Magnolia Projects

The Magnolia Projects, officially the C.J. Peete Projects, is one of the Housing Projects of New Orleans.

view of a portion of C.J. Peete Projects, June, 2006

The project is among the largest, housing approximately 2,100 people. Located in the part of uptown New Orleans known as central city, it is bounded by Louisiana Avenue, South Claiborne Avenue, La Salle Street and Washington Avenue.

History

The first part of the project was constructed in 1941, with a major expansion in 1955. At its height, the Magnolia projects had 1403 units.

During the Jim Crow laws era of racial segregation, the city's main medical care facility for African-Americans, Flint Goodrich Hospital, was located here on Louisiana Avenue. The first three African American mayors of New Orleans were born at Flint Goodrich.

From 1952 through 1978, the manager was Cleveland Joseph Peete. In the 1980s and 1990s conditions in the projects declined severely. In 1998 demolition of portions of the projects began as part of a Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) revitalization plan. There are plans to redevelop the area along the lines of what had been done with the St. Thomas Projects.

In 2005, the majority of the project not yet demolished was vacant and fenced off, with only a portion still occupied, when the area flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (see: Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans). Redevelopment work has been delayed in the aftermath of the disastrous flood which devastated the majority of the city.

Crime problems

It is one of the most notoriously dangerous housing districts in the United States and ranks even globally. This section of New Orleans has a local crime rate higher than many full municipalities in the US and is a significant influence in New Orleans' extremely high murder rate. It is the murder capital.

Cultural contributions

The various New Orleans housing projects are most notable for being the launching ground for Bounce Music and New Orleans Rap. The careers of artists such as Soulja Slim, Juvenile, "Young City" , Turk, Ruda Real, 6-Shot, Mr. Marcello, and Brian "Baby" Williams had an early presence in this area. The district is usually affectionately referred to as The Magnolia, or The Nolia. Another possible nickname for these projects is the "MP3" meaning "Magnolia Projects--third ward." The Magnolia has been the scene of Juvenile's hit song "Nolia Clap", a dance inspired solely by the Magnolia Projects. The Magnolia Projects has also been home to sculptor Willie Birch. The park on La Salle in the Projects, A.L. Davis Park, has long been a frequent site of brass band parades, and an important gathering site for Mardi Gras Indians tribes. Under the old name of "Shakespere Park" (originally commemorating New Orleans mayor Joseph A. Shakspeare) it is mentioned in the lyrics of Professor Longhair and Papa Celestin.