[StBernard] After loss of LeBeau Plantation, Old Arabi's future discussed at forum

[Westley Annis]

After loss of LeBeau Plantation, Old Arabi's future discussed at forum
Print Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune By Benjamin
Alexander-Bloch, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune 
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on December 10, 2013 at 9:10 PM, updated December 10, 2013 at 9:53 PM

While lamenting the loss of what most called one of the community's
most-cherished assets, Old Arabi residents on Tuesday night gathered to
assess the best ways to beautify their neighborhood and attract new
residents.

And throughout, the loss of the LeBeau Plantation last month was a major
talking point; residents called it a blow to revitalization efforts both for
Arabi and for St. Bernard as a whole, which still only has about half its
pre-Hurricane Katrina population.

For decades, the LeBeau Plantation, near the border with New Orleans and a
stone's throw to the Mississippi River, represented a promising draw for the
parish.

While previous conversations often involved how the former plantation could
help draw development to Arabi's riverfront, the loss of that landmark
helped drive the focus of Old Arabi revitalization on Tuesday more toward
the St. Claude corridor.

"We're talking St. Claude being primary," architect David Waggonner said.
"We are not so much talking the riverfront as we thought before. ... We had
that asset there that is gone."

The landmark plantation, built in the 1850s as one of the largest
plantations south of New Orleans, burned to the ground on Nov. 22 after
seven men, apparently looking for ghosts, set it on fire.

Still, despite all the what-ifs manifested by that loss, a couple of dozen
Old Arabi residents gathered on Tuesday evening to hear about potential
options in their community, using about $2.7 million in federal Community
Development Block Grant money. Everything from tree planting and artwork in
neutral grounds, to expanding and improving sidewalks, to adding more light
fixtures and signage, was discussed.

Aron Chang, an architectural designer with Waggonner & Ball Architects,
discussed St. Claude Avenue as a gateway into Old Arabi and about ways to
differentiate the historic community from other areas of St. Bernard.

"Not to say it is entirely different, but to say Old Arabi is a special
place in and of itself," Chang said.

He then listed several new features that "are bringing new momentum" to the
area: Studio Inferno moving to the old Arabi theater, Aycock Barn,
restaurants such as Old Arabi Eats, the soon-to-be opened Maumus Center
planetarium, and the new Old Arabi Sugar Museum, among others.

State Rep. Ray Garofalo, R-Meraux, mentioned efforts to bring a streetcar
into St. Bernard.

"This is pie in the sky thinking, but you kind of have to think pie in the
sky to make things happen," Garofalo said.

He said he has held two meetings with the New Orleans Regional Transit
Authority. He said the RTA "is in favor of it, because they want the RTA to
come to Arabi again."

Councilman Ray Lauga said the "hardest part would be getting the streetcar
down to the Lower 9th Ward. Then, getting it to St. Bernard is nothing."

Garafalo said he plans to go "to the feds to try and get some money to
finance it."