My first question is: is this neighborhood being evaluated for consideration as (or is it already) a National Register District? Given the potential significance and cultural association (newly freed African-American slaves, self-made infrastructure and architectural significance, etc.), I would think that this would be a shoo-in.

The next consideration would be the context of the street and sidewalk. While the city has to improve sewer systems, destroying the brickwork and substituting it with "interesting, attractive designs" essentially destroys the historic fabric of the district, destroys the landscape, and could potentially reduce the historic significance of these community-made infrastructural units. The streets and trolley lines significantly contribute to this historic fabric, and aid in the cultural identification of this community.

Community involvement is key. Establishing Community Action Coalitions, polling the residents and getting petitions signed, and making the residents aware of the historical significance of their neighborhood is an extremely effective tool. If these government officials are elected to their offices, well....These are techniques that were used in New Orleans by the Department of Urban and Public Affairs (CUPA), University of New Orleans, in several African-American, lower-income historic neighborhoods. Try to contact Dr. Jane Brooks, resident expert of historic preservation at CUPA-UNO.


Hope this helps.

Meredith D. Hardy
Department of Anthropology
Florida State University





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