On May 21st 2012, the Neighborhood Conservation Districts Committee denied the demolition request for 1410 Desire Street (pictured above). Click here to see how they voted on all of the properties proposed for demolition.

As part of the School Facilities Master Plan, the Orleans Parish School Board has requested FEMA funding for the following projects on the Audubon Montesori School Campus:

• Interior Rehabilitation
• New Addition Construction
• Demolition of outbuildings
• Demolition of rear wings of the main building on the campus
• Demolition of custodial lodge

View additional photos and renderings of the proposed addition to the building on our Flickr page HERE.

How do you feel about the plans for the site? Post your opinion online HERE. Comments are due via the website by May 22, 2012.

Here is the official public notice:

Public Notice Regarding Section 106 Review of Interior Rehabilitation; New Addition Construction; and Demolition of Outbuildings and Custodial Lodge
Audubon-Montessori School, 428 Broadway Street, New Orleans, LA
Applicant: Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB)
Seeking Public Comment

The high winds and heavy rains of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the subsequent widespread flooding damaged many buildings in Orleans Parish. In the aftermath of the hurricanes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing this public notice as a part of its responsibilities under 36 CFR Part 800, the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). This notice applies to activities carried out by FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5152-5206.

Marked aerial photograph showing the location of Audubon-Montessori School (click to enlarge)

Audubon-Montessori School – custodial cottage – to be demolished (click to enlarge)

In 2009, FEMA, the Recovery School District (RSD), OPSB, the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation entered into a Secondary Programmatic Agreement (RSD/OPSB 2PA) in order to fulfill FEMA’s responsibilities under Section 106 of the NHPA and 36 CFR Part 800 regarding the implementation of the School Facilities Master Plan, which will be funded with assistance from FEMA and other Federal agencies. As part of the School Facilities Master Plan, the OPSB is requesting that FEMA provide funds for the following projects on the Audubon-Montessori School campus:

• Interior Rehabilitation
• New Addition Construction
• Demolition of outbuildings
• Demolition of custodial lodge

The regulations at 36 CFR Part 800 and the RSD/OPSB 2PA require FEMA to identify if any of the properties are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); to assess the effects the work will have on historic properties; and to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. The Audubon-Montessori School campus is located within the Uptown New Orleans NRHP Historic District. FEMA has identified the main building and the custodial lodge as contributing resources. The outbuildings are less than 50 years of age and FEMA has determined that they are ineligible for NRHP listing. Additionally, the Audubon-Montessori campus lies within the boundaries of a previously identified archaeological site. Archaeological testing was conducted within the archaeological Area of Potential Effect (APE). Based on the results of this testing, FEMA determined that the portion of the archaeological site situated within the APE was not eligible for NRHP listing.

FEMA has determined that the proposed interior rehabilitation; new addition construction; and demolition of the custodial lodge will have an adverse effect to historic properties and is proposing to mitigate the adverse effects through Standard Mitigation Measures (large format photographs of exterior; digital photographs of interior; copies of original architectural drawing; treatment of character defining features; and interpretive plan) in accordance with Stipulation IX.A.2 of the RSD/OPSB 2PA.

Any member of the public is encouraged to provide views on how the project may affect historic properties and ways that these effects may be avoided, minimized, or mitigated. Comments may be submitted to FEMA for a 15-day period starting May 22, 2012 by regular mail or at www.crt.state.la.us/culturalassets/fema106.

Mailed comments should be sent to:
FEMA Mail Center
Historic Preservation
1 Seine Court, 1st Floor Mail Room
New Orleans, LA 70114

If mailed, comments and requests must be postmarked by June 5, 2012.

Click here to view the agenda and photos. The demolition proposals are listed by neighborhood. Are there any proposed in your area? How do you feel about the demolition?

Click here to view a map of properties on the agenda.

If you have an opinion on any of these demolitions, the NCDC committee would like to hear from you!  CLICK HERE to email the committee and share your opinion.

