Excuse the long absence (I hope you're all using RSS feeds so you don't keep clicking on the site and finding nothing new). We've been away, first to Disney for Pam's birthday and then to the UK.
Back here, I'm pleased but not surprised to find that the Marigny, the district in which we live, has been named by the American Planning Association as one of America's top ten great neighbourhoods.
I've never lived anywhere with such a fierce and justified sense of pride in itself, and such a strong sense of community and tolerance. It's also beautiful, particularly when the evening sun lights up the paintbox of pink, orange and sky-blue Caribbean-style houses, though the sun hasn't been very much in evidence lately.
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Not surprised by that Phil. You and Pam help make it the greatest.
ReplyDeleteAs a Bywater rat, I was entertained and pleased that anything New Orleans is getting national recognition, but the criteria and selection process for this is kind of a joke. It's certainly not very affordable (seriously, before Nagin killed the housing assistance program, when I was shopping for a home an empty lot in the Marigny was fetching $200,000 easily, and rents there are 50% to double the Bywater or any surrounding area, minus the Quarter), and it's not particularly safe. Although where in the city could qualify as safe, especially compared to the other selections on their list?
ReplyDeleteTheir criteria deals mostly with "potential" such as the streetcar loop or revitalization of St. Claude. If we take into account the grand dreams of the master plan and any other starry eyed proposals, the entire city could be considered a "safe and affordable" gem by APA standards. Plus, almost every other positive aspect they mention applies mainly to the French Quarter side of the Marigny on the other side of Elysian, ignoring that the neighborhood is so much more than that.
If the only way to be represented on a national level is with shallow, patronizing reasoning, I'd almost rather the country just continues to ignore us.
I know all that comes across as grumpy, but I actually do have much love for the area.
Pam sent me the article that had a picture of your house. very cool! I hope to visit before too long
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