Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association : New Orleans Neighborhoods Partnership Network

February 9th 2012

31 Flavors of Blight

BlightStat 31

February 9, 2012

This was the 31st BlightStat meeting to which the public was invited.
The city continues to march toward its goal of the removal of 10,000 blighted properties within three years. It is estimated that over 40,000 blighted properties were in 2006.

Mr. Oliver Wise moderated the meeting.

Mr. Wise quipped about the change from bi-weekly to monthly meetings and that the report produced this month is the first data for 2012.

Ms. Williams will be changing departments and Mr. Kray will be replacing her.

Ms. Denise Ross introduced the Code for America team. Code for America representatives Ms. Alex Pandel, Mr. Amir Reavis-Bey, Mr. Eddie Tejeda, and Ms. Serena Wales produced a slide show.

Code for America worked in Boston on education last year. They made an easy to use application. 26 fellows are working with 8 cities.

The focus in New Orleans is blight, open data, and 311. The goal is to have active collaboration between city staff, neighborhood leaders, non-profits, community members and the tech community. The Code for America team can be reached at //';l[1]='a';l[2]='/';l[3]='<';l[4]='|103';l[5]='|114';l[6]='|111';l[7]='|46';l[8]='|97';l[9]='|99';l[10]='|105';l[11]='|114';l[12]='|101';l[13]='|109';l[14]='|97';l[15]='|114';l[16]='|111';l[17]='|102';l[18]='|101';l[19]='|100';l[20]='|111';l[21]='|99';l[22]='|64';l[23]='|115';l[24]='|110';l[25]='|97';l[26]='|101';l[27]='|108';l[28]='|114';l[29]='|111';l[30]='|119';l[31]='|101';l[32]='|110';l[33]='>';l[34]='"';l[35]='|103';l[36]='|114';l[37]='|111';l[38]='|46';l[39]='|97';l[40]='|99';l[41]='|105';l[42]='|114';l[43]='|101';l[44]='|109';l[45]='|97';l[46]='|114';l[47]='|111';l[48]='|102';l[49]='|101';l[50]='|100';l[51]='|111';l[52]='|99';l[53]='|64';l[54]='|115';l[55]='|110';l[56]='|97';l[57]='|101';l[58]='|108';l[59]='|114';l[60]='|111';l[61]='|119';l[62]='|101';l[63]='|110';l[64]=':';l[65]='o';l[66]='t';l[67]='l';l[68]='i';l[69]='a';l[70]='m';l[71]='"';l[72]='=';l[73]='f';l[74]='e';l[75]='r';l[76]='h';l[77]=' ';l[78]='a';l[79]='<'; for (var i = l.length-1; i >= 0; i=i-1){ if (l[i].substring(0, 1) == '|') document.write("&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";"); else document.write(unescape(l[i]));} //]]> ">

Mr. Kopplin thanked the Code for America team for their contribution to the city. Jeff Hebert indicated that the Code for America is here due to problems found during the BlightStat meetings.

Mr. Square indicated that citizens are very happy that Code for America team is here. Mr. Kopplin indicated that New Orleans would be a great place for them to stay permanently.

On Code for America’s website, the situation is described as follows:
“The City of New Orleans wants to partner with Code for America to support and further legitimize the invaluable role neighborhood stakeholders continue to play in community revitalization. By developing a light-weight application to allow community stakeholders to submit bulk information to the city about their neighborhood, view existing relevant city data, and receive status for each of the on-going issues in their neighborhood, they will be better able to advocate and support their neighborhoods.”

Ms. Basco continued the meeting. During January…
reinspections were high due to better property-owner compliance which requires reinspections.

Ms. Basco indicated posting of hearings should increase over time.

Mr. Lessinger indicated the “Inspections by Type and Result” slide better shows the inspection to to posting of hearing process. He thanked Mr. Kray for his work on producing the new format for the presentation.

Mr. Square indicated that some undercounting may be occurring.

Ms. Basco indicated that the majority of the complaints are over the 30 day mark.

Mr. Wise explained the “Timeliness of Inspections” slide. The goal is to have all inspections done within 30 days and to have no inspections that exceed the service level agreement.

Mr. Kopplin and Mr. Wise further discussed the parameters of the powerpoint slide. Mr. Kray clarified the details of the information.

Ms. Basco indicated the priority is on the older inspections while continuing to work incoming complaints.

Ms. Basco indicated that the city is “rockin” concerning the timeliness of hearings process.

Mr. Kopplin indicated that performance is important but just as important is “Did we do it when we said we would do it?”

Ms. Tammie Jackson reviewed the “Hearings Outcomes” slide. She indicated that better communication has produced improved results.

