 3.37%, Gentilly Terrace - population in 2000. In terms of age 10.75%, St. Anthony - 9.72%). cohorts reported in the 2000 census, the Pontilly neighborhood breaks down as The 2000 racial composition of the Pontilly follows: neighborhood was predominantly African • 7.5% under the age of 5 years, American, 79.5% with 16.6% white and Above: Planning District 6 Zoning, Pontilly Neighborhood • 16.5% 6 - 17 years, City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Population % Change 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 5 & under 6 - 17 Years 18 - 34 Years 35 - 49 Years 50 - 64 years 65+ Years City of New Orleans 557,515 496,938 484,674 -10.87% -2.47% City of New Orleans 8.4% 18.3% 25.9% 21.9% 13.8% 11.7% Planning District 6 48,047 43,926 44,164 -8.58% 0.54% Planning District 6 7.0% 16.4% 22.6% 22.3% 15.6% 16.2% Dillard 7,324 6,858 6,440 -6.36% -6.10% Dillard 5.9% 14.5% 26.2% 18.2% 17.0% 18.2% Filmore 6,681 6,712 6,938 0.46% 3.37% Filmore 6.7% 15.4% 17.9% 23.1% 17.7% 19.2% Gentilly Terrace 9,827 9,560 10,588 -2.72% 10.75% Gentilly Terrace 7.6% 18.7% 20.7% 25.6% 15.3% 12.1% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 2,955 2,542 2,147 -13.98% -15.54% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 3.3% 11.7% 31.3% 16.7% 14.2% 22.8% Milneburg 6,287 5,708 5,640 -9.21% -1.19% Milneburg 7.9% 17.7% 21.5% 22.6% 15.5% 14.8% Pontilly 8,927 7,630 7,017 -14.53% -8.03% Pontilly 7.4% 16.5% 21.0% 21.6% 15.0% 18.6% St. Anthony 6,046 4,916 5,394 -18.69% 9.72% St. Anthony 7.3% 15.7% 27.8% 22.3% 13.2% 13.7% Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc.org and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Regional Planning Commission Planning Commission

• 21.0% 18 - 34 years, Real Mean Household Income % Change • 21.6% 35 - 49 years, 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 • 15.0% 50 - 64 years, and City of New Orleans • 18.6% 65+ years Planning District 6 $49,878 $45,343 $46,040 -9.09% 1.54% Dillard $41,943 $37,489 $34,458 -10.62% -8.09% Filmore $79,554 $66,410 $58,319 -16.52% -12.18% Income and Household Gentilly Terrace $38,375 $38,379 $42,492 0.01% 10.72% Characteristics Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks $104,178 $104,531 $113,660 0.34% 8.73% Milneburg $43,467 $36,324 $42,541 -16.43% 17.12% In terms of household income, the Pontilly Pontilly $48,798 $39,178 $42,917 -19.71% 9.54% neighborhood ranked third lowest of the St. Anthony $40,082 $35,655 $38,533 -11.04% 8.07% seven neighborhoods comprising Planning Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from 11 District 6 in 2000, 1990 and 1980. The Regional Planning Commission neighborhood experienced an increase in mean household income between 1990 Households % Change and 2000, 9.54% and a significant loss 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 between 1980 and 1990, 19.71%. While Planning District 6 17,757 17,001 17,205 -4.26% 1.20% median household income is a better Dillard 2,576 2,591 2,551 0.58% -1.54% measure for typical income of an area, it is Filmore 2,356 2,648 2,736 12.39% 3.32% not available at the neighborhood or Gentilly Terrace 4,360 4,083 4,231 -6.35% 3.62% district level. The Regional Planning Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 809 846 671 4.57% -20.69% Commission adjusted the mean household Milneburg 2,409 2,228 2,204 -7.51% -1.08% income reported here to reflect constant Pontilly 2,686 2,447 2,493 -8.90% 1.88% 1999 dollars. This constant dollar measure St. Anthony 2,561 2,158 2,319 -15.74% 7.46% is reasonable for comparative purposes Source: Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Planning Commission over time. Average Household Size % Change The number of households reported in the 1980 1990 2000 1980 - 1990 1990 - 2000 2000 U. S. Census for Pontilly Planning District 6 2.62 2.51 2.52 -4.20% 0.40% neighborhood was 2,493, up1.88% from Dillard 2.63 2.44 2.39 -7.22% -2.05% the 1990 Census. In the prior decade, the Filmore 2.80 2.52 2.51 -10.00% -0.40% number of households had declined Gentilly Terrace 2.25 2.34 2.50 4.00% 6.84% significantly, 8.90%. According to the Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 2.93 2.52 2.50 -13.99% -0.79% 2000 Census, the Pontilly neighborhood Milneburg 2.59 2.56 2.56 -1.16% 0.00% households comprised 14.49% of the total Pontilly 3.23 3.05 2.76 -5.57% -9.51% households within Planning District 6. St. Anthony 2.36 2.28 2.33 -3.39% 2.19% Source: Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Planning Commission Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

