Lack Of Funds Forces New Orleans To Scale Back Rebuilding Plans

[babylonsister]

Big Easy trims its plan to rebuild


NEW ORLEANS — After struggling for months to come up with $1.1 billion for the first stage of New Orleans' hurricane rebuilding plan for several targeted areas, city officials intend to move ahead with a scaled-back first step of $216 million.

The blueprint being released today by city recovery director Ed Blakely is far more modest than the one he issued in March. But he said it will at least get the rebuilding started and give the public desperately needed signs of progress — which, in turn, will encourage private investment.

"Plans help you make progress," Blakely said.

The plan — the general outlines of which were approved by the City Council earlier this year — is not the radical remaking of the city urged by some urban planners who wanted to see a New Orleans with a much smaller footprint and with people moved out of flood-prone areas.

Instead, it largely embraces Mayor Ray Nagin's settle-where-you-will philosophy, while also endorsing the removal of blight and the creation of parks, affordable apartments and vibrant communities.

Under the plan, work would begin in the next few years on green space, health clinics, community centers, housing and libraries. Shopping centers would be redeveloped and streetscapes and storefronts spruced up.

more...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-12-new-orleans_N.htm?csp=34

[asjr]

1. New Orleans--the Forgotten city.

It is still quite painful to me to read about one of the most vibrant, beautiful and beloved cities in our country. She has been abandoned by this incompetent and selfish government in D.C. There are still areas that haven't been touched with any sort of reparation. GWB had his photo-op in front of a cathedral. Now, the least he could do is go down there and "clear some brush."

[RB TexLa]

2. And the next adminstration, no matter who it is, will do nothing as well

[GeminiProgressive]

3. people in New Orleans

should be backing the newly formed Reconstruction Party. The Dems and Reps are doing nothing to help them. Pure and simple racism and oppression of the poor.

[RB TexLa]

4. America will do nothing to help New Orleans and Louisiana

There is no party or grouping of people in America that care.