L9- Environmental Learning + Research Center

L9

THE

a collaboration between

The Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development and

The Tulane City Center and

LSU Urban Landscape Lab

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING + RESEARCH CENTER

DRAFT 1 VISIONING DOCUMENT

“With the help of good people, and the resilience of the brave, anything is possible.�

Pam Dashiell

L9

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INTRO

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LARGE SCALE MEDIUM SCALE SMALL SCALE

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PHASING 1_USGBC CLASSROOM 2_SITE WORK 3_L9ELRC MAIN BUILDING 4_VIEWING PLATFORM EXTENSION 5_WETLAND PARK 6_BAYOU TRAIL

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OUTRO

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A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE LOWER 9th ward The L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center (L9ELRC) New Orleans

Florida Avenue

In an effort to establish long-term sustainability, resilience and vitality for the community, the Lower Ninth Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development (CSED) has teamed up with the Tulane City Center and the LSU Urban Landscape Lab to propose the L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center, aiming to centralize community leadership, organize community outreach and connect visitors with their natural and built surroundings.

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The Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development (CSED) is a community-based nonprofit that supports residents of the Lower Ninth Ward through education, civic engagement, sustaining of natural systems, community leadership training and preservation of natural resources. The goal is the re-creation, education and repopulation of a strong community, mindful of its resources and vulnerabilities, with an engaged citizenry that is active, resilient, prosperous, and energy independent.

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with its subsequent failure of the federal levee system left the Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood of New Orleans, situated between the Mississippi River, the Industrial Canal and Bayou Bienvenue devastated and its population decimated.

The Center’s main goal is to capture the attention and imagination of the local and extended population, fostering civic engagement and becoming a regional destination as well as an economic incubator for a neighborhood in the process of recovery. The main building’s proposed site is strategically located at the corner of Florida and Caffin Avenues directly opposite of Bayou Bienvenue Triangle, a former cypress swamp destroyed by saltwater intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico through the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

Bayou Bienvenue Triangle aerial view

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“

Our goal: the re-creation and repopulation of a strong community, mindful of its resources and vulnerabilities, with an engaged citizenry that is active, resilient, prosperous, energy independent and beautiful as possible.�

-Arthur Johnson, CEO/CSED

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RESILIENCY - SUSTAINABILITY - EDUCATION

Objective 1 Research, identify and implement a community network design to incorporate water education and water management information relative to the project.

Objective 2 Establish a community network system and database to disseminate and gather water education information relative to community needs i.e. information relative to managing storm water runoff to decrease flooding from poor drainage.

Objective 3 Utilize CSED networks and supporters to educate Lower Nine neighborhoods and other communities to invest in water management and instill best practices in utilizing water retention and infiltration on their properties.

Objective 4 Identify homeowners to perform quality, costeffective water management upgrades for suitable sites in Lower Nine neighborhoods and other communities.

“The water where [we] c celebrate...cul art; to play a

r’s edge is can gather to lture, festivals, and to rest.�

LMS

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REGIONAL CASE STUDIES The importance of the L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center (L9ELRC) for the region is supported by a series of recently completed projects featuring similar goals and agendas. With a specific focus on ecology, education and research the buildings showcase community engagement, ample research facilities and interior and exterior educational components, comparable to the envisioned program of the L9ELRC.

HILLTOP ABORETUM LSU Baton Rouge, LA outdoor laboratory, student research and classroom extension

39571 INFOWASH Delisle, MS laundromat/ community meeting

SHANGRI-LA Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, Orange,Tx nature discovery center, restaurant/cafe

Hilltop Aboretum Baton Rouge, LA

Turtle Cove

Manchac, LA

InfoWash Delisle, MS

Shangri La

Botanical Garden and Nature Center Orange, TX

Proposed Site

LMS

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NEW ORLEANS The City of New Orleans is uniquely situated in the Mississippi River Delta, surrounded by wetlands, bayous and marshes and relying on the natural infrastructural systems for storm surge protection and proper drainage. Since the closing of the Mississippi River Gulf outlet and improved flood protection, lower lying neighborhoods such as the Lower Ninth Ward have a chance to reach their goals of complete recovery, revitalization and repopulation.

Proposed Site

City of New Orleans

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“We are returning and rebuilding our community and I believe that economic development is an important mechanism to encourage other residents to return home to the Lower Ninth Ward.”

--Pam Dashiell

LMS

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L9 AND THE BAYOU BIENVENUE TRIANGLE The proposal for the L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center reinvestigates the urban condition along the lowest edge of the Lower 9th Ward. The neighborhood is bound by the Mississippi River to the South, the Industrial Canal to the West and Bayou Bienvenue Triangle to the north, a former Cypress swamp decimated through saltwater intrusion from the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (now closed). The last eastward expansion of the city, the Lower 9th Ward holds a rich tradition of neighborhood culture and community activism immersed in a network of complex natural and manmade systems. Despite the devastation many community members advocate for a sustainable long-term recovery effort preserving the resources at hand. The continued revitalizion of the neighborhood through rebuilding efforts will stabilize the community and stimulate engagement while reclaiming the natural habitat of the bayou. Simultaneously it will help protect the city from future storm surges and provide a valuable amenity to the population.

Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Loss

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1976

post-Katrina vacancy 1998

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A CONNECTION TO THE BAYOU In early 2008 CSED partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Madison on restoration research and the University of Colorado at Denver to build the Bayou Bienvenue Triangle Viewing Platform. The structure has played a vital role in reconnecting residents, volunteers and tourists with the Lower 9th Ward’s natural surroundings. Yet the platform remains the only elevated structure to observe and survey the bayou and its surroundings and remains separated by a levee and train tracks from the rest of he neighborhood.

LMS

Bayou Bienvenue Triangle Viewing Plaform

The future building site is situated across from the platform, bordering Florida and Caffin Avenues and Lamanche Street, a large T-shaped lot owned by CSED. properties along Bayou Bienvenue existing infrastructure along the Bayou Bienvenue Triangle

The proximity to the existing platform and the bayou proves to be an ideal location to re-establish connection with the surrounding ecology. It also provides opportunity to physically and programmatically expand on the existing platform configuration and create economic and recreational opportunities for local residents.

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phasing dates

PROJECTED TIMELINE

Project Timeline 2014

Phase 1

Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4

Phase 5

Phase 6

2015

2016

2017

2018

In order to successfully sequence fundraising efforts and establish a manageable timeline, the project is broken down in a series of phases, each designed to allow for a maximum amount of flexibility regarding constructability and implementation. While the first phase, a modular classroom, is expected to be placed on site in early 2015 to kickstart the development, subsequent phases are envisioned to be realized thereafter, with the L9ELRC building and all related exterior programming formulating the next steps. A wetland park along the shores of the bayou and connecting bike trail would conclude the project.

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PROJECT PHASING Phase 2.3

Phase 6 Bayou Trail

Boundary Definition/Education

Phase 5 Phase 2.2

Phase 1 - Modular Classroom

Phase 4

Wetland Demonstration

Phase 2.1 Screened Outdoor Event

Phase 3

Wetland Park

Platform Extension

L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center

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1

classroom placement

peel and stick PV mats standing seam roof

permanent decking and rail

metal mesh screen metal gutter/water collection

123456 ENVIRONMENTAL CLASSROOM

Phase One is comprised of a modular education facility designed by Eskew+Dumez+Ripple in conjunction with the US Green Building Council and the Tulane City Center. The project will be presented during the Fall 2014 GreenBuild conference in New Orleans and shortly after be placed on the site.

The classroom will serve as an initiator for the future development on the site. It features interior and exterior storage opportunities for research and exploration, seating for up to 20 people, additional desk space, a kitchenette and a small bathroom. Being constructed out of donated materials, it is scheduled to showcase a series of sustainable features such as water collection for redistribution throughout the site and photo-voltaic panels for energy generation.

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permanent deck

restroom storage

mesh screen plan

suspended lighting mesh screen ribbon window

water collection sections

classroom

kitchen

infrastructure program diagram

entry

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temporary/permanent site work

screening devices

wetland demonstration plots

outdoor screening and shading device/ temporary walkway

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123456 INTERMEDIATE SITE WORK

Phase Two includes a series of smaller scale temporary and permanent interventions in anticipation of the construction of the L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center. The implementation of these interventions could be sequenced or happen simultaneously, depending on demand and funding strategies.

A lattice shading and screening device will attach to the modular classroom and create a covered, protected outdoor space for events and additional seating.

Wetland demonstration plots will be placed in the center key lot and serve as anchors for growing and researching wetland plants using water collected from the L9 Center and modular classroom roofs. Vegetated fences will create privacy for the neighbors while shielding the demonstration plots.

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The area along Florida Avenue will feature a temporary pathway to the classroom and additional education growing areas in place until the construction of the L9CELRC is completed.

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main building placement

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123456 L9ELRC - MAIN BUILDING

The L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center’s main building will occupy the northern portion of site in the form of a long rectangle along Florida Avenue. The two-story building features a folded roof for water collection purposes and is scheduled to house educational and research program components. Visitors will enter the lobby from Florida Avenue after parking at a nearby shaded parking area or coming from the bus stop at the corner of Florida and Caffin Avenues.

From here occupants can access a variety of programmatic elements, from offices to gallery/cafe areas and the rear yard with a covered event space connected to the modular classroom. Water catchment/ redistribution systems, wetland demonstration plots and other eductional components complete the agenda.

view from key lot towards outdoor event space

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Back Elevation

Rear Elevation

Florida Avenue Elevation

Back Elevation

The second floor of the L9 Learning Center contains offices and laboratory space for research. It also features an expandable auditorium opening onto a terrace with visual access to the Bayou Bienvenue Triangle.