2000 Total Housing Occupied Owner Renter Tota Housing Housing Age Units Housing Occupied Occupied Units (2000) 1990 - 2000 1980 - 1989 1970 - 1979 1960 - 1969 1959 - earlier City of New Orleans 215,091 87.5% 46.5% 53.5% Dillard 2,775 0.8% 9.4% 6.5% 16.4% 66.9% Planning District 6 18,442 93.2% 71.8% 28.2% Filmore 2,822 5.5% 11.2% 6.8% 21.6% 54.9% Dillard 2,775 93.6% 56.7% 43.3% Gentilly Terrace 4,515 2.0% 2.2% 5.6% 13.4% 76.8% Filmore 2,822 96.2% 84.6% 15.4% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 713 3.1% 5.7% 16.9% 34.1% 40.2% Gentilly Terrace 4,515 93.3% 69.6% 30.4% Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks 713 96.6% 95.1% 4.9% Milneburg 2,362 1.8% 3.9% 5.0% 14.6% 74.7% Milneburg 2,362 92.9% 71.3% 28.7% Pontilly 2,642 1.8% 3.5% 6.2% 19.2% 69.3% Pontilly 2,642 94.2% 82.2% 17.6% St. Anthony 2,613 1.6% 1.4% 3.6% 15.3% 78.1% St. Anthony 2,613 87.4% 60.0% 40.0% Source: Regional Planning Commission Source: City of New Orleans data from www.gnocdc.org and US Census Bureau; Planning District 6 and sub-areas data from Regional Planning Commission

2000 average household size within the 2,642 housing units in the Pontilly entrance/exit ramps on Elysian Fields Pontilly neighborhood was the largest of all neighborhood were built prior to 1959, Avenue, Franklin Avenue and Louisa Street. seven neighborhoods that comprise 69.3%. Between 1960 and 1969, Gentilly Boulevard/Chef Menteur on the Lake Pontchartrain Planning District 6, 2.76 persons per approximately 507 housing units were south side and Leon C. Simon Boulevard on household. The average household size for built. In the following three decades, the north side are two primary arterial the entire planning district was 2.52 approximately 303 housing units were streets providing east/west access to the persons as reported in the 2000 Census. built. Pontilly neighborhood. Congress and Press Streets provide north/south access into the Leon C Simon 25 In terms of poverty, the Pontilly Mobility and Transportation neighborhoods. neighborhood was just under the Industrial Canal

percentage of population living below According to the U.S. 2000 Census figures, As noted previously, the Pontilly Robert E Lee Blvd Elysian FieldsAve 20 12 poverty within all of Planning District 6. the majority of the Pontilly population used neighborhood is somewhat isolated from According to the 2000 Census, over 12% of private vehicles for their transportation. Of the rest of the planning district. Access is the population within the neighborhood the total households, only 8.7% of these limited to the north and south sides from Congress St

households do not have a vehicle while less the rest of the planning district as the only Bayou St John was living below the poverty rate. In Press Dr

St RochAve comparison, Planning District 6 as a whole than 10% rides public transit to work. the peripheral streets of Leon C. Simon and Filmore Ave Franklin Ave 18 had nearly 15% of the total population Gentilly Boulevard/Chef Menteur Highway provide ingress and egress. None of the living in poverty. Mirabeau Ave St Anthony Recreation and Open Space interior streets connect to other interior 24 Housing Characteristics collector streets in the planning district due Paris Ave As discussed previously, the Pontilly to the rail corridor located along Peoples 19 I-10 The neighborhoods of Planning District 6 neighborhood is home to the regional park Avenue. have significantly high occupancy rate facility, Pontchartrain Park which includes St Bernard Ave when compared to the city of New Orleans. baseball fields, tennis courts, lagoons, and Further, of the occupied housing units, all the Joe M. Bartholomew Golf Course. Housing, Architecture and Historic 610 neighborhoods within Planning District 6 Residents appreciate the green space and Preservation Gentilly Blvd have a significantly higher owner want the park and its facilities restored. occupancy rate than that of the city as Harris Playground is located in the Gentilly Housing whole, 71.8% and 46.5%, respectively. Woods subdivision. There are no parks within the Indian Village neighborhood. The Pontilly neighborhood is According to the 2000 Census, the Pontilly overwhelmingly single family residential - neighborhood was the third highest of all 65% in Gentilly Woods and 63% in seven neighborhoods occupancy rate of Roadway Hierarchy and Pontchartrain Park. The subdivisions at Planning District 6. The Pontilly Jurisdiction one time had restrictive covenants neighborhood owner occupancy rate for mandating single family homes. While the 2000 was 82.2% while Planning District 6 Interstate 610 provides convenient access majority of the housing stock in Indian as a whole was 71.8%. The majority of the to all of Planning District 6 with Village, 46% of the total land, is single City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

family homes, the subdivision does contain scattered duplex homes.

Architecture

The Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly Woods neighborhoods are primarily ranch style homes on slab. Many homes in Indian Village are raised shotgun and cottage style homes.

Historic Preservation 13

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Pontchartrain Park was determined to be eligible for National Register District status. The Section 106 process had not commenced, however. Given the cultural significance of the Joe M. Bartholomew Golf Course (see History section), residents do want to pursue the next step for designation as a National Register District.

Images left to right:

A-D: Typical Single-Family Residences Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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C. Hurricane Katrina Neighborhood Impacts

