City of New Orleans Lafitte Greenway Master Plan Lafitte Greenway
This plan is for the design and development of all capital improvements associated with the Lafitte Greenway. Greenway Plan Master
i | Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway Plan Master
Lafitte Greenway Master Plan May 28, 2013 Prepared for City of New Orleans, Louisiana
By
In consultation with
Applied Ecological Services, Inc.
Bright Moments
Chris Davala, CPTED Consultant
Eskew + Dumez + Ripple
Gandolfo Kuhn, LLC
Greenplay, LLC
Michael Willis Architects
RCLCO
Three Fold Consultants, LLC
Walter Kulash, Transportation Engineer
For more information, contact: City of New Orleans
| ii Greenway Plan Master
iii | Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Contents Greenway Plan Master
1 - Executive Summary...... 1 5 - Greenway park design...... 57 Project Context and Scope...... 2 Lafitte Greenway Master Plan Preferred Alternative ...... 58 Development Projects ...... 6 Lafitte Greenway Master Plan Preferred Alternative ...... 60 American Great Outdoors ...... 6 Lafitte Greenway Master Plan Preferred Alternative ...... 62 Regional Context...... 3 Programmatic Plan ...... 64 Local Context...... 4 Circulation Plan ...... 66 Previous Studies/Plans ...... 5 Lighting Plan ...... 68 Project Vision, Approach and Goals...... 6 Open Water ...... 70 Project Vision, Approach and Goals...... 8 Planting Plan ...... 72 2 - ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS...... 9 Sections: Preferred Alternative...... 74 Overview ...... 10 Perspective Views: Preferred Alternative...... 76 Community and Demographics...... 12 Green Stormwater Infrastructure...... 78 Parks and Open Space ...... 14 Trail Crossings...... 80 Drainage...... 16 Signage and Wayfinding ...... 82 Transportation ...... 18 Trail User Type and Count...... 104 Transportation ...... 20 Urban Wildlife...... 105 3 - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT...... 21 6 - Implementation...... 107 Community Workshop 1 – August 2011...... 22 Opinion of Probable Costs at Full Build-Out...... 108 Community Workshop 2 – November 2011...... 26 Opinion of Probable Costs for Initial Improvements...... 110 Community Workshop 3 – October 2012...... 28 Building Partnerships...... 112 4 - Conceptual Development...... 31 Identifying Funding...... 114 Design Concepts...... 32 Operations and Maintenance...... 116 Design Concepts: History...... 34 7 - WORKS REFERENCED...... 117 Design Concepts: Greenway...... 36 Community Participation ...... 118 Design Concepts: Planting...... 37 Bibliography...... 119 Lafitte Greenway Master Plan Alternative 1...... 38 8 - APPENDIX...... 123 Sections: Alternative 1...... 40 New Orleans Metropolitan Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan...... 124 Perspective Views: Alternative 1 ...... 42 New Orleans Bike Map...... 125 Lafitte Greenway Master Plan Alternative 2...... 44 Greenway Tree Planting Concept Diagram...... 126 Sections: Alternative 2...... 46 Greenway Plant List...... 128 Perspective Views: Alternative 2 ...... 47 Lafitte Greenway Master Plan Alternative 3...... 48 Sections: Alternative 3...... 50 Perspective Views: Alternative 3 ...... 51 Logo Concepts...... 54
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v | Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana CHAPTER TITLE SUBTITLE 1 Executive Summary
Project Context & Scope Regional Context Local Context Previous Studies/Plans Project Vision, Approach and Goals
The Executive Summary Chapter includes overall project context and vision.
The purpose of this chapter is to outline the overall approach of the document and the goals identified for the Lafitte Greenway Master Plan.
1-Executive Summary | 1 Greenway m Project Context and Scope
Project Context Greenway and Corridor Additional maintenance and investment were Greenway has been critical to the success of strategies related to compatible land uses and required for the Carondelet Canal to stay a its various phases. Physically placed to create urban design, economic development strategies aster Plan Plan aster Definitions The City of New Orleans owns most of a passage for water and commerce. Eventually the connection from one side of New Orleans to and transportation connections. Specific 15-foot canal became 50-60 feet wide with an the other, the Lafitte Greenway can continue to recommendations regarding land use, zoning, 3.1-mile linear right of way along a former The Lafitte Greenway is defined as a 3.1-mile- shipping canal and railway that once connected embankment 30-40 feet to the southeast and be an asset and connection that brings energy urban design, social equity, sustainability, long strip of land bounded by Basin Street, a 60-foot embankment to the northeast. The and resources to communities throughout the public-private partnerships, capital investments, the historic French Quarter to Bayou St. John. Lafitte Street, N. Jefferson Davis Parkway and The right of way is unique in that it traverses development of the New Basin Canal in the city. private market forces, economic development, St. Louis Street and includes the entire St. Louis early 1830s and the physical constraints of the infrastructure, parks and recreation, and a cross-section of the city that captures its Street right of way between N. Jefferson Davis 200-year settlement pattern, ranging from the existing Carondelet Canal led to the decline Greenway Plan Scope transportation are included. Parkway and Canal Boulevard. The Lafitte in commercial and maritime uses along the colonial-era settlement of the Vieux Carré to Greenway also includes the Greenway Park. the mid-20th-century suburban neighborhood canal. Because the Carondelet Canal also took The Lafitte Greenway project scope includes of Lakeview. It has long been the objective of an overwhelming amount of dredging and the trail design for the entire 3.1-mile stretch The Lafitte Corridor consists of the Lafitte maintenance, it became difficult and expensive the City and community to convert this special Greenway and neighborhoods located within of the Greenway and the Greenway Park. right of way into a greenway, publicly accessible to keep up, and, by 1899, the Carondelet Canal This document is intended to identify the trail approximately one-quarter-mile distance of the had limited use. open space, recreation areas and other amenities. Lafitte Greenway. location and alignment for the entire Greenway, The project is one of Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s while specifically focusing on the Greenway “Committed Projects1.” The community desires During the turn of the century, railroads Park design. The Lafitte Greenway Park is approximately became the preferred way of transport to place a bicycle and pedestrian trail at the 16.5 acres within the Lafitte Greenway (former heart of the Greenway to facilitate travel among throughout the city and region. By the 1930s, This document will address the overall process, Louisiana Institute for Film Technology the Carondelet Canal was the ideal alignment diverse, adjacent neighborhoods. property) bounded by St. Louis Street, existing conditions and analysis, the community into the city for one of the newly installed rail engagement process, programmatic uses Claiborne Avenue, Lafitte Street, the Lemann lines. The Carondelet Walk remained a walking Following Hurricane Katrina, development Pool, the Housing Authority of New Orleans appropriate for the Greenway, the Greenway of the Lafitte Greenway re-emerged as a City path, with passive gardens in the private design, and the general steps needed to operate Sojourner Truth Community Center and properties adjacent to it. priority. In early 2007, the Planning District Dorgenois Street. See pages 3 - 4. and maintain the Greenway in the future. In 4 portion of the Unified New Orleans Plan addition to this document, the Lafitte Corridor listed the project as having high recovery During the early 20th century, the canal Revitalization Plan3 outlines the broader value. In August 2007, the New Orleans City Greenway Historic Context was filled, and the Carondelet Walk became Council passed a resolution dedicating the Lafitte Street. The railroad ran along this site The land now known as the Lafitte Greenway until the 1960s. There are still portions of the 3 Design Workshop. Lafitte Corridor Revitalization Plan. City of New documents.html>. remaining publicly owned land within the Orleans, March 2012.
Pontchartrain Lake Pontchartrain
Park Plan aster
City Park
Interstate 610
Fairgrounds
Lafitte Corridor Bayou St. John Lafitte Greenway
Lafitte Greenway Park Lower 9th Ward Interstate 10
French Quarter
Mississippi River
Central Business District
Downtown
Garden District Audobon Park Photo Credit: Design Workshop
Figure 1: Lafitte Greenway and Corridor Study area in regional context Data Source: Google Earth, 2011
1-Executive Summary | 3 Greenway m Local Context
Fairgrounds aster Plan Plan aster
VA University Hospital Medical Center (UMC)
University Health Sciences Center (UMC) Central Business District
Figure 2: Lafitte Greenway study area in local context Data Source: New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
4 | 1-Executive Summary Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m
Previous Studies/Plans Development Projects Table 1: Previous planning and management documents Planning documents Authors | Sponsors Date Link aster Plan Plan aster In 2006, the Bayou St. John Committee and The Lafitte Greenway is surrounded by existing Report by Clifton James Clifton James 1970 not applicable the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and new developments and land uses that will 1999 Land Use Plan City of New Orleans 1999 http://cpc.nola.gov created the Bayou St. John Comprehensive affect the future of the Greenway. Developments 2002 Parks, Recreation and Open Space City of New Orleans 2002 http://cpc.nola.gov Management Plan. The plan identifies such as the Lafitte Housing Development Element of the Former New Orleans sustainable methods to benefit Bayou St. John GREENWAY are currently underway and provide housing Master Plan water quality, habitat management, recreational directly adjacent to the Greenway. Residents Lambert Recovery Plan City of New Orleans 2006 http://www.nolaplans.com/ access and educational opportunities. Action of the Lafitte Housing Development share Bayou St. John Comprehensive Bayou St. John 2006 http://www.saveourlake.org/PDF- items outlined in the Lafitte Greenway the Greenway as part of their front porch Management Plan Committee by Lake documents/habitat/BSJ_CMP.pdf Management Strategy Report align with goals NEW ORLEANS Pontchartrain Basin and provide eyes on the Greenway that are Foundation for the Lafitte Greenway and include methods essential to the Greenway’s safety and viability. to encourage biodiversity; create wetlands; Unified New Orleans Plan City of New Orleans 2007 http://www.unifiedneworleansplan. Surrounding land uses are extremely important com/home3/ promote recreational activities such as fishing, to the successful use of the Greenway itself, The Lafitte Greenway: A Master Plan for Friends of Lafitte 2007 http://browndanos.com/ crabbing and canoeing; and educate the public where residents, business owners and the larger the Lafitte Corridor Corridor, about Bayou St. John culture and history. community can easily access it for recreation or Brown + Danos land travel to and from the French Quarter. design Two studies related to the Lafitte Greenway Lafitte Greenway: Sustainable Water Friends of Lafitte 2010 http://www.wbarchitects.com/ Master Plan were conducted in 2007 and Design Corridor, urban-design/lafitte_Greenway_ Waggonner + Ball sustainable_water_design1/ 2007 Brown + Danos landdesign, Friends of American Great Outdoors in 2010 by Brown + Danos landdesign and Architects Waggonner + Ball Architects, respectively. Lafitte Corridor National Recreational Plan for the 21st Century: New Orleans City of New Orleans 2010 http://cpc.nola.gov The document titled, “The Lafitte Greenway: Blueway Trails Initiative 2030 A Master Plan for the Lafitte Corridor,” by Brown + Danos landdesign covered site/ Over the course of the planning process, historical analysis and developed various federal staff visited New Orleans to promote alternative schematic plans for the Greenway. various initiatives, including the American This was the first study of its kind that focused Great Outdoors (AGO) National Recreational solely on the Lafitte Greenway. Waggonner + Blueway Trails Initiative. The American Table 2: Development Projects Ball Architects’ document “Lafitte Greenway: Great Outdoors Report published in 2011 development projects developer | author Date Link Sustainable Water Design” developed strategies recommends the establishment of the AGO Lafitte Housing Redevelopment HANO/Michael Willis 2011 http://www.hano.org/index.php?q=node/65 for sustainable water design within the Lafitte National Recreational Blueways Trails Initiative Architects Greenway redevelopment. The study covered to increase access to recreation and to help Iberville Housing Redevelopment HANO Proposed http://www.hano.org/index.php?q=node/38 historical research, data collection/analysis communities enhance recreational opportunities 2012 and the development of an illustrative water in local waterways and adjacent green space.4 Mid-City Market Sterling Properties Proposed http://stirlingprop.catylist.com/jsp/listings/ 2012 listing_overview.jsp?ID=55_10980905 design potential for the Greenway. Friends of The report defines a blueway as “a designated Broad Streetscape Enhancements City of New Orleans 2004 not available Lafitte Corridor, the grassroots neighborhood community-scale portion of river recognized organization to advocate for the Corridor’s as a destination for fishing, boating, wildlife Bio District not available 2006 http://biodistrictneworleans.org/ preservation, initiated both studies. Working watching and other recreation, which should get University Medical Center LSU Health and others Not http://www.newhospital.org/features.php (UMC) available closely with Brown + Danos, Friends of Lafitte special attention for restoration and access.” VA Site US Veterans Not http://www.neworleans.va.gov Corridor members contributed content and The report also discusses the importance Administration available developed design strategies for the first study of partnering with state, local and tribal St. Margaret’s Redevelopment of Crescent Growth Capital Proposed http://stmargaretsno.org/ and Friends of Lafitte Corridor secured funding governments and with the private sector Mercy Hospital Date: not to commission the second as a case-study 2010 Waggonner + Ball Architects’, Friends of to support community efforts. Investments available applying general water management theories Lafitte Corridor from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Armstrong Park Redevelopment not available 2011 not available generated by Waggonner + Ball Architects (LWCF) monies with federal grant programs to “Dutch Dialogues” to a specific site. Both of The planning and management plan documents states for land acquisition should be coordinated these documents were carefully taken into in Table 1 were reviewed during the creation of among groups such as the North American account during the current planning process the goals for the Lafitte Corridor. The review Wetlands Conservation Act and the USFS and where possible, elements from each plan of previous plans establishes a strong foundation Forest Legacy Program. were incorporated into the final vision for the for the project that aligns the plan and design Greenway. to the wants and needs of the City, community, 4 American Trails. Report on National Blueways Initiative, stakeholders and neighborhood organizations. AmericanTrails.org, June 2011.
