The Saints Come Marching Back to the Superdome
Even people who are not sports fans were tuned in to ESPN Monday night, September 25, to watch an amazing thing … well, maybe two amazing things. One was the New Orleans Saints, against all odds, stomping the Atlanta Falcons 23-3. Far more notable, though, of course, was the poignancy of the venue, the Louisiana Superdome, or, as many hand-held signs noted, "Home Sweet Dome."
The Superdome in New Orleans became an oft-aired icon of Katrina despair as the last-recourse shelter between August 28 and September 4, 2005, for an estimated 20,000 victims of the hurricane. In the aftermath of the wind, rain, flood, and occupation, the Dome was a shambles.
Designed by New Orleans architecture firm Curtin & Davis, the stadium—completed in 1972 in New Orleans' business district—can still claim the largest fixed dome in the world. After Katrina, though, it was unusable, and the Saints played their entire 2005 schedule elsewhere. Plans for tearing down the Dome and rebuilding stopped at the $600 million price tag. Rebuilding, estimated at $185 million, was questionable, too, especially with the possibility that the team would be moving elsewhere, a move the NFL put on hold as a message: New Orleans has a future.
The rapid renovation of this key New Orleans landmark was nothing short of miraculous, and the inescapable message is one of possibilities. The price tag for the phase-one restoration was about $186 million, with FEMA picking up $115, the state putting in $13, the NFL $15, and a district bond raising another $41 million. So: Is a symbol of recovery worth that kind of money when so many people are still without homes and a basic infrastructure? You'd have to ask the people who want their city back. Through the lens of the ESPN cameras, though, the answer seemed an unreserved "Yes!"
What do you think?
Comments (6)
It is now April 2008. New Orleans is still is disarray. The Dome is back. The convention center is operational. The people are still elsewhere. New Orleans was a home to the Blues, American Jazz, and the Superbowl. Unless a city has some reason for people to visit, few other can live there. The company that I work for provides technical assistance to public transportation systems that move people around without cars. Buses and trains move people and stimulate economic activity. the millions of dollars put back into NORTA was an essential move to get things moving again. The Superdome, even at twice the price, is an essential item for the city to have in order to have an functioning economy for residents to come back to.
We are coming back to New Orleans in June 2008 for our next annual conference partly to enjoy the great city that it is, and partly to spend a whole lot of money there in the hopes that in some small way we have helped revitalize a city stagnated by inaction of the nation when the first needs were first known.
Posted by Tuna Blogger | April 27, 2008 8:37 PM
Posted on April 27, 2008 20:37
A better symbol could have been a 186 million dollar levee.
Posted by Patrick Baechle | October 2, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on October 2, 2006 00:00
The poor soul sitting in his FEMA trailer was celebrating!
The reopening of the Dome was not only a monumental day for The Saints, but for the entire city of New Orleans. It showed progress, it reflected pride, it gave hope. The rebuilding of the Dome was crucial for the city on so many levels. The people saw its necessity, the therapy it would provide, and welcomed the spending. It was the first time since Katrina that New Orleans was broadcasted on TV in a positive way, showing the entire world that the heart and soul of the city still remains. The people of New Orleans were able to unite and show the world that they have not abandonned their city.
And so the world should not abandon New Orleans. Keep her in your thoughts, and any help you can continue to send is appreciated. Yes there is still much work to be done, but in the mean time, come visit, come to Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, spend money in our city and see for yourselves that The Spirit of New Orleans lives on.
Posted by Katie Hastings | October 2, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on October 2, 2006 00:00
186 million dollars... This is the cost of inspiration. It is worth it as long as it holds up to the next Category 3 Hurricane that blows into New Orleans and if it inspires real solutions and funding to help a geographically and politically challenged city.
ESPN covered the game in a balanced and thoughtful way. I was impressed by their messages that the city is a long way from being whole again and that the city and region still needs the nation's help.
Our church is sending two groups to the Katrina areas. One in October to New Orleans and one to Mississippi in November. I hope and pray that the people and politicians who watched the game are inspired to help a city that is worth preserving and sustainning in an intelligent way.
Posted by Eric Elizondo | September 29, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 29, 2006 00:00
I have mixed feelings about the renovation of the Superdome. How come the dome can be rebuilt so quick, and with help from FEMA, but the neighborhoods are still destroyed! It seems to me that America's priorities are the issue. FEMA can distribute money to repair a sports cathedral, but cannot seem to figure out a way to deliver campers/trailers to the displaced residents of New Orleans. Pop culture wins out again.
Posted by Joseph Taormina | September 29, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 29, 2006 00:00
My concerns are that FEMA spent $141 million to repair a structure that most of the people of new orleans cannot afford to use.
In my mind this was a fix for the rich, and although it could spur the economy in the area slightly as a symbol of normalcy, there are a lot of other issues in the area that need fixed before you will ever see people and businesses return. In short, I feel the money could have been better spent elsewhere.
I wonder what the poor soul who was sitting in his FEMA trailer was thinking as he saw the Monday night spectacle?
Posted by Robert Bevilacqua | September 29, 2006 12:00 AM
Posted on September 29, 2006 00:00