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Category
Land Use

Reporting on how land, space, and development shape the future of New Orleans. This category examines zoning decisions, neighborhood planning, environmental impact, and the balance between growth and preservation—highlighting who benefits, who’s affected, and what’s at stake.

Monumental mistake: Demolishing World Trade Center to build a tourist attraction

Small and modest projects always exceed expectations while big ones never fulfill theirs.
by Roberta Brandes Gratz June 19, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Jindal signs bill that puts fate of Canal Street ferry service in RTA’s hands

Service likely to be cut to a mere 20 hours a week without major infusion of cash.
by Della Hasselle June 18, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

NORA offers Road Home properties to businesses, churches under little-known program

Three years ago, the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority created a program called Near Miss, which opened the door for non-residential property owners to buy Road Home lots. So far, 59 properties have been acquired. But the City Council never approved the program, and most of those properties have not been zoned for commercial use.
by Karen Gadbois June 18, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Could the Algiers-Canal ferry become New Orleans’ newest party boat?

About $440 raised so far; $2,999,500 million to go.
by Della Hasselle June 13, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Adjudication of non-blight code violations resumes after unexplained year-long hiatus

Illegally paved yards, short-term rentals and demolition by neglect draw One Stop Shop scrutiny; Spotted Cat gets go-ahead.
by Karen Gadbois June 7, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

City’s code-enforcement court to meet for first time in a year

The city's focus on blight means no hearings have been held to deal with code violations such as illegal short-term rentals and front-yard paving.
by Karen Gadbois June 6, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Even a chain restaurant like proposed Habana Outpost creates commerce

What if a Pizza Hut went up at that abandoned gas station in the Quarter?
by Jean-Paul Villere May 30, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

The ‘economic development’ that nearly doomed New Orleans tourism

In an era when highways and “urban renewal” were ripping cities apart, Section 106 was a tool useful to local preservationists and as a way to force federal agencies to stop destroying irreplaceable remnants of American history.
by Milford Wayne Donaldson April 30, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Volleyball courts on the bayou? Neighbors worry about toilets, ads and parking

Neighborhood leader says the parking that would come with the courts would destroy the bayou's beauty.
by Karen Gadbois April 23, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Hotels want new tax on guests to promote expected riverfront development

Legislature to consider room tax, perhaps 1.5 percent, to benefit organizations marketing the city.
by Tyler Bridges April 22, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

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For more than a decade, we have reported on issues as well as public policy meant to address the needs of residents. The Lens seeks to focus on the inherent inequality that has created a multi-tiered system. We, at The Lens seek to uncover, illuminate, inform and take part in a forward-looking community. Join us.

 
 

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