Vision Challenge aster Plan Plan aster The Lafitte Greenway is part of Mayor Mitch The challenge for the Greenway Plan is to Landrieu’s “Committed Projects” to convert the balance the needs and desires of all citizens of 3.1-mile right of way into a greenway, publicly the community. In addition, while this plan accessible open space, recreation areas and other presents the vision for the entire Greenway, the amenities. At the heart of the Greenway is a construction budget of $6.5 million is dedicated bicycle and pedestrian trail that facilitates travel to the project. The challenge is to determine among diverse, adjacent neighborhoods. which portions of the Greenway are feasible to implement within this set amount of funds. The Lafitte Greenway vision is to provide a safe, publicly accessible open space that reflects the needs and desires of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Goals
• Play positive role in the regional water management for the area. • Increase habitat for urban wildlife, reduce heat-island effect, and provide human comfort. • Support community efforts for community gardens in the Lafitte Greenway. • Reduce soil contamination in the Greenway. • Buffer noise and light pollution along the Greenway. • Use design methods and techniques that support LEED® and Sustainable Sites Initiative standards. • Involve the community in the planning, design and implementation of the plan. • Encourage multi-modal opportunities in the Greenway. • Capitalize upon the rich history of the area and support the preservation and advancement of the cultural heritage of the Greenway’s adjoining neighborhoods. • Implement CPTED principles when designing the Greenway. • Connect the Greenway to open spaces and the downtown of the City.
This document presents a vision for the entire Greenway and addresses signage, program, drainage, lighting, circulation and planting plans. Cost estimates, operations and maintenance, funding, and implementation strategies are also addressed at the conclusion of Figure 3: Greenway vision looking toward Lake Pontchartrain from I-10 this document. 6 | 1-Executive Summary Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m
Goals and Performance Table 3: Environment Goals and Performance Measures Table 4: Community Goals and Performance Measures GOALS performance measures GOALS performance measures Measures Plan aster ENVIRONMENT Green Infrastructure: Increase the percent of stormwater captured, retained and COMMUNITY Community Involvement: Ensure demographics of the people involved The Design Workshop Team was chosen by Play positive role in treated on site. Involve the community in is proportionate to the demographics of the the regional water Existing: 0 percent of stormwater captured and treated in the the planning, design and neighborhoods. the City specifically for their comprehensive management for the Greenway. implementation of the Existing: Population: 13,508 approach to planning and design using the four area. Potential: The goal is to capture 100 percent of stormwater on site. plan. Median Age: 33 DW Legacy Design® categories: Community, Percent Population < 18 years old: 34.5 percent Decrease the amount of impervious surfaces in the Economics, Art and Environment. The Greenway. Patterns of Mobility: Increase the percent of people biking that live in evaluation of projects based on these four Existing: 42 percent of the Greenway is covered with impervious Encourage multi-modal the corridor to 3.4 percent. opportunities in the Existing: 9.1 percent of the Corridor population walks categories creates long-term, active, invested surfaces. Potential: By demolishing the existing structures and parking lots, Greenway. for transportation. and sustainable projects. the percent of impervious surface of the Greenway will be reduced. 1.7 percent of the Corridor population uses bikes for transportation. Increase the quality of stormwater runoff. Existing: Zero water quality treatment mechanisms exist in the Increase the number of school children who walk At the heart of this approach are SMART Greenway. to school. (Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Potential: The Greenway vision includes a long linear rain Existing: 0 percent of students walk to school at Warren Easton High School as it is mandatory to ride the bus if Realistic and Time-Based) goals. SMART garden in the alignment of the historic Frenchmen’s canal and a bioswale along St. Louis Street. These two water quality treatment you live over 10 blocks away. 10-15 percent of students goals are focused around performance measures, mechanisms will increase the water quality. walk to school from Lagniappe Academies. which include research into the baselines, or as- Potential: Schools in the Corridor can apply for Safe Strategic Tree and Use 100 percent native plant material in the Greenway. Routes to Schools (SRTS) funding opportunities. is conditions, of the site and benchmarks for best Plant Placement: Existing: There are currently no programmed native plants in the The central mission of SRTS is to improve children’s practices. The performance measures system Increase habitat for Greenway. Approximately 30 percent of all trees and plants that are safety while walking and biking to school. Through contains hundreds of possible performance urban wildlife, reduce naturally occurring on the Greenway are native. participation in programs such as Safe Routes to Schools, measures for various goals from which the heat-island effect, and Potential: The Master Plan identifies the use of 100-percent native the number of children who walk to school could increase. provide human comfort. plant material. most pertinent categories where selected for Cultural Heritage and Identify culturally significant buildings for History: Capitalize adaptive re-use. the Greenway. These performance measures Increase the percent of tree canopy. Existing: There are 34 culturally significant places Existing: The Greenway is currently covered with 3-percent tree upon the rich history establish a set of criteria to evaluate alternatives identified within the Corridor (see page 12). canopy. of the area and support Potential: By utilizing historic grants and new market and measure outcomes to confirm the success Potential: With full build-out, the Greenway will have 62-percent the preservation and tax credits, these culturally significantly places could be of the plan after it has been created and tree canopy coverage. advancement of the cultural heritage of the adaptively re-used. implemented. Greenway’s adjoining Increase the number and diversity of trees in the neighborhoods. Greenway These goals were based upon Critical Success Existing: There are 927 trees in the Corridor. Greenway Safety: Decrease crosswalk distance between streets Factors set by the City of New Orleans, Potential: A total of 1,787 new trees and 23 different species are Implement CPTED that cross the Greenway. evaluation of the project through the four DW proposed for the Greenway. principles when designing Existing: Crosswalk distance entering into the Greenway the Greenway. is between 37-183 feet. Legacy Design® categories, feedback from Community Gardens: Increase the amount of community garden space in the Potential: Decrease crosswalk distance by at least 10 Support community Greenway. percent. the Lafitte Greenway Advisory Committee efforts for community Existing: There are currently zero community gardens in the and input from stakeholders involved with gardens in the Lafitte Greenway. Reduce vehicle speeds to a safe level on roads the Greenway and Corridor. Goals were then Greenway. Potential: Three community gardens are planned for the preferred alternative. crossing the Greenway. refined based upon the feedback received by Existing: 10mph-45mph (road types and time of day) the community at Workshop 1 in August Urban Pollution: Reduce level 2 and 3 risk levels to level 1 or 0. Potential: Speeds on roads crossing the Greenway should Reduce soil Existing: There are currently 78 percent of Level 1; 7 percent of be reduced to at least 30 mph. 2011. Further discussion of specific feedback contamination in the Level 2, and 6 percent of Level 3 of risk levels in soil conditions. Park and Open Space Increase percentage of people within a one- received at this meeting is part of Chapter 3: Greenway. Potential: Remediation fencing and topsoil will be placed around Opportunities: Connect quarter-mile walking distance to open space or Community Engagement. all Level 2 and 3 areas in order to alert excavators to the presence of contaminants and reduce the potential risk levels. the Greenway to open recreational opportunity to 100 percent. spaces and the downtown Existing: 76 percent of people are within one-quarter- The adjacent tables describe the goals and Urban Pollution: Buffer Reduce Noise levels of the city. mile walking distance to a park. noise and light pollution Existing: Noise levels of 72db-48db were recorded in the Potential: Following Greenway improvements, 100 performance measures for the Lafitte Greenway along the Greenway. Greenway. percent of people in the Corridor will be within a one- Master Plan. Each goal has at least one Potential: The target for noise levels is 65 db which will be quarter-mile walking distance of the Greenway. performance measure. Further information on achieved by tree planting to buffer heightened noise along the Greenway. the goals, performance measures, baselines, benchmarks and strategies of this plan can LEED® and SSI®: Use Increase pre-score and post-score the Lafitte Greenway design methods and for Sustainable Sites and LEED®. be found in the Lafitte Corridor Existing techniques that support Existing: Post-score of the Greenway would be 78 and fall within Conditions Report. LEED® and Sustainable the Gold certification with full build-out. Sites Initiative Potential: Is it estimated that the Greenway could qualify to be a standards. SITES project. 1-Executive Summary | 7 Greenway m Project Vision, Approach and Goals
Table 5: Art Goals and Performance Measures Table 6: Economics Goals and Performance Measures GOALS performance measures GOALS performance measures aster Plan Plan aster ART Public Art & Placemaking: Support from the City to budget at least 1 percent ECONOMICS Fiscally Balanced Plan: Maintain Greenway costs at average costs of Support public art through of the total construction budget to the arts. Create a fiscally balanced maintenance for other Greenway plans. identity, character and Existing: There is currently no funding for art in the plan that provides return Existing: N/A funding opportunities. Greenway. on investment and Potential: Greenway O&M costs are estimated at Potential: Devote 1 percent of the current construction minimizes costs of the $1,560/acre. budget to art. plan and Corridor.
