University of New Orleans ScholarWorks@UNO UNOTI Publications UNO Transportation Institute 8-2011 New Orleans Claiborne Avenue Redevelopment Study: A University of New Orleans Analysis of Best Practices and Public Opinion John L. Renne University of New Orleans, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uno.edu/unoti_pubs Recommended Citation Renne, John L., "New Orleans Claiborne Avenue Redevelopment Study: A University of New Orleans Analysis of Best Practices and Public Opinion" (2011). UNOTI Publications. Paper 9. https://scholarworks.uno.edu/unoti_pubs/9 This Study is brought to you for free and open access by the UNO Transportation Institute at ScholarWorks@UNO. It has been accepted for inclusion in UNOTI Publications by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UNO. For more information, please contact [email protected]. New Orleans Claiborne Avenue Redevelopment Study A University of New Orleans Analysis of Best Practices and Public Opinion MURP 4062: Applied Techniques for Transportation Planning, Spring 2011 August 2011 Professor John Renne, Ph.D., AICP | Alena Anderson | Emilie Bahr | Peter Bennett | Timothy Brathwaite| Luis Cabrera| Casey Chimento | Christopher Clark | Jennifer Clark | Jennifer Dhir | Lachea Deamicis | Jonathan Dodson | Morgan Ford | Nicolette Jones | Taylor Marcantel | Mariana Marmol | Sophie O’Neill| Robert Pamplin | Marc Santos | Carl Seifert| Vivek Shah | Tara Tolford | Max Williamson New Orleans Claiborne Avenue Redevelopment Study Table of Contents Executive Summary i 1 - Introduction 1 2 - Experiences and Best Practices 2 3 - History and Background 11 4 - Local and Regional Context 29 5 - Interview Stakeholder Results 45 6 - New Orleans Community Survey 50 7 - Conclusion and Recommendations 56 Appendix A - Case Studies A-1 Appendix B - Existing Land Use Maps B-1 Appendix C - Future Land Use Maps C-1 Appendix D - Zoning Maps D-1 Appendix E - Employment Tables and Map E-1 Appendix F - Interview Questions F-1 Appendix G - List of Stakeholders Interviewed G-1 Appendix H - Survey Distribution H-1 Appendix I - Survey Questions I-1 New Orleans Claiborne Avenue Redevelopment Study: Executive Summary The purpose of this study is to examine the potential officials, commuters, and urban planners. Moreover, an implications of the removal of the Claiborne Expressway online survey was completed by more than 800 residents segment of Interstate 10 (I-10), a proposal that has gained from across the city. Each of these efforts informed traction since Hurricane Katrina. This study complements conclusions and recommendations about the previous analyses of the impacts of removing the elevated redevelopment of the Claiborne corridor. expressway. It considers case studies of best practices in While the study revealed substantial support for removing highway removal, the history of the study area, and the the highway, many participants expressed a desire for proposal in terms of its local and regional context -- in more information about the specifics of any removal particular the transportation system, land-use patterns, the project and its likely ramifications. Some interviewees in economy, and the community of the affected area. particular posited that removing the expressway alone Stakeholder interviews and surveys were conducted to would not fully address the problems plaguing the corridor assist with drawing conclusions and recommendations and additional economic and community interventions about the proposed removal of the I-10 highway segment would be needed. and redevelopment of the Claiborne corridor. Of the survey respondents, 58% supported removal and Interviews were conducted with 25 stakeholders, including 16% were opposed. Twenty-one percent of respondents representatives of adjacent neighborhoods, the business said they were uncertain of their stance on removal, while community, real estate interests, city and state elected the remainder indicated indifference toward the proposal. Other key findings: The vast majority of respondents (82%) predicted that removing the expressway would positively impact the area by fostering economic and community revitalization. Only 28% of drivers who use the expressway four or more days a week oppose the removal. Respondents rated the following elements as “very important” to the successful revitalization of the corridor: sidewalks (87%), bike lanes (67%), a tree-planted neutral ground (63%), and light rail/streetcar (56%). Interviews revealed concern that gentrification could occur from the removal of the Expressway and revitalization of the corridor; however, only 31% of survey respondents “Agreed” or “Somewhat Agreed” that the removal of the Expressway would result in fewer housing options for lower income