LiveGreenNOW

By Emma Chapman

The Lower 9^th Ward became infamous to everyone who followed the news coverage of Hurricane Katrina after the storm hit. It was, of course, the hardest hit neighborhood in New Orleans and came, according to one author, “to represent the convergence of destructive forces on a society: the hurricane; the geographical vulnerability of New Orleans; government neglect; and urban poverty and racial polarization.” These days, however, the Lower 9^th is taking on a new reputation: one that is environmentally friendly, community oriented, and full of new ideas.

One of the most high-profile rebuilding efforts is taking place in the Lower 9^th Ward: Brad Pitt’s Make It Right houses. The Make It Right foundation is aiming to build 150 new houses that will create the foundations for a new neighborhood and encourage other outside investment in the area. However, these houses are no ordinary houses; rather, they are “the greenest homes in America.” Whenever possible, Pitt uses environmentally friendly building materials, such as TimberSIL® Wood Products that don’t use chemically treated wood but still create structures that have a 100-year life span. Furthermore, Pitt equips all his houses with energy efficient features, such as insulated windows, solar panels, ENERGY STAR appliances, and metal roofs. So far, Make It Right has completed 14 houses that are now occupied, and 19 more are currently under construction (see photo, from Doug MacCash at the Times-Picayune).

Make It Right isn’t the only organization doing work in the Lower 9^th. In fact, Pitt began supporting green housing development in New Orleans through Global Green’s efforts, which is helping to design a “zero energy affordable housing development in the Holy Cross Neighborhood.” Their project includes 5 homes, an 18-unit apartment complex, and a community center – all which are planned to be carbon and energy neutral (see photo of the row of houses, courtesy of www.globalgreen.org). Global Green is also working to green local schools, and is beginning with “Green Seed Schools” that will receive up to $75,000 in grant money to make improvements to “energy efficiency, indoor quality, and if feasible, create on-site renewable energy generation.” Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School, a school in the Lower 9^th Ward, was picked to receive this grant money and is in the process of receiving green improvements.

It’s not just the buildings that are making the Lower 9^th more green. A group made up of Jim Hatchett, a supermarket entrepreneur from Chicago, Max Amenta of Amenta Enterprises, and students from UNO’s School of Buisiness, LaSalle University, and LSU are all working together to bring a green grocery to the corner of St. Claude and Claffin Avenues. This green grocery will be the first to be LEED certified in Louisiana. In addition, it “will be sized appropriately for the neighborhoods served, will hire from within the community and will feature fresh, healthy foods and produce.” There will be a community meeting discussing the grocery Wednesday, November 18th at 6pm in the Lower Ninth Ward Village at 1001 Charbonnet St.

Nearly 4,000 homes were wiped from the Lower Ninth Ward during Hurricane Katrina, and there’s a long way to go before a community that size can be rebuilt. However, it’s heartening to know that not only are people dedicated to its success, but that they’re dedicated to rebuilding in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 1:00 am and is filed under Green Growth, Green House, Green Street. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.