Extent of Flooding This was also the case for the northern section of the Gentilly Woods subdivision. All of Pontchartrain Park was inundated Homes closer to Gentilly Boulevard/Chef from flooding caused by levee breaches in Menteur Highway were deemed to be 20% the adjacent Industrial Canal. These to 40% damaged. The majority of homes breaches resulted in more than eight feet of within Indian Village were assessed to be flood waters throughout the entire up to 20% damaged. neighborhood. The northern section of the Gentilly Woods subdivision suffered over All properties that experienced greater than eight feet of flood waters as well. Closer to 50% damage are now required to meet the Gentilly Boulevard/Chef Menteur Highway, new base flood elevation requirement of flood waters were marginally lower in the three feet above the highest existing 15 Gentilly Woods section of Pontilly. This was adjacent grade (HEAG). The HEAG of any similar to Indian Village, south of Gentilly individual property must be measured and Woods/Chef Menteur Highway, in which documented by a registered professional structures closest to the highway did not engineer or land surveyor and listed on a receive substantial flood waters. Closer to property survey or elevation certificate. Interstate 10 however, the area averaged over three feet of flood waters. The New Orleans City Council recently adopted by ordinance the Federal Residential Properties Damage Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assessment advisory base flood elevation (BFE). The new BFE requires homes that were Field reconnaissance performed by the city damaged more than 50% to raise the of New Orleans of each residential structure structure a minimum of three feet above the determined the extent of damage caused by HEAG. For those residential structures that flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane were in compliance to the 1984 BFE Katrina. The damage assessment was requirements and where the floor elevation utilized by the city of New Orleans for the is above three feet, raising of the structure purposes of issuing permits to homeowners is not required, and thus grandfathered in for rebuilding. Residents are provided under the 1984 BFE. the opportunity to challenge the city's damage assessment. Commercial Properties Damage Assessment Image top right: Within the Pontchartrain Park area of Pontilly neighborhood all of the homes were Although the major commercial area of the A: Pontchartrain Park Community Center deemed to be at least over 50% damaged. Pontilly neighborhood the shopping center Source: City of New Orleans, Mayor’s Office of Technology, GIS Department Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

and retail area located on Gentilly Drainage Structures Boulevard/Chef Menteur Highway were spared Pontchartrain Park and the golf course are deep flood waters, the depth of flooding was low lying in elevation and have experienced enough to enter the commercial buildings that flooding prior to Katrina. Residents were at sidewalk level. Recently, the Winn repeatedly noted during meetings that Dixie grocery store has re-opened and is now clogged catch basins are causing street providing residents a much needed service. flooding during periods of rainfall. All catch basins need to be cleaned. The commercial structures adjacent to Indian Village all sustained some damage although Signage and Way-Finding not as severely as did the residential areas of Traffic signals within the Pontilly 16 this neighborhood. neighborhood area have been repaired since Hurricane Katrina. However, an inventory of Institutional Properties Damage missing street signs needs to be Assessment accomplished and replacement signs installed. These signs need to be replaced The infrastructure damage assessment was limited for safety reasons that not only address to drive-by field reconnaissance conducted by the traffic movement but also way-finding for planning team and discussed with residents of the emergency vehicles. neighborhoods. Additionally, residents of Indian Village Street Conditions neighborhood have noted repeated traffic Gentilly Boulevard/Chef Menteur Highway and accidents or near accidents occurring at the Leon C. Simon Boulevard are in fair to good intersection of Old Gentilly Boulevard and condition. The recently reconstructed section Iroquois Street. The need for a four-way of Press Drive, fronting Southern University is stop needs to be investigated. The city of in good condition. Press Street and New Orleans is moving forward with Congress Street are both bus routes and have negotiations with FEMA to provide for the over time sustained damage caused by buses. replacement of damaged and destroyed Image at left: There is a need to rebuild these streets street signs, traffic signals and signs, inclusive of the sub-base as well as rebuild evacuation routes, etc. the neighborhood streets in which localized A: Chef Menteur Highway Overpass damage occurred on most if not all streets Street Lights B: Press Blvd serving the Pontilly and Indian Village Individual installations sustained damage from C: UNO Signage neighborhoods. wind and flooding. An inventory should be accomplished and repairs made where necessary. Images at top: Southern University of New Orleans City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Parks, Open Space Damage Assessment

Pontchartrain Park and the Joe M. Bartholomew Golf Course experienced over eight feet of flood waters. The park, golf course, tennis courts, and Wesley Barrow stadium were severely flooded and facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Harris Playground located in the Gentilly Woods subdivision also sustained substantial damage by the flood waters. 17 Community Facilities Damage Assessment

The Pontchartrain Park Senior Community Center sustained over eight feet of flood waters as did the two schools within Pontilly: Mary Dora Coghill Elementary School and St. Benedict Moor Catholic School and Church. The church has re- opened and has provided continued assistance to residents of the area in hosting community meetings throughout the planning process.

Southern University at New Orleans sustained over eight feet of flood waters and to date has not re-opened its main campus. It is operating from temporary buildings located on the north side of Leon C. Simon Boulevard.

The New Orleans Theological Baptist Seminary Image at left: did not sustain heavy flooding within the southern area of its campus. It is operational A: Dreaux Canal: View from Press and has been a great community neighbor to Blvd. residents of the area by providing community B: Wesley Barrow Stadium meeting space and organizing volunteers to assist Planning District 6 Damage Assessment residents with gutting their homes. Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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D. Neighborhood Rebuilding Scenarios

