Community Meeting Saturday 8/2/2014 Re Rezoning of Florida Ave Properties
The CSED owns the vacant lots at 2639 Caffin Avenue, 5620 Florida Avenue, 2636 and 2640 Lamanche Streets. The site is currently zoned as residential. In order for CSED to use the property as a visitor and learning center along with office space, its zoning must be changed to B-1 to accommodate a non-residential use. We are required to apply for approval to change the site’s zoning designation. Our application must be heard by the City Planning Commission and the City Council. We anticipate this approval process will take several months.
If you own property in the area, or are otherwise interested in the neighborhood, I am inviting you to a meeting where you can learn more about what we propose and have an opportunity to present your questions or concerns. We are required to do this before we submit our application to the City Planning Commission.
This meeting will take place: Saturday, August 2, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.
2636 Lamanche Street, New Orleans, LA 70117
At the meeting, a sign-in sheet will be provided to obtain phone numbers and/or email addresses so that we can keep you updated if there are any changes to the plans.
We see the site as a great opportunity to develop environmental education and connect the community and visitors with their natural surroundings. The CSED initially plans to install a modular classroom building on the vacant lot at 2636 Lamanche Street in late 2014 or early 2015. Future plans include building a Lower 9 Environmental Learning and Research Center.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or comments. I hope to see you at the meeting on Saturday, August 2, 2014, 10a.m., at 2636 Lamanche Street.
Arthur Johnson, Executive Director Phone: (504)324-9955
Community Meeting 7/12/14 Re: Rezoning 5227 Chartres Street
July 7, 2014
Dear Neighbor:
I am contacting you on behalf of the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development (CSED). The CSED owns the building and property at 5227 Chartres Street between Lizardi and Egania Streets. The site is currently zoned as residential. In order for CSED to use the property as a visitor and learning center along with office space, its zoning must be changed to B-1 to accommodate a non-residential use. We are required to apply for approval to change the site’s zoning designation. Our application must be heard by the City Planning Commission and the City Council. We anticipate this approval process will take several months.
Because you own property in the area, or are otherwise interested in the neighborhood, I am inviting you to a meeting where you can learn more about what we propose and have an opportunity to present your questions or concerns. We are required to do this before we submit our application to the City Planning Commission.
This meeting will take place: Saturday, July 12, 2014, at 11:00 a.m.
5227 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70117
At the meeting, a sign-in sheet will be provided to obtain email addresses so that we can keep you updated if there are any changes to the plans.
We see the site as a great opportunity to reduce blight in the neighborhood. The CSED is renovating this historic, 100 year old barge board house into a learning center. The center will showcase energy efficiency upgrades and primarily serve as an educational center for the Lower 9th Ward community. We estimate work will be complete in late 2014.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or comments. I hope to see you at the meeting on Saturday, July 12, 2014, 11a.m., at 5227 Chartres Street.
Sincerely,
Arthur Johnson, Executive Director
Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development (CSED)
5130 Chartres Street - Post Office Box 770407 - New Orleans LA 70177-0407
Phone: (504)324-9955 Fax: (504)267-5583
Citrus Canker Disease
We have unfortunately lost one of our grapefruit trees in our Dauphine Street Commuity Orchard to citrus canker disease. This has been confirmed by Dr. Raghuwinder Singh of the LSU Ag Center. He advises that "the only way to manage citrus canker is to remove the symptomatic tree entirely. Double bag the tree in black sturdy trash bags and then dispose of it in a landfill or let the garbage hauler take it. Surface sterilize the tools that you use to cut the tree with 20% bleach solution. Also remember to wash your hands with warm water and soap. Do not touch or visit another citrus tree within 72 hours after you remove the tree." If one of your trees shows signs of citrus canker disease, please notify Dr. Singh by emailing [email protected] the location and photos of the diseased tree. He is tracking the spread of this disease.
Our tree appeared healthy and vigorous with new growth sprouting all around but the bottom leaves had lesions with yellow halos. Citrus canker is a highly contagious disease and all varieties of citrus are susceptible. Help stop the spread of this disease by being informed and taking immediate action.
Learn more at http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/leads/citrus-canker-disease-threatens-louisiana-trees.htm
href="http://southeastfarmpress.com/orchard-crops/usda-confirms-citrus-canker-now-louisiana" target="_blank">
Butterfly Island Beginnings by Marquette Mardi Gras
New and returning volunteers with "Marquette Mardi Gras" helped us continue the reimagining of our Florida Avenue vacant lots by creating the beginnings of a butterfly island. They selectively cleared an existing circle of debris leaving in place the native wildflowers that were already growing there, built a center structure of logs and branches, added composted leaves, planted iris bulbs (given to us by our quintessential volunteer - Steve), broadcast wildflower seeds, and doused all with our rain catchment water. Dragonflies and lizards were visiting the island as we worked :-) These Marquette University volunteers did all that in just a few hours time!!! and with great humor and warm hearts. We are grateful and lifted by their spirit of giving.
Thank you Marquette Volunteers!
Volunteers from Marquette University help out on the Center staining barge board walls and prepping floors for sanding! When finished, beautiful old growth wood floors will be sanded and restored by Charles Reddick & Vincent Fedeli.
Sub-floor Goes In @ The Center
Work moves steady as Charles Reddick and Vincent Fedeli install sub-floor at The Center. Last week lead remediation on bargeboard walls was completed. Next steps: staining of barge board partition walls with Safe Coat water based polly - and installation of reclaimed T&G flooring.
Great Giving Global Kids!
The CSED was fortunate to host Global Kids volunteers from New York City yesterday! They gave their hands, hearts, and minds in service to two homeowners who are rebuilding their homes. These high school students spent the day painting, cleaning, doing yard work, and sharing their impressive thoughts about life in general. Very special kids indeed!