Now Open - New Orleans

How do you write about New Orleans and convey the full sense of the city, its condition and what we experienced? I can show only a tiny part of that elephant so please draw no certain conclusions from my words.

And, the same can be said about how the media represents post-Katrina New Orleans. Last night there were scenes on ABC News showing the progress or lack thereof. They showed some of the worst sections of the city for maximum impact. It is about the only way they can begin to convey the devastation. I saw many similar conditions but I also saw parts of the city that had minimal hurricane damage and are nearly complete in their recovery.

Those in our party that had been to New Orleans last September seem to have the same impressions as I. First, it is a city in recovery that is finally pulling itself together. Infrastructure is becoming evident. Trash that lined the curbs is gone – waste disposal trucks now routinely pick-up garbage. School busses are back on the streets. Some trolley lines are running and others being repaired. And, one of my companions noted; on the last trip they only saw one squad car during their entire visit, this time many were very seen. Squad cars are staged at many supermarkets and restaurants.

Having said that, there are still large swaths of devastation. FEMA trailers are sprinkled through the city with homeowners endeavoring to rebuild their homes. I saw several housing developments closed and permanently shuttered.

It is routine to see homes with discolored lines around their exterior – “high water” marks. I learned that the high water marks on the homes actually showed the level to which flooding initially receded and not the actual flood height that was generally 2 feet higher yet.

In addition to the physical destruction there are multiple issues related to rebuilding and restoration. ABC News said that of the 110,000 applications for Road Home Finds, only 10,000 have been granted. That is another side of the story. For many reasons the delays are endless – some legitimate and others self-serving if not outright reprehensible. The front page of the Times-Picayune is still dominated by reports of committee meetings, decisions and postponements.

The Land Acquisition and Disposition Committee reported back to the blue ribbon Redevelopment Authority that they had no updates for the meeting – again, no action and further delay. Efforts are virtually moribund in a mix of issues reflecting such things as the complexity of the problems, lassitude, posturing, political maneuvering and of course economic interests. Should certain areas be opened to redevelopment? What type of redevelopment will be permitted? Who will do it? What are the zoning requirements?

I think, however, one of the most favorable signals of recovery is the many “Now Open” signs I saw hanging outside businesses. Businesses are reopening and that means jobs, products and services becoming available.

Even though the images may be somewhat distorted, I’m glad that the media is not ignoring New Orleans. The city is entering dangerous times. On many levels it is coming together and it gets easier to forget and move on. Unfortunately there is a large population of people that are not in their homes yet and face a huge amount of work and sacrifice to return. Think how you would feel a full year and a half after losing your home and still living in a trailer and with no immediate prospects that you will be in a home for another year, or two, or even longer. How do you continue to Hope?

If our work provided some of that hope then it is very well worth the expense, time and effort. This is aside from the physical contributions we made toward restoring their homes.