The neighborhood rebuilding scenarios for prepared to address future design Related Challenges • The rapid implementation of Early the Pontilly neighborhood address the guidelines for this property in particular to Action projects to further aid in future development of the residential ascertain that it becomes a gateway to the The presence of a substantial amount of repopulation through the areas, the future development of the Pontilly and Indian Village neighborhoods. slab homes and the substantial numbers of provision of basic services, retail institutional uses, and the commercial these homes that were assessed as being opportunities, clean and rebuilt areas. Residents of Indian Village would like to over 50% damaged, may indicate that the parks and recreation areas, and physical improvements to the commercial residential areas may undergo demolitions improved infrastructure, signage, Residential Areas - Residents have buildings fronting Old Gentilly Boulevard. and hence a slower recovery than in other streets and sidewalks. expressed a desire to rebuild their Façade improvements and parking areas where there was a more varied community in the same fashion for the improvements are needed in this area. housing stock that could serve as the seeds • As of the writing of this report residential construction as it was before for faster neighborhood recovery. For this the Southern University of New Hurricane Katrina; substantial single family Neighborhood Re-Population reason the Pontilly neighborhoods need to Orleans has not opened on its 19 homes in the areas designated as single be closely monitored and placed under main campus. The re-opening of family areas. Several factors indicate that the individual special emphasis to make sure that their the university will be a major neighborhoods that comprise the Pontilly recovery is tailored to the specific catalyst for the recovery of these Commercial Areas - The major commercial neighborhood will re-populate as time conditions of these neighborhoods areas. neighborhoods. area, the Gentilly Woods Shopping Center progresses including; and the surrounding commercial areas Additional challenges to re- present two rebuilding scenarios on which • The commitment of residents in population that need to be and are the community and the neighborhood has participating in this planning effort being addressed by the community expressed their opinions about the and working in rebuilding their and in the plan include: following alternatives: individual homes and the entire community; • The larger percentage of elderly 1) Rebuild as Before - Rebuild a strip • The significant number of trailers population in the Pontilly shopping center. This is not the preferred located on individual properties; neighborhood as compared to rebuilding scenario for this commercial • The resurgence, commitment and Planning District 6, and the city of area. The strip shopping center was a participation of residents in their New Orleans, 18.6%, 16.2% and failed shopping center that could not individual neighborhood 11.7%, respectively. This larger compete in the new world of merchandising association meetings; age group over 65 years of age that was created by the enclosed malls. • The return of the New Orleans may choose not to return to the The probability of this center coming back Baptist Theological Seminary to its neighborhood. The Pontilly in line as a strip center is questionable. campus; and neighborhood and District 6 in • The temporary operations with a general are addressing this issue 2) Alternative Development - Its location commitment of SUNO to rebuild its through the proposal and evaluation Images at top left to right: on Chef Menteur Highway makes it a prime main campus. of land use changes to accommodate candidate for an alternative commercial elderly housing developments A-B: Images of rebuilding and return use. Specific area plans should be including assisted living facilities. Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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E. Neighborhood Recovery

On a district-wide level, the GCIA discussed with residents during the telephone and website systems for • Reassess functional classifications to Infrastructure and Environmental Quality planning process and are included in the reporting problems and complaints. secure federal funding for roadway repair committee addressed all infrastructure and proposed projects section of this report. funding. public services/utilities projects including: • Provide awareness training and Levees, Flood Walls and Storm Surge publications to inform lay people on hour Drainage Improvements/Projects • Street Repair Improvements/Projects, Protection Improvements/Projects to identify and report levee problems to Policy Recommendation - • Street Lighting Restoration Projects, Policy Recommendation - responsible agencies. • Traffic Control Restoration Projects, Institute a system of accountability and Institute a system of accountability and • Sidewalk Repair Improvements/Projects, transparency for drainage system • Institute system of technical oversight transparency for drainage system • Neutral Grounds Restoration operations and system failures. for flood protection projects. Require the operations and system failures. Improvements/Projects U.S. Army Corps of Engineers retain an • Drainage Improvements/Projects, Establish transparent and accountable independent board of consultants to Establish transparent and accountable 21 • Levees, Flood Walls and Storm Surge governance system to set objectives, track review adequacy of interim and governance system to set objectives, track Protection Improvements/Projects, progress, verify completion and assess permanent flood protection repairs and progress, verify completion and assess • Coastal Wetlands Projects, lessons learned. improvements. lessons learned. • Garbage Collection, and • Transit Service Projects. Assure adequate funding is provided for Street Repair Assure adequate funding is provided for objectives and assure outlays are properly Improvements/Projects objectives and assure outlays are properly A copy of the complete report can be found spent. Policy Recommendation -- spent. on the Gentilly Civic Improvement The report recommends the institution of Association: www.gcia.us. Specific Establish a clear protocol for residents and a system of accountability and Establish a clear protocol for residents and recommendations are included in this governmental agencies to report and track transparency be implemented for all public governmental agencies to report and track Neighborhood Recovery Plan. Repair of complaints and problems. works projects so as to keep residents complaints and problems. basic infrastructure and restoration of informed as repairs progress and are basic public services are of the highest • Repair/upgrade all breached levees scheduled. • Repair, replace and maintain conduits importance to residents of the Pontilly and and flood walls. for storm water drainage. Indian Village neighborhoods as well as Additionally, with regard to street the community at-large. • Install flood gates on London Avenue improvements the following are • Construct subsurface drainage in and on Industrial Canal at Lake recommendations of the Infrastructure neighborhoods where it does not The following are specific infrastructure Pontchartrain. and Environmental Quality committee: currently exist. recommendations from the committee report that are beneficial to all residents • Relocate London Avenue Canal pumps • Implement a pavement management • Repair, replace and maintain pumps not just at the neighborhood level, station to northern end at Lake system to prioritize street improvements. as necessary. Images at top left to right: planning district level, but are beneficial Pontchartrain. city and region wide. All other • Implement competent system for • Lower streets by removing years of • Build safe houses for drainage pump A: Southern University of New Orleans recommendations that evolved from the reporting/recording complaints concerning accumulated patches and resurfacings. personnel. B: Place of Worship neighborhood meetings and were flood protection. Streamline and improve Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

