A Report from New Orleans
Dec 2nd, 2005, 10:07 AM
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A Report from New Orleans
Earlier this week I went to New Orleans for work so thought I would give you all a report - not a regular trip report since I didn't do many tourist-type things, but some impressions and some info on how things look from the perspective of a visitor.
I got to downtown New Orleans at about 10 on Monday night and things were pretty quiet. I stayed at the Hilton in the CBD right across from the Riverwalk. The common rooms of the hotel are still very much under renovation, but the restaurant is up and running. Also there is a sports bar in the Riverwalk complex that was open for business. The sports bar turned out to be my only option for dinner that late - which generally wouldn't be late by New Orleans standards, even on a Monday, but there just isn't the traffic right now for restaurants to justify staying open much past 10.
The next morning I could get a better idea of the conditions around the area than I could the night before. Other than being quite, the CBD looks quite normal at first glance. Upon further inspection I noticed more things - broken windows here and there, facing missing from buildings, and so on - and of course, plenty of construction. Sidewalks and streets are torn up in some places and some traffic lights aren't working as well. Walking and driving are a bit of a challenge, but traffic is light, so it isn't a big deal. Overall though, it looked pretty good and it seems that business is picking up.
I drove past the Superdome on my way to and from the freeway and that area is still pretty thrashed - which I expected since so many people were sheltered there for so long.
That night I went over to the French Quarter for dinner. Things look good - businesses are open, a lot of damage has been repaired. There were people out and about. It was still quiet, but it looks like the neighborhood is recovering well. Not everything is open yet and there is still evidence of hurricane damage, but things are looking pretty good.
The next day I took a drive through some of the hard hit areas of New Orleans and was absolutely amazed by the destruction.
I also drove through the Garden District to check that out and was glad to see that this area looks largely unaffected. What a beautiful neighborhood. There is a little damage here and there, but overall it looks like it faired well and most people have been able to make the repairs already. Of course, this area didn't flood much. The St Charles street car isn't running yet and the grass in the median has grown over the tracks - someone will have fun getting the tracks ready.
So over all, it looks to me like the main places people visit while in New Orleans are on the mend. The hardest hit areas are in the outlying neighborhoods were visitors are unlikely to go anyway.
I spoke to a friend who is thinking of planning a vacation to New Orleans and wanted to know what I thought - I told her wait until spring. By then, things should be pretty much back to normal in the main tourist areas, just a little quieter so there will probably be some good deals to be had at hotels and no waiting in restaurants.
I got to downtown New Orleans at about 10 on Monday night and things were pretty quiet. I stayed at the Hilton in the CBD right across from the Riverwalk. The common rooms of the hotel are still very much under renovation, but the restaurant is up and running. Also there is a sports bar in the Riverwalk complex that was open for business. The sports bar turned out to be my only option for dinner that late - which generally wouldn't be late by New Orleans standards, even on a Monday, but there just isn't the traffic right now for restaurants to justify staying open much past 10.
The next morning I could get a better idea of the conditions around the area than I could the night before. Other than being quite, the CBD looks quite normal at first glance. Upon further inspection I noticed more things - broken windows here and there, facing missing from buildings, and so on - and of course, plenty of construction. Sidewalks and streets are torn up in some places and some traffic lights aren't working as well. Walking and driving are a bit of a challenge, but traffic is light, so it isn't a big deal. Overall though, it looked pretty good and it seems that business is picking up.
I drove past the Superdome on my way to and from the freeway and that area is still pretty thrashed - which I expected since so many people were sheltered there for so long.
That night I went over to the French Quarter for dinner. Things look good - businesses are open, a lot of damage has been repaired. There were people out and about. It was still quiet, but it looks like the neighborhood is recovering well. Not everything is open yet and there is still evidence of hurricane damage, but things are looking pretty good.
The next day I took a drive through some of the hard hit areas of New Orleans and was absolutely amazed by the destruction.