Increase graphic communication through signage along the Greenway. Existing: No signage programs currently exist. Potential: A signage and wayfinding program is proposed for the Greenway. Art takes cues from the Incorporate historic remnants, artifacts and qualities of the Greenway alignments into the design. and Corridor. Existing: Historic artifacts are found along the entire Greenway. Potential: Historic remnants such as the railroad will remain in place where possible. The designed rain garden is located within the historic alignment of the Frenchman’s Canal.
8 | 1-Executive Summary Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana CHAPTER TITLE SUBTITLE 2 ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
Existing Conditions Summary Community and Demographics Parks and Open space Transportation Safety Drainage
The Analysis of Existing Conditions Chapter includes analysis of information collected in the Lafitte Corridor Existing Conditions Report.
The purpose of this chapter is to highlight the key conditions in the Greenway that contribute to the design and planning effort of the Greenway.
The existing conditions analysis is based upon the Lafitte Corridor Existing Conditions Report inventory and metrics analysis. This document can be found at: http:// lafittecorridorconnection.com/project-documents.html
2-Existing Conditions | 9 Greenway m Overview
Existing Conditions Summary Joseph Antoine Vinache | 1830 Zimpel | 1834 Hardee | 1878 World Atlas | 1908 aster Plan Plan aster The Lafitte Corridor Existing Conditions Report and baseline metrics were created prior to this document and serve as a reference for current conditions of the Greenway. This section of the document covers a brief overview of the analysis but further understanding of the Greenway’s existing conditions should be referenced in the Lafitte Corridor Existing Conditions Report5. Historic Maps of Lafitte Corridor
The Joseph Antoine Vinache map from 1830 shows that the Lafitte Greenway was once covered by a cypress forest and primarily marshland. Initial development along the Greenway involved the dredging of the Frenchmen’s Canal and later the Carondelet Canal that connected Bayou St. John and provided transportation via waterway into the city of New Orleans.
Zimpel’s map shows the The Lafitte Corridor as the Carondelet Canal with the beginnings of neighborhoods extending from the French Quarter.
The Hardee 1878 map shows early development along Bayou St. John and the resulting channelization due to pressures of increased urbanization. Parklands were established nearby including what is now known as City Park.
The World Atlas of 1908 illustrates the basic pattern of development that is still visible in New Orleans today. In less than 100 years, the area that was historically a cypress forest and marshland had quickly transformed into suburban development
5 Design Workshop. Lafitte Corridor Existing Conditions Report. City of New Orleans, November 2011.
10 | 2-Existing Conditions Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m aster Plan Plan aster
Greenway study area
Operational railroad
View to Downtown All photography source: Design Workshop Orleans bi-directional canal Existing railroad
2-Existing Conditions| 11 Greenway m Community and Demographics
Analysis Historic Sites and Landmarks* aster Plan Plan aster Neighborhoods According to an on-the-ground survey of cultural landmarks and historic sites by Michael The Lafitte Greenway passes through seven Willis and Associates, there are 34 identified New Orleans neighborhoods including Navarre, cultural sites in the Corridor that could be Mid City, Bayou St. John, Lafitte, Tulane/ potentially linked to the Greenway. These range Gravier, Tremé and Iberville. The design of the from historic buildings and sites to community resources. In addition, sites within the Greenway Greenway responds to the various demographics CITY PARK of each neighborhood as they vary widely from could have interpretive value as an asset to the one end of the Greenway to the other in age, user experience. income and home ownership. BAYOU ST. JOHN Existing and Future Land Use* MEDIAN AGE 30-35 Population INCOME 30K-35K The Lafitte Greenway is bordered by a LAFITTE TREME 45% HOME OWNERSHIP Currently, the Corridor has a population horizontally mixed-use Corridor that crosses CITY PARK MEDIAN AGE 25-35 MEDIAN AGE 36-40 6 numerous land-use types varying from residential of approximately 13,508 people and can MEDIAN AGE 40+ INCOME 18K-30K INCOME 18K-30K to commercial to industrial. The intricacies of the potentially serve all residents within one- venue INCOME 30K-48K 35% HOME OWNERSHIP 25% HOME OWNERSHIP land uses adjacent to the Greenway will reveal a quarter-mile of the Greenway. The Corridor DELGADO 65% HOME OWNERSHIP does not have a singular census tract and was dynamic edge as one travels along the Greenway. City Park A determined based on an approximation from the The future land use suggests that a large portion COMMUNITY Corridor boundary. The 2010 Census Profile of the land adjacent to the Greenway will be COLLEGE was developed by Environmental Systems designated mixed-use or medium-density Research Institute (ESRI). residential housing near the Lafitte neighborhood. This could potentially result in a higher capture NAVARRE Orleans Avenue area for visitors using the Greenway. Median Age* Legend MEDIAN AGE 40 +
INCOME 35K - 60K UX CARR E Navarre 70% HOME OWNERSHIP The median age of residents in the Lafitte Canal Boulevard Corridor is approximately 33 years old. Nearly City Park VI E 35 percent of the population is under 19 years old, with almost half being between the ages Mid-City of 0-9 years old. The median age of residents of the Corridor suggests the Tremé, Lafitte and Bayou St. John IBERVILLE Tulane neighborhoods will attract a younger Lafitte Bienville Street MID-CITY MEDIAN AGE 0-29 population and the users near Mid-City, TULANE/GRAVIER INCOME 0K-18K Navarre and Bayou St. John will attract an older Tulane/Gravier MEDIAN AGE 36-40 20% HOME OWNERSHIP population of users (ages 36 and 45). INCOME 30K-35K MEDIAN AGE 25-35 Tremé 45% HOME OWNERSHIP INCOME 30K-35K 40% HOME OWNERSHIP Iberville Canal Street Central Business District Vieux Carré Community Nodes CENTRAL BUSINESS * Additional maps can be found in the Lafitte Corridor Existing Conditions Report. DISTRICT 0 200 400 800 1200 1600 ft Land Use ...... p. 16 Areas of Disconnect Future Land Use...... p. 18 Median Age ...... p. 120 Community Corridors 6 U.S. Bureau of the Census. “2010 Census of Population and Historic Sites and Landmarks. . . . . p. 102 Housing, ESRI 2010 Total Population.” ESRI (July 2011). Community and Demographics
12 | 2-Existing Conditions Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m aster Plan Plan aster
BAYOU ST. JOHN MEDIAN AGE 30-35 INCOME 30K-35K LAFITTE TREME 45% HOME OWNERSHIP CITY PARK MEDIAN AGE 25-35
ven u e MEDIAN AGE 36-40 MEDIAN AGE 40+ INCOME 18K-30K INCOME 18K-30K venue INCOME 30K-48K S treet 35% HOME OWNERSHIP 25% HOME OWNERSHIP
65% HOME OWNERSHIP a d o City Park A Br Dumaine Street A Cla ibo rne
ARMSTRONG NAVARRE Orleans Avenue PARK MEDIAN AGE 40 + Orleans Avenue
INCOME 35K - 60K UX CARR E 70% HOME OWNERSHIP Lafitte Street VI E Sojourner Truth
IBERVILLE MID-CITY MEDIAN AGE 0-29 INCOME 0K-18K TULANE/GRAVIER Bienville Street MEDIAN AGE 36-40 20% HOME OWNERSHIP INCOME 30K-35K MEDIAN AGE 25-35 45% HOME OWNERSHIP INCOME 30K-35K 40% HOME OWNERSHIP
Canal Street
venue ven u e on A CENTRAL BUSINESS S treet ollt DISTRICT 0 200 400 800 1200 1600 ft Carr rne A Cla ibo rne
Jeffersi s Parkway on Dav z Galve
Data Sources: New Orleans Regional Planning Commission: Buildings LAGIC: Railroad Atlas: The Louisiana Statewide GIS: Roads, Land/Water ESRI: Demographics
2-Existing Conditions| 13 Greenway m Parks and Open Space
Analysis Community Gardens* 1/4-mile aster Plan Plan aster The potential success of the Greenway is There is one grocery store within the Corridor not just creating green space for users in the and six community gardens within a one- community but connecting the Greenway to quarter-mile walking distance of the Corridor. existing facilities and supplementing deficiencies Of the six, there are two community gardens in park and open space within the Corridor. in the Corridor owned by First Grace United Appropriate park programming elements were Methodist Church and Tremé Jazz. assessed based on standards by the National CITY PARK Recreation and Park Association and Time Walking Distance* Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture. In the Corridor, over 76 percent of the residents Heat-Island Effect* are within a one-quarter-mile walking distance of a park or open space area. After the construction of the Greenway, 100 percent of Heat-island effect is the warming of urban the population in the Corridor will be within areas due to increased impervious surfaces walking distance to the Greenway. and a small percentage of tree canopy. The venue table in the Existing Conditions document Park Programming* describes the temperature taken in June of 2011 DELGADO at various points along the Greenway. The City Park A On average, parks in the Corridor have between COMMUNITY Greenway provides an opportunity to use trees two to four different program elements at each and vegetation to reduce heat-island effect and COLLEGE Connection park. Not only do the parks range in overall to City Park increase urban wildlife habitat. quality, individual program elements in the park Tree Canopy* range from brand new to non-functional. An Orleans Avenue on-the-ground study was completed of park program facilities in the Corridor in June of Connection to In 2009, the Friends of Lafitte Corridor Delgado Community 2011. conducted a tree inventory7 and located 927 Legend Canal Boulevard College Stadium and Playground trees along the 3.1-mile Greenway. The data Community Gardens includes tree location, species, trunk diameter, Parks and Open Space* ratings for locations, condition and a general grade of good/fair/poor. This data was The Corridor is served by several parks and Hop Scotch compiled and used as part of the inventory open spaces including Lemann Playground, Carondelet Canal Park, Easton Playground, and analysis in the Lafitte Corridor Existing Trails Bienville street Conditions Report that assessed tree count and Armstrong Park and public open spaces known tree canopy. as neutral grounds. A large portion of residents Tennis are within one-quarter-mile walking radius to these parks, but they lack sufficient facilities and A current aerial mapping showed that only Open Lawn 3 percent of the Greenway is covered by tree active programming. Canal Street canopy, which represents an extraordinarily low amount of coverage. American Forests Baseball Field recommends an overall canopy of 40 percent, which is the target coverage for the Greenway. Playground In addition, they recommend 15 percent * Additional maps can be found in the Lafitte Corridor Existing Conditions Report. coverage for business districts. With the full Restroom Facility build-out, the Greenway will have 62 percent Tree Inventory...... p. 88 Heat Island Effect...... p. 86 0 200 400 800 1200 1600 ft tree canopy, exceeding the suggested amount of Trees (Greenway Area) 40 percent. Community Gardens ...... p. 132 Walking Distance...... p. 80 Access Deficiency Park Programming...... p. 82 7 Friends of Lafitte Corridor, 2009. Tree“ Inventory”
14 | 2-Existing Conditions Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m aster Plan Plan aster ven u e
venue S treet a d o City Park A
city park entrance Br Dumaine Street A Cla ibo rne Connection to City Park ARMSTRONG Orleans Avenue Connection PARK to Armstrong Orleans Avenue Connection Park to Bayou St. John Lafitte Street Connection to Easton Playground Sojourner Truth
Bienville Street
Canal Street
venue ven u e
on A S treet ollt
ft 0 200 400 800 1200 1600 Carr rne A Cla ibo rne
Jeffersi s Parkway on Dav z Galve
Data Sources: New Orleans Regional Planning Commission: Buildings, Parks LAGIC: Railroad Atlas: The Louisiana Statewide GIS: Roads, Land/Water
2-Existing Conditions| 15 Greenway m Drainage
Analysis aster Plan Plan aster Analysis of Digital Elevation Model8 data shows the relationship between topographic features that form the basis of development in New Orleans as well as subsided lowland areas E previously associated with Bayou Saint John. G N T I Construction activity associated with the bayou L L and the rail line are also clearly visible. CITY PARK Y R The Digital Elevation Model reveals that the Greenway itself is the high point in the I D Corridor, presumably due to the previous use as a rail line. Because of the elevation change from G the crest of the Greenway to the low points Legend in the Corridor, the drainage patterns in the E E Corridor show that water flows away from the Canals 9 G Greenway. Orleans Relief Canal venue Water Bodies DELGADO D The Hydraulic Analyses for Hagan Street City Park A I 10 COMMUNITY Drainage Study was created in 2004 and Pump House should be referenced when assessing drainage COLLEGE R near the Greenway and Hagan Street. This document provides further analysis and Y SURFACE information in this area as it relates to drainage Orleans Avenue near Hagan Street. Area where the L RAINAGE Greenway crosses the POCKET natural ridge The analysis suggests making drainage Canal Boulevard L improvements throughout the Corridor and I interpreting stormwater management to trail Likely High point users on the Greenway. T Gentilly Ridge N Border Bienville street Human-Made Ridge E G Canal Street Digital Elevation Model SURFACE DRAINAGE SURFACE DRAINAGE POCKET POCKET 0 - 4 ft. OLD BAYOU ST. JOHN FLOOD PLAIN 0 200 400 800 1200 1600 ft
8 Atlas: The Louisiana Statewide GIS. “GIS Data: Roads, Land/Water, Digital Elevation Model,” (July 2011). 9 Design Workshop. Lafitte Corridor Existing Conditions Report. -4 - 0 ft. 10 Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. Hydraulic Analyses for Infrastructure and Drainage Analysis Map Hagan Street Drainage. (New Orleans, June 2004).
