Unanimous approval this week by New Orleans City Council cleared the way for plans to demolish 4500 public housing units after a protracted fight between HUD and New Orleans residents, activists and preservationists.

I've seen preservationists stop some impressive projects. Even though I've lived in a historic landmark for 30 years, I can still react with skepticism when preservationists take up a cause. I haven't seen the New Orleans units targeted for demolition. But I've seen public housing projects (spent summers in those projects as a kid) demolished that didn't deserve it.

Did the projects need a new mix of residents? Yes. Did the units need updating? Yes. Did the units need better maintenance and inspection? Most definitely. But did they need to be demolished? Absolutely not.

In the name of HOPE VI, we've seen well-built, brick units with gorgeous mature trees fall, only to be replaced by ticky-tacky construction of some "new urbanism lite" design. Imagine what these units will look like in 10 to 20 years. It is not a pretty thought.

For a better idea of what to do with well-built public housing, check out Uptown Square in downtown Memphis. The former Lauderdale Courts public housing project, Uptown Square is an inspired reuse by Memphis developers Henry Turley and Jack Belz. Once home to Elvis Presley, the buildings are beautifully situated, solidly built and now quite successful as market rate units.

Certainly, some public housing projects ought to be torn down. But there seems to be little judgment or discernment in what may be wrong with the social side of public housing and public housing building stock.

daver, December 24, 2007

Additionally the new housing should be built before the old units are torn down otherwise you are putting people out on the street.

Link: http://thereidplan.blogspot.com

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