Rebuild New Orleans?

[RON430]

Yep, it's a question, and a poll. There have already been rumblings although not carried by the TV very much. I appreciate that this might be a tough topic and of course if it gets nasty, it should get locked down but it might make sense to talk about it.

House Speaker: Rebuilding N.O. doesn't make sense

Thursday, 2:55 p.m.

By Bill Walsh
Washington bureau

WASHINGTON - House Speaker Dennis Hastert dropped a bombshell on flood-ravaged New Orleans on Thursday by suggesting that it isn’t sensible to rebuild the city.

"It doesn't make sense to me," Hastert told the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago in editions published today. "And it's a question that certainly we should ask."

Hastert's comments came as Congress cut short its summer recess and raced back to Washington to take up an emergency aid package expected to be $10 billion or more. Details of the legislation are still emerging, but it is expected to target critical items such as buses to evacuate the city, reinforcing existing flood protection and providing food and shelter for a growing population of refugees.

The Illinois Republican’s comments drew an immediate rebuke from Louisiana officials.

“That’s like saying we should shut down Los Angeles because it’s built in an earthquake zone,” former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., said. “Or like saying that after the Great Chicago fire of 1871, the U.S. government should have just abandoned the city.”

Hastert said that he supports an emergency bailout, but raised questions about a long-term rebuilding effort. As the most powerful voice in the Republican-controlled House, Hastert is in a position to block any legislation that he opposes.

"We help replace, we help relieve disaster," Hastert said. "But I think federal insurance and everything that goes along with it... we ought to take a second look at that."

The speaker’s comments were in stark contrast to those delivered by President Bush during an appearance this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

“I want the people of New Orleans to know that after rescuing them and stabilizing the situation, there will be plans in place to help this great city get back on its feet,” Bush said. “There is no doubt in my mind that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city.”

Insurance industry executives estimated that claims from the storm could range up to $19 billion. Rebuilding the city, which is more than 80 percent submerged, could cost tens of billions of dollars more, experts projected.

Hastert questioned the wisdom of rebuilding a city below sea level that will continue to be in the path of powerful hurricanes.

"You know we build Los Angeles and San Francisco on top of earthquake issures and they rebuild, too. Stubbornness," he said.

Hastert wasn't the only one questioning the rebuilding of New Orleans. The Waterbury, Conn., Republican-American newspaper wrote an editorial Wednesday entitled, "Is New Orleans worth reclaiming?"

"Americans' hearts go out to the people in Katrina's path," it said. "But if the people of New Orleans and other low-lying areas insist on living in harm's way, they ought to accept responsibility for what happens to them and their property."

[RiverRat]

I believe we should work everything out right now, get everybody situated, restarted with their lives (those who had them). THEN, once the city is dried up, and the total destruction viewable, then take the same approach an insurance adjuter would towards a totaled car. IS it going to be worth all the money it will take to rebuild, build bigger levees, taller seawalls, and how long will it take? Then, how long will it take for the new city to recover the amount of money spent on it in terms of jobs, production, homes, etc. THEN only we can make an informed decision as to whether rebuilding is to happen, or just a cleaning/combing of the area and have it become the first major metropolitan ghost town in the U.S.A. since the Civil War.

[RON430]

Originally Posted by NYLexSC

I believe we should work everything out right now, get everybody situated, restarted with their lives (those who had them). THEN, once the city is dried up, and the total destruction viewable, then take the same approach an insurance adjuter would towards a totaled car. IS it going to be worth all the money it will take to rebuild, build bigger levees, taller seawalls, and how long will it take? Then, how long will it take for the new city to recover the amount of money spent on it in terms of jobs, production, homes, etc. THEN only we can make an informed decision as to whether rebuilding is to happen, or just a cleaning/combing of the area and have it become the first major metropolitan ghost town in the U.S.A. since the Civil War.

Well I have to agree. The biggest thing is will this be viewed as heartless and cruel or not? When New Orleans was originally built it was 9 feet above sea level, now it is six feet under. That's the problem with building on delta silt. Obviously nature is showing us what New Orleans is and it isn't a prime building site. Plugging a levee and starting up pumps is one thing but I have to believe that the vast majority of structures are going to be unsound. The cost is going to be horrific. Unfortunately New Orleans is a great site for a port. So maybe a port needs to stay there but people would be better off in another location.