16 | 2-Existing Conditions Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m aster Plan Plan aster G E N T I L L Y R BAYOU ST. JOHN I D MORE INFORMATION ON DRAINAGE IN THIS AREA G IS AVAILABLE IN THE
E ven u e HYDRAULIC ANALYSES E FOR HAGAN ST.
G S treet venue DRAINAGE STUDY 2004. a d D o City Park A I Br A Cla ibo rne R Dumaine Street Y ARMSTRONG SURFACE Orleans Avenue PARK L DRAINAGE POCKET Orleans Avenue L I Lafitte Street T Sojourner Truth N VIEUX CARRÉ E Bienville Street G
Canal Street
venue
SURFACE DRAINAGE SURFACE DRAINAGE ven u e POCKET POCKET on A S treet S treet ollt
OLD BAYOU ST. JOHN FLOOD PLAIN a d
0 200 400 800 1200 1600 ft o
Carr rne A Cla ibo rne . z Galve . Br S
Jeffersi s Parkway on Dav S
Sources: New Orleans Regional Planning Commission: Buildings LAGIC: Railroad Atlas: The Louisiana Statewide GIS: Roads, Land/Water, Elevation
2-Existing Conditions| 17 Greenway m Transportation
Analysis Legend aster Plan Plan aster Streets Intersecting the Lafitte Greenway Connection to Twenty-two streets intersect the proposed Marconi St. Bike Lafitte Greenway over its 3.1-mile length from Primary Nodes Route Louis Armstrong Park to Canal Boulevard. Of these 22 streets, 14 are classifiable (in traffic engineering terms) as local– characterized by a two-lane cross section and daily traffic volumes Secondary Nodes of fewer than 5,000 vehicles - with stop sign CITY PARK traffic control at most intersections and used primarily for short segments of longer trips – typically as feeders (or distributors) to/from Dead-End Traffic other routes. Thru Road Connection to Canal Boulevard Bike Route The local streets typically have on-street No Frontage Roads along Greenway parking, with sidewalks on both sides. In the former industrial zone (around one block or 1 Frontage Road along Greenway 350-400 feet) to either side of the proposed Greenway, a number of the local streets have 2 Frontage Roads along Greenway DELGADO an open drainage cross section (a legacy of the industrial or railroad land uses in the past) Directional Traffic COMMUNITY and lack in curb, gutter, sidewalk and possibly Vehicular Circulation COLLEGE proper pavement subgrade. Streetcar Route Eight of the 22 streets intersecting the proposed Orleans Avenue Lafitte Greenway are classifiable as collector Bus Route B or arterial routes. These classifications are characterized by traffic volumes over 5,000 Proposed Bicycle Route Canal Boulevard daily vehicles (and more typically 12,000- 860’ 650’ 40,000 daily vehicles) and by their use as the Existing Bicycle Route primary route for most of any given trip. All eight collector and arterial routes crossing the 115,115 ADT 22,387 ADT A I-10, Canal to Orleans (2010) I Canal, Broad to Galvez (2008) proposed Lafitte Greenway have a multi-lane cross section with a center neutral ground. 19,531 ADT 5,135 ADT B Canal, I-160 to City Park (2005) J Galvez, Canal to Bienville (2008) Bienville street Streets Parallel to the Proposed Lafitte 15,570 ADT 5,094 ADT C Canal, City Park to Carrollton (2007) K Galvez, Tulane to Canal (2008) Greenway 31,331 ADT 20,828 ADT D Carrollton, Orleans to Esplanade (2005) L Canal, Galvez to Claiborne (2008) The Lafitte Greenway is flanked by two Canal Street collector streets. One-to-two blocks south 40,613 ADT 19,767 ADT E Carrollton, Canal to Orleans (2005) M Claiborne, Canal to Orleans (2007) C of the Lafitte Greenway, Bienville is a four- lane divided street with a neutral ground that 15,775 ADT 20,622 ADT F Canal, Carrollton to Jeff Davis (2007) N Canal, Claiborne to Rampart (2008) extends from N. Claiborne Avenue to City Connection to City 250’ 375’ 375’ 1100’ Park Avenue Bike Park Avenue. Orleans Avenue, also a four-lane G 15,720 ADT 15,464 ADT Jefferson Davis Parkway to Broad (2007) O Rampart, Canal to Orleans (2008) Route, Canal St. divided street with neutral ground, is one-to- Bike Route
three blocks north of the Lafitte Greenway and 42,951 ADT ft H *ADT = Average Daily Traffic 0 200 400 800 1200 1600 extends from Louis Armstrong Park to City Broad, Esplanade to Canal (2004) Park Avenue. Note: With few exceptions, the sidewalk conditions are in poor to average condition. Transportation Analysis Map
18 | 2-Existing Conditions Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m aster Plan Plan aster
Connection to Future Planned Bike Route Connection to N. Miro/N. Galvez St. Connection to Bike Route Future Planned Bike Route
Connection to Wisner Bike Route, D Bayou St. John venue ven u e
City Park A S treet
City Park Entrance a d o Claiborne Avenue Br
Dumaine Street A Cla ibo rne
Connection to Armstrong Park ARMSTRONG H Orleans Avenue PARK Orleans Avenue
620’ Lafitte Street 525’ Sojourner1,460’ Truth 650’ 1000’ Connection to French 1,780’ 720’ Quarter, Reinventing M the Crescent, Mississippi River Trail E A O
Bienville Street
J
F G Canal Street venue I L N
on A 370’ 370’ 740’ 680’ 360’ 1,375’ ven u e Connection to
ollt
Jefferson Davis S treet Parkway Bike K Connection to Connection to 0 200 400 800 1200 1600 ft Carr Route Connection to N. Future Planned Future Planned Connection to Miro/N. Galvez St.