I also drove through the Garden District to check that out and was glad to see that this area looks largely unaffected. What a beautiful neighborhood. There is a little damage here and there, but overall it looks like it faired well and most people have been able to make the repairs already. Of course, this area didn't flood much. The St Charles street car isn't running yet and the grass in the median has grown over the tracks - someone will have fun getting the tracks ready.
So over all, it looks to me like the main places people visit while in New Orleans are on the mend. The hardest hit areas are in the outlying neighborhoods were visitors are unlikely to go anyway.
I spoke to a friend who is thinking of planning a vacation to New Orleans and wanted to know what I thought - I told her wait until spring. By then, things should be pretty much back to normal in the main tourist areas, just a little quieter so there will probably be some good deals to be had at hotels and no waiting in restaurants.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 10:14 AM
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I saw on the news, very briefly, so don't know details: somebody made a window display - Nativity Scene in NO - using models of broken houses, roofs blown off, trashed streets - and was told to take it down. Anybody heard of that?
Dec 2nd, 2005, 10:20 AM
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Our news in Chicago had some heart-rending footage last night. It was "live" taping of people going back into their areas for 8 hours yesterday.
They were people who thought they were going to repair etc. but now have changed their minds. Both that I saw were past 50, something that they are never going to get over for sure.
I hope that the areas with less damage can be restored to the best they can be soon.
All the hurricane victims, it is so, so sad. What takes a lifetime to put together can be taken down in just minutes. It really makes you grateful for the things that humans have built and sustained over any length of time.
They were people who thought they were going to repair etc. but now have changed their minds. Both that I saw were past 50, something that they are never going to get over for sure.
I hope that the areas with less damage can be restored to the best they can be soon.
All the hurricane victims, it is so, so sad. What takes a lifetime to put together can be taken down in just minutes. It really makes you grateful for the things that humans have built and sustained over any length of time.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 12:10 PM
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Faina - I heard about the Christmas display you are talking about on the news while I was there. I think it was in a mall. The reporter interviewed several people and most said they thought it was great, but a few people were disturbed by it so the mall took the display down.
Too bad - the display looked pretty good and I think stuff like that is a way to process emotion and all that, but then I come from a family who will tell the craziest stories they can think of about the deceased at a funeral. "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion" as Truvy says in Steel Magnolias.
Not everyone is the same though, and I can see how people could be disturbed by the display.
Too bad - the display looked pretty good and I think stuff like that is a way to process emotion and all that, but then I come from a family who will tell the craziest stories they can think of about the deceased at a funeral. "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion" as Truvy says in Steel Magnolias.
Not everyone is the same though, and I can see how people could be disturbed by the display.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 12:16 PM
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FainaAgain: There you go:
http://www.wwl.com/Article.asp?id=149584&spid=5478
http://www.wwl.com/Article.asp?id=149584&spid=5478
Dec 2nd, 2005, 01:38 PM
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I didn't watch the whole thing. And they did say which ward and then- "worst hit area" but it came after a very positive report about the areas you mention, especially the Garden District.
But there was this poor man crying so hard he couldn't talk and then he finally said, "what time does the pick up come, I don't want to see this no more." And another women who said until yesterday she was going to rebuild for sure, but now does not think so.
She said she had another house in her yard and her house was only floorboards and that everything had growth on it already. She said there was nothing to build "on". And that's the problem they were detailing about lot lines and trying to figure out what exact structures were where.
I lost an entire neighborhood at once too, so I had to turn it off. How much harder in these times with housing so high and with 4 states or more disasters all going on elsewhere.
I hope these poor people get some real compensation for the value they have lost. These older people don't have the time or energy to get back what they had. It's so hard to start from scratch again.
But there was this poor man crying so hard he couldn't talk and then he finally said, "what time does the pick up come, I don't want to see this no more." And another women who said until yesterday she was going to rebuild for sure, but now does not think so.
She said she had another house in her yard and her house was only floorboards and that everything had growth on it already. She said there was nothing to build "on". And that's the problem they were detailing about lot lines and trying to figure out what exact structures were where.
