THREAT: Legal quagmire precedent leading to neglect.

This important, renovated corner store lingers in legal limbo. Local landmark status was awarded in 2004 and it is one of the few remaining 19th century corner store buildings in Central City. The property was purchased in deplorable condition at a tax sale and extensively rehabilitated. In the course of the project, however, the state law that permitted one to purchase and upgrade a property was changed, possible allowing the original owner to reclaim the property without reimbursing the renovator for his costs. The old law encouraged preservation through private action; however, the new law (RS47:2161) makes future protection unlikely. Today, run-down historic properties that have tax liens will face demolition through neglect.

THREAT: Neglect

This striking Italianate mansion, listed as a local landmark with highest (“purple”) rating and even cited in Wikipedia as an example of Italianate architecture in the U.S., is desperately in need of care: the masonry needs tuck-pointing; cracks are showing between first and second story windows; upper and lower gallery floors are cupping; shutters are rotting; iron work is in need of reconditioning; foundations need careful attention; some historic architectural components are missing. This building has continued to decay due to neglect for many years.

THREAT: Excessive noise, overcrowding, neglect

Seventeen French Quarter buildings rated nationally important are threatened with excessive noise vibration, overcrowding, structural neglect, and the loss of historic fabric. The buildings range from late 18th century through mid-19th century. Careless proprietors are causing damage not only to the buildings they occupy, but also to the street and neighborhood as a whole. The situation demands a holistic approach to enforcement. The City and the courts must ensure that businesses on Bourbon Street follow the rules established by the City and the Vieux Carré Commission.

THREAT: Demolition by neglect

Designed by architect Richard Koch and built by the WPA in the 1930s with historic bricks from the demolished 1831 Tremé prison, the City Park maintenance complex is approaching a state of no return. At some point reconstruction will not be economically feasible. Prior to Hurricane Katrina the complex building was in need of extensive repairs; since Katrina the building’s damage has accelerated. Portions of the main roof and exterior walls collapsed and have been open to weather conditions since the storm.

THREAT: Demolition by neglect

One of Kenner’s few architectural landmarks, this National Register building sits empty and unused. It has been featured as a Historic American Buildings Survey site as well as on the Historic American Engineering Record. Although showing the marks of time, this Classical Revival Style building designed by William T. Nolan maintains its original charm. If renovated it would help contribute to the quality of life in Kenner and serve as an anchor for further development within the Historic Kenner area.

THREAT: Neglect

Founded by the benevolent society of the International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) in 1831, Odd Fellows’ Rest is one of oldest and most beautiful cemeteries in New Orleans. Today it is an “orphan” cemetery, needing care and ownership. According to Save Our Cemeteries, there is but one elderly member of the New Orleans chapter alive. The historic property needs a permanent source of funding, a new legal caregiver such as Save Our Cemeteries, or adoption by the State for its maintenance.

THREAT: Demolition

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, Lafayette Cemetery No. 2 and Holt Cemetery Sexton cottages are in imminent danger as the City of New Orleans has proposed their demolition and replacement with masonry structures clad in artificial wood siding. Louisiana Landmarks Society, working with other preservation organizations, has proposed lower cost alternatives that preserve their structural integrity while supporting the maintenance function. The structures are the last examples of 19th century cemetery cottages and their unnecessary loss would be tragic.

THREAT: Neglect, future development

This historic campus was originally the plantation brickyard of Polycarp Fortier and dates to 1830-1850. An important but deteriorated ante-bellum cottage on the side near Tchoupitoulas dates to the plantation era. The site was converted in the 19th century to a US Marine Hospital. It also contains a historic brick wall which is on the National Register, and a Director’s home facing the river. The domed, pentagonal early 20th century Naval hospital forms the principal hospital structure; Other Physicians’ quarters are now over seventy years old. The entire site is now threatened by neglect and the possibility of sale to private hospital interests without any preservation covenants.

THREAT: Demolition by neglect

Dozens Of houses moved from the Veteran Affairs Medical Center and University Hospital sites sit roofless, unallocated, and open to the weather. Of 165 contributing historic homes, approximately 84 were moved in what was likely the largest house-moving project in the U.S. While dozens of the houses were put on a track toward rehabilitation, many of the houses are in no better condition today than they were on the day they were moved. The house moving effort could have been a national model for saving historic homes and infilling historic neighborhoods, instead many homes now sit exposed and deteriorating.