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Category: Squandered Heritage

A long-running investigative series examining how poor policy decisions, unchecked development, and political neglect have eroded New Orleans’ historic neighborhoods, culture, and architecture. This category documents what’s been lost—and what can still be saved—through detailed reporting, photography, and community voices.

Block party! Artists imagine colorful renovation of houses relocated to Hoffman Triangle

Volunteers envision their work as “an opportunity for children to participate in the process of improving their own communities and receive art instruction in the process.”
by Karen Gadbois April 18, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Treme neighbor of collapsed doubles sees pattern in housing nonprofit’s mismanagement

Vandals broke in repeatedly and a fire broke out last July. A few weeks ago, brick was removed from the structures that collapsed on Wednesday.
by Karen Gadbois April 11, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Slow-mo house-moving saga: a status report on a what seemed a dandy idea

Jacking up a hundred houses, placing them on trucks and rolling them across town was never going to happen at the speed of light.
by Karen Gadbois April 4, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Billboard house collapses while city debates its demolition

Neighbors say squatters have pulled planks from the collapsing house and built themselves a shack in the rear. City officials are negotiating a hold-harmless agreement to allow demolition of the house.
by Karen Gadbois March 27, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

You don’t like my concrete front yard? How about I Astroturf it?

Unsightliness is one problem. The other is that a flood-prone city like New Orleans needs to be able to absorb as much rainwater as possible, something concrete is not good at.
by Karen Gadbois February 20, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Holy Cross community looks askance at proposed riverfront towers

A developer has proposed two 13-story, 135-foot high apartment buildings, significantly higher than the 75-foot maximum desired by the neighborhood association.
by Karen Gadbois February 18, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Elevating houses crowds sidewalks in historic neighborhoods

Elevating your home in a dense historic neighborhood is a tricky proposition because what goes up must also go out.
by Karen Gadbois February 7, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Lots of paving, no permit: Board of Zoning Adjustment to review more concrete lawns

Pave first, ask permission later: That seems to be the philosophy in three cases before the city.
by Karen Gadbois January 23, 2013 Updated November 7, 2019

Wrecking ball for Booker T, but auditorium to be spared

by Karen Gadbois December 14, 2012 Updated November 7, 2019

Concrete lawn gets grass, but illegal driveway remains

by Karen Gadbois October 31, 2012 Updated November 7, 2019

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The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.
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