[StBernard] LRA approves St. Bernard Redistribution Plan

[Westley Annis]

LRA approved St. Bernard Parish's plan to redevelop 

one-third of Katrina-damaged residential properties

Closings on the first Lot Next Door Properties could be in a few weeks

 

The Louisiana Recovery Authority this week approved the redistribution plan
by St. Bernard Parish for storm-damaged properties assumed by the state.


St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro told the Louisiana Recovery
Authority officials at their meeting Wednesday that he expects to get back
between 4,000 and 5,000 of 26,121 flood-damaged Road Home properties that
had been surrendered to the state's Louisiana Land Trust Corp. The number,
if it reaches original projections, could be almost 8,000 properties.

The LRA approved the St. Bernard Parish plan for dispensing of Road Home
properties, starting with more than 3,000 demolished housing units. Like
other parish officials, Taffaro presented the LRA with St. Bernard's plan
for utilizing the Road Home properties, including drainage, public entity
use, creation of public recreation areas and "green space."

The "Lot Next Door" program in St. Bernard will allow adjacent neighbors
first-refusal rights for the purchase of adjacent trust properties.

Taffaro said the parish has received more than 1,300 applications for "Lot
Next Door" properties but there have been no closings. 

 

"The idea of having more space returns St. Bernard to the 1960s and '70s,"
Taffaro said. "Our challenge is to make sure we grow the quality of our
community to maintain the current economic needs of St. Bernard Parish."



If you are interest in purchasing an LLT/Parish property adjacent to your
home, please call 278-4470 or email tmenard at sbpg.net
<mailto:tmenard at sbpg.net>  with the address of the lot. Parish government
will request that these properties are prioritized and included in the early
transfers.



This program is NOT a first come, first serve program. Adjacent property
owners will have first right of refusal. There is no need to come in person
if lines are busy. 

 

Rear adjoining properties will be handled on a case by case basis with
plenty of notification before the parish begins taking information.

 

Right now the priority is focusing on lots of neighbors who want to buy the
homes next door. Once the properties are cleared for disposition, the parish
will mail information to the interested adjacent property owners. If they
opt not to purchase the property, it will be bundled for potential
redevelopment in different lot sizes. 

 

Please monitor media reports and the parish website at www.sbpg.net
<http://www.sbpg.net/>  for updates.





###