The need for a Resilient Housing Plan is dramatically revealed each hurricane season. Unfortunately, for communities that find themselves dealing with the aftermath of a destructive storm, making a plan can't wait for the next disaster. The motivation to help cities, counties and parishes produce a Resilient Housing Plan is apparent in the too often repeated situation of a municipality being unprepared for a disaster and thousands of people being left without the leadership, assurance and financial assistance that they need in the challenging work to repair and rebuild lost and damaged housing.
After securing a grant from Smart Home America funded by US EPA, Planning & Zoning has contracted the Louisiana-based consulting firm Desire Line, LLC to develop a Community Resilience Housing Plan. The goal of the Resilient Housing Plan can be simply explained in three statements: reduce damage and loss of current housing; effectively apply for, receive and use funding after a storm; and, improve planning and building standards for new and renovated housing to reduce damage and loss in future storms.
Utilizing a Conservation and Restoration Partnership Award from the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, St. John the Baptist Parish will plan, design, and restore Sunset Park to include rip rap for the first layer of shoreline protection, backfill bank stabilization, and the planting of native marshland plants to further stabilize the northern portion of the park.
The objectives of the restoration include:
- Restore 1.5 acres on the western side of Pass Manchac to include 650 linear feet of shoreline protection measures.
- Plant native tree, grass, and flowering species.
- Conduct public outreach with stakeholders, residents, local fishermen, and businesses.
New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (NORPC) Preparing Path to Zero Safety Action Plan for Tangipahoa, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany Parishes
The New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (NORPC) is proud to announce the development of a Path to Zero Safety Action Plan. This transformative initiative aims to revolutionize transportation safety in Tangipahoa, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany Parishes.
Purpose and Vision: The Path to Zero Safety Action Plan is a collaborative effort driven by NORPC, Parish Administration, and community stakeholders. Its primary goal is bold and ambitious: to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways. By implementing specific, data-informed, and proven transportation safety countermeasures and strategies, we envision a future where every journey is safe, secure, and free from preventable harm.
Funding and Support: This visionary plan is made possible through a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The SS4A program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and its goals of zero roadway deaths using a Safe System Approach.
Public Engagement: We invite all residents, businesses, and organizations in Tangipahoa, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany Parishes to actively participate in shaping this transformative plan.
Learn more at: https://norpcsafestreets.mysocialpinpoint.com/
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Interactive Map: Visit our website and explore the interactive map. Share your ideas by marking up the map with safety suggestions and improvements.
- Survey Participation: Take our survey to provide valuable insights. Your feedback will directly guide the development of plan goals, priorities, infrastructure projects, and recommended strategies.
- Team members will be visiting area libraries, grocery stores, festivals, and farmers markets to tell community members about the Path to Zero Safety Action Plan and gather their input. Event locations will be posted on the website.
Plan Components: The Path to Zero Safety Action Plan will encompass the following elements required by the SS4A grant program:
- Data-Driven Approach: Our strategies are informed by comprehensive data analysis to identify high-risk areas.
- Safe Infrastructure: Upgrading roadways, intersections, and pedestrian crossings to meet the highest safety standards.
- Education and Outreach: Launching targeted campaigns to educate people who drive, walk, or bike about safe practices.
- Community Engagement: Engaging residents, schools, businesses, and advocacy groups to foster a culture of safety.
We encourage everyone to join us in this critical endeavor and contribute their insights.
Next Steps: The planning team, comprised of Volkert, Inc, ATG|DCCM, Urban Systems, Inc., Grey Engineering, Svaapta Group, and the UNO Transportation Institute will use input from the public and their technical analyses to prepare the Path to Zero Safety Action Plan. A draft report is anticipated in Fall 2024.
To learn more about the project, please visit: https://norpcsafestreets.mysocialpinpoint.com/
Or contact us at: NORPCSafeStreets@gmail.com