redeveloping new orleans: recommendations from the john hopkins university redevelopment panel

New Orleans Urban Redevelopment

July 21, 2006

Redeveloping New Orleans: Recommendations from the

John Hopkins University Redevelopment Panel

David Bend, Sam Huleatt, Minchul Kim, Van Johnson, and Gina Myers

January 21, 2006


July 21, 2006

New Orleans Before The Storm

Mardi Gras Jazz Food But….


July 21, 2006

New Orleans Before The Storm Concentrated poverty Failing Schools Weak Economy


July 21, 2006

New Orleans After the Storm Disproportionate destruction Inadequate response ULI and Bring Back New Orleans Report


July 21, 2006

Our VisionNew Orleans will emerge by its tricentennial (1718) as the most

economically strong, intellectually rich, socially equitable, culturally vibrant and environmentally sustainable city in the

world


July 21, 2006

Redevelopment Zones

Different areas-different demands Smaller footprint Equity Mixed-income Mixed-use


July 21, 2006

Image courtesy of ULI

elevation

St. Bernard Parish

Jefferson Parish Orleans

Parish

source: USGS


July 21, 2006

Flood Inundationsource: USGS


July 21, 2006

Sequence of neighborhood investment zones

Source: ULI


July 21, 2006

Red Zone Sense of urgency Uniform assessment

system Remediation Choice Open space


July 21, 2006

Yellow Zone map courtesy of ULI Analysis and remediation

Eye towards redevelopment


July 21, 2006

Green Zone Least affected by the

storm Increased density

Source: ULI


July 21, 2006

Strategic Open Space

Source: ULI


July 21, 2006

Political Opposition

“Over my dead body”-Ninth Ward Resident-

“To say that you’re not going to fix this community or that community,

you’re not honoring the dead” -Oliver Thomas, New Orleans City Council

President-


July 21, 2006

Source: www.urban-advantage.com

Low Density Development

Above ground utilities

WIDE STREETS

Narrow SidewalksAuto-oriented

development

No parking in rear

Single use district

Source: EPA DCED

Pre – Urban Redevelopment


July 21, 2006Source: www.urban-advantage.com

Dense Development

Street Trees

Bike Lanes

Mixed-Use (Residential

and Commercial)

High Density Development

Below- ground utilities Pedestrian-friendly

area

Median for light rail

Source: EPA DCED

Post – Urban Redevelopment


July 21, 2006

Government Effectiveness NEED for Transparency & Oversight:

New Orleans history of misappropriations and fraud within the Government (Ex: Marc Morial)

Need to demonstrate compassion for all races and classes-Conscious not to only work in the “safest areas”-Conscious of retaining local heritage/culture

Many feel abandoned by Federal Govt

“Re-Build Confidence in residents over time and through transparency and open communication”


July 21, 2006

Oversight

Important to have Oversight and Benchmarking

Monitor Contractors Keep Public Profile: Web Updates, Town Hall Mtgs Create Independent Oversight Commissions:

Environmental/Health Commission Financial Oversight Committee

Historical Precedent Nothing Comparable in Recent History of

this Scale 9/11 (Some success but very slow!)


July 21, 2006

FinancingQ: What are we financing?

Traditional Infrastructure & Municipal Structures

AND…Social Infrastructure (Teachers, Services, etc)

3 Levels of Financing:1) Federal Level2) State3) Private (Economic Development)4) Creative


July 21, 2006

Specifics Federal – Most Aid

Gulf Opportunity Zone Act Baker Bill (Yet to Pass)

Traditional Municipal Financing Tax Exempt Bonds Economic Development : Create Tax Base

Creative How to Finance the GAP? Public Private Partnerships


July 21, 2006

New Orleans Economic Redevelopment Traditional Model

Reduce Poverty Focus on Deficiencies Need: Social Services Lead: Government

Market-Oriented Model

Create Jobs and Wealth Focus on Opportunities Need: Business Growth and Investment Lead: Private Sector


July 21, 2006

SWOT ANALYSISStrength • Natural Resources (oil and

gas)• Higher Education

Institutions• Hospital and Medical

Facilities• Unique and Rich Culture• The Port of New Orleans

Opportunities• Strong medical research

institutions• The indigenous music

industry• Development of bio-tech

industry• Increasing demand for the

port• Ship building and restoring• World Class convention

and Expos

Weakness• Lack of Economic

Strategies• Less Business friendly Tax

Codes• High Proportion of less-

skilled Labors in Workforce• Lack of inward investment

Threats• Racial and economical

segregation• High crime rate• General trend toward out-

migration from the city• Increased competition from

other cities• Natural disaster


July 21, 2006

New Orleans Economic Redevelopment Short-Term Objectives

To bring dispersed New Orleans Residents back To revive the core industries as soon and as

much as possible To enable workers to rejoin in the labor force To maximize the benefits for New Orleans

residents and companies from the reconstruction efforts


July 21, 2006

New Orleans Economic Redevelopment Long-term Objectives

To encourage retention and expansion of job opportunities both in private and public sectors