Jeffersi s Parkway on Dav A Cla ibo rne Bike Route z Galve Bike Route Future Planned Bike Route Bike Route Data Sources: New Orleans Regional Planning Commission: Buildings, Average Daily Traffic Counts LAGIC: Railroad Atlas: The Louisiana Statewide GIS: Roads, Land/Water
2-Existing Conditions| 19 Greenway m Transportation
Both of these collector streets flanking the Walk Score* Transit* proposed Lafitte Greenway are signalized at Bus routes operated by the New Orleans aster Plan Plan aster their intersections with the crossing collector or The Walking Score is a measure of the amount Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) serve arterial streets (N. Claiborne Avenue, N. Galvez of amenities (restaurants, coffee, grocery stores, the proposed Lafitte Greenway on all of its Street, N. Broad Street, N. Jefferson Davis shopping, schools, parks, books, bars, etc.) intersecting arterial or collector streets except Parkway, N. Carrollton Avenue and City Park accessible within a specific walking distance N. Jefferson Davis Parkway. Typically on Avenue). and is a number between 0 and 100. Walking these bus routes, the existing stops are near the Scores were calculated at www.walkscore.com intersections of the route and the two collector Several factors – signals at intersecting collector in August of 2011 and the description of Walk streets (Bienville Street and Orleans Avenue). In and arterial streets, on-street parking, at least Scores is as follows: addition, the N. Broad Street route has stops at partial tree canopy and generally dense fronting Lafitte Street and St. Louis Street. development – contribute to controlled vehicle Walk Score Description speeds on these collector streets flanking the 90 - 100 Walker’s Paradise: Daily errands The City Park/Museum branch of the Canal proposed Lafitte Greenway. do not require a car. Streetcar line crosses the proposed Lafitte 70 - 89 Very Walkable: Most errands can Greenway Corridor on N. Carrollton Avenue. Bike Circulation* be accomplished on foot. This streetcar route provides direct service (i.e., 50 - 69 Somewhat Walkable: Some without connection or transfer) between the The Lafitte Greenway intersects five bike routes amenities within walking distance. City Park and Museum area to downtown New and will connect to these and the proposed 25 - 49 Car-Dependent: A few amenities Orleans, via N. Carrollton Avenue and Canal regional bike networks. Based on the 2005 within walking distance. Street. New Orleans Bike Master Plan, 1.2 percent 0 - 24 Car-Dependent: Almost all of the population uses a bike as a means of errands require a car. transportation to and from work. Based on the 2000 Census, 1.7 percent of people in the Corridor bike to work. The percentage The neighborhoods with the greatest of people walking was 9.1 percent according walkability were found in Mid-City, Bayou Friends of Lafitte Corridor Walk, 2009 to the 2005-2009 American Survey 5 Year St. John and Tulane/Gravier, followed by Estimates. Also, refer to the Regional Bike Tremé, Lafitte and Navarre. In general, the Network identified by the Regional Planning neighborhoods surrounding the Greenway are Commission in the Appendix. rated somewhat walkable, which means that some amenities are within walking distance. With the Vehicle Speeds* introduction of the Greenway and additional amenities, the walk score can be significantly Speeds in the Corridor range significantly with increased. the lowest recorded speed being 10 mph to the highest being 45 mph, based upon various road Access Points* types and time of day. The City has recently adopted a Complete Streets Ordinance that may As mentioned previously, 22 streets intersect reduce speeds. Refer to the Lafitte Corridor the proposed Lafitte Greenway over its 3.1-mile Revitalization Plan for recommendations length from Louis Armstrong Park to Canal regarding speed for streets intersecting the Boulevard. Users of the Greenway will have to Greenway. cross a street on an average of seven times per mile. The average length between access points *Additional maps can be found in the Lafitte is 300 feet. Safety and signalization at these Corridor Existing Conditions Report in the crossings is discussed in the Park Design chapter Appendix. of this document. Bike Circulation...... p. 50 Vehicle Speeds ...... p. 142 Walk Score...... p. 46 Parade Routes...... p. 56 Access Points ...... p. 48 All photo credits: Design Workshop Transit Routes ...... p. 44 Friends of Lafitte Corridor Walk, 2009
20 | 2-Existing Conditions Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana CHAPTER TITLE SUBTITLE 3 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community Workshop 1 – August 2011
Community Workshop 2 – November 2011
Community Workshop 3 – October 2012
The Community Engagement Chapter includes summaries from the three public workshops held during the planning and design process for the Lafitte Greenway and Corridor.
The purpose of this chapter is to highlight the key findings from these public meetings and describe how this feedback was incorporated into the planning and design process.
3-Community Engagement | 21 Greenway m Community Workshop 1 – August 2011
Purpose broad range of input about the Greenway and Focus Groups Corridor. aster Plan Plan aster The purpose of Workshop 1 was to present Focus groups were held to get feedback on preliminary project vision, concepts, goals and Two kick-off public meetings were held on various topics related to the development of objectives and to collect input on these items. August 15, 2011 at Grace Episcopal Church and the Corridor and Greenway. The purpose Sojourner Truth Community Center. These of these focus groups was to get key The focus of Workshop 1 was to get feedback public meetings presented the overall scope stakeholders together to discuss topics related on potential programming for the Greenway and goals for the Greenway and Corridor; to their interests or work. The stakeholders and begin developing potential strategies for the obtained interactive polling feedback from the were identified through previous meetings location. community on goals, program and concerns conducted in the Corridor with individuals for the projects; and allowed for open public implementing activities related to the topics. comment on analysis materials completed prior The topics included Recreational Activities Outreach to the workshop. and Programming; Corridor Education; Employment and Jobs Opportunities; Greenway Community outreach and engagement for During the week of Workshop 1, an open Arts and Interpretation; Transportation; Workshop 1 of the Lafitte Greenway Project studio was held each day where the design Stormwater and Infrastructure; Land Use began in early June of 2011. The approach was and planning team worked. Open studio was and Urban Design; Housing and Economic comprehensive and inclusive of all segments open for the general public to drop in, ask Development Strategies; and Financing, of the New Orleans community, with specific questions, play the chip game, and observe the Operations and Maintenance. focus on those neighborhoods and organizations materials that the design and planning team was within the identified Corridor. We began with producing. Topical discussion were also planned around the neighborhood and community organizations the above topics. The purpose of these topical with direct interactions with the Greenway and Each day a chip game (see next page) was played discussions was to enable interested citizens to surrounding uses. Efforts were then expanded both in the morning and afternoon. The chip gather with the design team to discuss their to those with a critical or relative interest in game provided an opportunity for participants concerns and ideas about a specific topic. Each the project. Many of these meetings included to design where various program activities focus group included a presentation made Community Charrette key City departments and officials and other and quantity of facilities should occur in the by a subject expert discussing this project’s organizations with interest in the Greenway and Greenway and discuss ideas and concerns for the approach to the topic, current issues and Corridor. Greenway with the design team. opportunities at the City level around the topic, and best management practices about the Prior to Workshop 1, the consultant team The week-long workshop wrapped up with an topic. Discussions following the presentation produced and distributed 10,000 door hangers, open house public meeting at Delgado College focused on concerns, ideas and opportunities recorded and conducted 5,593 Robo-calls, where the work produced at the workshop was for implementation of the topic through this prepared and sent a total of 7,171 E-Blast presented. The purpose of this meeting was to project. communications via Constant Contact, mailed get feedback from the public on the proposed over 400 pieces of correspondence to business program for the Greenway, share analysis and members, conducted phone calls to community design ideas generated during the workshop, leaders, and effectively networked with and and get feedback on the priorities for the received invaluable support from key City Greenway. staff and active community organizations to produce a diverse and well-attended turn-out throughout the week. Process
Workshop 1 included public meeting presentations, focus group discussions, topical discussions, chip games and open studio. Each
of these events was created to target-specific Photo credits: Design Workshop audiences of community members to get a Community Charrette
22 | 3-Community Engagement Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m
Table 7: Park Amenities Matrix Chip Game Recommended park amenities calculation based Greenway Greenway on corridor population Need Plan The chip game is a collaborative exercise which Plan aster National Standard National Existing in Chip Game Greenway allowed the community to suggest what types (based on Time Standard Corridor Suggested Plan of park facilities and landscape treatments they Saver Standards Suggested Amoung and NRPA) Amount (Average) felt were appropriate to the Greenway. Members Amphitheater 0 0.5 1 of the community gave input regarding the Athletic Field 1/5000 people 2.7 0 0.5 4 placement of facilities which will help to shape the future of the Lafitte Greenway. Twice a day Baseball/ Softball 1/2000 people 6.8 9 1.4 3 (in the morning and in the afternoon), visitors Basketball Courts 1/1000 people 13.5 3 1.6 4 to the workshop were able to play the chip game Bocce Ball 0 0.5 6 and the consultant team compiled the results. Chess/Checker Tables 0 0.6 12 Children's Pool 0 0.3 1 The foundation of the game was developed Community Garden 1 acre/3000 people 6.2 acres 4 gardens 2.6 acres 3 gardens through recommendations for area space Contemplation Space 0 0.1 1 standards for outdoor recreation facilities Dog Park 0 0.5 1 by Time Saver Standards for Landscape 11 Football 1/8000 people 1.7 0 1.0 1.5 Architecture and National Recreation and 12 Frisbee Golf 0 0.1 0 Park Association (NRPA) based on the Corridor population of 13,508. The chart Horseshoes 1/2000 people 6.7 0 0.6 6 to the left shows either the surplus or deficit Kayak/Canoe 0 0.3 1 of programmatic uses that the Time Saver Kick Ball 0 0.1 1 Standards suggests. The chip game allowed the Multi Court 1/2000 people 6.7 0 0.4 0 consultant team to develop a local program Open lawn 0 1.6 4 for the Corridor which could also be used as a Chip Game pieces and game board Open Water 2.5 acres 3.3 0 guide for a local program for the City of New Orchard 0 2.3 2 Orleans. Parking for recreation 0 22 0 Picnic Shelters 0 1.9 13 The chip game was also played by various stakeholder groups of the Lafitte Greenway Playground 1/1000 people 13.5 10 1.4 2 including the Friends of Lafitte Corridor, Lafitte Public Art/Historical 0 6.0 10 Markers and Iberville community members, and students at Warren Easton High School and Cabrini Skate Park 0 1.5 1 Elementary School. Soccer 1/8000 people 1.7 0 0.3 10 Swimming Pool 2 0.4 0 Tennis Courts 1/2000 people 6.74 21 1.1 2 Trail .5 miles 1.5 miles 3.1 miles Tree grove 0 2.6 8 Volleyball 1/2000 people 6.74 0 2.8 6 Wetlands 0 1.1 0
11 Nadine Post and Jim Bessent. Time Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture. (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1988), Photo credits: Design Workshop Figure 210-24. Chip Game played by Corridor community members 12 James D. Mertes and James Hall, Park Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Guidelines. (National Recreation and Park Association, 1995).
