From: TEST MESSAGE FROM: National Trust for Historic Preservation
[mailto:members@nthp.org]
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:32 PM
To:(private)
Subject: Act Now to Save Charity Hospital and the Mid-City Neighborhood
Help Save New Orleans’ Charity Hospital and the Adjacent Mid-City Historic Neighborhood
Voice your concerns now to change a potentially disastrous course one that would leave a
major New Orleans landmark to an uncertain fate, abandon an already-struggling downtown,
and destroy at least 18 square blocks of a historic neighborhood.
New Orleans is poised to lose two chief economic generators in its Central Business
District—Charity Hospital and the VA Medical Center. The relocation plans of these two
institutions call for the needless demolition of over 165 historic homes (at least 18
square blocks) within the lower Mid-City National Register District. Bulldozing this
historic neighborhood would not only betray the residents of New Orleans, who are working
so hard to rebuild their communities, but could easily be avoided. The rehabilitation of
iconic Charity Hospital, and a nearby alternative site for the VA, would avoid the
demolition of even a single historic property.
Please act now to prevent the needless destruction of historic and cultural resources
triggered by ill-advised and short-sighted planning.
Background
The Art Deco Charity Hospital building (known today as the Rev. Avery C. Alexander Charity
Hospital) opened in 1939, and served the citizens of New Orleans until its closure by the
Louisiana State University (LSU) Medical System in the days after Hurricane Katrina more
than three years ago.
In May, the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed Charity Hospital and the
adjacent neighborhood on its 2008 List of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.
The danger to these resources is as grave as ever.
In July, neighborhood residents and the National Trust identified a viable alternative to
the VA’s preferred site—one which contains no historic structures, ample acreage, and
would not require forcibly relocating any residents from their homes. Named for the
shuttered hospital on the property, it is known as the Lindy Boggs site.
In August, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana released the findings of RMJM Hillier,
a renowned architectural firm with credentials in healthcare design and preservation,
which pronounced the Avery Alexander Charity Hospital building structurally sound and
eminently suitable for renovation into a first rate, state-of-the-art medical and teaching
facility.
Current Status
Despite the facts of the RMJM Hillier report and the identification of the Lindy Boggs
site as a viable alternative, the state and the City of New Orleans continue to insist
that the vision for 21st century health care can only be realized with 100 percent new
construction at sites outside of the Central Business District that necessitate the
demolition of almost 200 buildings (more than 18 square blocks) in a historic
neighborhood.
VA officials acknowledge the advantages of the alternative Lindy Boggs site (including
much faster return of health care services to veterans, and avoiding harm to historic
properties). However, the City and State remain steadfast in their commitment to the site
in Mid-City, insisting that the two medical facilities must be side-by-side.
What You Can Do
To support the re-use of the Charity Hospital Building and protect the adjacent Mid-City
historic neighborhood, contact decision-makers today.
1) E-mail Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal or call his office toll-free at 866-366-1121
2) E-mail Louisiana Secretary of Health and Hospitals Alan Levine or call his office at
225-342-9500
3) E-mail The Honorable James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
General Talking Points:
The Central Business District of New Orleans can’t afford to lose a primary economic
generator.
The adjacent historic Mid-City neighborhood should be saved and revitalized to provide
housing and services to support the medical and biosciences industries.
Historic resources are assets for redevelopment and not obstacles
Residents, responding to Mayor Nagin’s call to come home after Katrina, repaired their
homes and businesses—only to discover that the City now proposes to seize and demolish
their property.
The demolition of 165 historic homes—18 square blocks of a residential historic
district—is unacceptable, and can easily be avoided by rehabilitating Charity Hospital and
selecting the Lindy Boggs site for the VA.
Additional Talking Points for the State of Louisiana:
The fastest and least expensive way to restore the state’s healthcare and teaching
hospital is to rehabilitate and reuse the iconic Charity Hospital building.
The Charity Hospital building has been shown to be structurally sound and adaptable to
housing a full-service 21st century medical facility.
Additional Talking Points for the VA:
The fastest and least destructive way to bring health care to New Orleans’ area veterans
is by selecting the Lindy Boggs site.
Contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation:
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW - Washington, DC 20036
1.800.315.6847 - members(a)nthp.org
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership
organization providing leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to save
America's diverse historic places and revitalize our communities
Jo Branch
LAGenWeb CC
LA Archives State File Manager
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Chahta Ohoyo Holahta