Ms. Jackson further stated that “yes, 6 years later there are people who are still working through the Road Home process”.

Mr. Kopplin and Ms. Jackson discussed the details of the Road Home program with Ms. Illarmo clarifying how many are still working through the Road Home program. It ranges from 60 – 78 still working through the process.

A representative from the Road Home program asked for help from citizens locating people who have not used their grants from the Road Home program to refurbish their property.

Mr. Wise indicated “the reset – no inspection numbers are still troubling”. He inquired, “What’s going on?” Ms. Basco indicated she did have an answer today but would look into it.

Mr. Hebert said that is not an indication of poor performance of Ms. Basco’s department but that reinspections are a problem.

Mr. Lessinger indicated that Mr. Kray has produced a presentation which better indicates what is going on.

Mr. Kray does not have a way to pull out all of the reinspections from the current system. Mr. Wise said that should become an “action item”.

Mr. Wise asked about what is happening with resets. Ms. Illarmo indicated that some cases do go on for a long time. Ms. Illarmo went through the hearings process in response to a question from Mr. Kopplin.

A discussion ensued about how the new graphics are presented.

Mr. Kray made an analogy of meetings-clients vs. hearings.

Ms. Illarmo discussed resets and that Mr. Kray has produced a valuable tool to help fight blight. More and easier to access information is being produced.

Ms. Illarmo said there will be fewer hearings in February for a variety of reasons (Mardi Gras for one) but a “big push” will be on the agenda for March.

Mr. Carrere discussed demolitions. Significant process has been made particularly in New Orleans East.

Mr. Hebert indicated the townhouses in New Orleans East produce a multitude of issues. Mr. Hebert indicated “the state is committed”. He added that commercial properties have a lot of issues that need to be solved before the buildings can be demolished.

Mr. Kopplin indicated that the City is continuing to negotiate with FEMA. A good working relationship has been established.

The FEMA rep reviewed the “New Orleans FEMA Demolitions” slide. Mr. Kopplin inquired about properties denied by NCDC/HDLC. Those properties then go before the City Council for review.

Mr. Kopplin asked for a report on how many are HDLC denials and NCDC denials and how many have gone before the City Council.

NCDC demolition denials can’t be appealed. They just die for one year.

In just over a year 2,728 demolitons have been completed.

Mr. Keith Ferrouillet discussed the interim nuisance abatement program. Call 658-2526 but INAP can only cut a specific lot once. Citizens in the 9th Ward are doing the “maintenance cuts” once INAP cuts the tall grass on a particular lot.

Mr. Kopplin inquired about the current grass cutting contract which expires March 28th. A request for proposal will go out for a contract that will replace the current non-performing contractor.

Ms. Basco indicated only 1 FEMA trailer remains.
That trailer should be removed soon. Initially there were 18,000 FEMA trailers in the City of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.

Mr. Granderson indicated that the law department continues to work diligently on the lien foreclosure process. 57 of 144 files were approved for the lien foreclosure process during the past month.

138 properties set for sale. 62 went to auction but no one bid on them. They will be offered again at a future sheriff’s sale for a lower amount. 13 stopped due to “noticing issues”. All owners (heirs, entities, etc.) have to be notified once a property is scheduled to go to a sherrif’s sale.

There will be Sheriff Sales on February 16, February 23 and a large sale on March 6th. This info is updated at data.nola.gov

Mr. Hebert indicated LLT properties are being transferred to the City of New Orleans.

Mr. Lawlor of the Office of Community Development thanked Ms. Rosalind Peychaud for her assistance with the soft-second program.

Mr. Kopplin stated that citizens are demanding results. Mr. Kopplin wants to make sure the process from blighted property to property in commerce gets smoother with time.

Mr. Hebert indicated he and Mr. Lawlor are working together to continue the fight against blight.

The meeting was then opened up for questions from the audience of about 50 people. TV news crews were present at this meeting.

It is clear that enforcement of laws related to blighted properties will be more aggressive in 2012. The Mayor’s directive to have 10,000 blighted properties eradicated in three years remains on track.

BlightStat 32 will be held on March 8, 2012. The meetings are on the 8th floor of City Hall in the Homeland Security Conference Room.

February 9th 2012

The Color of Wonderful

Faubourg St. John neighbor and Gallery Director of the Isaac Delgado Fine Arts Gallery at Delgado Community College would like you to know about a gallery talk and reception with Terrence Osborne. The mission of the gallery is to serve not only the students, but also the community in which the college is located. The mission is strictly educational. The gallery talk and reception are free and open to the public.