3-Community Engagement | 23 Greenway m
Results Public Open House Results Keypad Polling Summary Initially, how supportive are you of the Greenway concept? I believe the development program for the Greenway is: aster Plan Plan aster At the public open house, questions centered A significant community engagement technique Other 2.90% Other 0% around where programmatic uses should be Other 1.52% used at Workshop 1 included polling of Extremely supportive 65.22% Extremely supportive 72.34% located throughout the Greenway and through Too passive, needs more participants with keypad polling devices that what design inspirations the Greenway should 0% Supportive 11.59% Supportive 19.15% active recreation were used at both kick-off meetings and the Unsure – need to know … 8.70% Unsure – need to know … 6.38% follow. final open house. Participants were asked About right 69.70% Unsupportive 1.45% Unsupportive 2.13% questions with predetermined numbered The public was given choices on where to locate Too intense, too many Extremely unsupportive 10.14% Extremely unsupportive 0% 28.79% options displayed on a screen and chose their various program elements, such as volleyball developed facilities preferences using a handheld voting device with 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% courts and skateparks, and vote on their 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% corresponding numbers. The same questions location. Two alternatives were also presented Delgado Community College that were presented at the community meetings Mid City Meeting Sojourner Truth on the overall trail design concept. were also put up online for participants to provide feedback even if they were not able to How often do you think you will use the Greenway? I see the Greenway and Greenway Park as: attend a workshop. Never 1.43% Never 0% Other 1.23% Rarely 8.57% Rarely 1.96% Once a year 0% Kick-Off Meeting Once a year 2.86% A few times a year 3.92% A few times a year 10% A tourism attraction 3.70% Once a month 1.96% Once a month 4.29% A few times a month 27.45% At the kick-off meeting, questions centered A few times a month 10% Once a week 13.73% A series of neighborhood parks 18.52% Once a week 14.29% A few times a week 31.37% around three major topics: interest in the A city-wide destination trail A few times a week 37.14% Once a day 5.88% 62.96% Greenway, goals for the Greenway and A few times a day linking neighbo... Once a day 7.14% 13.73% A city-wide destination park Corridor, and programming for the Greenway. A few times a day 4.29% 13.58% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% (like City Park ... 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Support for the Greenway was very high with 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% over 75 percent of participants supportive or Mid City Meeting Sojourner Truth Delgado Community College extremely supportive of the Greenway concept. Responses indicated that over 60 percent of Active Recreation Priorities (ORGANIZED LEAGUE)? – Top 3 Did we get the overall trail design correct? people would use the Greenway once a week or more frequently for activities such as pleasure Other 6.1% Other 5.80% Maybe. I need to know 1.79% bicycle riding, pleasure walking, or travel to and Soccer/multipurpose field… 20.9% Soccer/multipurpose field… 16.67% more. Football field … 4.9% Football field … 10.14% from places. Other uses of the Greenway that Disc golf … 12.3% Disc golf … 5.07% No 1.79% received high feedback included uses for visiting Basketball court … 17.2% Basketball court … 18.84% friends, recreational activities, fitness walking T-Ball field … 3.1% T-Ball field … 5.80% Almost 32.14% Volleyball court … 22.1% Volleyball court … 14.49% and sightseeing. Softball field … 9.2% Softball field … 11.59% Yes 64.29% Baseball field … 4.3% Baseball field … 11.59%
The overall programing preferences for the 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Greenway included passive recreation, long- term operations, infrastructure and active Mid City Meeting Sojourner Truth Delgado Community College recreation. Responses varied between the Do you believe the Greenway design is ready to locations of the polling. At the Sojourner Truth Active Recreation Priorities (INFORMAL)? – Top 3 meeting, active recreation received higher proceed with detail design? priority, while at the Grace Episcopal Church Other 3.8% Other 2.84% Maybe. I need to know 3.33% meeting, passive recreation and operations Pool … 8.8% Pool … 14.18% more. Spraygrounds … 16.2% Spraygrounds … 14.18% received higher priority. Skate park … 14.4% Skate park … 19.86% No 5% Playground … 17.5% Playground … 20.57% Disc Golf … 6.9% Disc Golf … 0% Horseshoes … 10.6% Horseshoes … 7.09% Almost 11.67% Croquet … 4.4% Croquet … 0.71% Shuffleboard … 3.8% Shuffleboard … 2.84% Yes 80% Informal field … 13.8% Informal field … 17.73%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Mid City Meeting Sojourner Truth Delgado Community College
24 | 3-Community Engagement Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m
Summary aster Plan Plan aster In terms of attendance, approximately 80 to 100 people attended each of the three community meetings held at the beginning and end of the week. An average of 15 to 20 people were at the daily workshops and participated in the chip game. Residents expressed appreciation for the process which asked for their input and then allowed them to see the results of their work at the end of the week. This process has proven to be most effective in generating community input and involvement.
Grace Episcopal Community Meeting Participants place comments on Alternative 1 Master Plan, Public Open House, Delgado Community College
Did we get the overall trail design correct? All photo credits: Design Workshop Chip Game, Warren Easton High School Public Open House, Delgado Community College
3-Community Engagement | 25 Greenway m Community Workshop 2 – November 2011
Purpose The community was also presented with improvements that could be made within the aster Plan Plan aster The purpose of Workshop 2 was to present a budget allocated for the Greenway. refined Lafitte Greenway Master Plan vision, get feedback on design concepts for the Greenway Outcomes and present principles for the Lafitte Corridor Revitalization Plan. The public meetings included an open-house format with Greenway A major part of the workshop included polling alternatives, design concepts, Corridor systems of participants with keypad polling devices. analysis and recommendations. At the second community meeting, questions The focus of Workshop 2 was to finalize a centered around three major topics: Greenway Greenway preferred alternative and confirm program alternatives, Greenway design principles for recommendations for the concepts and principles for the Corridor Corridor. recommendations. Responses relating directly to Corridor principles and recommendations are included in the Lafitte Corridor Revitalization Outreach Plan.
Community outreach and engagement for Keypad Polling Summary Workshop 2 of the Lafitte Greenway Project commenced in November of 2011. Two alternatives for the Lafitte Greenway Community Meeting 2, Grace Episcopal Church Master Plan were presented at the community Community outreach was further expanded meeting. Community members voted on from the groups identified for Workshop 1 which option they preferred based on two to also include potential sources of in-kind different design concepts. Refer to Chapter support for the greenway. Strategic relationships 4, Conceptual Development for the plans that with leaders within the surrounding areas of were presented. The plan titled Alternative 3 the greenway were established to assist in the in this document was the preferred alternative distribution of door-hangers and notices to local voted by the community. residents. In total, there were approximately 4,000 Robo-calls made, 11,197 emails sent via Refer to Chapter 5 - Park Design for the Constant Contact and 10,000 door-hangers finalized alternative, which is a combination distributed to support Workshop 2. of Alternative 2 and Alternative 3, based upon feedback by the public. Process Initial Improvements Workshop 2 included two public meeting presentations held on November 16 and 17, Elements of the plan that could be included in 2011 at Grace Episcopal Church and Sojourner the initial improvements were also presented Truth Community Center, respectively. These at the second community meeting. Citizens public meetings presented the Greenway expressed their concern for safety of the alternatives, discussed stormwater principles for Greenway and their strong support for lighting. the Greenway and presented Corridor systems All photo credits: Design Workshop See Chapter 5: Park Design in the cost estimate Community Meeting 2, Sojourner Truth analysis and recommendations principles; section for the items included in the initial obtained interactive polling feedback from the improvements phase. community on program and design alternatives and Corridor principles; and allowed for open public comment on materials hanging on venue walls.
26 | 3-Community Engagement Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m
Results Summary Your Interest in the Greenway? (Select all that apply) (multiple choice) The Alternative I like best is: (Choose one) (multiple choice) aster Plan Plan aster Attendance at Community Meeting 2 was Other 10.26% Other 15.66% None of the Above 2.13% None of the Above 2.56% Property owner outside … 7.69% Property owner outside Corridor 9.64% similar to that at Community Meeting 1. Property owner in Corridor 6.02% Property owner in Corridor 7.69% A hybrid of these Surprisingly, almost 40 percent of the attendees Property owner adjacent to … 10.84% 29.79% Property owner adjacent … 8.97% Alternatives A hybrid of these Alternatives 28.21% were from outside the Corridor at the Sojourner Business owner outside Corridor Business owner outside … 5.13% 2.41% Business owner in Corridor 2.41% Truth meeting and 44 percent of attendees Business owner in Corridor 2.56% Alternative 2 61.70% Alternative 2 61.54% Business owner adjacent to … 2.41% Business owner adjacent … 3.85% at the Grace Episcopal meeting. The median Resident outside Corridor 26.51% Resident outside Corridor 30.77% Alternative 1 6.38% age of attendees is reflective, however, of the Resident in Corridor 8.43% Alternative 1 7.69% Resident in Corridor 12.82% Resident adjacent to Greenway 15.66% median age of the population of the Corridor. Resident adjacent to … 10.26% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Participants felt that Alternative 2, as illustrated Grace Episcopal Meeting Results Sojourner Truth Meeting Results Grace Episcopal Meeting Results Sojourner Truth Meeting Results in Chapter 4, reflected what they would like to see in the Greenway, although almost 30 The location I prefer for the contemplative space is: (Choose one) (multiple choice) If limited funds are available, what would be your priorities for improvement in the Greenway: percent said they would like to see a hybrid of the two alternatives. This was taken into Green Stormwater Improvements 25% 22.22% consideration for the development of the Other 12.96% Other 40% Community gardens 0% Community gardens 7.41% Preferred Alternative. Participants were strongly Children’s playgrounds 0% Children’s playgrounds 3.70% Tennis courts 0% Tennis courts 3.70% supportive of green stormwater improvements, Immediately east of Immediately east of Volleyball courts 0% Volleyball courts 3.70% 22.22% 40% trees, and the bike and multi-use trails at the Jefferson Davis Parkway. Jefferson Davis Parkway. Sports fields 0% Sports fields 11.11% Trees 25% Trees 14.81% Grace Episcopal Church meeting. Feelings Along the banks of Bayou Along the banks of Bayou St. Grass and groundcovers 0% Grass and groundcovers 11.11% were divided at the Sojourner Truth meeting, 64.81% 20% St. John John The Carondelet Walk 0% The Carondelet Walk with members being very supportive of all The bike and multi-use trail 50% The bike and multi-use trail 22.22% recommended programmatic uses. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Grace Episcopal Meeting Results Sojourner Truth Meeting Results Grace Episcopal Meeting Results Sojourner Truth Meeting Results In general, the community was strongly supportive of the design, with almost half of The location I prefer for the volleyball courts complex is: (Choose one) (multiple choice) With regard to the proposed schematic design for the Greenway: (Choose one) (multiple choice) participants eager to move into the construction documents phase. All comments from both I don’t know I’d like to learn I don’t know I’d like to learn of the community meetings were taken into 2.17% 10.26% Other 2.04% Other 0% more. more. account as the design moved forward into its I’m not happy with the I’m not happy with the design it 2.17% 7.69% final phase. Immediately east of the design it needs more w... needs more w... 34.69% Immediately east of the Brake Brake Tag Station. 33.33% Tag Station. The designs almost there, The designs almost there, I’d 47.83% 33.33% I’d like a few more... like a few more... Immediately east of 63.27% Immediately east of Jefferson I like the design lets I like the design lets proceed Jefferson Davis Parkway. 66.67% 47.83% 48.72% Davis Parkway. proceed with construct... with construct... 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Sojourner Truth Meeting Results 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Grace Episcopal Meeting Results Sojourner Truth Meeting Results Grace Episcopal Meeting Results Sojourner Truth Meeting Results
The location I prefer for the skate park is: (Choose one) (multiple choice) Your Neighborhood? (Multiple choice)
I don’t want to see a skate Other 39.66% Other 44.19% 2.70% I don’t want to see a skate … 4.26% park in the Green... Iberville 0% Iberville 2.33% Treme 6.90% Treme 11.63% Other 0% Other 0% Sixth Ward 0% Sixth Ward 2.33% Lafitte 3.45% Lafitte 2.33% Just east of N. Dorgenois 10.64% Just east of N. Dorgenois 10.81% Tulane/Gravier 1.72% Tulane/Gravier 0% Bayou St. John 15.52% Bayou St. John 13.95% East of Broad 65.96% East of Broad 70.27% Mid-City 15.52% Mid-City 18.60% City Park 15.52% City Park 4.65% West of Broad 19.15% West of Broad 16.22% Navarre 1.72% Navarre 0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Grace Episcopal Meeting Results Sojourner Truth Meeting Results Grace Episcopal Meeting Results Sojourner Truth Meeting Results
3-Community Engagement | 27 Greenway m Community Workshop 3 – October 2012
Purpose they did not like recommendations for private Summary development around the Greenway. aster Plan Plan aster The purpose of Workshop 3 was to review the Attendance for the two Workshop 3 meetings preliminary Greenway construction documents Outcomes totaled 128, with 64 persons attending each day. and full drafts of the Lafitte Greenway Master Residents were informed that the City and their Plan, the Lafitte Corridor Revitalization Plan, At Workshop 3, questions centered around environmental consultant are working with and the Lafitte Greenway Management Strategy the placement of pedestrian and automobile the Louisiana Department of Environmental Report. crossings, the cost of tree planting in the overall Quality toward an approved site remediation budget, fencing, the potential for funding from plan. In addition, they were informed that no The focus of Workshop 3 was to gain public the City of New Orleans Hazard Mitigation additional cultural districts, economic incentives support for the project as it moves forward program, parking on and near the Greenway, for development along the Greenway, or TIF’s into final construction documents and drainage compliance with the 10-year storm (Tax Increment Financing) had been proposed. implementation. requirement, what agency would be responsible They learned that the Lafitte Greenway for maintaining the Greenway, visible signage Master Plan calls for the long-term removal Outreach and way-finders, references to the current of City facilities within the Greenway and City Zoning Ordinance and the Greenway that construction documents would be made Community outreach and engagement for recommendations, the Greenway’s support available to the public, along with updates of the Workshop 3 of the Lafitte Greenway Project for economic development and the start of current maintenance and operations plans. commenced in October 2012. Prior to construction. Workshop 3, the consultant team produced and Other issues discussed included concern about distributed 10,000 door hangers, recorded and meeting the potential deadline for spending conducted 4,000 Robo-calls, and sent 3,155 the grant funds, prepping of the site before E-Blast communications via Constant Contact. construction and negotiations with the railroad to complete the rest of the Greenway from N. Alexander Street to Canal Boulevard. Striping Process of the crosswalks, blighted and abandoned housing, revitalization of adjacent parks and The final workshop featured an open house and the potential for minority contracting were a community presentation. The meeting was also discussed. Individuals were encouraged held on October 9 at Sojourner Truth and then and pleased with the direct responses to their on October 11 at First Grace United Methodist questions. They were notified that the next step Church. The open house offered large map was to present the Lafitte Greenway Master Plan displays, detailed images with information, and Lafitte Corridor Revitalization Plan to the drafts of the Lafitte Greenway Master Plan City Planning Commission for adoption. In and the Lafitte Corridor Revitalization Plan, addition, the design team will address remaining and an available team member from Design comments on the Preliminary Design and then Workshop to answer any questions. The proceed into Final Design. community presentation prompted discussion focused on specific design elements and other items considered for inclusion with equal consideration given to the Greenway’s available budget.
