CONTACT:
Karen Turni Bazile, Executive Assistant to the President
St. Bernard Parish
504-278-4280 or 504-874-0980
St. Bernard
Housing, Redevelopment and Quality of Life Commission votes to
create open green space in center of Village Square neighborhood
Property to be bought through grants
The St. Bernard Housing, Redevelopment and
Quality of Life Commission voted Wednesday to restrict
redevelopment for construction to create an open green space
area in the center of the Village Square neighborhood in
Chalmette.
Only the perimeter of the once densely populated neighborhood of
multi-family structures will be allowed to be redeveloped, said
St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro Jr., who is
chairman of the commission.
“It potentially gives us site control over one of our most
difficult blighted areas in St. Bernard,” Taffaro said.
The commission voted to allow redevelopment on the northern side
of Oak Tree Lane, the eastern side of Southern Place, the
southern side of Plantation Drive and the western side of De La
Ronde Drive from the commercial strip to Oak Tree.
Buildings can be constructed only on that perimeter. Everything
on the interior will be designated as open space, Taffaro said.
The matter will come before the Parish Council as well.
Taffaro said the affected properties will be acquired through
Hazard Mitigation and Community Development Block Grants. About
$6 million is available for the voluntary acquisitions.