Brenda Hanegan
Gallery Director/Fine Arts Instructor
Delgado Community College

February 8th 2012

Magical Mystery Tour - Web of Lines

photo by Kevin O’Mara
This photo was taken by Kevin O’Mara on July 5, 2010.

Kevin says, “I love a car with no wheels!”

I love my neighborhood. I love the web of a hundred power and phone lines you never see until you’re paying attention. I love a cloudy blue sky day. I love the nasty muggy heat. I love a one-way street with potholes. I love New Orleans.

The photo was taken at the southern end of Faubourg St. John near Broad.

Join the Magical Mystery Tour every Wednesday at FSJNA dot ORG where you’ll see interesting photos in and around Faubourg St. John.

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December 27th 2011

Skate Park Meeting at City Hall Wednesday

The City and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) announced that three public meetings will be held to review proposed locations for a skate park. In October 2011, a skateboard ramp was donated to the City and NORDC.

The proposed locations for installation are Joe Brown Park, Behrman Memorial Park, or the Lafitte Greenway.

The three public meetings will be held in the New Orleans City Council chamber, 1300 Perdido Street, 1st floor, on the following dates:

~~Wednesday, December 21, 2011; 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.~~

Wednesday, December 28, 2011; 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Wednesday, January 4, 2012; 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Citizens are encouraged to attend and provide their input. Please write to Councilmember Guidry at //';l[1]='a';l[2]='/';l[3]='<';l[4]='|118';l[5]='|111';l[6]='|103';l[7]='|46';l[8]='|97';l[9]='|108';l[10]='|111';l[11]='|110';l[12]='|64';l[13]='|121';l[14]='|114';l[15]='|100';l[16]='|105';l[17]='|117';l[18]='|103';l[19]='|103';l[20]='|115';l[21]='>';l[22]='"';l[23]='|118';l[24]='|111';l[25]='|103';l[26]='|46';l[27]='|97';l[28]='|108';l[29]='|111';l[30]='|110';l[31]='|64';l[32]='|121';l[33]='|114';l[34]='|100';l[35]='|105';l[36]='|117';l[37]='|103';l[38]='|103';l[39]='|115';l[40]=':';l[41]='o';l[42]='t';l[43]='l';l[44]='i';l[45]='a';l[46]='m';l[47]='"';l[48]='=';l[49]='f';l[50]='e';l[51]='r';l[52]='h';l[53]=' ';l[54]='a';l[55]='<'; for (var i = l.length-1; i >= 0; i=i-1){ if (l[i].substring(0, 1) == '|') document.write("&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";"); else document.write(unescape(l[i]));} //]]> ">

Skate Park Site Selection Criteria

Map of NORD Parks Recreation Facilities December, 2011

December 21st 2011

RESTORE | RENEW | RECYCLE

The New Orleans Community Bike Project exists to promote the use of bicycles and other human-powered transportation; to assist all bicyclists in learning to maintain their vehicles; to provide a space for sharing community resources and fostering community education; and to promote the reuse of materials that might otherwise be thrown away.

Plan B is a community-run bike project that functions as an open workspace for bicycle building and repair. The workspace makes an array of professional bike tools available for use to the public for free while volunteers offer free help and instruction in bike repair. The bike project makes donated parts available at low cost. Additionally, complete used bikes are also available at reasonable, fair-market prices. All of the proceeds from sales are used to keep the project running and allow us to offer free stand time, tool library use, and bike education programs to the general public.

Shop: 1024 Elysian Fields | New Orleans, LA 70116 Phone: 504-272-PBNO (7266) Email: //';l[1]='a';l[2]='/';l[3]='<';l[4]='|109';l[5]='|111';l[6]='|99';l[7]='|46';l[8]='|108';l[9]='|105';l[10]='|97';l[11]='|109';l[12]='|103';l[13]='|64';l[14]='|116';l[15]='|99';l[16]='|101';l[17]='|106';l[18]='|111';l[19]='|114';l[20]='|112';l[21]='|101';l[22]='|107';l[23]='|105';l[24]='|98';l[25]='|97';l[26]='|108';l[27]='|111';l[28]='|110';l[29]='>';l[30]='"';l[31]='|109';l[32]='|111';l[33]='|99';l[34]='|46';l[35]='|108';l[36]='|105';l[37]='|97';l[38]='|109';l[39]='|103';l[40]='|64';l[41]='|116';l[42]='|99';l[43]='|101';l[44]='|106';l[45]='|111';l[46]='|114';l[47]='|112';l[48]='|101';l[49]='|107';l[50]='|105';l[51]='|98';l[52]='|97';l[53]='|108';l[54]='|111';l[55]='|110';l[56]=':';l[57]='o';l[58]='t';l[59]='l';l[60]='i';l[61]='a';l[62]='m';l[63]='"';l[64]='=';l[65]='f';l[66]='e';l[67]='r';l[68]='h';l[69]=' ';l[70]='a';l[71]='<'; for (var i = l.length-1; i >= 0; i=i-1){ if (l[i].substring(0, 1) == '|') document.write("&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";"); else document.write(unescape(l[i]));} //]]> ">

Click on the bike to learn more.

