I really like the people behind the rebuilding of the Lafitte
Projects. They're nice. They said the new development will have many
green and innovative features. But evidently everything must fit in
nice square spaces and these trees are just not part of their vision
for what the neighborhood should be.
 
As with other developments in Post-K New Orleans, I'm sure there were
many discussions about how to do this for the good of everyone. And
the fact that lots of trees are going to be planted in the new design
will be touted. But this rationalization seems to me to be like
driving a bus with all your college seniors off the cliff and then
saying it's ok because of strong kindergarten enrollment. I guess the
great-grandchildren of the residents will one day appreciate it.
 
30+ mature trees cut. 7 trees, many of which are badly damaged and
thin, were retained.
 
I feel so betrayed right now.
 
Here's what they say it's going to look like:
http://www.providencecommunityhousing.org/Designs.html

Here's what it looks like on September 16, 2009.

(download)

Click here to download:

Killing_the_Green_with_Green_B.zip (1.96 MB)