New Orleans - A Rebuilding Strategy

A Rebuilding StrategyNew Orleans, LA: 

A Rebuilding Strategy New Orleans, LA November 12 – 18, 2005 ULI – the Urban Land Institute

About ULI: 

About ULI Nonprofit research and education organization with more than 28,000 members Mission – provide responsible leadership in the use of land to enhance the total environment Publish books, organize conferences and meetings, Urban Land magazine, education programs, advisory services program

About Our Process: 

About Our Process More than 50 experts here over 7 days Toured the city Interviewed more than 300 New Orleanians Held town hall meeting attended by more than 250 people – 70 people spoke Presentation of key findings and recommendations

Why We Are Here: 

Why We Are Here To develop a rebuilding strategy for the City of New Orleans

Government Effectiveness: 

Government Effectiveness Virginia Fields, Manhattan Borough President, New York City Tom Murphy, Mayor, Pittsburgh, PA Carl Weisbrod, President Real Estate Division, Trinity Church, New York City

Slide6: 

'I also offer this pledge of the American people: Throughout the area hit by the hurricane, we will do what it takes, we will stay as long as it takes, to help citizens rebuild their communities and their lives. And all who question the future of the Crescent City need to know there is no way to imagine America without New Orleans, and this great city will rise again.' President George W. Bush, speaking in New Orleans at Jackson Square September 15, 2005

Citizen Rights: 

Citizen Rights Equitable and speedy redevelopment Restored utilities and levees Efficient and effective government Integrity and transparency in government Stronger neighborhoods Full and fair compensation for property owners who cannot rebuild on their land

Guiding Principles for Government Effectiveness: 

Guiding Principles for Government Effectiveness Partnership among governments Speak with one voice Regional opportunities Primary federal funding role Building local capacity

Recommendation #1: 

Recommendation #1 Begin redevelopment equitably and without delay Funding: federal assistance is necessary Implementation: Crescent City Rebuilding Corporation

Federal Assistance: 

Federal Assistance Rebuild infrastructure Comprehensive rebuilding plan Land assembly and disposition Renovation and construction Support for local small businesses Restoration of the city’s premier medical facilities Enhancement of port facilities Environmental remediation Grants and tax credits for renovation and construction of historic buildings in historic neighborhoods

Crescent City Rebuilding Corporation: 

Crescent City Rebuilding Corporation Established by state legislation Powers: to be discussed later in presentation 7 to 15 member board Appointed by President, Governor, Mayor, City Council No single appointing authority has a majority Key qualifications of board members Importance of a high quality CEO

Recommendation # 2: 

Recommendation # 2 Restore utility services Immediate congressional appropriation of funds Broaden the electricity rate base Expedite analysis of other utilities Expedite permitting process

Recommendation #3: 

Recommendation #3 Strengthen and empower neighborhoods Planning grants and technical assistance to the city’s neighborhoods

Recommendation #4: 

Recommendation #4 Provide efficient and effective government to all Secure Federal funding for city’s short-term revenue crisis for operating budget Temporary Financial Oversight Board Reform in local government

Temporary Financial Oversight Board : 

Temporary Financial Oversight Board State legislation – 5-year term Receive new funds to restore and maintain a decent quality of life and to avoid municipal bankruptcy Oversee and approve city budget Approve major contracts Withhold or condition new revenue Establish financial procedures and reporting requirements Recommend and review financing options for redevelopment

Governance: 

Governance 7 Member Board 3 members appointed by President 2 by Governor 1 by Mayor 1 by City Council Members should have financial expertise in accounting, municipal finance and/or financial management

Recommendation #5: 

Recommendation #5 Fundamental reforms are needed Tax Reform – particularly property tax City Council review of zoning/planning Government Contracting Change City Charter and State Constitution in order to implement necessary reforms Performance Standards (citistats) Publication of Performance Data

Recommendation #6: 

Recommendation #6 Greater integrity, transparency and communication is necessary Create effective audit mechanisms, including an Inspector-General and a Board of Ethics as authorized in the City Charter Better communications and cooperation among elected officials Better communication between public officials and all citizens