To tell you the truth the politicians from New Orleans mayor to W have bungled this so bad it makes you want to fire the lot but I give Hastert credit. Somebody with a cool head and some b*lls needs to take charge and get those people fed and watered and out of there ASAP. We can't get a bottle of water and an MRE in peoples hands but we can get reporters on every corner and W orbiting in a 747. Our tax money at work.

[SDuquette]

I vote they move Mardi Gras to Albuquerque.

[Lil4X]

New Orleans is not just beautiful, it is our nation’s third largest port and is unique among our cities as being at once European, Southern, and All-American. It is the home of a number of strains of American music, cuisine, and culture. It deserves to be rebuilt. This time, better.

When a killer hurricane struck Galveston in 1900, it left over 10,000 dead and the town devastated. At the time, Galveston was a major port and rail center, and until that September 8th, was a major resort as well. Galveston had a problem – it was built on a barrier island. It was a sand spit that stood only about 6 feet above high tide. When the storm surge receded, hardly one brick was left on another. People said it shouldn’t be rebuilt.

Two projects saved the island. First a seawall about 17 feet high and 60 blocks long was constructed of granite blocks. Behind the seawall, sand was pumped to raise the city between one and 17 feet. This required houses, buildings, even sewers and utilities to be raised as well.

In the years since, the seawall has saved Galveston Island on several occasions. The engineering and construction project required to accomplish this was massive. It took nearly 20 years to accomplish, and it wasn’t always pretty, but the result was beautiful, and it showed what can be done to save a city.

I believe the same or better could be done to save the City and the Port of New Orleans.

[bitkahuna]

Originally Posted by Lil4X

New Orleans is not just beautiful, it is our nation’s third largest port and is unique among our cities as being at once European, Southern, and All-American.

I agree with the port part, but beautiful? It was a smelly, poor, unsafe, corrupt, ugly DUMP before this tragedy. I'm sure it WILL be rebuilt, with some massively different engineering than is in place today. Personally I think they should just dredge it all out, flood it permanently and move the giant port to higher ground.

[Lyrical]

Well, what happens when you build a city thats under sea level...I guess we can answer it with the past events....

There might not be another hurricane for months, or even years, but eventually there'll be another one...

[RON430]

Without getting into the question of whether NO waa beautiful or not. whatever it once was has changed quite a bit. I have relatives in Alabama and it is wonderful how most of the country just shakes their head at what goes on in Cali. But I can tell you that if this was going on in Cali, they would be rushing to plug the levees. Not to begin pumping but to contain the hazardous dump that is now NO. That liquid that is filling NO is not water and would not be pumped into the ocean here. After the water is treated for the sewage and hazardous waste that it is, it could be disposed of. Then the soil and much of the structures would have to be covered and hauled to a hazardous waste disposal site. Extreme? Maybe, but beside land cost there are other reasons why building in Cali is expensive. After looking at some property in the South you see some interesting differences. I think MS has no state building codes at all while LA and AL have state codes but they are not mandatory. There are some city codes but enforcement is no where near what it is out here. A large earthquake will have big impact here but I have been through up to a 7.3 and only older structures were a real problem and no one died in a single family home. Why do I bring this up? Whatever NO was, it isn't anymore. And another big hurricane will strike one day, maybe next week - hurricane season is not over. Exactly what our tax dollars should go for ( and go for over and over again in the future) shouldn't be committed for anything other than the best uses. I am not convinced that the current site of NO is the best place for people to live. I could care less about "tourists" and those who want to party in old buildings, large numbers of people should live in safe places. We have several cities vulnerable to natural disaster and there is little will to do much about it. NO may have a once in a millenia opportunity to make itself over and that may involve not building in areas that are just too vulnerable. If they are smart, they will take full advantage of it.

We have several examples in the past of cities being devastated and being rebuilt, Galveston is just one. Chicago's fire, Jamestown's flood, SF earthquake, - and all were rebuilt. But maybe not exactly as they were before and I have no idea what amount of federal money was used and what amount of private money was used. It is evident that NO is a very poor city - unfortunate, but true. And I won't belabor this but FL had multiple hurricane strikes last year with extreme devastation and as far as I know, no one shot at rescue helicopters. Maybe we are seeing some of that reflected in the poll. For now, let's just save the living and take the time to sort out what to do carefully, fix our ridiculous emergency system, and hopefully convict a few vermin.