I lost an entire neighborhood at once too, so I had to turn it off. How much harder in these times with housing so high and with 4 states or more disasters all going on elsewhere.
I hope these poor people get some real compensation for the value they have lost. These older people don't have the time or energy to get back what they had. It's so hard to start from scratch again.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 01:49 PM
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JJ5, I am positive: the city will be re-billed. So many places get up out of ashes of war, these are pieceful times! Of course it's difficult to lose everything, but life will go on.
You said you've lost a neighborhood, but you are here now, using your computer, talking to us. Not immediately, but NO will get better.
And we're helping. I'm almost sure, everybody contributed. I know I did. Tourists will come back. New people will move to the area. Just a matter of time.
You said you've lost a neighborhood, but you are here now, using your computer, talking to us. Not immediately, but NO will get better.
And we're helping. I'm almost sure, everybody contributed. I know I did. Tourists will come back. New people will move to the area. Just a matter of time.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 02:47 PM
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I am confident that New Orleans will be rebuilt, it's just taking a long time to get any action in D.C. due to the recent dialogue over Iraq. There are several bills that are hoped to be passed before the Christmas break.
The most promising of which creates a company financed by bonds to buy back the homes and lands of these people that do not want to come back, and then sell it to developers as huge tracts (but the developers' approvals would be approved by the authority). This would be excellent, and has received bipartisan support, as well as backing by the Nat'l Banker's Assoc., the latter group supporting it b/c otherwise they'll have to deal with about 300k people defaulting on mortgages that are coming due this month (many with 3 pymts. due all at once).
Regardless, I find it outrageous that New Orleans is the furthest think from Bush's mind. Yes, we are in Iraq. But rebuilding the schools of Iraqis should be secondary to rebuilding the schools in a devastated American city.
The most promising of which creates a company financed by bonds to buy back the homes and lands of these people that do not want to come back, and then sell it to developers as huge tracts (but the developers' approvals would be approved by the authority). This would be excellent, and has received bipartisan support, as well as backing by the Nat'l Banker's Assoc., the latter group supporting it b/c otherwise they'll have to deal with about 300k people defaulting on mortgages that are coming due this month (many with 3 pymts. due all at once).
Regardless, I find it outrageous that New Orleans is the furthest think from Bush's mind. Yes, we are in Iraq. But rebuilding the schools of Iraqis should be secondary to rebuilding the schools in a devastated American city.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 05:52 PM
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But it won't be those older peoples' neighborhood, nor even a remote facsimile after developers and contracters are finished.
What is heart-rending to me is not that the "land" or property won't be rebuilt, but that the base population will not be the same regardless.
What looks like a ghetto to some people on the outside, is not really a ghetto to those who "own" it. For the most part, not all, but for the most part- this is true. Vast urban rehabilitation in every sense that I have seen personally, has left a new class and new people into the same space- made it a better space, but has not substantially changed much for the actual people who were replaced.
There is a town in IL that was pulverized by a tornado just a couple of years ago. Utica. It's not the same rebuilt. Nobody is the same.
I'm not a pessimist. It's just that I know what happens to families, communities and churches after this kind of disaster.
It won't be the same people, nor will most want to undergo that kind of re-growing upheaval process. For those over about 50 to 55, starting over is starting over. I know. Do I know.
There is no amount of "help" that is going to give you the time or the energy. I wouldn't be working like someone 25 years younger today if I didn't have to start over. I would be traveling about 6 months a year by now or be in a position to think about retirement.
It's not only the money or physical reality that is hard to face, but also the emotional that will keep those survivors from recouping.
And I am totally of the opinion that throwing money at urban problems is at times the very worst you can do. I saw where the "Great Society" money ended up, and it wasn't for Head Start or any of the schooling it was slated for.
And in this case I think they are not going to be able to pay endless dollars to reclaim land (and this is NOT all of NO I'm posting about)just to resettle it- when ultimately it is below sea level. They will have to raise the level of the land so that it doesn't happen again in ten or 20 years.
mah1980, I don't want to get political. And I will not. But one doesn't have a thing to do with other.
