Desire Projects
Encyclopedia
Desire Projects is a neighborhood
and a former housing project
of the city of New Orleans
. A subdistrict of the Bywater District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Higgins Boulevard to the north, Alvar Street to the east, Florida Boulevard to the south and Desire Street, Oliver White Avenue, Pleasure Street and Piety Street to the west.
Historically one of the city's most crime-ridden areas, mass demolition and other efforts drastically reduced the crime occurring in the neighborhood. It was located across Florida avenue from the Florida Projects
. For its deplorable condition, it was known among locals as "Dirty D."
, the district has a total area of 0.22 mi2. 0.22 mi2 of which is land and 0 mi2 (0.00%) of which is water.
of 2000, there were 660 people, 189 households, and 162 families residing in the neighborhood. The population density
was 3,000 /mi² (1,100 /km²).
inundated the historically low lying area.
When it was built in 1949, several other buildings were cleared to make room, including the Hideaway Club, where Fats Domino
played regular gigs.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary announced that by July 2007, 100 of the eventual 500 houses would be built, as part of a development dubbed the "New Desire" or "Abundance Square." http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/06/new_desire_public_housing_to_o.html
New Orleans neighborhoods
In 1980 the New Orleans City Planning Commission divided the city into 13 planning districts and 72 distinct neighborhoods.While most of these assigned boundaries match with traditional local designations, some others differ from common traditional use...
and a former housing project
Housing Projects of New Orleans
The Housing Authority of New Orleans is a housing authority in New Orleans, Louisiana tasked with providing housing to low-income residents....
of the city of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. A subdistrict of the Bywater District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Higgins Boulevard to the north, Alvar Street to the east, Florida Boulevard to the south and Desire Street, Oliver White Avenue, Pleasure Street and Piety Street to the west.
Historically one of the city's most crime-ridden areas, mass demolition and other efforts drastically reduced the crime occurring in the neighborhood. It was located across Florida avenue from the Florida Projects
Florida Projects
Florida Projects is a neighborhood and a housing project of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Bywater District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Florida Boulevard to the north, Mazant Street to the east, North Dorgenois Street to the south and...
. For its deplorable condition, it was known among locals as "Dirty D."
Geography
Desire Projects is located at 29°59′21"N 90°01′55"W and has an elevation of 0 foot (0 m). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the district has a total area of 0.22 mi2. 0.22 mi2 of which is land and 0 mi2 (0.00%) of which is water.
Adjacent Neighborhoods
- Desire AreaDesire Area, New OrleansDesire Area is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Bywater District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Gentilly Boulevard to the north, the Industrial Canal to the east, Florida Boulevard, Alvar Street, Higgins Boulevard, Piety Street,...
(north, east & west) - Florida ProjectsFlorida ProjectsFlorida Projects is a neighborhood and a housing project of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Bywater District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: Florida Boulevard to the north, Mazant Street to the east, North Dorgenois Street to the south and...
(south)
Boundaries
The City Planning Commission defines the boundaries of Desire Projects as these streets: Higgins Boulevard, Alvar Street, Florida Boulevard, Desire Street, Oliver White Avenue, Pleasure Street and Piety Street.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 660 people, 189 households, and 162 families residing in the neighborhood. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,000 /mi² (1,100 /km²).
History
The Desire, which once had over 262 buildings, was completely torn down by 2003. Two of the original buildings were preserved for historical purposes. The area was in the midst of re-development and new construction when Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
inundated the historically low lying area.
When it was built in 1949, several other buildings were cleared to make room, including the Hideaway Club, where Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. is an American R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Creole was his first language....
played regular gigs.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary announced that by July 2007, 100 of the eventual 500 houses would be built, as part of a development dubbed the "New Desire" or "Abundance Square." http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/06/new_desire_public_housing_to_o.html