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In the midst of rebuilding, going green
Part of a plan to recover the devastation in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward, the houses will be environmentally friendly and offered to those who lost theirs to Katrina.
By STACEY PLAISANCE
Published May 19, 2007
NEW ORLEANS Developers in this city's devastated Lower 9th Ward began construction in early May on an environmentally friendly new home, based on the winning design in a competition started by actor Brad Pitt. The home will be made with energy-saving materials such as metal roofing and recycled textiles. The first house is expected to be completed in August, around the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. "Hopefully this can be a model for the level of redevelopment that can be done here, " said Matt Petersen, president and CEO of Global Green USA, the environmental group working with Pitt on the project. Global Green plans to sell the homes and plans to give preference to former residents of the Lower 9th Ward's Holy Cross neighborhood, where the homes are being constructed. "I'm crying out for one of our leaders to really make this a priority, " Pitt said in a statement. Pitt has contributed $100, 000 to help underwrite the contest and another $100, 000 to help cover contest prize money. The winning plan includes designs for about a half-dozen single-family housing units, 18 apartments, a community center and play area. Details are online at global green.org.
[Last modified May 18, 2007, 11:36:52]
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