And schools by law and by American Constitutional dictates dwell in the rhelm of the local and state governments' perogatives. That's why I think No Child Left Behind was a huge, huge mistake. And it's also self-defeating as it can not be really held to long term accounting.
What is heart-rending to me is not that the "land" or property won't be rebuilt, but that the base population will not be the same regardless.
What looks like a ghetto to some people on the outside, is not really a ghetto to those who "own" it. For the most part, not all, but for the most part- this is true. Vast urban rehabilitation in every sense that I have seen personally, has left a new class and new people into the same space- made it a better space, but has not substantially changed much for the actual people who were replaced.
There is a town in IL that was pulverized by a tornado just a couple of years ago. Utica. It's not the same rebuilt. Nobody is the same.
I'm not a pessimist. It's just that I know what happens to families, communities and churches after this kind of disaster.
It won't be the same people, nor will most want to undergo that kind of re-growing upheaval process. For those over about 50 to 55, starting over is starting over. I know. Do I know.
There is no amount of "help" that is going to give you the time or the energy. I wouldn't be working like someone 25 years younger today if I didn't have to start over. I would be traveling about 6 months a year by now or be in a position to think about retirement.
It's not only the money or physical reality that is hard to face, but also the emotional that will keep those survivors from recouping.
And I am totally of the opinion that throwing money at urban problems is at times the very worst you can do. I saw where the "Great Society" money ended up, and it wasn't for Head Start or any of the schooling it was slated for.
And in this case I think they are not going to be able to pay endless dollars to reclaim land (and this is NOT all of NO I'm posting about)just to resettle it- when ultimately it is below sea level. They will have to raise the level of the land so that it doesn't happen again in ten or 20 years.
mah1980, I don't want to get political. And I will not. But one doesn't have a thing to do with other.
And schools by law and by American Constitutional dictates dwell in the rhelm of the local and state governments' perogatives. That's why I think No Child Left Behind was a huge, huge mistake. And it's also self-defeating as it can not be really held to long term accounting.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 09:41 PM
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Yes, most money to support schools is based on property taxes at the state and local level. However, the dwellings of the school were destroyed. Clearly the state cannot afford to rebuild all of the facilities itself, on top of all of the other rebuilding that needs to be built. Therefore, it is appalling to many people in this area that all Bush can talk about is Iraq right now (yes, very important but shouldn't domestic catastrophes be the no.1 priority)?
Very few people have received trailers. Many people have been rendered homeless. And while the ineptitude of the patronage filled positions in New Orleans most definitely does not help the situation, a disaster of this magnitude requires a lot of federal assistance (even in the traditionally state area of schools).
Very few people have received trailers. Many people have been rendered homeless. And while the ineptitude of the patronage filled positions in New Orleans most definitely does not help the situation, a disaster of this magnitude requires a lot of federal assistance (even in the traditionally state area of schools).
Dec 2nd, 2005, 10:36 PM
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The homes and gone and the residents are gone too. Why need the schools now? When they return, then schools will be back up - whether they're state-run or private or charter. No need to worry about that over water, police, and other infrastructure.
In fact, one should argue that money should be given to schools in OTHER areas like Baton Rouge, Houston, etc where many ex-NO children are staying and attending classes.
In fact, one should argue that money should be given to schools in OTHER areas like Baton Rouge, Houston, etc where many ex-NO children are staying and attending classes.
Dec 3rd, 2005, 06:20 AM
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Yes, rkkwan, and to places VERY far away that still will hold NO survivors for long, long periods of time.
We in Tinley Park have 11 left from 90, but most of those people have settled within church funded housing in IL or have to returned to areas in OTHER parts of the South, especially Memphis.
When the destruction is so lethally total (NO structures surviving)- then it takes a long, long time to recoup to any form of "neighborhood".