To diversify the base of core businesses Create an education system tailored to the

actual jobs available and projected through restructuring period

To enhance the city’s reputation as a good place for business investment and sustained profitability through Public-Private Partnership

To alleviate concentrated poverty and racial segregation


July 21, 2006

Snap Shot of New Orleans Economy Before Katrina After Katrina

Stagnant and Sluggish Economy

Vibrant and Competitive Economy

Low Inward Investment Rate High Inward Investment Rate

High Concentration in only a few Core Industries

Diversification of Core Industries

Lack of Job Opportunities Increased Job and Employment Opportunities

Brain Drain High Retention of Brain in the City

Low Wage Economy High Wage Economy

Labor intensive Economy Capital and Technology Intensive Economy


July 21, 2006

Storm Water Protection Levee’s

Poorly maintained: built for agriculture protection Provide Multiple layers of levee protection: levees, canals,

pumps and gates Option not to rebuild all levees Single Regional Levee Board Close MRGO – Mississippi River Gulf Outlet


July 21, 2006

Coastal Wetlands Coastal Wetlands

Natural buffer against storms (aka speed bump)

New Orleans more vulnerable than before storm

Levees harmful to wetlands natural cycle Fresh water reintroduction, barrier island

restoration, sediment diversion and vegetative planting


July 21, 2006

Infrastructure Water

Pre-Katrina, did not meet federal standards Rebuild & protect water treatment facilities

Waste 44 million cubic yards debris will require

management Launch valuable new industries (deconstruction projects,

composting facilities, biomass energy plants) possible economic stimulus

Power Entergy utility company – Filed for Bankruptcy Priority for areas that have immediate occupancy

Communication “Wireless” communication WiFi system throughout

the city Remove communication barriers and attract

residents and businesses


July 21, 2006

Transportation – Near Term

New Orleans Port Getting back on feet – 80% by

June Biggest Need: Labor

Highway and road / bridge repair Provide access to areas for

construction and utility workers Street signs and signals

Reconfigure bus routes Focus routes in areas of highest

activity


July 21, 2006

Transportation – Long Term Street Car

New Orleans symbol Friendly, aesthetically pleasing,

human scale Portland, Oregon example Street Car Arrival Time, GPS

Tracking

Light Rail North Shore & New Orleans Reduce the isolation of many low

income neighborhoods Connect Neighborhoods &

Workplaces

Regional Rail Connect Baton Rouge and New

Orleans Environmental & Economic

Stimulus


July 21, 2006

Rebuilding Neighborhoods


July 21, 2006

Snap Shot of New Orleans Housing Market Before Katrina Post Katrina (Goal)

465,000 Residence (August 05); 31st largest City

144,000 (January 06) →247,000 (September 08)

18% Poverty Rate; 50,000 Lived in neighborhoods with poverty rates exceeding 40%

Develop 10,000 supportive housing units/ link under serviced communities to long term relationships

Disparities in Home ownership (41% African Americans and 56% White)

Mixed use/Mixed income properties that promote diversity and home ownership

Ranked 80th out of 100 in College Attainment

Reestablish Community relationships and training/ Neighborhood Centers through educational partnerships.

Small/Old Housing Infrastructure (81.1% 5 rooms or less/77.8% Homes built prior to 1970)

Mixed Use/Mixed Income Products


July 21, 2006

Community Redevelopment Short-Term Objectives

Form Neighborhood Planning Teams Neighborhood residents Planner/designer Historic preservation expert Environmental/public health consultant Community Outreach Mitigation Planner

Establish Temporary Housing Sites Break through local public/political opposition to temp. trailer sites. Enable Habitat for Humanity to locate housing portable foundations to city. Insure site locations are environmentally safe for housing locations

Address Soil, Mold and Brown field environmental concerns Establish Commercial and residential remediation plans/guidelines (EPA

and or DEQ) Meaningful and consistent community evolvement in environmental

decision making

Address Neighborhood/Community Footprint issues Establish safety measures Develop Community specific remediation plans


July 21, 2006

Community Redevelopment Long-term Objectives

Attract and develop strong community relationships Education Employment Housing product types Financial institutions Commercial enterprises Young creative talent

Employ comprehensive redevelopment strategies that map to the communities needs. Mixed use product types

Stimulate entrepreneurship Links business to housing

Supportive Housing Affordable housing Linked to services (Health, mental health, employment, etc.)

Mixed income housing Stimulates the development of community Creates multi-cultural environments

Existing house renovation 77.8% Homes Constructed before 1970, 59.9% before 1960 81.1% homes are 5 bedrooms or less/76.3% 2 bedroom or smaller.

Utilize Sustainable building techniques were practical to reestablish communities Sustainable sites Water efficiency Material and resources Indoor Environmental Quality


July 21, 2006

MEASUREMENTS OF SUCCESS Acres of reclaimed wetlands (LT)

Number of job training centers constructed (ST)

% of schools that consistently score in the upper half of state and national scores (I)

Percentage of residents that reside less than six blocks from public transportation (LT)


July 21, 2006

CONCLUSION

Audacious Goal

World is Watching-effects far beyond New Orleans

redeveloping new orleans: recommendations from the john hopkins university redevelopment panel

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