How can you help? CLICK HERE to learn about the citizen’s role in the demolition review process.

The 5 houses listed below are proposed for demolition by the City of New Orleans Office of Code Enforcement using FEMA funds.

To put it simply, demolitions are iminent and will happen very soon. In technical terms:

• Pre-demolition treatment measures & salvage assessments will be conducted in the next few weeks.
• Permitting, utility disconnects, and asbestos inspections are all that these properties are pending .

If you have any information about these buildings or if you have opinion about any of the buildings proposed for demolition, email PRC staff HERE. 

2229-31 Josephine St

1405-07 Frenchmen St

1229 Feliciana St

623 S Miro St

1941 Arts St

Surplus property hearings scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2012:

2552 Saint Philip Street - Former police station in Treme (pictured above)

6038 Saint Claude Avenue - Former fire station located in Holy Cross

2019 Third Street - Vacant lot

The second round of public meetings for the disposition of surplus properties has been announced! We encourage submit comments to the City Planning Commission. Written comments on the dockets listed below must be received by 5pm Wednesday, June 6 to be included with the staff reports. Comments can be emailed to pcramer@nola.gov The hearing will take place on June 12, 2012 at 1:30pm.

At this point, the City has not scheduled an open house for these buildings, though we are hopeful that one might be scheduled before the auction. At least 2 more batches of properties will be considered by City Planning over the next 2 months, and all properties will be auctioned at the same time, likely at the end of the summer.

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2012

PUBLIC HEARING: 1:30 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER (CITY HALL -1E07)

THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF THE REVISED STATUTES OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND THE CITY CHARTER REGARDING PROPERTY DISPOSITIONS, WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2012 FOLLOWING THE ZONING PUBLIC HEARING, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER (CITY HALL 1E07), ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED PROPERTY DISPOSITIONS.

2552 Saint Philip Street - Property Disposition 12/12:  Consideration of the sale of 2552 Saint Philip Street, Lots 99 and 100, Square 322, in the Second Municipal District, bounded by Saint Philip, Dumaine, North Rocheblave and North Dorgenois Streets. (ZBM C-13, PD-4)

6038 Saint Claude Avenue - Property Disposition 13/12:  Consideration of the sale of 6038 Saint Claude Avenue, Lots 5 and 6, Square 330A, in the Third Municipal District, bounded by Saint Claude Avenue and Gordon, El Dorado and Tupelo Streets. (ZBM E-14, PD-8)

2019 Third Street - Property Disposition 14/12:  Consideration of the sale of 2019 Third Street, Lot 16, Square 286, in the Fourth Municipal District, bounded by South Saratoga, Second, Danneel and Third Streets.  (ZBM C-15, PD-2)

This meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for additional accommodations or any assistance to participate may be directed to the Office of Constituent Services at 504-658-4015 (voice), 504-658-4002 (facsimile), or the City’s TTY 504-586-4475. This communiqué is available in alternative formats upon request.

THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 16 OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE 4264 MCS AS AMENDED, WILL HEAR ALL PROPONENTS AND OPPONENTS TO THE ABOVE PROPOSED PROPERTY DISPOSITION.  ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND AND ALL RELEVANT COMMENTS CONCERNING THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE ENCOURAGED. YOU MAY ALSO SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN ADVANCE BY MAIL (1340 POYDRAS STREET, SUITE 900, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70112) OR FAX (504-658-7032).  ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO THE HEARING DATE.

May 22nd, 29th and June 5th, 2012

Yolanda Rodriguez, Executive Director

The Neighborhood Conservation Districts Committee considered 23 properties for demolition on May 7th, 2012. Click here to see how they voted!

On May 8, the City Planning Commission approved the disposition of two historic fire stations in Mid City and Uptown. The City Council is expected to give their blessing to the disposition in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

We have a few additional details about the buildings, which is included in the City Planning Commission staff reports.