Community Support for Constructing the Greenway In order to gauge the level of support for proceeding forward with constructing the Greenway, a piece of tape was placed on the ground with one end stating “Go” and the other side stating “Delay.” All of the participants except for one person stood on the “Go” end, indicating nearly 100-percent support. The person who did not respond favorably stated that
28 | 3-Community Engagement Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m aster Plan Plan aster All photo credits: Design Workshop Team Team All photo credits: Design Workshop Team All photo credits: Design Workshop Community Workshop 3, First Grace United Methodist Church Community Workshop 3, Sojourner Truth All photo credits: Design Workshop Team Team All photo credits: Design Workshop Team All photo credits: Design Workshop Community Workshop 3, Sojourner Truth Community Support for Constructing the Greenway
3-Community Engagement | 29 Greenway m aster Plan Plan aster
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30 | 3-Community Engagement Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana CHAPTER TITLE SUBTITLE 4 Conceptual Development
Design Concepts History Greenway Planting Greenway Alternative 1 Greenway Alternative 2 Greenway Alternative 3 Logo Concepts
The Conceptual Development Chapter includes the conceptual design elements that were created to provide inspiration to the design of the Greenway. In addition, this chapter includes the logo concepts for the Greenway.
The purpose of this chapter is to explain the design concepts and programming for each design alternative for the Greenway.
4-Conceptual Development | 31 Greenway Plan Master Design Concepts
In terms of landscape architecture, a design Four initial concepts that derive from historical concept refers to an idea and/or inspiration that uses of the Greenway (Railroad Artifacts, is conveyed in physical or representational form. stormwater management Living with Water, The Lafitte Greenway design concept is derived stitching communities together The Quilt, from the history, ecology and physical make-up and the relationship of the neighborhoods to of the Greenway and Corridor. It is used as a the Greenway the Front Porch) were developed framework for guiding the design process and for the overall design. The diagram below a means of exploring design through a larger, shows the initial conceptual development that unifying network of ideas. informed design decisions throughout the entire process.
RAILROAD ARTIFACTS LIVING WITH WATER QUILT FRONT PORCH
- THE INTERSECTION OF INDUSTRIALISM AND ENVIRONMENT GREENWAY - INCORPORATING BAYOU ST. JOHN AND THE - STICHING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO CREATE A QUILT - THE PRIMARY ENTRANCE FOR - PATTERN OF RAILROAD TIES AND CORRESPONDING PATTERN OF VEGETATION CARONDELET CANAL INTO THE DESIGN CO-NNEC TING THE LAFITTE AND GRAVIER COMMUNITY THROUGH PATTERNS OF CULTURE, VISITORS FROM THE VIEUX CARRE - UTILIZING THE RHYTHM, TEMPO AND REPETITION OF THE RAIL UTIL-IZ ING GREEN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FAMILY, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND MUSIC - WILL BE THE FACE OF THE PROJECT - REUSE OF THE REMNANTS OF THE RAILINE: RAILS, RAIL MARKERS AND RAIL ROAD TIES - CREATING A SAFER ENVIRONMENT AROUND THE - INTEGRATING PEOPLE THROUGH PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS - CONNECTION ACROSS RAMPART INDUSTRIALISM ECOLOGY - CREATING RAIN GARDENS AND BIOSWALES FROM THE GIVEN TOPOGRAPHY EXPOSED CANAL AND BASIN STREET TO - SIGNAGE AND WAY FINDING ELEMENTS DESCRIBE THE HISTORY OF THE RAIL AND - PROGRAM AND INTERPRETATION OF THE CANAL - WAYFINDING AND SIGNAGE ARE REFLECT THE AESTHETICS OF RAIL IN DESIGN OF NEW ORLEANS CRUCIAL TO DIRECTING TOURISTS
GREENWAY
Aerial Data Source: New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
ORGANIZING THEMES
32 | 4-Conceptual Development Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway Master Plan Greenway Plan Master
“SECOND LINE” “THE FRONT PORCH” “COMMUNITY QUILT” “LIVING WITH WATER” “NATURE IN ORDER” “RAILROAD ARTIFACT” The Second Line Front Porch Quilt Living with Water Nature in Order Railroad Artifacts Imagery
The inspiration imagery to the left illustrates the concepts of The Second Line, Front Porch, Quilt, Living with Water, Nature in Order and Railroad Artifacts.
The Second Line and Nature in Order are conceptual design ideas that drive the design of the entire Greenway and are not limited to specific geographic regions as are the other four concepts: The Front Porch, Quilt, Living with Water and Railroad Artifacts. This concept is referred to as the Lafitte Suite, the idea that one overarching concept is applied to the entire Greenway.
new orleans, louisiana greenway character imagery august 2011
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor All Photo Credits: Design Workshop Team All Photo Credits: Design Workshop
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA INSPIR ATIONAL THEMES AUGUST 2011
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor new orleans, louisiana stormwater management new orleans, louisiana greenway character imagery august 2011 august 2011
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
4-Conceptual Development | 33
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
stormwater management new orleans, louisiana stormwater management augustnew orleans, 2011 louisiana august 2011
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor Greenway Plan Master Design Concepts: History
The land contained in the Lafitte Greenway has been utilized in many different ways over the course of time. Originally the land was called by the French Ciprieres au Bois or Cypress Forest. Much of the Corridor lies below the Metairie Ridge and was swamp or bottomland forest. It is likely that the lands of the Lafitte Greenway were once entirely forest lands.
Bayou St. John and its tributary streams provided major travel routes from Lake Pontchartrain into the new city. The French Cypress Forest + Frenchman’s Canal at first excavated from this swamp the French Canal, a watercourse 15 French feet in width. Over time this canal was widened to create the Carondelet Canal of approximately 50 French feet in width. Along the Carondelet Canal were tow paths, labeled in historic plats as the Carondelet Walk.
With time railroads that entered the city generally paralleled the Carondelet Canal. The canal was filled in and the forests, which formerly occupied the Greenway property, were eliminated. The rail yard was expanded with at least a dozen rail lines. Cypress Forest + Frenchman’s Canal + Carondelet Walk
The rail yards also disappeared with time, and, as buildings leveled, Lemann Playgrounds No. 1 and No. 2 were constructed on either side of N. Claiborne Avenue to provide play space for segregated neighborhoods.
In the 1960s, New Orleans like many American cities forced interstate highways through the heart of the city. The live oak-lined N. Claiborne Avenue, once a vibrant African- American retail district, was in large measure destroyed. Cypress Forest + Frenchman’s Canal + Carondelet Walk + Orleans Relief Canal + Railroad
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans — destroying many of the play elements of Lemann Playgrounds No. 1 and 2. The land that is now the Lafitte Greenway was utilized to house temporary trailers (FEMA trailers) to house the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Brown Danos Plan Trail Aerial Data Source: New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
34 | 4-Conceptual Development Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway m
In early 2006, a group of citizen activists formed the Friends of Lafitte Corridor. In 2007, the Friends of Lafitte Corridor put forth a plan Plan aster by Brown + Danos landdesign to construct a trail from Basin Street to Canal Boulevard. This same group sponsored the Waggonner- Ball plan in 2010 which proposed extensive use of the Greenway property for stormwater management.
In 2010, Design Workshop was retained by the Waggonner Ball Plan Water Elements City of New Orleans to prepare a revitalization plan for the Greenway and prepare a master plan and construction documents for the Greenway. The public engagement process revealed a great deal of interest in active recreational programming in the Greenway. A design charrette was held which developed an initial master plan diagram.
The uses and activities of these periods in time provide fertile ground for design inspiration.
Design Workshop Concept Plan
Design Workshop Concept Plan + Cypress Forest
Culmination of historical influences Aerial Data Source: New Orleans Regional Planning Commission Historic Survey Data Source: City of New Orleans 4-Conceptual Development | 35 Greenway Plan Master Design Concepts: Greenway
Imagery
The inspiration imagery to the right illustrates ideas for the vision of the Greenway. Parks such as the Highline in New York City are drawn upon for idea generation for how an old railroad line could be transformed into a public open space.
Greenway Character Board NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA GREENWAY CHARACTER IMAGERY AUGUST 2011
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
36 | 4-Conceptual Development Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor Design Concepts: Planting Greenway Plan Master
Imagery
The overarching planting plan design concept for the Lafitte Greenway balances wildlife habitat, ecosystem restoration and environmental protection within the context of an urban greenway. These concepts can be accomplished by the use of appropriately placed native Louisiana plants and native vegetation communities within and around the Lafitte Greenway. Native plants that represent the native communities that were historically found in, or in proximity of, New Orleans are planned.