• Install gutter barriers to prevent Strategic Initiative No. 1 the London Avenue and Industrial canals at each of the neighborhoods of Planning street runoff from entering buildings. Manage and Improve the Overall Lake Pontchartrain, and the relocation of District 6. In order to provide the required Safety and Appearance of the London Avenue canal pump station to assistance and incentives to these private • Perform storm water management Neighborhood the northern end of the canal at Lake citizens, the city of New Orleans should analysis to create holding ponds or Promote the requirement to gut and Pontchartrain. It is imperative that this implement the following housing subsurface basins in open spaces to secure damaged homes as well as property community initiative continue and that reconstruction programs: retain flood waters away from streets and upkeep and maintenance. residents continue to monitor progress and residences. keep a vigilant watch and maintain Housing Assistance Centers • Implement storm water best pressure for action and improvements. management practices. Strategic Initiative No. 2 Actively support and assist in the inception Maintain Communication, Dialogue of a “one-stop” housing assistance center 22 • Enforce the Louisiana Discharge and Monitoring with City and State Strategic Initiative No. 4 for the benefit of Pontilly and Indian Village Elimination System Storm Water Pollution Agencies for Continued Continue Participation in District and Planning District 6 residents. The Prevention Plans for all construction sites Improvements to Utilities and Wide Recovery Efforts Housing Assistance Centers will provide greater than one acre. Streets and Clean Up Neighborhood improvements cannot be expedited services for permits, fees, It is imperative that the community be in limited to the boundaries of the specific inspections and general management Coastal Wetlands Projects constant communication with city officials Pontilly and Indian Village neighborhoods. assistance. • Provide emergency federal resources to identify locations of leaking water The recovery of the adjacent for repairing hurricane-damaged supply pipes, leaking fire hydrants, missing neighborhoods will have a direct and Lot Next Door Program wetlands. street lights and other community positive impact on the Pontilly • Achieve Coast 2050 objectives by deficiencies that need to be addressed for neighborhoods and will translate into a The principal thrust of redevelopment diecting a larger share of oil/gas revenues reconstruction. It is imperative that this faster recovery and increased property programs and policies that encourage the to coastal restoration and link levee community initiative continue in order to values for the Pontilly and Indian Village speedy redevelopment of neighborhoods, funding to wetlands. keep a constant watch and pressure for residents. must match various government powers action and improvements. and financing tools of the local housing and In addition to the above infrastructure and Strategic Initiative No. 5 real estate market conditions. A key issue public services/utilities projects, open Implement Housing Recovery will be to most effectively encourage the ditch drainage still exists within some Strategic Initiative No. 3 Initiatives redevelopment of homes and residential areas of the Indian Village neighborhood. Maintain Communication, Dialogue It is important to implement housing lots that fall into public ownership. Residents want these open and Monitoring of Levees, Flood recovery initiatives to encourage the local ditches/drainage covered. Walls and Storm Surge Protection neighborhood to actively participate in the The “Lot Next Door” program is one of a Improvements/Projects reconstruction process of the properties on series of proposed housing policies which The Pontilly Neighborhoods Recovery Plan The GCIA Infrastructure and the street where they live, on their blocks have been developed as part of the proposes a series of strategic initiatives to Environmental Quality committee and the and in their neighborhoods. Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and takes address reconstruction of the damaged Pontilly Collaborative calls for the direct aim at some particular market community assets: repair/upgrade of all breached levees and Private citizen activity will be the most hurdles that slow the redevelopment of flood walls, installation of flood gates on important driving force in the recovery of many of these properties. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

In its simplest form the “Lot Next Door” etc. has proved particularly challenging for insurance proceeds) and the market value homes were not built unless there was program will offer homeowners who are many elderly households after experiencing price of a condominium unit. significant targeted public assistance committed to redeveloping their home the the substantial damage (physical and related to construction. ability to purchase publicly owned psychological) that has been visited upon Expansion of Home Purchaser Given the different market factors adjoining properties prior to these other communities after other disasters. Assistance Programs/Lot Write Down influencing the redevelopment of housing properties being offered to any other Programs – in different neighborhoods, there are a buyers. Additionally, there are a substantial Use of Revolving Funds – variety of strategies that will have to be number of areas of the city including One of the principal questions that has employed with regard to the sale of lots This option would be provided should the Lakeview, areas of Gentilly, among others repeatedly been raised in the acquired through the acquisition program property end up in public ownership either where rebuilding homes with damage in neighborhood meetings is the issue of how on the open market. These strategies through the adjudication process or excess of 50 percent will require total are properties that end up in public include the following: through the sale of the property to a public reconstructions at three feet above grade ownership either through the adjudicated 23 entity through the Road Home or other or the Base Flood Elevation, whichever is or buy back process are going to be resold All Neighborhood Policy #1 – public acquisition program. greater. Many of these homes will have to to the market. While the “Lot Next Door” To the extent possible, multiple adjacent be raised close to one story making them a program provides one method for lots within blocks and lots within adjacent Elderly Moderate Income difficult housing product type for people recycling the lots in the market, there are blocks should be sold to experienced for- Condominium Road Home Tie-In – with physical frailties. going to be numerous lots that are not profit and not-for-profit builders who have What has become quite apparent through acquired by next door neighbors that are the management and financial capacity to the neighborhood planning process is that Elderly homeowners are clearly a special going to be sold on the open market. undertake multiple home redevelopments senior household which have some of the case with specific needs, and currently concurrently. strongest ties to the community and have there are no programs targeted to this Assuming that there are few new expressed some of the strongest voices for subgroup of homeowners. A targeted regulations associated with developing All Neighborhoods Policy #2 – rebuilding and returning to the city, but homeowner program is needed which will housing (i.e., some requirement that For those lots that find their way into also face some of the most significant allow elderly households to tie their Road certain units must be homeownership public ownership, the sale of the lots challenges in redeveloping or rebuilding Home grant to senior specific elevator versus rental), it is likely that the value should be sold back into the market at the their homes. multi-story condominium project to be placed on many properties for sale will market cost based on some form of fair developed throughout the city. There has determine how quickly that property will market value/appraisal assessment. In First, there are many areas of the city been wide support for dedicated multi- be rebuilt for housing. some neighborhoods, the fair market which had a high concentration of elderly family senior housing products in many value may be zero or close to zero, homeowners (Lower Ninth Ward, parts of the city, but particularly in areas Additionally, and realistically, there are a however there needs to be a formal Pontchartrain Park, Lakeview) which where younger homeowners have aging variety of neighborhoods throughout the process in place to determine the value of sustained substantial damage and which parents living nearby. city, where reducing the cost of a lot or any given property. will require demolition and reconstruction unit to essentially zero will not be enough of many homes. In some cases, there may be a need to to insure the redevelopment of the The principal reason why the public sector increase the grant amount or provide a low property. There are generally those should not sell lots in the market at below Historically, the challenges dealing with interest loan to the household if there is a neighborhoods prior to Hurricane Katrina market value is that the sale of a large contractors, permit inspectors, lenders, gap between the value of the buyout (and where land values were quite low and number of lots owned by the government Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

