Comments on the Pictures from the Lower Ninth Ward

Concerning our photos shot in the Lower Ninth Ward a few days ago, a reader writes:

Hi. Thanks I guess. Without captions these photographs lack context within your experience, rendering whatever slight meaning you seem to be grasping for as nothing more than a wispy snapshot of anywhere, like that wall art of local scenes you can find in any Mall. This could be Detroit.
You can't simply take a picture of a ghost and call it a ghost.
This statement is so vacuous that I cannot comment on its lack of connection.
Yeah, it's 4 years since the levees broke.

I'd like to thank the reader for supplying a better caption and commentary than I ever could have.

I'm an outsider. An East Coaster. Spent two mornings in the Lower Ninth Ward shooting pictures because -- thinking four years was quite a long time to fix things up -- I was shocked at what I saw there. I think I posted our pictures in an attempt to show other outsiders what it looks like there right now.

Because, by and large, we don't know.

And many of us have allowed the whole thing to slip into history, as though it's over and done with.

So, I couldn't comment on the pictures. That wouldn't help anything. I'm just another outside voice. I understand that.

And so I'm very glad someone like this reader posted his or her own opinions.

I think that's the best a forum like this blog can provide: a place where expertise and opinion comes not from above, but rather through the digital community.

So thanks.

And just to illustrate just how 'outside' the reality of what happened there I am, I offer a bit of a conversation I had with a local who lost his roof. I expressed to him my dismay at having seen so many burned out cars remaining in the Lower Ninth Ward. To which he replied in an understated, but angry voice: "At least they got 'em out of the trees."

Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans July 2009 (It's been 4 years since Katrina)

Photographs by MJ Wojewodzki and Shelly Blake-Plock, licensed cc 3.0 2009. Please feel free to share for noncommercial purposes.

The Best Building Innovation of 2006 - The Louisiana Superdome

Best Building Innovation of 2006 - The Louisiana Superdome

On Monday, September 25, 2006, The Louisiana Superdome reopened its door to the first home game for the New Orleans Saints, completely renovated, rebuilt and restored within a record twelve months after the devastating blow of Hurricane Katrina. The reopening is a historical event for the city of New Orleans, the New Orleans Saints and for America - symbolic of the economic turnaround, spirited revival and renewal of hope.

The rebuilding of the Superdome represents the Best Building Innovation of 2006 - it quite possibly is the Best Innovation of 2006. The first home game of the Saints and the reopening event was a smashing success.

Not only were the damaged portions of the Superdome reconstructed within a record time, significant upgrades were also included that notably improved upon the experience and comfort for the event attendees.

How did the Superdome achieve this massive Innovation within such a short time?

First, the leadership of the government of Louisiana - Governor Kathleen Blanco issuing an executive order in December 2005 to make the Superdome a priority, enabling the rebuilding to be fast-tracked.

Second, the smart financing by LSED (Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District) that generated $40 million capital funding for the rebuilding.

Third, the management and execution by a Team of managers, project leaders, builders and architects including SMG, the Superdome Commission representing LSED, Trahan Architects, Sizeler Architects, Billes Architecture, Ellerbe Becket, Broadmoor LLC, about 35 sub-contractors and 1,000 workers.

Fourth, the partnership with NFL that provided the Superdome a grant of $15 million for the rebuilding. The partnership was instrumental towards driving many team members joining hands for a common cause.

Why is the rebuilding of a stadium an Innovation?

It is unprecedented. It is symbolic. It is iconic. It is historic. It is an awesome feat accomplished within a record time. And it looks great.

What is amazing is that the rebuilding project is even ahead of schedule. This embodies the spirit and the drive by all the people involved in the project united together in their belief of bringing back to the city their superstar, the icon, the one building that represents the hope, the joy and the enduring spirit of New Orleans.

Some of the Superdome improvements include new video board system, remodeling of 38 permanent concessions stands and all 3 kitchens, upgrading of 8,000 Club Level sideline seats and 4,000 Box Suite seats, and fully remodeled 137 suites and 4 Club Lounges (final completion in 2007).

The most notable renovation was removing about 10 acres of the old roof and replacing it with a brand new roof.

Superdome's new roof is now the new icon of New Orleans - one that signifies that "New Orleans is coming back". "It proclaims the resolve of New Orleanians to rebuild and restore the unique character of one of America’s great cities."

In words of the Governor Kathleen Blanco: "What I’m looking at here is nothing short of a miracle and is symbolic of the great rebirth that this city and this state are experiencing......It (the rebuilding of the Superdome) absolutely proves that the people of Louisiana have the strength, fortitude and dedication to overcome what no other people in this nation have had to endure.”

The Louisiana Superdome - Best Building Innovation of 2006

Acknowledgements:
The Superdome website

Originally published: September 2006
Republished: February 2010, to celebrate New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Victory