Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Thank you, Ed Blakely




































Thank you, too, C. Ray Nagin.  Thank you for causing the destruction of a large swath of the architectural and cultural heritage of New Orleans.

Above, all that remains of 2411-13 Banks Street, a classic New Orleans raised basement house, is a shattered piece of the elaborate stucco flying wings that flanked its central staircase.


















The house was one of the last remaining structures on its block as of last week.

Dr. Blakely, in August of 2008:

"We think it's important for you to understand that the City of New Orleans is pledging its resources to purchase only one site, the site that we propose originally, that is the site that we think makes the most difference for the people now and in the future."

Oh, it's making a difference alright.  As in, it's displacing over 600 people using widespread government takings and obliterating a neighborhood in a national historic district.

It makes a person bitter.

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