City Park Trailer Sites
What are the city's plans for trailers in City Park (how many, where exactly, length of time)? Are these trailer sites specified for any particular group (NOPD, NOFD, etc.) or are they geared to pre-K Lakeview residents who were renters or are they open to the general public? What about police presence on the trailer sites?
Jay Batt - Details of the exact criteria for City Park Trailer placement can be found in this copy of my memo to FEMA regarding this precise matter. This letter does govern the lease for any trailers to be placed on City Park property:
Dear Scott Wells, FEMA OFFICER:
This letter is to request that any trailer community in New Orleans City Park be designated for the use of Orleans Parish first responders and medical community, meaning members of any local, state or federal law enforcement body in Orleans Parish including the New Orleans Police Department, members of the New Orleans Fire Department, EMT's, paramedics, other essential members of the medical community, including physicians, nurses, technicians and other degrees and/or certified personnel as well as medical and nursing students all of which must be approved by the Mayor and the Councilmember from District A.
Throughout the planning process for trailer communities in City Park, the site has been designated for first responders and essential personnel and Governor Blanco supports this as well. Given the unique situation we face with a temporary community in the heart of a major operational urban park, we feel that the designation for first responders and essential personnel will create the best atmosphere for retaining these critically necessary employees while allowing the park, which contains the New Orleans Museum of Art, the New Orleans Botanical Gardens, Christian Brothers School, three golf courses, Tad Gormley Stadium, youth soccer facilities and tennis facilities, to remain a safe and comfortable place for children and families, as well as tourists.
Nearly 80% of first responders in Orleans Parish have lost their homes and with many of those homes being located east of the Industrial Canal, they face significant challenges in finding permanent housing solutions in the Greater New Orleans area. Retaining these essential employees is critical to the successful recovery of the City of New Orleans. By having a site designated for these essential, hard working and dedicated men and women, we will be able to focus on meeting their needs. City Park's central location is the ideal site for first responders to reach their posts without a long commute and to be able to access goods and services in the limited time they have off. The site in City Park can be used for housing for no more than 18 months. We feel confident that at the end of the 18 month lease, permanent, affordable housing solutions will be found for all of these hardworking men and women so the site can be brought back immediately to its original use as parkland.
It is our understanding that with your approval, this letter will be attached to the general GSA lease and its terms will become a part of the contract.
That is the case.
Sonia Gupta - So far, I have only heard of the proposal to place a total of 970 trailers at the following sites: Marconi Meadows, the old south golf course, and the east course. But it doesn't seem like anything is actually happening to further this. I have tried to get more information about the ongoing plan but am running into a lot of dead ends. The main problem is that City Park, unlike other sites, does not already have the electric, sewage, and gas infrastructure necessary to support such trailers. It seems like the plan is still up in the air. As for the inhabitants of these parks, it is still up to the mayor to decide who will live in the trailers. I believe it is important to first place public employees like NOPD and NOFD, as well as all utilities employees, before opening the parks to the public. I understand that crime has been a problem in some of the "tent cities" in the area and can see how this could be a problem in future trailer parks. As such, I would propose 24 hour police presence in these parks.
Ray Landeche - As a fellow citizen, I can NOT get a truthful answer from City Hall. However, I think our neighborhood assets should support our damaged neighborhoods like Lakeview & Mid-City, first. Sufficient police presence should be provided on all trailer sites.
David Nowak - The trailer issue is undoubtedly one of the most controversial issues in this election. Ultimately, if elected, I would like more input from the residents surrounding City Park, as well as the thoughts of the newly elected mayor, and council at large members. Security is most relevant, so I won't support any action that puts residents or police officers needlessly at risk.
Stephen Saussy - The need for trailers following Katrina in New Orleans is different compared to the need following other Hurricanes. Many of our dwellings were in need of repair and not damaged beyond repair as many of the homes along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The need created by the flooding of New Orleans must be recognized by the federal government so that future aid is relevant to the need. Initially there were four sites proposed by the director of City Park for trailers. The North course was taken off as an option after opposition from the Lake Vista residents. Marconi Meadows, South course and an unknown are the remaining three sites in City Park. Supposedly the length of time is eighteen months but history has shown that years are more the norm. It is my understanding that if you designate who lives in the trailers FEMA doesn't contribute monies for the site. FEMA will do the site preparations, delivery, pick up but not a monthly allowance if the tenant is decided by the city. However, there has been discussion that FEMA would reimburse for POLICE, FIRE, EMS, etc… I am not aware at this time of the final decision of how City Park will be used for trailers or the amount of re-imbursement. I personally feel City Park should be preserved and spared the expense of being used as a trailer site. If there is no choice in the matter, a time line should be in place and the federal government should fund the security for protection of all.
It should also be mentioned that City Park's director Bob Becker is working to use City Park as a site for FEMA trailers as a source of revenue. City Park as many of you are aware does not receive any funding from the City, State or Federal Government.