at below market will naturally drive down public to private sales of lots in higher the value of properties sold in private income neighborhoods to assist the transactions. redevelopment of housing in the low income areas. Revolve Funds from Higher Income Neighborhood Property Sales to Strategic Initiative No. 6 Properties in Neighborhoods where Identify and Promote Early Action Values are Lower – Projects There are a number of neighborhoods in Early action projects serve to generate New Orleans, generally where there were community confidence through the high concentrations of blighted and commitment of the public sector to create 24 adjudicated properties prior to Hurricane investments in the community. Potential Katrina, where the market value of many Early Action projects include identifying single-family scattered properties is adaptive reuse for major facilities that will nearly zero. In these cases, it will be not be reconstructed to house the functions necessary to write down the construction that existed prior to Hurricane Katrina, cost of units so they are affordable to improvements to the neutral grounds, families below median incomes and in street improvements and others. turn cause the redevelopment of these properties. Strategic Initiative No. 7 Promote and Monitor the No matter the program or structure, in Implementation of Key order to appropriately serve low and Recovery/Redevelopment Parcels and moderate income families, either in rental Projects or for-sale housing will cost significantly The continued monitoring and community more than is currently available in the interest in the major development projects system. and parcels identified in Pontilly are crucial for the recovery of the neighborhood. Plan and have been expressed by the A. Restoration of Pontchartrain Park, Therefore, one of the key sources of Among some of the most crucial key neighborhood and the community through Joe M. Bartholomew Golf Course, funding is to establish policies that recycle recovery projects is the Gentilly Woods the public involvement process: Wesley Barrow Stadium the sales proceeds from housing in Shopping Center site and defining what it Pontchartrain Park including the golf neighborhoods where the market value for will become. Images from left to right: housing exists to neighborhoods where course, stadium, tennis and basketball courts provide a regional level park to the there is little or no existing housing land Neighborhood interests should monitor and Proposed Projects Description A: Pontchartrain Park neighborhood and residents elsewhere in values and significant subsidy is required help bring about the construction of these B-C: Existing Views of the Dreaux Canal Parks/Open Space and Recreation the planning district and city. Residents to provide high quality housing to low and key recovery projects indicated below that Improvements/Projects want the entire park restored as well as an moderate income families. In this way, form part of the Neighborhoods Rebuilding Dreaux Canal Proposed Improvements the city will be using the proceeds from assessment of deficiencies accomplished in City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Southern University At right: Pontilly Neighborhood Rebuilding Plan of New Orleans Pontilly Neighborhood Groups E 18 Gentilly Woods 19 Indian Village 20 Pontchartrain Park Parks/Open Space & Recreation Projects A A Restoration of Pontchartrain Park & Deficiency Assessment Restoration of Joseph M. Bartholomew Golf Course Restoration of Wesley Barrow Stadium B Restoration of Harris Playground & Deficiency Assessment C Enclose Dreaux Canal & Create Open/Green Space Walking Path D Landscape Noise/Wall Barriers (to be installed) along I-10 20 H Schools & Community Facilities Projects E Renovate & Re-Open Pontchartrain Park Senior Community Center Implement Plans for Phase 2 Construction of Pontchartrain Park Senior F C Community Center F Renovate & Re-Open Mary Dora Coghill Elementary School Dreaux Canal

Congress Dr 25

Peoples Ave Pedestrian & Bicycle Projects B G Develop "Rails with Trails" Walking/Bicycle Path Along Peoples Avenue Corridor 18 H Create Walking/Bicycle Path Around Pontchartrain Park Press Dr J I Implement CPC & RPC Adopted Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements Gentilly Boulevard @ Press Drive & Louisa Street G Neutral Grounds Projects J J Restore all Neutral Grounds & Create Welcome Signs to Neighborhoods -- Press K Drive, Congress Drive I Planning Projects K Prepare Sub-Area Master Plan for Gentilly Woods Shopping Center I-10 - Implement Urban Design Overlay Ordinance on Elysian Fields Avenue & Gentilly I D Boulevard (see District-Wide map) 19 Transit Service Projects (see District-Wide Map) New Orleans Baptist - Restore Transit Service & Amenities Theological Seminary - Secure Funding for EIS Process for Streetcar/Light Rail System on Elysian Fields Avenue Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

