Katrina

November 29, 2006...Recovery Update

On a casual afternoon drive around the neighborhood, this evidence of inaction reveals the fact that New Orleanians are rebuilding the City, individually, as homeowners, renters, and business people. New Orleanians deserve a voice in how and who will rebuild our neighborhoods and begin to fulfill the planning we 've done together.

City Hall Annex on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans

and also around the back, this neglect reveals how well the City of New Orleans deals with property recovery and rebuilding.

Although there are some exceptions, many residents must travel considerable distances, even outside of the Parish, for grocery and pharmacy services, a sad irony with vacant and gutted national chain properties of many prominent street corners in every neighborhood.

National corporate chains disappoint us all over New Orleans

Even this facility appears neglected. Although the State had the area gutted and the grass cut once, a few weeks later and it once again is

trashed and over-grown

State Troop "B" sits at the Veterans Memorial Blvd gateway to Orleans Parish.

Unsecured property is dangerous. Debris piles fester.

And even the property of the Archdiocese of New Orleans remains unrepaired and dirty.

Thus far, the recovery of the City of New Orleans is being driven privately by returning residents, and they, our City's great resource, should be heard on how the redevelopment proceeds.

One Year Later...August 26, 2006

8/26/06 One year ago with draining Katrina floodwaters

Our former LaRoots and Lagniappe Consulting office on Canal Street in Mid-City

is now our family home. We moved in last April with the help of friends including

Mike Stagg who drove in to be on our first "gutting" work crew

Vicki Lancaster and Barbara Davidson who helped us paint and

Pastor Jose who helped Alan with the carpentry.

Remembrance observances are everywhere in the area. 1,464 Louisianans lost their lives,

and 135 are still missing. Over 200,000 homes were destroyed, and 1.4 million applied

for some sort of housing assistance, according to FEMA.

The Times-Picayune lists over 100 events during the week of August 29, 2006.

In Lakeview, some homes remain untouched, some are gutted.

Promises and reality sit side by side

On Bluebird Street, we worked last year to salvage some treasures

We recently demolished the Bluebird Street residence. This was not a sad event.

In clearing the lot, many burdens of the Katrina destruction have been handled.

The open space prompts us to envision possibilities for our future there.

Once the setting for family pool parties, our mural sits on top!

Now it's time for a new home, one built for the future.

We're ready, but have been waiting for months to hear whether we qualify for grants,

or are now completely on our own. No funds yet from the LRA, SBA, or ICC.

Recovery will continue to be slow until residents know what budget they have.

LaRoots - A TRIP HOME - September 2005

On several visits into New Orleans, Katrina destruction is obvious on the highway into the city. In city neighborhoods, crews are cleaning and troops are searching for survivors.

Downtown, whiskey flows on Bourbon Street and brothers reunite on Frenchmen Street.

These photographs are typical of the hodge-podge of devastation and cleanup existing side-by-side.

LaRoots offices on Canal Street, as flood waters are receding, and as drainage improves, LaRoots offices on dry ground.

LaRoots meeting rooms, and a few of our newly painted offices. Flood water floated furniture, which bumped around and eventually settled in unsettling ways.

Our home near the 17th Street Canal levee breach. Our brave soldier has flown in from NYC to lift our spirits and search for treasures. Many items can be cleaned and salvaged, and many cannot.