[WhiteTiger]

I apologize, in a bit of a hurry and didn't read the previous posts. But was talking to someone the other night and when you think about, in true realist terms, he came up with a great idea.


If you're gonna rebuild, dredge the Mississippi or Gulf Port and build the city up another 10, 15, or 20 feet. Whatever is required to ensure that it doesn't sit below sea level, becomes a productive Port again, and gives it some security against against future storms.

The homes and buildings that were below sea level are surely ruined. And the tall structures could just fill in the 1st couple of floors and then re-model the 3rd, 4th, 5th floor to make it the entrance or lobby. I'm not an engineer, but why not use the cards that God/Nature has dealt and then make the best positive out of a negative situation.

[RobSoVIP]

Originally Posted by Lil4X

New Orleans is not just beautiful, it is our nation’s third largest port and is unique among our cities as being at once European, Southern, and All-American. It is the home of a number of strains of American music, cuisine, and culture. It deserves to be rebuilt. This time, better.

When a killer hurricane struck Galveston in 1900, it left over 10,000 dead and the town devastated. At the time, Galveston was a major port and rail center, and until that September 8th, was a major resort as well. Galveston had a problem – it was built on a barrier island. It was a sand spit that stood only about 6 feet above high tide. When the storm surge receded, hardly one brick was left on another. People said it shouldn’t be rebuilt.

Two projects saved the island. First a seawall about 17 feet high and 60 blocks long was constructed of granite blocks. Behind the seawall, sand was pumped to raise the city between one and 17 feet. This required houses, buildings, even sewers and utilities to be raised as well.

In the years since, the seawall has saved Galveston Island on several occasions. The engineering and construction project required to accomplish this was massive. It took nearly 20 years to accomplish, and it wasn’t always pretty, but the result was beautiful, and it showed what can be done to save a city.

I believe the same or better could be done to save the City and the Port of New Orleans.

Just a note, they are actually the 4th largest port , The Port of Houston is now the nations 3rd largest... ( I work for the Houston Port Authority... )


Ohh, and the Seawall certainly has helped us down here... but if this storm would have hit us, we would have still gotten close to 18' of water on the island. Lets put it this way... my house would be GONE. ( I have a house on the island )

[bitkahuna]

Originally Posted by WhiteTiger

... If you're gonna rebuild, dredge the Mississippi or Gulf Port and build the city up another 10, 15, or 20 feet. Whatever is required to ensure that it doesn't sit below sea level, becomes a productive Port again, and gives it some security against against future storms. ...

Hey Ed, we agree on this one! Quote from my post above yours...

Originally Posted by bitkahuna

... Personally I think they should just dredge it all out, flood it permanently and move the giant port to higher ground.

[RobSoVIP]

the problem there is the dirt that they are dredging isn't really good for building on. The second major problem is that the Mississippi naturally creates deltas, making it very difficult to maintain any sort of dredging. We have the same problem here in Houston / Galveston. Galveston was built up by dredging a piece of land rich in clay, which is now a small bay off Galveston / West Bay known as Offats Bayou. New Orleans really does not have any land like that.

[silkiechic]

Sorry this is going to be a short and bland post but to be postitive. Hey, it is a chance to make major improvements. Like way back when when seattle was burnt down by the big fire and had to be rebuilt. They raised the street level a whole floor and the city became what it is today. Despite the tragedity, I always think that thinking positive and planning for the future will help scars heal.

[O. L. T.]

The last option is a BS option. Either you want to rebuild or you don't. prioritizing is irrelevant.

[tmf2004]

Well, they definitely need to help the people first. Building a new New Orleans is shouldn't even be a option right now... These people need help, food, medicine, clothes, and most of all a new place to live.. Its been 7 days now and there is still people that are trapped there... Of course the degenerets that are looting need to be shot of course... There's always someone trying to take advantage of a terrible situation....even the cops are steeling in Walmart.... what gives

President bush needs to get his thumb out of his ass and start being a president. He must have a IQ of 50 because his choice of words to the american public are that of a 12 yr old.

Now we have to pay for something that was caused by mother nature such as these gas prices.. we are suffering also.. Just my 0.02

T