The Urban Conservancy News Roundup

Plans for New Teaching Hospital Conflicts with New Orleans Master Plan, Consultants Say

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:01:34 -0600

“The mayor believes whether it’s the state government or federal government making an investment in the city, we welcome you,” Kopplin said, “but we expect developers, public or private, to operate within the scope of the city’s master plan … and we expect a seat at the table.” He added, “If we’re going to make billion-dollar investments in the city, we’ve got to get them right.”

New Orleans Master Plan Approved by City Council

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:17:42 -0600

Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson, who took the lead in pushing for approval of the plan, said its adoption will provide certainty to both residents and developers. “The rules won’t change in the middle of the game,” she said. “You will not be able to just whimsy and whamsy change zoning.”

New Orleans Streets, Sewers, Drains Are Deeply Underfinanced, BGR Reports

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:35:28 -0600

The report says the city’s sewerage, water and drainage systems need many billions of dollars in repairs and upgrades, but the S&WB is almost $1 billion short of being able to pay for even the $3 billion in projects listed in its five-year capital program.

Pedicabs in New Orleans Endorsed After Contentious Committee Hearing

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:10:57 -0600

Several speakers who own or have operated pedicabs elsewhere said the vehicles are operating successfully in many large cities, where one said they have a “very symbiotic relationship” with taxicabs and other forms of for-hire transportation.

Travis Stowers, who owns a large fleet of pedicabs in Houston, said New Orleans is one of the last major tourist cities in the world without such vehicles.

Claiborne Avenue Expressway Demolition Gets Support in Report

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:20:28 -0600

The new report sums up the criticisms of the Claiborne expressway this way:
“Once a thriving commercial corridor, the area defined by Claiborne Avenue suffered serious decline following the construction of the I-10 expressway in the 1960s. Pushed through over the wishes of the area’s largely disenfranchised African-American population, it was intimately tied to the overall decline of the neighborhood, replacing a lively strolling street, oak-covered neutral ground and business corridor with an eyesore that made Claiborne Avenue both a physical and symbolic barrier between the area’s neighborhoods.”

Hospital Design Review Ordered

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:08:46 -0600

During his tenure as lieutenant governor and as a mayoral candidate, Landrieu endorsed a new state teaching hospital and showed no desire to join activists pushing for the state to gut and rebuild within the storm-damaged and shuttered Charity shell. But the latest moves suggest the mayor is willing to engage on the design of the hospital, which has drawn mixed reviews from various local planners.

"Vast Majority" of Gushing Oil in Gulf of Mexico Spill Being Captured, BP Chief Says

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:39:06 -0600

“I don’t want to create any undo encouragement, ” Allen said on Fox, referring to the 10,000-barrel capture rate. “We need to be on task and get this thing done. We need to underpromise and overdeliver.”

Giant Plumes of Oil Forming Under the Gulf

Sun, 16 May 2010 12:28:45 -0600

The plumes are depleting the oxygen dissolved in the gulf, worrying scientists, who fear that the oxygen level could eventually fall so low as to kill off much of the sea life near the plumes.

Environmental Attorney Speaks on Behalf of Gulf Oil Disaster Recovery Group

Sun, 09 May 2010 21:27:29 -0600

“BP needs to stop avoiding the truth and allow all public officials to prepare for a worst case scenario. We are at the door. Hopefully, a miracle will occur but we should plan for the worst, but without real information, that is impossible. We should have all learned from Katrina that rather than denying the worst case, we should be ready for it.

Mitch Landrieu Presented with Special Memento of his Father's Campaign

Mon, 03 May 2010 15:33:19 -0600

Gulf Oil Spill Phone Numbers and Websites Are Available

Mon, 03 May 2010 15:28:13 -0600

Hospital Out of Touch with Progressive Thinking

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:40:55 -0600

Those responsible for the current plan are obviously unaware of the transformative and progressive events and trends occurring in America: the emphasis on livability, on walkable urban design, energy-efficient, multi-modal transportation, compact development and sustainable building design. This hospital plan is so out of touch it doesn’t even address the needs of the dramatically changing health-care system.

Mid-City Hospital Complex Land Seized by State; Former Owners Plan to Sue

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:17:45 -0600

Recovery Oversight Contract Allowed Overbilling, Poor Performance, Inspector General Says

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:52:55 -0600

The recovery contract was flawed from day one, the report says. MWH’s deal resulted from the city’s search in early 2007 for a single person who would be paid $150,000 year to oversee large capital projects. However, after four months of private negotiations with MWH, which was selected from among seven bidders, the firm had inked “a major contract estimated at the time to be worth up to $48 million,” according to the report.

Coffee Party, With a Taste for Civic Participation, Is Added to the Political Menu

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:12:30 -0600

“This is about recognizing that the government represents us,” Ms. Cabiling said, “so we need to step to the plate and start having a voice and start acting like bosses.”