The planting plan for the Lafitte Greenway Corridor uses native plant species that are representative of existing southern Louisiana MARSH SWAMP BOTTOMLAND HARDWOODS NATURAL LEVEE NEW ORLEANS COASTAL PRAIRIE plant communities, such as marsh, bottomland hardwoods, natural levee and coastal prairie communities. Historically, marsh, bottomland hardwoods and natural levee communities were crossed by the construction of the railroad Arrowwood Viburnum Sandbar Willow White Mangrove Bald Cypress Swamp Tupelo Drummond Red Maple Black Willow River Birch Sweet Gum Live Oak American Elm Longleaf Pine Japanese Magnolia Date Palm Savannah Holly Little Bluestem Bushy Bluestem Switchgrass corridor. The lower, wetter plant communities of marsh and bottomland hardwood were the two most prevalent habitats along both sides
Cabbage Palmetto Buttonbush Eastern Baccharis Virginia Willow Swamp Maple Black Mangrove American Sycamore Laurel Oak Tulip Tree Southern Magnolia Bigleaf Magnolia Dogwood Sweet Olive Banana Tree Sago Palm Yellow-Eyed Grass Indian Grass Eastern Gamma Grass of the railroad corridor with areas of higher elevation supporting a natural levee vegetation component. The railroad corridor itself may have supported at least some partial components Gulf Coast Spikerush Hairawn Muhly Maidencane Water Tupelo Button Mangrove Wild Azalea Green Hawthorn Sweet Bay Roughleaf Dogwood Eastern Redbud Red Buckeye Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum Camellia Mock Orange Azalea Gulf Cordgrass White Top Sedge Toothache Grass of the coastal prairie community. Woody species typical of these natural plant communities are planned for the Lafitte Greenway.
Needlegrass Rush Jamaica Swamp Sawgrass Marsh Marigold Resurrection Fern Swamp Mallow Hibiscus Coccineus Dahoon Holly Titi Leatherwood Two-Winged Silver Bells Oakleaf Hydrangea American Beautyberry Inland Sea Oats Crape Myrtle Bougainvillea Gardenia Late Purple Aster Drummond Rain Lilly Prairie Coneflower
Seaside Goldenrod Cardinal Flower Bushy Seaside Tansy Louisiana Iris Lizard’s Tail Swamp Lily Crinum Dwarf Palmetto Wax Myrtle Wood Fern False Foxglove Coneflower Yarrow Dwarf Bottlebrush Cast Iron Algerian Ivy Coral Bean Single-Stem Scurfpea Maypop
The majority of coastal wetlands in Louisiana are intertidal Swamplands are wetlands that are flooded by shallow The Bottomland Hardwood Forests are a type of Natural levees are embankments that parallel the The New Orleans plant palette is as vibrant as its culture. The Coastal Prairie that spans from southwest Louisiana marshes. The Marshlands are adjacent to the Gulf of bodies of water. North American swamps contain a variety deciduous hardwood forest found in lowland floodplains course of a river or bayou. They build up over time by The subtropical climate lends itself to a colorful mix of through southeast Texas has many characteristics in Mexico and contain a rich diversity of plant life adapted to of aquatic vegetation dominated by woody species that along riparian corridors and lakes. The majority of this seasonal flooding of rivers and bayous that have not been species that reveal a European, American, and Caribbean common with the Midwest tallgrass prairie. In Louisiana freshwater, brackish, and saline marshes. Plant species can tolerate periodical inundation and varying degrees ecosystem exists in the lower Mississippi River floodplain. controlled. These plant communities tend to be more influence. High winds associated with hurricanes have switchgrass, little bluestem, big bluestem, and Indiangrass diversity increases as salinity decreases. Grasses, forbs of salinity. Water stagnation is common in these areas Dominant tree species include Bald Cypress, Sweetgum, stable and have a longer life cycle. They are made up naturally selected the more resistant plant communities are the dominant species. As a result of ranching and and shrubs dominate the intertidal emergent wetlands characterized by slow moving water. Historically swamps and Oak. These regions are subject to seasonal flooding of a mix of trees, shrubs, and understory species that are over time. The form, color, and fragrance of the city’s agriculture, today less than one percent remains of the classified as saline and brackish marsh while freshwater were viewed as useless and dangerous so they were and many of the trees are characterized by the presence adapted to sandy soils and occasional flooding. plants help define New Orleans as the unique place that it estimated nine million Coastal Prairie acres that existed marshes are dominated by herbaceous plants or trees. A often drained for agriculture. Today we recognize these of knees, aerial roots, or flared trunks. This ecosystem is. before European settlement. The Coastal Prairie that third of Louisiana’s coastal marsh has disappeared and ecosystems as invaluable ecological habitat. plays a valuable role in improving water quality, filtering remains in Louisiana is often referred to as the “Cajun an estimated 50 acres are lost each day. Louisiana’s nutrients, and reducing sediment before it reaches open Prairie”. This ecosystem is considered one of the most valuable coastal marshes provide crucial habitat to water. The loss of Bottomland Hardwoods increases the endangered and the majority of the remnants are found
migratory birds and are estimated to be the source of 30 risk and severity of flooding for communities downstream adjacent to railroad tracts. In the patches of Coastal Team All Photo Credits: Design Workshop to 40 percent of the commercial seafood harvest in the because these forests provide areas to store floodwater. Prairie that remain, a high diversity of tallgrass and United States. In the last 200 years Bottomland Hardwood Forests wildflower species can still be found. acreage has been reduced by sixty percent largely due to its conversion to cropland.
Native Plant Communities of the Greenway NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA CHARACTERVEGETATION OF NATIVE VEGETATIONSYSTEMS SYSTEMS AUGUST 2011
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
4-Conceptual Development | 37
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor Greenway Plan Master Lafitte Greenway Master Plan Alternative 1
During Workshop 1, a plan was developed with • Splash Pad • Volleyball Courts Planned uses of the Greenway respond to the the following programmatic uses: • Community Gardens • Marching Band Practice Lawns needs of the adjacent communities, schools • Tether Ball • Contemplative Space and interests surrounding the Greenway in the • Restaurant • Stage • Fishing Docks Corridor. Trail alignment options, planting • Bocce and Horseshoes • Pavilion • Observation Hill schemes and signage were among the aspects • Playgrounds • Tennis Cour ts • Amphitheater of the Greenway that were analyzed during the • Lawn • Orchard • Safety Features first charrette. • Basketball Court • Washers • Parcourse • Multi-Purpose Recreation Fields • Skate Spots • Picnic Shelters • Dog Park
DUMAINE STREET
ORLEANS AVENUE
CANAL BOULEVARD
5 Fishing Docks Streetcar EMS Station and Trail ST. LOUIS STREET Node Bathrooms Road/ Trail Road Safety Observation Safety Safety Safety Safety Trail Safety Safety Trail Hill Call Box Safety Contemplative Call Box Call Box Call Box Call Box Call Box Call Box Call Box Amphitheater Space Safety Call Box
Trail Intersection Water Feature
BIENVILLE STREET
CITY PARK AVENUE N. JEFFERSON DAVIS PARKWAY DAVIS JEFFERSON N.
CANAL STREET S. CARROLLTON AVENUE
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA TITLE 0 50 100 200 AUGUST 2011
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
38 | 4-Conceptual Development Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana Greenway Master Plan Greenway Plan Master
DUMAINE STREET
ORLEANS AVENUE
Safety Safety Updated Call Box Call Box Updated Crossing Crossing Basketball Pavilion 1 Playground Safety LAFITTE STREETSkate Restaurant, Picnic Shelter Call Box Lawn Bocce and Lawn Stop Trailhead and Water Horseshoes Skate Park Bathrooms Basin Playground Pool Splash Pad 3 Community Picnic Area and Tether Ball Garden Games Safety
Pavilion Festival Street Tennis Call Box Picnic Shelters Game Orchard Parking 2 4 Tables Multi Purpose Recreation Fields Lawn Orchard Playground Community Garden Gym NOPD Station Washers Picnic Basketball Lawn Skate Park and Bathrooms Skate Shelters Safety Skate Stage Safety Picnic Dog Park Safety Horseshoes Lawn Stop Bocce Call Box Stop Call Box Volleyball Courts Shelters Call Box Picnic Shelter Picnic Shelter Basketball Updated Warren Easton Picnic Volleyball Courts Crossing Pavilion (Former Warren Easton Practice Field and Shelter Learning ST. LOUIS STREET Tag Station) Feature Contemplative Practice Field and Neighborhood Lawn Canal Crossings Space Community Neighborhood Lawn Safety Call Box Safety Garden Call Box Canal Crossings
BIENVILLE STREET
N. JEFFERSON DAVIS PARKWAY DAVIS JEFFERSON N. STREET BROAD S. STREET GALVEZ CANAL STREET AVE CLAIBORNE STREETBASIN STREET RAMPART Alternative 1 Plan
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA TITLE 0 50 100 200 AUGUST 2011
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
4-Conceptual Development | 39 greeNwAY | gAlVeZ tO JOHNsON
80’ 140’ Orchard Communtiy Garden
greeNwAY | rOcHeBlAVe tO dOrgeNOis st. lOuis street witH rAilrOAd AlterNAtiVe sectiON 1
Greenway Plan Master Sections: Alternative 1 greeNwAY | gAlVeZ tO JOHNsON The longitudinal sections of the Greenway show the relationship of the trail to the planned programmatic uses of the Greenway such as community gardens, horseshoes and volleyball.
The sections are referenced on the Lafitte ROW Greenway Master Plan Alternative 1 on page 38. st. lOuis street witH rAilrOAd AlterNAtiVe sectiON 2
greeNwAY | lOpeZ ANd reNdON 80’ 140’ Orchard CommunityCommuntiy Garden greeNwAY | gAlVeZ tO JOHNsON Garden 1 Greenway between N. Galvez Street and Johnson Street
greeNwAY | rOcHeBlAVe tO dOrgeNOis st. lOuis street witH rAilrOAd AlterNAtiVe sectiON 1 ROW st. lOuis street witH rAilrOAd AlterNAtiVe sectiON 3
80’ 140’ Orchard Communtiy Garden
2 Greenway between N. Gayoso Street and N. Salcedo Street ROW
greeNwAY | rOcHeBlAVe tO dOrgeNOis st. lOuis street witH6” rAilrOAd AlterNAtiVe sectiON 12
ROW
greeNwAY | lOpeZ ANd reNdON
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ROW ROW st. lOuis street witH rAilrOAd AlterNAtiVe sectiON 23 Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor 3 Greenway between N. Rocheblave Street and N. Dorgenois Street greeNwAY | lOpeZ ANd reNdON
40 | 4-Conceptual Development Lafitte Greenway Master Plan | New Orleans, Louisiana
6”
ROW ROW st. lOuis street witH rAilrOAd AlterNAtiVe sectiON 3
New OrleANs, lOuisiANA prOpOsed greeNwAY sectiONs 0 5 10 20 August 2011
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6”
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor ROW
New OrleANs, lOuisiANA prOpOsed greeNwAY sectiONs 0 5 10 20 August 2011
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor