Posted by Dinah on November 29, 2008, at 22:35:07
In reply to Re: My idea of perfect coverage for this Adm. » Dinah, posted by fayeroe on November 29, 2008, at 22:05:18
The public housing was already slated to be torn down before Katrina and replaced with mixed income housing. The St Thomas housing project was the first to be rebuilt, and that was before Katrina. They were in pretty bad shape before, and worse shape after. There was no point to rebuilding them as they were, if the entire idea was going to be revamped.
There is certainly controversy involved in that. There are arguments on each side, and I don't have any real knowledge of which is right. My understanding is that it went well for St Thomas, but I may be wrong about that.
There has also been a shortage in rentals, affordable and otherwise, since funds aren't as readily available to owners of rental properties, as opposed to homes.
They are currently planning a new VA hospital to be combined with the teaching hospital in Midcity. But there's a lot of controversy involved in that as well. People are very protective of their neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Certainly we agree in the hope that all those who wish to come home will one day be able to do so. But to the best of my knowledge people coming back come back to homes. Or FEMA trailers, where they are still permitted. Not shacks. If they're no longer allowing FEMA trailers, I can't believe the local ordinances would allow shacks.
There is certainly is plenty still to be done in rebuilding the area. But I don't see lack of federal funding or support as the primary issue.
Now if we're talking coastal restoration, that's different, and I will gladly complain about that. They're eventually supposed to do revenue sharing on the oil passing through the state, to fund the coastal restoration. But because of the balanced budget rules, they had to put it off several years. Even then...
Still, I have no idea if the holdup is in the Administration or Congress. With the Democrats holding both, it should be easy to see if the will is there. If coastal restoration and flood control is a priority, they will release the funding for it.
I'm familiar enough with my own local news. The homes that Brad Pitt's organization, and the musicians village, and the Katrina cottages, are largely based on the traditional architecture. They are being respectful of local tastes. Those that love New Orleans enough to stay here after Katrina usually feel pretty strongly about the local flavor.
poster:Dinah
thread:862511
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20081115/msgs/865838.html