4877 Laurel Street - the lot is 40 feet wide at the front and 34 feet wide in the rear. The sides of the lot are 95 feet and 97 feet and has an approximate area of 4,000 square feet. The Department of Property Management has stated that the property is in poor condition and that there are large holes in the roof of the main structure, which have allowed damage to occur to the interior of the buildings. The purchaser SHALL be required to rehabilitate the property in a timely manner and a rescission clause in the Act of Sale SHALL be used to enforce the timeliness of the renovation. The City Planning Staff believes that it is viable to renovate this building within the current zoning, which is multi-family residential (RM-2). Read the full City Planning staff report HERE.

200 North Alexander Street - the lot is 60 feet wide at the front and 126 feet deep, with an area of 7,560 square feet. The Department of Property Management has stated that the property is in poor condition and that there is roof damage that has also lead to ceiling issues. The structure sustained one foot of flood water during Hurricane Katrina, but it appears to be structurally sound. The purchaser SHALL be required to rehabilitate the property in a timely manner and a rescission clause in the Act of Sale SHALL be used to enforce the timeliness of the renovation. The City Planning Staff beleives that it is viable to renovate this building within the current zoning, which is 2 family residential (RM-3). Read the full City Planning staff report HERE.

At this point, the City has not scheduled an open house for these buildings, though we are hopeful that one might be scheduled before the auction. At least 2 more batches of properties will be considered by City Planning over the next 2 months, and all properties will be auctioned at the same time, likely at the end of the summer.

Check out the Times Picayune article on the City Council meeting HERE and the Uptown Messenger article HERE.

View our ongoing coverage of the surplus property auction process HERE.

Historic District Landmarks Commission Meeting

As noted by the Times Picayune, “on Tuesday, the City Planning Commission will take comments at an afternoon hearing about the proposed sale of the Laurel Street firehouse as well as an even more architecturally significant one located at 200 N. Alexander St. in Mid-City. Both were designed by renowned city architect E. A. Christy. The firehouses are among a package of 14 unused city properties now being considered for auction.” The properties that will be considered by the City Planning Commission is just the first of many properties that will be considered for liquidation.

Read the full Times Picayune article HERE.

Hearings will be held on the disposition of these buildings:

4877 Laurel Street

200 North Alexander Street

3601 General Taylor Street (vacant lot)

Read our blog post about the City Planning hearing HERE.

Learn more about more properties that will be considered for disposition HERE.

Tulane University has proposed to demolish two houses on Zimpel St. behind the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. The University will be adding a roof-top addition to the building. In order to accommodate construction materials and construction related activities, Tulane has proposed to demolish 7008 and 7016 Zimpel Street.

According to the application submitted to FEMA by Tulane:

• 7008 Zimpel – constructed c. 1940 – this site will be used as a staging area. Further the “boom radius” of one of the two cranes to be used for construction will extend over this site.
• 7016 Zimpel – constructed in 1914 – this site will be used as a laydown area during construction.

Tulane’s applications to the City of New Orleans Department of Safety & Permits, Neighborhood Conservation District Committee show that Tulane may redevelop the two sites at some future time. However, the Applicant currently has no redevelopment plan.

