Holy Cross, New Orleans Explained

Holy Cross
Settlement Type:New Orleans Neighborhood
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Louisiana
Subdivision Type2:City
Subdivision Name2:New Orleans
Subdivision Type3:Planning District
Subdivision Name3:District 7, Bywater District
Pushpin Map:Louisiana
Pushpin Relief:y
Pushpin Map Caption:Map showing Holy Cross in Louisiana
Coordinates:29.9583°N -90.0178°W
Area Total Sq Mi:0.95
Area Land Sq Mi:0.68
Area Water Sq Mi:0.27
Elevation Ft:3
Population As Of:2010
Population Total:1226
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CST
Utc Offset1:-6
Timezone1 Dst:CDT
Utc Offset1 Dst:-5
Postal Code Type:ZIP Codes
Area Code:504

Holy Cross is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Lower Ninth Ward District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: St. Claude Avenue to the north, St. Bernard Parish to the east, the Mississippi River to the south and the Industrial Canal to the west.

Geography

Holy Cross is located at [1] and has an elevation of 3feet.[2] According to the United States Census Bureau, the district has a total area of 0.95mi2. 0.68mi2 of which is land and 0.27mi2 (28.42%) of which is water.

Adjacent neighborhoods

Boundaries

The City Planning Commission defines the boundaries of Holy Cross as these streets: St. Claude Avenue, St. Bernard Parish, the Mississippi River and the Industrial Canal.[3]

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,507 people, 1,982 households, and 1,315 families residing in the neighborhood.[4] The population density was 8,099 /mi2 (3,059 /km).

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,714 people, 1,040 households, and 642 families residing in the neighborhood.[4]

Holy Cross School

In 1849, the Congregation of the Holy Cross purchased what was once known as Reynes Farm and built St. Isidore's College, later known as the Holy Cross School, as an all-boys school. The surrounding neighborhood soon took its name from the school. The original campus at 4950 Dauphine Street was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, allowing the school to use FEMA funds to relocate to the Gentilly neighborhood. The historic building now stands abandoned and in danger of demolition by neglect. In August 2012, a portion of the old campus was sold to Perez Architects, which proposed building a 180-unit riverfront apartment complex and immediately applied for a zoning change to increase the height limitations. Opposition from residents arose because the proposed development would negatively impact the historic nature of the neighborhood and create increased density and traffic congestion. Supporters of the plan claimed the project, which also called for storefront and restaurant development, would bring jobs to the area. There has been no progress regarding restoration. The school's administration building has been placed on the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation's "Most Endangered Places List." The developer has withdrawn from the project and Perez does not have funds for needed repairs, including a new roof.[5] [6] [7]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  2. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. January 31, 2008. United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007.
  3. Web site: Holy Cross Neighborhood. Greater New Orleans Community Data Center. June 21, 2008.
  4. Web site: Holy Cross Neighborhood. Greater New Orleans Community Data Center.
  5. " History of Holy Cross School ." Holy Cross School. N.p., n.d. Web. March 21, 2013. .
  6. Mowbray, Rebecca. "Health clinic to open at former Holy Cross School campus." The Times-Picayune [New Orleans] June 29, 2013: np. nola.com. Web. March 20, 2013.
  7. Webster, Richard A."Redevelopment plan for former site of Holy Cross School faces neighborhood opposition." The Times-Picayune [New Orleans] February 26, 2013: n. pag. Nola.com. Web. March 20, 2013.