Photo and article by Charlie London
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A PDF of the
CITY’s December 1, 2011 BlightStat presentation.
The 28th BlightStat meeting to which the public was invited began with city department representatives introducing themselves.
Mr. Keith Ferrouillet, Mr. Allen Square, Mr. Jeff Hebert , Mr. Oliver Wise, Ms. Joyce Wilkerson, Mr. Brian Lawlor, Mr.Miles Granderson, Ms. Brenda Breaux, Ms. Pura Basco, Ms. Kristin Illarmo, Mr. Winston Reid, Mr. David Lessinger, Mr. Justin Kray, and Ms. Tammy Johnson were in attendance.
Mr. Lessinger began the meeting with an announcement of the upcoming “Fight the Blight” day on December 10th. 10 am until 1 pm
The “Fight the Blight” day takes place in each council district. Here is what is happening in District A from the Mid-City Neighborhood Organization:
“Volunteers will fan out in a five-block radius from St. Patrick park (which effectively means towards the river and Canal Street, given the location of I-10). Volunteers can plant trees, clean storm drains and paint “No Dumping” on them, cart away abandoned tires, appliances, etc., cars, spray for rodents and then remove the debris, fill potholes, replace street signs, and more.”
Inspections
Ms. Basco indicated 445 inspections were done during the last two weeks. More emphasis is on re-inspections to move hearings along.
Mr. Wise noted the inspections backlog is beginning to creep back up. Overall the backlog has been reduced significantly and continues to be a focus of Code Enforcement.
Hearings
Ms. Illarmo noted the backlog has been reduced significantly. The strategic demo team (Tammy) is working diligently to research properties in need of demolition.
A discussion ensued about the hearings backlog. Ms. Illarmo continued the meeting noting that 235 hearings were completed over the last two weeks.
Much work has been done researching files and getting cases organized.
Mr. Wise again focused on the hearings backlog. A further discussion ensued.
Reset cases are down significantly. This may indicate significant efficiency measures have been implemented and are working.
Demolitions
Demolitions continue to rise. “Jason” indicated that 3 properties are ready for demolition with 6 properties waiting for utility disconnects.
FEMA
Demolished 3 residential structures and one large property on General Taylor.
Interim Nuisance Abatement Program
Mr. Ferrouillet indicated 9 properties were cut this two week period. Workers were off for the Thanksgiving holiday.
FEMA TRAILERS
5 Fema trailers remain. 1 is empty. 2 should be gone before the end of the year. 2 will likely remain for a while.
Sheriff Sales
Compliance continues to go up as properties go to Sheriff sale. (Liens paid or property sold). 15 had no bid. 1st round the property has a minimum. If no bid then the second time the property has a much lower price.
Dec 6 and Jan 10 Sheriff sale dates. Dec 15, 19, 26, and Jan 2 for foreclosure sales.
Over a million dollars has been collected so far from the lien foreclosure process.
Mr. Wise asked Mr. Lawlor about the “soft second” program. Mr. Lawlor indicated work continues to make properties available.
Ms. Wilkerson indicated 5 new NORA properties are available with two dozen properties closed this bi-weekly period.
More “lot next door” closing are getting done.
Mr. Lawlor answered a question from the audience concerning help for people trying to rebuild their homes. Mr. Lawlor indicated a visit to http://www.rtno.org and http://stbernardproject.org would be a good place to start.
More questions from the audience were answered and the meeting adjourned.
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You can review my reports on all of the previous BlightStat Meetings in the links below:
Blight Sweep in 9th Ward: https://fsjna.org/2010/11/blighted-beginnings/
BLIGHTSTAT ONE: https://fsjna.org/2010/11/bi-weekly-blight-business/
BLIGHTSTAT TWO:https://fsjna.org/2010/11/keeping-our-eyes-on-the-prize/
BLIGHTSTAT THREE: https://fsjna.org/2010/12/what-gets-measured-gets-managed/
BLIGHTSTAT FOUR: https://fsjna.org/2010/12/blight-busting/
2010 Year End Update: https://fsjna.org/2010/12/year-end-update-from-the-landrieu-administration/
BLIGHTSTAT FIVE: https://fsjna.org/2011/01/the-5th-dimension-of-blight/
BLIGHTSTAT SIX: https://fsjna.org/2011/01/a-sixth-sense-for-blight/
BLIGHTSTAT SEVEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/02/the-7-heavens-of-blight/
BLIGHTSTAT EIGHT: https://fsjna.org/2011/02/8-by-ya-mommas/
BLIGHTSTAT NINE: https://fsjna.org/2011/03/blightstat-9/
BLIGHTSTAT TEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/03/blightstat-10/
BLIGHTSTAT ELEVEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/04/blightstat-11/
BLIGHTSTAT TWELVE: https://fsjna.org/2011/04/blightstat-12/
Mayor’s State of the City Address: https://fsjna.org/2011/04/one-city-that-shares-one-fate/
BLIGHTSTAT THIRTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/05/blightstat-13/
BLIGHTSTAT FOURTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/05/blightstat-14/
BLIGHTSTAT FIFTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/blightstat-15/
CITY GETS REPORT CARD: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/city-gets-report-card/
BLIGHTSTAT SIXTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/blightstat-16/
BLIGHTSTAT SEVENTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/blightstat-17/
BLIGHTSTAT EIGHTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/07/blightstat-18
BLIGHTSTAT NINETEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/07/blightstat-19/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY: https://fsjna.org/2011/08/blightstat-20/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-ONE: https://fsjna.org/2011/08/blightstat-turns-21/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-TWO: https://fsjna.org/2011/09/blightstat-22/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-THREE: https://fsjna.org/2011/09/blightstat-23/
FIGHT BLIGHT RIGHT: https://fsjna.org/2011/09/fight-blight-right/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-FOUR: https://fsjna.org/2011/10/blightstat-24/
CITIZENS PARTICIPATE: https://fsjna.org/2011/10/citizens-participate-in-new-orleans/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-FIVE: https://fsjna.org/2011/10/blightstat-25/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-SIX: https://fsjna.org/2011/11/blightstat-turns-one
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-SEVEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/11/27-meetings-about-blight/