We in Tinley Park have 11 left from 90, but most of those people have settled within church funded housing in IL or have to returned to areas in OTHER parts of the South, especially Memphis.
When the destruction is so lethally total (NO structures surviving)- then it takes a long, long time to recoup to any form of "neighborhood".
Dec 3rd, 2005, 06:48 AM
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Thanks for your on the scene report. Many will be glad to know that not everything is ruined and many places are on the mind. A few prospective visitors may take advantage of bargains. Of course, many residents have faced destroyed homes and lives, and one wonders what the population of a future N.O. will be.
ozarksbill
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Dec 3rd, 2005, 07:57 PM
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Thank you for posting this update.
Its sometimes hard to tell what's really happening if you just tune into the news.
My heart goes out to all those affected. Just awful.
New Orleans is one of my favorite U.S. cities. I always suggested it if someone wanted to visit a "warm" U.S. city. Great culture, great music, lots of art, artists and great food! But now?
So, I'm pretty relieved to hear its on its way back. I heard that it will be back to its old self in 1.5-2 yrs. I hope so. I'd love to visit 'Nawlins again!
Its sometimes hard to tell what's really happening if you just tune into the news.
My heart goes out to all those affected. Just awful.
New Orleans is one of my favorite U.S. cities. I always suggested it if someone wanted to visit a "warm" U.S. city. Great culture, great music, lots of art, artists and great food! But now?
So, I'm pretty relieved to hear its on its way back. I heard that it will be back to its old self in 1.5-2 yrs. I hope so. I'd love to visit 'Nawlins again!
Dec 5th, 2005, 07:41 AM
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Like a lot of people, I love New Orleans too. My husband and I spent our honeymoon there and the city grabbed our souls the moment we got there, let me tell you.
It is definitely hard to tell what is what from the news sometimes since they always show the worst of the worst because I guess good news and progress doesn't create much buzz.
I just don't want potential visitors to stay away because the news reports say it will take years for the city to recover - of course it will take years, but the main areas that visitors want to go are coming back pretty quickly. I don't want to discount the work that still needs to be done or the tremendous hardship people are facing with rebuilding and starting over. It is just that with an economy that relies so heavily on tourism and conventions, if anyplace needs some visitors, this is the place.
When I handed in my expense report to my boss, I told him it was his contribution to the economy of New Orleans
It is definitely hard to tell what is what from the news sometimes since they always show the worst of the worst because I guess good news and progress doesn't create much buzz.
I just don't want potential visitors to stay away because the news reports say it will take years for the city to recover - of course it will take years, but the main areas that visitors want to go are coming back pretty quickly. I don't want to discount the work that still needs to be done or the tremendous hardship people are facing with rebuilding and starting over. It is just that with an economy that relies so heavily on tourism and conventions, if anyplace needs some visitors, this is the place.
When I handed in my expense report to my boss, I told him it was his contribution to the economy of New Orleans
Dec 5th, 2005, 09:44 AM
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It is good to hear that the tourist areas are sort of open. As for the places tourists don't usually go--THOSE are the areas that the service people for the tourists LIVE(D). The city was 450,000--it is now about 70,000.
When money is handed out for rebuilding, what will be the safeguard that the usual Louisiana graft won't take most of it. I heard a congressman talking on NPR a couple of days ago--he wouldn't trust that state and its politicians to do anything correctly. They have mishandled too much in the past. It is just that so much has been revealed for everyone to see.
When money is handed out for rebuilding, what will be the safeguard that the usual Louisiana graft won't take most of it. I heard a congressman talking on NPR a couple of days ago--he wouldn't trust that state and its politicians to do anything correctly. They have mishandled too much in the past. It is just that so much has been revealed for everyone to see.
Dec 5th, 2005, 10:24 AM
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Just this reminder: many on the margins lost loved ones and are still without homes. So while we rejoice at tourist areas getting back to normal, let's don't neglect a continuing concern for the non-tourist population (or former population). Will governmental agencies really be able to repair lives?
ozarksbill
ozarksbill