residents. Respondents “Agreed” or “Somewhat Agreed” that the removal of the Expressway would revitalize the following neighborhoods: Tremé (75%), the 7th Ward (70%), Tulane-Gravier (67%), the Central Business District (64%), Iberville Public Housing (63%), and the French Quarter (51%). Unknown impacts on travel patterns during and after removal were a significant concern of survey respondents. Based on these concerns we recommend the following: Incorporate transit and bikeable/walkable infrastructure into any redevelopment designs. Consider providing convenient interchanges from I-10 to I-610 to facilitate additional capacity for motorists as part of a follow-up traffic study. Educate the public concerning transportation alternatives. Address fears of housing and gentrification within the redevelopment of the Claiborne corridor as part of the ongoing planning process. Reach out to residents of the Claiborne corridor to better gauge resident stakeholder opinion. New Orleans Claiborne Avenue Redevelopment Study: 1 - Introduction highway (see Figure 1.2). Chapter 3 investigates the This study will examine the potential redevelopment of the history of the neighborhoods that make up the Claiborne Claiborne Avenue corridor (see Figure 1.1). Since Katrina, corridor and the previous and current plans for revitalizing several plans for the future redevelopment of New Orleans the area. These studies provide extensive groundwork for call for the removal of the Claiborne Expressway portion the removal of the Claiborne Expressway and of I-10 as a catalyst for redeveloping several redevelopment of the corridor. To better understand the neighborhoods, including the Tremé, Lafitte, and other needs of the residents of the corridor, we next present an neighborhoods within the core of New Orleans. Many of overview of the local and regional context - the existing these neighborhoods within the Claiborne corridor conditions - to provide background for our analysis. currently suffer from high rates of crime, blight, and poverty. This area also includes some of the highest Chapter 4 details current conditions along the corridor. vacancy rates in the city and a stagnant local economy. Economic and demographic data for the neighborhoods show how the area has declined from historic conditions. The report will examine case studies and best practices in Traffic data provides information on current usage patterns highway removal. It will also address the history of the on and around the Claiborne Expressway. Land use and study area, the local and regional context, in particular the zoning are also presented as vital components of transportation system, land use patterns, the local understanding the larger perspective. The Claiborne economy, and the local community, including corridor clearly lacks economic and social advantages of demographics. Stakeholder interviews and public opinion other areas of New Orleans. Any plans for removing the surveys were conducted to assist with drawing conclusions Claiborne Expressway will need to include significant and recommendations about the proposed removal of the I- investment in the surrounding area to overcome the current 10 highway segment and redevelopment of the Claiborne conditions. corridor. Many of the previous Chapter 2 includes a series of case studies of removal plans discussed in projects similar to the one proposed for Claiborne Avenue. chapter 3 included Cities who decided to remove such expressways include resident advisory Boston, Milwaukee, Portland, Oakland, two in San groups. In order for Francisco, and Seoul, South Korea. The cases in this this report to better chapter provide examples of how freeway removal impacts understand stakeholder the travel patterns, environment, community, and views, we interviewed individuals including community, non-profit, and business leaders as well as local residents. These interviews Figure 1.1: Claiborne-adjacent revealed several social neighborhoods outlined in red. Base and cultural, map source: GNOCDC (2004) economic, and transportation concerns about the Expressway removal. These themes informed the generation of a broader survey. Surveys further investigated public opinion throughout Greater New Orleans. Both local residents and non- residents support removal of the Expressway. Most supported redevelopment of the area and thought social and economic conditions would improve. Many expressed concerns about traffic and were worried about increased commute time or more congestion on surface streets. Figure 1.2: North Claiborne Avenue, at Dumaine Street, looking This report encompasses the history and present conditions towards Elysian Fields. "Oak Tree Conservation." Undated. City of the Claiborne Expressway and provides Archives New Orleans