Florida Elevation

Florida Elevation

view from lobby towards outdoor event space

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Second Floor Program 1 conference 2 laboratories/research 3 auditorium 4 covered outdoor event space

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Second Floor Plan

Florida Avenue

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Caffin Avenue

Ground Floor Program 1 entrance 2 gallery 3 CSED offices 4 Offices 5 rest rooms 6 kitchen 7 cafe 8 bus stop 9 wetland demonstration plots 10 modular classroom 11 covered outdoor event space

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Ground Floor Plan

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platform location

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123456 BAYOU BIENVENUE TRIANGLE PLATFORM EXTENSION

The connection to Bayou Bienvenue will be further strengthened by extending and elongating the current viewing platform. A covered outdoor classroom and kayak launching dock will be added along the shores of the bayou to allow for larger groups to experience ecology and environment.

Kayaks can be stored and also rented out to visitors and local residents alike, providing important opportunity for economic incubation.

The dock will serve as a focal point for recreational activities for the neighborhood, making Bayou Bienvenue and its surrounding context accessible and legible and highlighting the importance of the bayou for the neighborhood as a source of wildlife and vegetation.

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park extent

shallow land 40%

shallow water 40%

Ideal Constructed Wetland Composition

WETLAND PARK

In an effort to draw attention to environmental education CSED and the Tulane City Center have teamed up with the LSU Urban Landscape Lab to put together a proposal for the currently undeveloped green space across from the L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center site along Florida Avenue and adjacent to Bayou Bienvenue Triangle.

total runoff from 1� rainfall: 2,374,594 cubic ft

deep pools: 10%

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forebay 10-20%

The design envisions the land to perform as water collection and storage infrastructure through the utilization of a sequence of different wetland systems.

Water naturally drains towards this lowest area within the Lower Ninth Ward. The scheme envisions a forebay and settling pond near Tupelo St at the east end of the site allowing water to collect before it naturally drains towards the southwest corner of Bayou Bienvenue Triangle.

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path slow and clean store L9 Research Center Tupelo St main water line

Wetland Park programmatic layers

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123456 The Wetland Park will be informed by a series of programmatic insertions intended to enhance recreation and education for the surrounding community.

Traveling on walking trails the visitors will be introduced to multi-step wetland restoration and visible water management infrastructure such as retention ponds and water flow control structures. Educational outdoor laboratories allow for hands-on teaching while strategically implemented local ecological systems aid in filtering and slowing down water flow towards the outfall pond near the pumping station on the west end of the site.

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shaded parking L9 Learning and Research Center

waterflow control structure outdoor classroom/ kayak rental

bottomland forest

existing platform

marsh boardwalk

forebay/ settling pond wastewater treatment plant

outfall pond/stormwater retention pump station

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6 Bayou Bienvenue Triangle trail layout

123456 BAYOU BIENVENUE TRIANGLE TRAIL

As a final component to the overall phasing strategy a pedestrian and bike trail will loop around the Bayou Bienvenue Triangle and connect the L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center as well as the Wetland Park to the local ecology. Users will be able to view Bayou Bienvenue and the surrounding context from a multitude of different perspectives while gaining a deep and immediate understanding of its complex natural systems and habitats. Exercise stations and shaded resting points along the way will provide moments of lingering and rest as the visitors observe the successful restoration of the bayou’s water quality and its cypress vegetation over time.

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L9ELRC

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MOVING FORWARD “The city was always one of the world’s most vulnerable; that is what makes rebuilding it such an extraordinary opportunity for learning. If we can make New Orleans a secure place for the 21st century, we can make every coastal city secure.”

--Alan Atkisson

The main goals of the L9 Environmental Learning and Research Center are to foster environmental education and research and re-connect local citizens with Bayou Bienvenue. Over time New Orleans and the extended region have lost connectivity to its surrounding bodies of water, mainly due to the implementation of flood protection systems along its perimeters. The loss of valuable wetlands and the destruction of native cypress forests in the bayou due to the influx of saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico has created an alarming scenario for the local ecology and communities alike.

Making Bayou Bienvenue accessible to residents and regional visitors alike while allowing for the ecology to restore will be an important component for the economic and social revitalization of the neighborhood.

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The realization of the proposed multi-phased project is not possible without strong partnerships in the community and region. While CSED in conjunction with the Tulane City Center continues to strengthen community ties and expand community outreach, it will be crucial to the success of the project to secure additional partnerships and find both regional and national support for the project.

For more information, please feel free to contact: CSED at ajohnson@sustainthenine.org TCC at tulanecitycenter@gmail.com

Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development Arthur Johnson Bill Waiters Charles Allen Rachel Pickens Kathy Muse Tulane City Center Maurice Cox Nick Jenisch Jenga Mwendo Cordula Roser Gray Matt Skoda Sam Naylor

CSED CEO Board Chair Board Member Staff Staff TCC Director Project Manager Engagement Manager Project Architect Intern Summer Fellow

Louisiana State University Urban Landscape Lab LSU Elizabeth Mossop Landscape Architect Ryan Benton Graduate Student Eskew+Dumez+Ripple EDR Amanda Rivera Project Manager Travis Kalina Designer Special Thanks Emilie Taylor TCC 2014 Public Design Fellows

L9 Environmental Research and Learning Center a project of CSED, TCC and LSU