Media Clips

Federal city inspire shope in Algiers
Times-Picayune Article
Wednesday, October 5, 2008
RE: Federal City Groundbreaking Ceremony held September 30, 2008.
By Melinda Morris

The federal city groundbreaking on Tuesday produced more politicians than you could wave a flag at.

A dozen politicians and military leaders spoke to the crowd under a cloudless blue sky and the Navy band entertained before and after the ceremony. A bank of cameras rolled as several big names in Louisiana politics stuck shovels festooned with red, white and blue ribbons into the ceremonial soil.

But there were plenty of regular folks gathered under the tent at the Naval Support Activity in Algiers, too.

"Oh honey, we hope this brings development to the community," said Anna Burrell, president of the Tunisburg Square Homeowners Civic Association, which represents the McClendonville neighborhood near the base.

"We've been neglected for a lot of years."

Her friend and colleague, Beryl Ragas, president of the Algiers Riverview Association, agreed.

The street fronting the base, Gen. Meyer Avenue, becomes Newton Street, what was once the main street of Old Algiers.

It's hard to believe now, but Ragas said it was once a thriving corridor with all kinds of shops -- florists, grocers, butchers, seafood merchants -- "whatever we needed."

But now, there is no supermarket and no service station in Old Algiers, she said.

"We have to leave the community for everything."

Federal city, with its $150 million investment from the state, could be the catalyst to make Newton Street what it once was.
"It's a rebirth," Ragas said.

Speakers at the event on Tuesday said they envisioned that rebirth happening, forecasting new retail, recreational opportunities and tie-ins with local schools.

Dot O'Very of the Algiers Point Association, said she hopes the project will "revitalize the whole Algiers area."

O'Very, who also works on the base at the Navy clinic, said she was amazed at the turnout for the ceremony and thought the attendance of "regular citizens and civic groups" was one of the best parts.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., praised community involvement in helping save the base when the Base realignment and Closure Commission was deciding which locations to close.

"This whole community stepped up," she said.

Bobbie Whiddon, whose husband was stationed at the base as supervisor of ship building from 1995 to 1998, is cautiously hopeful about the future of federal city. She said that "it's a shame to see the Navy pull out of New Orleans."

The Naval Reserves is moving its headquarters from the base to Norfolk, Va., but the Marine Corps presence will grow in Algiers at federal city. So far, it's the only confirmed tenant there.

"You want to see something good happen at the base. It's a good resource for the community," Whiddon said.
"It has such an opportunity to boost the whole West Bank."