Economic Development and Culture: 

Economic Development and Culture Dr. Philip Hart, CEO, Hart Realty Advisors, Hollywood, CA

Building Capacity for Recovery and Regrowth: 

Building Capacity for Recovery and Regrowth Rebuild Maximize the local benefit of short-term rebuilding Revive Get the sectors that showed strength prior to the storm back on their feet Reposition Lay the foundation for the long- term growth through diversification and strategic investment

Building Blocks of Economic Development: 

Building Blocks of Economic Development Workforce Leadership Culture Equity Capital Strategy

Small Businesses: Backbone of the Economy: 

Small Businesses: Backbone of the Economy Short-term Top priority: access to capital Outreach Centralize information and resource Long-term Public/private investment – double bottom line Entrepreneurship Strategic plan for long-term Capacity, priorities

Rebuilding: Local Benefit: 

Rebuilding: Local Benefit Short-term Ensure local, small, and minority business participation, beyond contracting requirements Job-linked training and workforce development Direct links to youth and revamped education and other support systems Outreach to displaced residents Housing and other support systems Long-term Outcomes: capacity, legacy, wealth

Priorities Reflect Key Sectors: 

Priorities Reflect Key Sectors Port Film and television Music Healthcare and biosciences Food Tourism and culture Special events Sports Higher education Energy Retirement

Music: 

Music Short-term Bring them back, put them to work – housing, jobs, venues, promotions Ambassadors, tours, events: stay in the national consciousness Sponsorships – focused on national philanthropic support Long-term WPA for music and arts New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO)

Bioscience: 

Bioscience Short-term Secure funding for key initiatives: bioinnovation center, cancer research consortium Revive NORMC Message of confidence to retain and attract key personnel Long-term Enhance tech-transfer capacity Forge links to secondary education, foster mentorship Design aggressive tax incentives Build venture capital capacity

City and Urban Planning: 

City and Urban Planning Planning Infrastructure Housing

Urban Planning and Design: 

Urban Planning and Design Joseph Brown, President, EDAW, San Francisco, CA William Gilchrist, Director, Dept. of Planning, Engineering, and Permits, Birmingham, AL

Slide29: 

New Orleans A City of Character A City of Soul

Slide30: 

Flood protection assumptions Neighborhood integrity No partially abandoned streets or blocks (the jack-o-lantern syndrome) Safe and secure neighborhoods Our Goals and Givens

Slide31: 

city of neighborhoods and community facilities

Slide32: 

city of history source: Campanella 2002, ULI Analysis

Slide33: 

source: USGS water at the city gates

Slide34: 

wetland loss post Katrina

Slide35: 

elevation St. Bernard Parish Jefferson Parish Orleans Parish source: USGS

Slide36: 

flood inundation source: USGS

Slide37: 

registered historic districts source: City Planning Commission of New Orleans

Slide38: 

owner occupied housing source: 2000 US Census

Slide39: 

Sequential investment areas Waters, levees, canals, and strategic open space Corridors of connection for compact and cohesive city Development sites Strategy for Action

Slide40: 

topography / ridges / water

Slide41: 

connecting corridors

Slide42: 

strategic open space

Slide43: 

sequence of neighborhood investment zones

Slide44: 

economic and housing development sites Medical District Amateur Sports Complex Canal Street Initiative Cruise Ship Terminal Expansion Mixed Development at East Bank Naval Facility Port at Riverfront Federal City Various Housing and Mixed Use Development

Slide45: 

strategy for action

Slide46: 

Success - an intense andamp; urgent range of individual to collective actions.

Infrastructure: 

Infrastructure Warren Whitlock, Director, Construction Coordination, Columbia University, New York City

Three Sequenced Stages of Infrastructure Redevelopment: 

Three Sequenced Stages of Infrastructure Redevelopment Recovering Stage – now until August 2006, the one year mark of Hurricane Katrina Rebuilding Stage – between Year 1 and Year 5 concluding approximately August 2010. Growing Stage –those years defined as those years from 2010 and beyond with dates such as 2018, the year New Orleans’ tricentennial anniversary.