***

2239 Piety St in the Upper 9th Ward | New Orleans
(at the corner of Piety and N Tonti)

RHUBARB is an all volunteer run space, which means no bosses, no workers and no pay. We all participate in making the space, tools and parts organized and accessible, and any money that is received goes toward tools and parts and all other basic needs of the shop. Our primary goal is to provide adequate tools and competent help to meet the needs of those who desire to build and repair bikes. RUBARB is an educational space where we all can share and learn from each other’s skills and experiences.

To meet these goals we currently offer:

Ways to build or get your own bike – start with a bike that needs a little repairing and a donation for all the needed parts and a person can finish the bike and make it their own. Work trades are also a welcomed way to get a bike and contribute to the shop. We also have a few bikes ready to ride, which we ask a $40 – $80 contribution for.

the EARN-A-BIKE program – after completing a series of 4 steps, which include learning basic maintenance and bike building skills, youth earn bikes that they take home with them.

step #1: fixing a flat. this is a basic skill that every bike owner should be able to do! kids learn to patch a punctured tube and should then be able to fix their own if experiencing a flat on their bikes.

step #2: overhauling a wheel. this step requires the earn-a-biker to take apart a wheel, regrease it, and put it back together. not only does overhauling a wheel make it ride smoother and last longer, but kids get a chance to see what’s inside a hub, how it works, and how it goes together.

step #3: overhauling a bike. this is the time when kids pick out a bike to earn and begin working on it. some of our bikes are in various states of disrepair, so s/he may not only be overhauling the bottom bracket and wheels, but adjusting the headsets and brakes and piecing together parts such as handlebars and seats.

step #4: help beautify RUBARB. in this final step, the earn-a-bike participant does something to help brighten, organize, or simply make the shop a more enjoyable space. so far kids have made t-shirts, painted a mural, created a sculpture out of bike parts, organized our tubes, and painted ornaments for our tree made out of rims.

download the earn-a-bike flyer here

November 18th 2011

Nov 18: REBRIDGE FUNDRAISER

Gala guests will gather to support the rehabilitation of two historic bridges, while enjoying delicious cuisine from Commander’s Palace and dancing to the throw-down tunes of the Creole String Beans. Bubbles will be served — champagne and ice-cold beer — and wine.

The Gala is to raise awareness and funds for rehabilitating the Magnolia and Walter Parker Memorial (aka Dumaine) Bridges that cross Bayou St. John, a community effort led by the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association in collaboration with the Re‐Bridge organization. The Magnolia Bridge is considered the oldest in New Orleans and was recently named one of Louisiana Landmarks Society’s “New Orleans Nine.” The Sanctuary is a private residence, once Walter Parker’s home, who helped transform the squalid bayou and surrounds into the wonderful neighborhood it is today. Re-Bridge is continuing the vision that Mr. Parker initiated 80 years ago.

The Gala is open to the public (cocktail attire) and tickets are available now at www.rebridge.org. The tickets are $75 each with all proceeds going to Re-Bridge to raise matching funds for city and state funding. Commander’s Palace graciously donated the cuisine and Tommy Lewis has generously sponsored the Creole String Beans. The Gala will also include an incredibly eclectic silent auction featuring getaway trips, fine art, spa, world-class musical talent for private entertainment, spiritual/garden/foreign language master services, dining packages and more!

For more information call Re-Bridge’s chair, Rachel Dangermond, 504.309.2116 within normal business hours.

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Application for a Pedicab Operator's Permit

Pedicabs are new to New Orleans in 2011.

Article from 1900 about City Park Improvements

City Park Selected as Frontline Park

“We selected City Park for recognition because it exemplifies the power of public/private partnerships to create and maintain urban parks that build community and make our cities sustainable and vibrant” said Catherine Nagel, Executive Director of City Parks Alliance. “We hope that by shining the spotlight on this park that we can raise awareness about both the necessity and the promise of these kinds of partnerships to spur investment in our nation’s urban parks.”

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February 13th

Faubourg St. John Board Meeting

The Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association’s Board meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at the Holy Rosary Cafeteria at 1368 Moss on beautiful Bayou St. John.

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Sauve's Crevasse

Houseboats on Bayou St. John

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New Orleans Neighborhoods Partnership Network