Rebuilding New Orleans Makes N.O. Sense: Highest and Best Use?
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) surprised some people Thursday when he suggested that it isn’t sensible to rebuild flood-ravaged New Orleans. "It doesn't make sense to me," Hastert told Chicago's Daily Herald as told in The Times-Picayune published Thursday. "And it's a question that certainly we should ask."Hastert questioned the wisdom of rebuilding a city below sea level that will continue to be in the path of powerful hurricanes. Americans' hearts go the people in Katrina's path, but if the people insist on living in harm's way, they ought to accept responsibility for what happens to them and their property.
Later, Gov. Kathleen Blanco, D-La., demanded an apology of Speaker Hastert.
“That’s like saying we should shut down Los Angeles because it’s built in an earthquake zone,” former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., said. “Or like saying that after the Great Chicago fire of 1871, the U.S. government should have just abandoned the city.”
Really? Not only has recurrence of Chicago's Great Fire been prevented there, but National Fire codes have prevented similar tragedies across the country. Earthquakes can happen anywhere, almost anytime. Sen. Breaux is wrong. The emergency bailout is afterall, supported by Hastert.
Hastert raised questions about a long-term rebuilding effort. "But I think federal insurance and everything that goes along with it... we ought to take a second look at that." Hastert is bravely saying what needs to be said.
Rather than occupied homes, condos and other dwellings, what would be the highest and best use of the N.O. bowl?
What use makes more sense? A theme park, hunting preserve, solar energy farm, agricultural use (too polluted), a Venetian-like city, lake for recreation and mariculture, health spa, prison encampment for illegal imigrants, some combination of the above, or other?
Would you buy property or build in New Orleans?
Help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Give generously, for example, to:
posted by Vigilis @ 2:53 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Ummmmm, I would have to say, "Yes, rebuild her .... but not with govt money."
I have spent a lot of time in N.O. due to having to go to EPMAC a fair bit. It is a great town, and the French Qtr (on high ground, natch) is fine - considering the CAT5 and rest of the city. The problem with N.O. is the slums on low ground that have no reason to be there. Those people should be bought out and let the rest to to a park. No-so-low ground should be developed in a way that suits the historical nature of the city, and on a style "Mobile style" I believe, where the extended first floor is elevated and not one lives on - and is designed to let water pass through. The folks live on the 2nd and 3rd.
N.O. is a great city - just over time they let slums be built on the swamps that the original designers would say you would be insane to live on...for the reasons we see today.
IMAO.
Cde. S,
No argument. Found this comment at IMAO:
In honor of the hurricane, New Orleans will be renamed "Atlantis".
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