Seen on the AP wire:
The blueprint being released Friday by city Recovery Director Ed Blakely is far more modest than the one he issued in March. But he said it will at least get the rebuilding started and give the public desperately needed signs of progress — which, in turn, will encourage private investment in New Orleans.[...]
The plan — the general outlines of which were approved by the City Council earlier this year — is not the radical remaking of the city urged by some urban planners who wanted to see a New Orleans with a much smaller footprint, and with people moved out of flood-prone areas.
Instead, it largely embraces Mayor Ray Nagin’s settle-where-you-will philosophy, while also endorsing the removal of blight and the creation of parks, affordable apartments and vibrant communities.
I can understand Mayor Nagin’s desire to keep a semi-lassiez-faire element to the reconstruction. However, count me in among those who are a little disappointed to see an opportunity for a more sustainable New Orleans passed up.
Of course, considering the bureaucracy that’s been bogging down the process (it’s been over two years, people)…I don’t see how they could effectively pull that off…but it was a nice idea to contemplate for a while, at least.