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.
Mary Church Terrell Elementary School in Gert Town set to be demolished

Xavier rankles Gert Town neighbors with demolition plans

… and put in a parking lot: Mansion gives way to yet more macadam

The news was sometimes buried, but the T-P helped us back on our feet

Creeping concrete: Is anyone paying attention at City Hall?

Two council members continue work stoppage
More reporters than City Council members attended today’s non-meeting of the city’s legislative branch, which again was stymied by the absence of Jon Johnson and Cynthia Hedge-Morrell.

A blog reborn: The 'heritage' that gave rise to The Lens
Newcomers to this site may not be aware that before there was The Lens there was a blog called Squandered Heritage. With help from a wee band of fellow zealots, I devoted Squandered Heritage to the task of chronicling the parlous state of the built environment in New Orleans post-Katrina, with particular attention to the city’s priceless residential architecture.

Demolition continues unabated
Yesterday while driving down Earhart Blvd. I came across a demolition which was being performed with no dust mitigation. The structure was a substantial Church bldg and generated a large amount of dust and debris.