rebuilding NO

[Mattie]

I agree a lot of people will not want to go back. Here in North Texas alone there is one of the largest LSU alumni associations in the country. Most of us that are here simply because we have good jobs, good income and we had to go where we could survive. I moved here 13 years ago and still go back many many times during the year. And, you know what? I and an awful lot of other Louisianians would go back eventually. I met a group from high school that I hadn't seen in 29 years just the weekend before Katrina. All of us had left the state at one time or another, but we are now finding ourselves returning to our home. We are taking care of elderly parents that remain, we are moving back into the neighborhoods that we lived in. We are rebuilding and re-energizing these older neighborhoods. My parents, as theirs, have never lived anywhere else. These people are those bonds that have sustained us through our entire life.

I think it's a cultural/comfort zone for some. I will definitely be surprised if an extrodinary effort is not attempted and succeeds with the rebuilding of New Orleans.

It's another story in the event of another "disaster" between now and the end of hurricane season of course. If we (NO) get another even slight bump from a storm, it may be a permanent loss.

We will all just have to wait and see.

[sponger]

It seems to me the best solution is to rebuild on stilts, like any beachfront community. NO would look totally different but elevating home 10 to 15 feet makes perfect sense, along with improving the levy to handle a 5. Any thoughts on this idea?

[photoguy]

New Orleans is already on its way back. I agree with chrisnnavarre - it will be back faster than anyone can imagine right now. Some will be torn down, some will get 'a lick and a promise.'

Some people, perhaps many, won't return - but new people will move in.

I do hope it happens like many here are suggesting - the creation of world-class, 21st-century city. I hope but won't hold my breath.

Regardless, New Orleans is not going away.

[gtalum]

I said it before, and I'll repeat it: Once teh water's gone, New orleans will recover quickly enough to shock every one of us. It happens in the wake of every storm, seemingly no matter how bad the aftermath.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Mardi-gras happen, even if it's in some smaller form than usual.

I only hope they rebuild the city in an intelligent way, rather than just putting everything the way it was.

I think the lowest areas should be left as park land. They should also make it illegal to inhabit any level below sea-level. This will require any homes based below sea-level to be on stilts.

[vbhoutex]

This is the oppurtunity of all time to rebuild a city as it should be done. There is tons of engineering etc. to do and overcome the "problems" but NO could be rebuilt as a shining example of what a city should/could be like for people in all walks of life. Possibe? Yes. Expensive? More than we can even imagine. Will it happen? Who knows? I know NO is not going to go away, nor is it going to be the city it was, but NO must remain in some form(not a shell of its former self either) because of its economic importance to this country.

[mf_dolphin]

It would also seem to make sense to try and compartmentalize the low- lying areas. At least this would help control the flooding in the future.

[vbhoutex]

It would also seem to make sense to try and compartmentalize the low- lying areas. At least this would help control the flooding in the future.

That is exactly the type of thing I am talking about-recreation/detention areas in the low lying sections with residential areas moved to higher ground with centralized infrastructue, medical facilities, commercial areas, etc. Some would say this is a recipe for more stratification of society. It isn't if it is done properly. Easy? Never. Doable? Absolutely!!

[RichG]

What are we rebuilding? I see hundreds of billions going down the drain. Nowhere have I seen people in any interview say they are looking forward to living in NO again. Others have said that other people will move to NO. Who? You could not have worse public relations for a city then you have had for the past week. I cannot imagine anybody flocking to move to NO once they rebuild it. The city everyone remembers is gone. The only way and I mean the only way I believe you might be able to get people to live in that city again would to be turn it into a tax free zone. Residents would pay no federal taxes. Then you may get corps to move into the city. However I am not sure that would be the right thing to do either as you are enticing people back into a city that is sinking during a period of enhanced tropical activity.

[vbhoutex]

I understand what you are saying Rich and I can't disagree with much of it, but the fact remains that NO is the largest oil importing port in NA and has tons of idustrialization, much of it intact. I'm not advocating bringing back NO as it was, but this is the oppurtunity of all time if corps, and the government are willing to spend the money and time to do it right. No time for details-we're still in SAR mode and will be in that area for quite a while, but I am pointing out the oppurtunity availble. Sure it is pie in the sky in some ways, but there is no way that NO is going away. As a port, which the industrial infrastructure of is mostly intact, this country can not afford to shut it down.

[RichG]

vbhoutex

Yes, I am sure it will be rebuilt but I sure hope there is whole lot of thought about. Maybe instead of rebuilding it all at once maybe they can rebuild in phases. As far as oil and gas infrastructure/shipping is concerned I hope they spread the risk around as having all that in one location at this point doen't seem like a very good idea.