terms of equipment needs, user amenities planning district. This type of path would F. Renovate Mary Dora Coghill H. Create Walking/Bicycle Path (i.e., benches, trees, landscaping, water achieve that goal. Additionally, residents Elementary School Around Pontchartrain Park fountains), and enclosed facilities. envision senior housing adjacent to the This school is not scheduled to re-open. Sidewalks meeting specifications to include Additionally, residents would like mini-park walking path (see F below). Residents want the school demolished and bicycles should be built around the entire areas established in the open/greenspace D. Landscape Noise Barriers (to be would like to pursue the development of periphery of Pontchartrain Park. Many of Pontchartrain Park in the area of installed) along I-10 senior housing in the area to help the residents utilize this area for exercise and Congress Street on the northern side of Interstate 10 runs adjacent to southern senior population return home. This must walk in the street. Building a path the Pontchartrain Park and on the southern area of the Indian Village neighborhood. opportunity site is adjacent to the proposed along side the park will improve the use of side near Press and Prentiss streets. Noise barriers are not in place in this area Dreux Open/Green Space Walking Path the facility and increase safety for users. of the interstate. Residents want the project. B. Restoration of Harris Playground interstate to be noise insulated and I. Implement City Planning 26 Harris Playground is a neighborhood level landscaped to further reduce noise and At an appropriate time and when re- Commission & Regional Planning park located in Gentilly Woods subdivision. provide additional green landscaping to population warrants, residents would like to Commission Pedestrian The playground is adjacent to St. Benedict beatify the neighborhood. have a state of the art K-6 elementary Improvements Moor School and serves residents of the school built in this vicinity. Plans previously prepared by the CPC and area. Residents want the park and RPC recommended pedestrian playground equipment restored and an Schools and Community Facilities improvements along Gentilly assessment performed of deficiencies. Improvements/Projects Pedestrian and Bicycle Boulevard/Chef Menteur Highway in the Improvements/Projects area of the Gentilly Shopping Center. C. Enclose Dreux Canal and Create E. Renovate and Re-Open These mobility improvements will allow for Open/Green Space Walking Path Pontchartrain Park Senior Community G. Develop “Rails with Trails” safer pedestrian movements to this major Dreux Canal is an open ditch canal. Center Walking/Bicycle Path Along Peoples commercial center as it redevelops. Residents would like to enclose the canal The senior center provided a vital service to Avenue Corridor and create a usable green space and the elderly community of Pontilly. The With a goal of improved pedestrian mobility Neutral Grounds Projects walking path with amenities (benches, center needs to be renovated and re- and connectivity of neighborhoods water fountains, shade trees). This open opened. Prior to Hurricane Katrina plans throughout the planning district, residents J. Restore all Neutral Grounds and Create ditch canal has long divided the were prepared to construct Phase 2 of the would like to improve the rail corridor with Welcome Signs to Neighborhoods Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly Woods facility. Residents feel this is a significant an adjacent walking and bicycle path The major arterials serving these subdivisions. project to assist the senior population of complete with user amenities (i.e., neighborhoods including Press Drive and the entire planning district. benches, shade trees, water fountains). Congress Street have wide tree lined If engineering study determines the canal While Pontilly recognizes the path may have neutral grounds. The neutral grounds are cannot be enclosed, usable linear paths This community center should also include to be on the western side of the rail right- valued green space and pre-Katrina had can be created on either side with cross a neighborhood health center/clinic to of-way, it should be connected via a tunnel trees. Residents have a strong desire to over bridges thus connecting the two service the greater Pontilly and Indian (similar to Tammany Trace as it crosses restore the neutral grounds of the neighborhoods. One goal of the plan is to Village neighborhoods. Highway 190) in the area of Dreux Canal. neighborhoods and further to prepare a provide improved connectivity and landscaping master plan that includes a pedestrian mobility within the entire tree planting policy. City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

Sub-Area Master Planning Projects in crime. Surveillance cameras were students of both higher learning price range. Housing styles and utilized in the neighborhoods prior to institutions. Transit service needs to be architecture of Planning District 6 are very K. Prepare Sub-Area Master Plan for Hurricane Katrina. Residents want these restored to the pre-Hurricane Katrina significant assets to the community. The Gentilly Woods Shopping Center cameras reinstalled to help deter crime. routes. The Gentilly Woods Shopping housing styles compliment and build upon Residents strongly desire to rebuild this Both neighborhoods need an increased Center is also conducive to transit oriented the sense of community and neighborhood shopping center with services and police presence. Enhanced street lighting development. character that residents value. All businesses desired by residents including a will help to improve safety. neighborhoods of Planning District 6 have bank, drug store, grocery store and Additionally, two commuter rail stops significantly high owner occupancy when restaurant. At one time the shopping Additionally, residents of Pontilly want to should be established; one in the area of compared to the city of New Orleans. centered was anchored with large pursue the possibility of a community SUNO and one in the area of Indian department stores however it declined security patrol and a neighborhood security Village. These stops will serve hurricane As part of this Neighborhoods Rebuilding drastically once the regional mall in New taxing district. evacuation needs of residents without Plan, a number of housing initiatives are 27 Orleans East was opened. Currently, automobiles. proposed and presented in the overall portions of the site are being used by policy element of the plan and issued debris haulers and has also become a tent Land Use and Zoning under separate cover. city. Parks, Open Space and Residents of the Pontilly and Indian Village Landscape Architecture Architecture This site offers attributes of transit neighborhoods want to maintain their oriented development. Reconfigured single family zoning. No zoning changes Design Guidelines for Residential are recommended. Proposed park improvements include the buildings moving the parking to the rear of previously discussed Pontchartrain Park, Construction the buildings and the building closer to the Joe M. Bartholomew Golf Course, Wesley street with adequate landscaping, lighting They have a desire to improve commercial As the community rebuilds there is a need development along Chef Menteur Highway Barrow Stadium and Harris Playground. and amenities are envisioned. This site Proposed landscaping improvements to develop Architectural Design Guidelines was included in the planning charrette and and in particular the Gentilly Woods and a mechanism for their enforcement in Shopping Center. A sub-area master plan previously presented include the noise residents embrace the concept of a town barriers along Interstate 10 as well as order to assure citizens that new center, the reconfiguration of Gentilly for this site and adjacent commercial areas construction will be compatible with the fronting the Indian Village neighborhood restoration of the trees in the neutral Boulevard was of major concern. The grounds lost to Hurricane Katrina. existing architectural fabric of the proximity of this site to SUNO, the NO has been proposed as part of this plan, it neighborhood and particular sub-areas. Theological Seminary, and a well traveled should address the zoning requirements if it is not adequate for proposed uses. corridor along Gentilly Boulevard offer a Housing, Architecture and The raising of homes to respond to the unique opportunity to make this a reality. 1984 Base Flood Elevation or the 3’0” rule Historic Preservation of the Advisory Base Flood Elevation Other Transportation and Public Transit requires strict observance to architectural Projects Housing design principles that will make the new or L. Safety raised construction compatible with Residents of Indian Village and the Pontilly Transit service is very important to this The Pontilly neighborhood is comprised of existing residential buildings in the area. subdivisions have experienced an increase neighborhood not only for residents but for single family homes in the middle income The photographs illustrate recent Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

