The World Trade Center redevelopment/possible demolition and the funding of the Algiers ferry are two of New Orleans' biggest stories right now. So, it's no surprise that they top the annual Louisiana Landmark's 9 Most Endangered Sites list. Other at-risk areas include the oldest cemetery in the city, where future demolition of the Iberville Housing Projects is going to shake things up. And as usual, blighted historic homes are an issue. The list "calls attention to properties and physical features that are in danger of being lost from the fabric of our city."
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Top 9 Most Endangered Sites in New Orleans
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World Trade Center
Threat: Demolition
Called the most valuable piece of property in New Orleans, the vacant building is currently being vied for by three development groups, one with plans to demolish it.
Choice Neighborhood Initiative Area
Threat: Large-scale redevelopment
The Tremé , Seventh Ward, Esplanade Ridge, and Mid-City neighborhoods will see major redevelopments in the years ahead. The trick will be finding the balance between new commercial and housing units and the historic sense of the neighborhoods.
Canal Street - Algiers Ferry
Threat: Loss of transportation route
The Algiers-Canal Street ferry, in operation since 1827, is currently negotiating with the RTA's private transportation company to receive funding.
St. Louis Cemetery Nos. 1 and 2
Threat: Potential damage from Iberville redevelopment
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 (1796), the oldest cemetery in the city and St. Louis No. 2 (1823) are already in fragile states. The upcoming construction blows from the neighboring Iberville project demo is only going to make matters worse.
1347 Esplanade Avenue
Threat: Demo by neglect
This Italianate Greek Revival home represents an era of grand Creole-built estates along Esplanade Avenue. Already in a state of disrepair, the home caught fire on Easter Sunday 2013, causing the roof to collapse.
1828-30 Baronne Street
Threats: Demo by neglect, insufficient protection for Landmark Building
An Italianate double gallery home built shortly after the Civil War, this Central City structure is considered of "great architectural importance" by the HDLC. In serious disrepair, it may soon go to a tax sale.
1831 Polymnia Street
Threat: Demo by neglect
A schoolhouse from the 1880s, this Central City structure now has "holes in the roof" and is "completely open to the elements". Currently, there are no plans to renovate or stabilize the building.
1822-24 Clio Street
Threat: Demo by neglect, lack of code enforcement
Blighted occupied residences are an issue around the city. Other addresses listed as examples are 1430-32 Euterpe St. and 1347 Magazine St. The city is currently rewriting its code to balance the support of homeowners in blighted historic properties while preserving the neighborhoods.
Live Oak canopies (city-wide)
Threat: Damage from public works projects
Live oaks, many 100-plus-years-old, canopy the streets city-wide. Trimming for power lines, public work projects disturbing the root systems/destructing the branches, cranes blasting through the streets (in the case of last year's Napoleon Avenue drainage system overhaul) are all issues.
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