Squandered Heritage

This house was up on last weeks HCDRC agenda. We have been so busy following the Involuntary demolitions we have had a hard time keeping up.

This one house stood out on the agenda.

more photos

The request was denied.

The current Imminent Danger Demolition List from the City of New Orleans contains about 1700 properties. If you did not see the public notice in the newspaper, the list is linked here.

As we can see from these two homes, some houses may be on the list erroneously. We have included a link to instructions on how to get your house removed from the list.

IF you need urgent assistance, please leave a comment, we can email you back and get your personal information and give you a hand in working with the City Agency to get your home removed from this list.

The City of New Orleans Imminent Danger List

How to Appeal the Demolition of Your Home

On the City’s Website:
http://www.cityofno.com/portals/portal2/resources/

As of Aug. 7, 2007, Squandered Heritage Has 723 Photographs Of Properties on The Imminent Danger List:

Karen’s Set

Laureen’s Set

Randall’s Set

HDLC

Historic District Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda
May 11th, 2007
City Council Chambers 9:30 a.m.
City Hall

RESULT: Approved

Joseph Tolliver, owner, represented by the Housing Unit Demolition Task Force. Right now, we are in the vortex of the demolition process we could see coming 6 months ago.

It could be an Imminent Danger declaration at the City level that brings this to the agenda or a FEMA demolition. Because of the timing, I think it’s a FEMA list, voluntary application, for a taxpayer sponsored demolition. In the minds of the owners, these are FREE demolitions. There is no free demolition. The taxpayers pay or a lien is put on the remaining vacant lot.

Even though this building has been altered in design from it’s original contributing status as an architecturally important structure, at one point it was contributing. Regardless of the provenance of demolition, there will be a lingering and unrecompensable cost to our city’s architectural heritage that is lost forever. The Imminent Danger properties listed by the city as part of their code enforcement program are just now going coming to the point where they will actually be demolished.

Nevertheless, this demolition is not due to Katrina. It’s due to neglect. It’s a lack of responsibility on the part of the owners to maintain or sell the property, and also many years of complete lack of real code enforcement in New Orleans.

Housing Conservation District Review Committee
Meeting Agenda
December 4, 2006

RESULTS=DENIED

128 S. Prieur St. Owner Lisa Clark has applied to demolish this two
story
wood frame single family residence to be replaced with a vacant lot.

I saw Beth, Ray and Carl while I was taking photos of this house. They told me that the owner bought and demolished many homes in the area. He also collected architectural elements. They also told me that the Neighborhood Organization has offered to help gut, clean and secure the house.

It seems that Mr. Herdman, the owner passed away recently.

To see more photos of this house click on the photo

FEMA Section 106
Public Notice Regarding Historic Review of Privately-Owned Residential Buildings Proposed for Demolition in Orleans Parish, Louisiana - Non-Collapsed Buildings Seeking Comment

Result: Unknown

Click the image for more pictures.

717 Teche Street
National Register Algiers Point Historic District

An Algiers Point double. The rear add-on caught fire at one point and the floor and roof are partially collapsed at the very back. While I was taking pictures a guy came out of an apartment next door and told me that was his dog barking at me, and that his boss owns all the properties on that block. He says the place is falling apart inside, but didn’t seem inclined to let me in to take pictures, once he found out that I wasn’t the demolition guy taking pictures for the job.

The rest of this side of the street has a nondescript brick two-story apartment building, and an empty lot. Directly around the corner on Opelousas Avenue is the old Abalon Theatre in the very heart of Algiers Point.

Address: 717 Teche St
Owner: David Kaufman
Tax Bill: 513201708
Property Description: Sq 122 Lot 11 32 X 160 717 Teche
Planning District: Algiers
Flood Zone: B
Damage Assessment
Estimated Flood Depth: 0
Flood Duration (days): 0
Damage Report: Unavailable

Housing Conservation District Review Committee
Meeting Agenda
October 23, 2006
10 a.m., Room 7E07 City Hall

Oct 23 Meeting Results RESULT: Approved

Owner Lionel Gaspard had applied to demolish this shotgun double residence which was originally applied with intentions for a vacant lot. At the Oct. 9th meeting, this was deferred to yesterday’s meeting. On Oct. 23rd, Mr. Gaspard brought detailed plans for a double modular home, and this time he got the board’s approval. Goodbye little house, you’re getting a makeover.

Housing Conservation District Review Committee
Meeting Agenda
October 9, 2006
10 a.m., Room 7E07 City Hall
DENIED [6-0] based on the fair condition and architectural significance

Oct 9 Meeting Results RESULT: Denied

Owner Nedra Ricard has applied to demolish this Victorian shotgun double to replace it with a vacant lot. Result: Denied.

In the Housing Conservation District Review Committee’s Meetings, HCDRC, the board takes into consideration a number of factors in deciding to approve or deny a demolition; the presence of the owner at the meeting is a big factor, the plans the owner has submitted for the lot post-demolition, whether or not the owner might benefit from a deferral to pursue sale of the property to bring it back into commerce. The structural viability and economic feasibility of renovation are fundamental considerations as well as the intrinsic value of the unique architectural characteristics a house may offer are all weighed in the board’s decision.

Willie White determines the quality of barge board by its thickness and length, and of course, how much termite damage it’s suffered. Barge board is rich in texture and color. If you liken wood to clothing, barge board is your favorite fluffly fleece.

APPROVED

Housing Conservation District Review Committee
Meeting Agenda
October 23, 2006
10 a.m., Room 7E07 City Hall

New Marigny 2016 N. Rocheblave St. Owners Stacy & Mark Andrews have applied to demolish this modified camelback shotgun double residence to be replaced with a vacant lot.

Approved

Housing Conservation District Review Committee
Meeting Agenda
October 23, 2006
10 a.m., Room 7E07 City Hall

651-53 S. Pierce St. Owner Louis Marziale has applied to demolish this Arts and Crafts shotgun double residence to be replaced with a vacant lot.

I will be posting updates on previosly listed properties. They will be listed at the top of the entry.