examples of buildings being constructed currently in place on Chef Menteur historic designation submission to the that are raised and where the issue of Highway. National Register of Historic Places not compatibility with the surrounding feasible. architectural context is or may be an issue. Use of Louisiana Pattern Book A substantial number of individual houses, Architectural Design Guidelines and an however, upon reaching this threshold, and Architectural Design Review process The Louisiana Speaks Pattern book was if deemed appropriate by the owner, may enforced by the city of New Orleans where contracted by the LRA to develop design be submitted for consideration based on local design professionals and residents sit and development guidelines for specific either architectural or historic significance as reviewers may provide a vehicle for the Louisiana residential types. as individual property listings. orderly aesthetic reconstruction of the neighborhood. Prefabricated Homes Prior to Hurricane Katrina, a portion of the 28 neighborhood including the Joe M. Residential Design Guidelines should be Recently on West End Boulevard a new Bartholomew Golf Course was determined developed in close cooperation with the prefabricated home was constructed; to be eligible for the review process to be residents of Planning District 6 and could another company is in the process of placed on the National Register District. include additional controls and constructing a pre-fabricated home at the Residents want to pursuer this national intersection of Mirabeau Avenue and requirements such as front porches, listing. special setbacks and build to lines, location Franklin Avenue. These homes are an of garages, heights, and others. attractive addition to the community and their design does not exhibit the fact that Commercial Design Guidelines the homes arrived on-site on several trailers. Commercial Design Guidelines need to be developed for the major commercial The use of contextually designed pre- sectors in the Pontilly and Indian Village fabricated homes for the neighborhood neighborhoods. Commercial Design should not be curtailed, but its design and Guidelines to ensure that new construction aesthetics controlled to ensure a fit being built in the commercial areas will be between the new construction and a compatible with the vision of the specific neighborhood’s appearance. community. Historic Preservation Additionally Commercial Design Guidelines The Pontilly neighborhood development can regulate the signage that may be pattern commenced in the 1950s. While included as part of commercial retail some of the older homes may qualify for projects if residents desire more strict potential historic designation by being over signage regulations than those within the 50 years old, some areas of Pontilly date urban corridor overlay ordinance that is from the 1960s making qualification for City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan

F. Implementation and Funding Strategies

The connection between the Each matrix matches proposed projects • Housing initiatives for which there Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan and the with potential funding sources identified may be dollars already allocated through potential funding sources is graphically through the planning process and while not the Road Home, LIHTC, private funding represented by the Implementation Priority exhaustive in its scope, it serves as a guide sources, or other sources but where the Matrix. The costs analyses are provided on to where funds could originate. additional gap in funding is impossible to an order-of-magnitude basis as to the Substantial financial commitments by determine at this point; scope and magnitude of the project federal and state entities are a vital proposed and the investment required to ingredient in the recovery effort and will • Other policies, including land use construct it. As such, variations as to the provide the necessary economic and zoning regulations, which the scope of the project could result in infrastructure to attract the private community believed to be in the short and variations on the final cost of construction. investment required to create stable and long term interest of the community; and vibrant communities. 29 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 consultation with neighborhood residents operations, etc.) that either tie to certain to 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 professional experience inside and outside provides a general guide as to what New Orleans. communities believe is the most important priorities with regard to revitalization and No single source of funding or financial redevelopment. Acronyms FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency plan will be capable of dealing with the CDBG: Community Development Block Grant capital improvement needs for total Finally, there are a variety of items or HUD: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development redevelopment and reconstruction of all initiatives listed on the funding matrix USACE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CIP: Capital Improvement Plan the neighborhood projects and needs. where a capital cost can not be attached or LRA: Louisiana Recovery Authority However, the funding matrix included in determined without further study, but the SWB: Sewage & Water Board LHFA: Louisiana Housing Finance Agency this report shows different funding sources community believed needed to be a central HANO: Housing Authority of the City of New Orleans that could be made available for specific part of the plan. These include: HOME: HUD Low Income Housing Program projects and it should be expected that EDA: Economic Development Administration TIF: Tax Increment Financing layering of multiple sources of funding will • Undertaking specific further studies NMTC: New Market Tax Credits be required in most cases. The ability to to determine the actual cost to BID: Business Improvement District FHWA: Federal Highway Administration obtain these funds will rest with the City of governmental entities for certain FTA: Federal Transit Administration New Orleans and neighborhood groups and public/private initiatives (for which we LDOT: Louisiana Department of Transportation advisory committees. have noted the cost of the study); NGO: Non-Government Organizations Pontilly Neighborhood, Planning District Six

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