Louisiana Recovery Authority Smart Growth Principles : 

Louisiana Recovery Authority Smart Growth Principles Sustainable development principles should guide infrastructure planning, design and construction Allocate environmental risk equitably with respect to socioeconomic diversity Phase infrastructure improvements by geographic areas that are most environmentally capable for redevelopment.

Louisiana Recovery Authority Smart Growth Principles: 

Louisiana Recovery Authority Smart Growth Principles Rebuild a reliable and safe regional levee system and restore coastal wetlands Develop and improve local and regional transportation systems that connect neighborhoods, expands transportation choices and facilitates evacuation Establish a regional infrastructure planning process Coordinate decision-making for land use and infrastructure planning

Three Design Principles For Infrastructure for New Orleans : 

Three Design Principles For Infrastructure for New Orleans Safety Connectedness Sustainability

Key Infrastructure Redevelopment Messages: 

Key Infrastructure Redevelopment Messages Flood protection – In the near term, the highest priority is to put it back the way it was and prepare for improvements. In the long term, it requires a complete rethinking of the system for an urban setting with links to development Critical services – Restore now, but manage to assure reliability and sustainability

Recovery Stage: August 2005 - August 2006: 

Recovery Stage: August 2005 - August 2006 By January 1, 2006 - Entergy reestablishes electrical service to all of the city’s neighborhoods By March 1, 2006 - establish benchmarks for toxicity levels By June 2006 - develop and implement a protection system for pumps and water treatment facilities By August 2006 - stabilize port and water management facilities to enable return of port operations

Rebuilding Stage:2006 through 2010: 

Rebuilding Stage: 2006 through 2010 Consolidate multiple levee boards in S.E. Louisiana into a single regional levee board Consolidate Tri-parish transit systems into a regional agency Developed 'multi-level' flood protection plan Implemented Rampart Street Car Line Begin sustainable building design and enforcement procedures

Growing Stage:2018 and Beyond: 

Growing Stage: 2018 and Beyond Develop state-of-the-art intermodal transportation system, including port facilities Replant 300,000 trees to reestablish the urban forest Develop bigger, wider, multi-layered and neighborhood-based urban protection systems against annual Mississippi flooding, frequent flooding from rainstorms, and infrequent hurricanes Reconstruct levees as a multi-layered flood protection system that conforms to urban rather than agricultural design standards and provides the maximum feasible protection

Housing and Redevelopment Recommendations: 

Housing and Redevelopment Recommendations Tony Salazar, President, McCormack Baron Salazar, Los Angeles, CA

Urgent Housing Actions: 

Urgent Housing Actions Assessment of existing housing stock Form and activate Crescent City Rebuilding Corporation Temporary housing/FEMA actions Repopulate suitable public housing Design guidelines and technical assistance for property owners Government actions Extend mortgage forbearance period

Rights of New Orleans Property Owners and Renters: 

Rights of New Orleans Property Owners and Renters Fair compensation pre-Katrina property values for owners comparable rents for renters Equitable redevelopment sufficient resources to rebuild in place or relocate in developable areas

Functions of the Crescent City Rebuilding Corporation: 

Functions of the Crescent City Rebuilding Corporation Buys homes and property Purchases and restructures mortgages Finances redevelopment Land banking Bond issuance Neighborhood planning Foster community development corporations create New Orleans Housing Partnership Supports the functions of city agencies

Examples of Fair Compensation for Homeowners: 

Examples of Fair Compensation for Homeowners Pre-Katrina value $100,000 Mortgage $ 75,000 Equity $ 25,000 No insurance Not returning Rebuilding in place Moving elsewhere in New Orleans

Slide61: 

Slide62: 

Summary: 

Summary Smedes York, Panel Chair

Four Key Points: 

Four Key Points Rebuild first in priority areas Work differently for all and have one plan that is fair and equitable Form the Temporary Financial Oversight Board Form the Crescent City Rebuilding Corporation

A Rebuilding StrategyNew Orleans, LA: 

A Rebuilding Strategy New Orleans, LA November 12 – 18, 2005 ULI – the Urban Land Institute