Meg's Field Notes from 9/27/2009

     We started the trip in the neighborhood that falls between the levee, the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, and Claiborne Ave. This is where the levee broke and flooded the Lower Ninth Ward during Hurricane Katrina. Few houses have been rebuilt in this neighborhood and those that have returned may not have neighbors for blocks and blocks. Instead of neighbors these houses are surrounded by vacant lots overgrown with tall grass, and covered in rubble and trash. This used to be a very populated area, but now it appears to be run down and abandoned. There are about eight or nine houses at the very beginning of the neighborhood that stand out from all the rest. These are houses built by Brad Pitt's Make it Right Foundation. Each house is architecturally unique with solar panels, modern decor, and manicured lawns. Each of the houses has signs in the yard that read "Private Residence". I imagine this is to remind tourists that come through this neighborhood site seeing that these are people’s homes and not some attraction. Once you get through the two blocks of Brad Pitt houses there is just an empty street lined with trees where rows of houses once stood. Only bare concrete steps remain on the vacant lots. Many of the streets in this neighborhood are so cluttered with debris and overgrown, they are no longer usable. Most of the street signs are missing and have homemade signs declaring the street's name. Most properties whether occupied or vacant seem to be completely unmaintained. There are many signs posted around the neighborhood advertising security surveillance and alarm systems. This leads me to believe the neighborhood has a lot of crime and therefore a need for security systems. Almost all of the businesses are closed and rundown covered with graffiti. There are no grocery stores, no restaurants, no shops. The only open businesses are a gas station, a barber shop, and a convenience store. Some buildings are completely dilapidated and seem to be forgoten. Many structures that are on the verge of falling down are right next to occupied homes. It seems just a matter of time before one might fall onto the neighboring home.

     Once you cross over into the other end of the Lower Ninth Ward there are more standing structures but many of them are vacant. The majority of blocks that have occupied houses are separated by a number of vacant houses that are scattered among them. The vacant houses are very run down and almost none of them are boarded up. The doors are open as if they are still used. Possibly used by squatters or for drug use. Many of the houses have tall fences running all the way around them. Some have video surveillance cameras posted outside. People may use these tall fences to separate themselves from the crime that seems to flourish in this area.