Scenes of neglect are ubiquitous in the flood-scarred Lower 9th Ward, but nine buildings in particular have caught the attention of neighbors since the fall because of their connection to a City Councilman.
Author Archives: Ariella Cohen
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics, Land Use
Development atop a city dump? Policy fiasco comes back to haunt Upper 9th Ward
Despite Superfund status, government and private investors continue to dabble in doomed Desire neighborhood.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
Cyclists and pedestrians to benefit from new Complete Streets program started by city
The combination of horrible roads and a population that relies on bicycles for basic transportation has created a lethal situation, which city officials hope to address with better planning.
Posted inLand Use
All-but-certain loans and grants aimed at reviving key intersection in Broadmoor
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | Some corners in this city tell quintessentially New Orleans stories, and among them is the intersection of South Broad Street and Washington Avenue. There on the trafficky Broadmoor bend, King’s Meat Market and Grocery sells gumbo-ready mixes of seasoned poultry parts named for whichever store employee or […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Road warriors: City officials score $52 million for repairs to flood-damaged side streets
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | Good news for your undercarriage – Mayor Mitch Landrieu has secured more FEMA money for street repairs in Broadmoor, the Lakeview area and St. Claude. The combined total of $52 million divided between the neighborhoods came as a result of Landrieu-initiated damage assessments done on neighborhood streets. […]
Posted inLand Use
Study of elevated I-10 over Claiborne to get underway; demolition being considered
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | After more than a year of delay, Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s administration soon will begin a long-anticipated federally funded study of how to revitalize the North Claiborne Avenue corridor, his planning director Bill Gilchrist said this week. The study, which is expected to take more than a year […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Despite previous grumbling, council meeting verges on love-fest in passing budget
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | In a city confronting an ever-rising homicide count and profound infrastructural and economic challenges, one place remains relatively calm: City Hall. With a noticeable absence of strife or dissent, the City Council voted today to unanimously approve a $497 million general operating budget for 2012 that looks […]
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics
Fresh testing shows persistent formaldehyde contamination in region's FEMA trailers
Barbara Syrie has lived in a FEMA trailer since losing her Mississippi home to Hurricane Katrina. In the past six years, her health has deteriorated dramatically, and she blames high levels of formaldehyde that remain in the trailer, despite promises from FEMA that over time the chemical would dissipate. Photo by Nick Shapiro/ http://boratory.org/ By […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Jesse Jackson stops by Occupy Nola to provide support as eviction hints get stronger
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | Backlit by the insistent neon signage of New Orleans City Hall, the Rev. Jesse Jackson last night told Occupy Nola protesters that they had a right to assemble peacefully in Duncan Plaza, the Loyola Avenue public green where Occupy first set up camp in early October. The […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Gambit joins us in quest for transparency; even with progress, City Hall falling short
This item was first published on The Lens’ Tumblr site, which we use for promoting our events and providing the news behind the news. By Ariella Cohen and Maggie Calmes, The Lens staff writers | Gambit published an excellent story yesterday on transparency in Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s City Hall. It’s an issue that’s, let’s just say, familiar to […]