Candidates Shelly Stephenson Midura, Sal Palmisano & Tom Wagner did not provide an answer to this question.
Jay Batt - Details of the exact criteria for City Park Trailer placement can be found in this copy of my memo to FEMA regarding this precise matter. This letter does govern the lease for any trailers to be placed on City Park property:
Dear Scott Wells, FEMA OFFICER:
This letter is to request that any trailer community in New Orleans City Park be designated for the use of Orleans Parish first responders and medical community, meaning members of any local, state or federal law enforcement body in Orleans Parish including the New Orleans Police Department, members of the New Orleans Fire Department, EMT's, paramedics, other essential members of the medical community, including physicians, nurses, technicians and other degrees and/or certified personnel as well as medical and nursing students all of which must be approved by the Mayor and the Councilmember from District A.
Throughout the planning process for trailer communities in City Park, the site has been designated for first responders and essential personnel and Governor Blanco supports this as well. Given the unique situation we face with a temporary community in the heart of a major operational urban park, we feel that the designation for first responders and essential personnel will create the best atmosphere for retaining these critically necessary employees while allowing the park, which contains the New Orleans Museum of Art, the New Orleans Botanical Gardens, Christian Brothers School, three golf courses, Tad Gormley Stadium, youth soccer facilities and tennis facilities, to remain a safe and comfortable place for children and families, as well as tourists.
Nearly 80% of first responders in Orleans Parish have lost their homes and with many of those homes being located east of the Industrial Canal, they face significant challenges in finding permanent housing solutions in the Greater New Orleans area. Retaining these essential employees is critical to the successful recovery of the City of New Orleans. By having a site designated for these essential, hard working and dedicated men and women, we will be able to focus on meeting their needs. City Park's central location is the ideal site for first responders to reach their posts without a long commute and to be able to access goods and services in the limited time they have off. The site in City Park can be used for housing for no more than 18 months. We feel confident that at the end of the 18 month lease, permanent, affordable housing solutions will be found for all of these hardworking men and women so the site can be brought back immediately to its original use as parkland.
It is our understanding that with your approval, this letter will be attached to the general GSA lease and its terms will become a part of the contract.
That is the case.
Sonia Gupta - So far, I have only heard of the proposal to place a total of 970 trailers at the following sites: Marconi Meadows, the old south golf course, and the east course. But it doesn't seem like anything is actually happening to further this. I have tried to get more information about the ongoing plan but am running into a lot of dead ends. The main problem is that City Park, unlike other sites, does not already have the electric, sewage, and gas infrastructure necessary to support such trailers. It seems like the plan is still up in the air. As for the inhabitants of these parks, it is still up to the mayor to decide who will live in the trailers. I believe it is important to first place public employees like NOPD and NOFD, as well as all utilities employees, before opening the parks to the public. I understand that crime has been a problem in some of the "tent cities" in the area and can see how this could be a problem in future trailer parks. As such, I would propose 24 hour police presence in these parks.
Ray Landeche - As a fellow citizen, I can NOT get a truthful answer from City Hall. However, I think our neighborhood assets should support our damaged neighborhoods like Lakeview & Mid-City, first. Sufficient police presence should be provided on all trailer sites.
David Nowak - The trailer issue is undoubtedly one of the most controversial issues in this election. Ultimately, if elected, I would like more input from the residents surrounding City Park, as well as the thoughts of the newly elected mayor, and council at large members. Security is most relevant, so I won't support any action that puts residents or police officers needlessly at risk.
Stephen Saussy - The need for trailers following Katrina in New Orleans is different compared to the need following other Hurricanes. Many of our dwellings were in need of repair and not damaged beyond repair as many of the homes along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The need created by the flooding of New Orleans must be recognized by the federal government so that future aid is relevant to the need. Initially there were four sites proposed by the director of City Park for trailers. The North course was taken off as an option after opposition from the Lake Vista residents. Marconi Meadows, South course and an unknown are the remaining three sites in City Park. Supposedly the length of time is eighteen months but history has shown that years are more the norm. It is my understanding that if you designate who lives in the trailers FEMA doesn't contribute monies for the site. FEMA will do the site preparations, delivery, pick up but not a monthly allowance if the tenant is decided by the city. However, there has been discussion that FEMA would reimburse for POLICE, FIRE, EMS, etc… I am not aware at this time of the final decision of how City Park will be used for trailers or the amount of re-imbursement. I personally feel City Park should be preserved and spared the expense of being used as a trailer site. If there is no choice in the matter, a time line should be in place and the federal government should fund the security for protection of all.
It should also be mentioned that City Park's director Bob Becker is working to use City Park as a site for FEMA trailers as a source of revenue. City Park as many of you are aware does not receive any funding from the City, State or Federal Government.
Candidates Shelly Stephenson Midura, Sal Palmisano & Tom Wagner did not provide an answer to this question.
posted by TAG at 1:14 PM
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