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Historic Preservation Commission President's Report — May 23rd to July 21St, 2008 • 5/23 — HPC Special Meeting (conference room) to consider C of A # and to discuss findings of fact regarding a Riverside Drive alley vacation. • 6/10 —Attended Groundbreaking for the American Trust Plaza Development/Rehabilitation Project and City of South Bend Media Event regarding "Preserve America" designation. • 6/16 — HPC Monthly Meeting • 07/09 thru 07/13 NAPC Bi -annual Forum "National Alliance of Preservation Commissions" (New Orleans, LA) o 7/10 -Bus Tour of New Orleans, including Canal Street, the French Quarter, Holy Cross Parish, Sculpture Garden (New Orleans Museum of Art), Lake Pontchartrain Shoreline and other points of interest. ■ Perhaps the most compelling and over -reaching aspect of the tour was to witness the effects of Hurricane Katrina damage. Now, just three years after the devastation, the city is strongly invested in the task of "rebuilding" its property and the local economy. ■ Today no area is restricted. Owners are afforded the privilege of returning to their properties (wherever they may be) for the purposes of rehabilitation or reconstruction. ■ The storm impacted the city in two ways. Flood and wind damage. Fortunately, recognizable tourist areas suffered more from wind than water and were quickly repaired to bring the economy back online. It was revealed that locally owned businesses (Mom and Pop shops) were largely responsible for this development. Since those operators were deeply invested within the community — New Orleans was their home, they needed income to rebuild their residence, along with a strong cultural connection to heritage. Many of the chains and franchises pulled the plug and opted not to rebuild for better return on investment opportunities (elsewhere). And so community spirit more than outside investment claims the most credit for the Crescent City Comeback. ■ National awareness continues to spur further renewal. Examples are Brad Pitt, Harry Connick, Jr. and Musicians Village. Recovery continues to be slow but steady. Some estimates state that there are 30-40,000 vacant, damaged and abandoned properties left. The City is funding the demolition of 10-15/week. Resources are thin. There's just not enough financial relief to proceed more rapidly. ■ The call for demolition is regretful but necessary in the course of recovery. New Orleans is strongly aligned with historic preservation. However, the foreseeable delay in bringing many properties back against a noticeable infestation (rodents) or other safety hazards rearranges philosophical priorities. Much architecture and history (especially in the residential districts) will be permanently lost well before recovery is complete.