Public Notice Regarding Section 106 and NEPA Review of the Proposal to Demolish 7008 Zimpel St. and 7016 Zimpel St. New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA to allow for the Construction of a Roof-Top Expansion of the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library at Tulane University’s St. Charles Ave. Campus - Seeking Public Comment Figure 1. Project Location Map (click to enlarge) Figure 2. The Standing Structures Area of Potential Effects (APE) is in yellow. The two Archaeological APEs are in red. (click to enlarge image) Figure 3. 7008 Zimpel Street. (click to enlarge image) The high winds and heavy rains of Hurricanes Katrina and the subsequent widespread flooding damaged many buildings in Orleans Parish, LA. In the aftermath of the hurricane, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing this public notice as part of its responsibilities under the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s (ACHP) regulations, 36 CFR Part 800, implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). FEMA has also decided to utilize the NHPA Section 106 review process to coordinate its responsibilities, including public outreach, required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This notice applies to activities carried out by the Public Assistance (PA) program implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C.§§5152-5206.  The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund have revised the scope of work for the roof-top expansion of the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library at Tulane University’s St. Charles Avenue Campus, New Orleans funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program to include the demolition of 7008 Zimpel Street (Tate House – U67) and 7016 Zimpel Street (Institute for Environmental Law and Office for Continuing Legal Education – U66). These buildings are proposed for demolition to provide space for the operation of a crane and a staging area. This alternative is proposed by Tulane to best avoid the removal of old trees on Newcomb Place and minimize construction-related traffic congestion. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 44 CFR Part 10: It is the intent of NEPA that federal agencies encourage and facilitate public involvement to the extent practicable in decisions that may affect the quality of the environment. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the CEQ established Alternative Arrangements to meet the requirements of NEPA in reconstructing critical infrastructure in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area (NOMA); Alternative Arrangements, Federal Register/Vol. 71, No. 56/Thursday, March 23, 2006. Alternative Arrangements enable FEMA, as a component of DHS, to consider the potential for significant impacts to the human environment from its approval to fund critical physical infrastructure in NOMA. More information on NEPA and the Alternative Arrangements process can be found on FEMA’s web page at: www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/noma. National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 36 CFR Part 800: The regulations at 36 CFR Part 800 require FEMA, as the funding agency, to identify if 7008 and 7016 Zimpel Street are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; to assess the effects the proposed demolition will have on historic properties; and to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. FEMA has identified that 7008 and 7016 Zimpel Street are located within the Uptown New Orleans National Register Historic District (Uptown NRHD). 7008 Zimpel Street, constructed c. 1940, is a two-story frame building covered in painted stucco with a hip roof. 7016 Zimpel Street, constructed in 1914, is a raised basement bungalow. Both interiors were remodeled by Tulane in the 1980s. FEMA has determined that both structures are contributing properties to the Uptown NRHD. Other historic properties within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) are 7012 Zimple, 1037 Audubon, 1033 Audubon, 7039 Freret, 7031 Freret, 7029 Freret, and 7025 Freret. These buildings were constructed within the period of significance of the Uptown NRHD, retain integrity, and represent a part of the overall period of significance and are contributing properties to the Uptown NRHD. The APE also includes Dixon Hall (U-68), constructed in 1929, a contributing property to the Tulane University of Louisiana National Register Historic District. FEMA has conducted a records search and a site visit in order to identify if archaeological resources may be affected by the proposed project. It has determined that based on all the available evidence, there are no National Register of Historic Places-eligible archaeological deposits in the project area since the area is disturbed, has no visible features or artifacts, and that the chances of identifying a privy, cesspool, or cistern is unlikely. FEMA has determined the proposed demolitions will adversely affect 7008 and 7016 Zimpel Street and the Uptown NRHD. FEMA has determined to fulfill its responsibilities under Section 106 of the NHPA through the development and implementation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The MOA will document FEMA’s review of ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the adverse effects of the proposed Undertaking. FEMA is seeking input from members of the public on ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the potential Adverse Effects. Any member of the public is encouraged to provide views on this project to FEMA. FEMA will accept and consider public comments on NEPA related issues as a part of the Section 106 review. Comments can be submitted to FEMA for a 15-day period beginning on May 2, 2012 by posting online at: http://www.crt.state.la.us/culturalassets/fema106/; sending an email to FEMA-NOMA@dhs.gov; or sending a letter through the mail to: FEMA Mail Center Historic Preservation 1 Seine Court, 1st Floor Mail Room New Orleans, LA 70114 If mailed, comments and requests must be postmarked by May 16, 2012. Post your opinion online HERE.