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FEMA Section 106 Notices for Louisiana
"Public Notice Regarding Section 106 Review of the Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund’s (Tulane) Proposal to Demolish the Anthropology Building (U064), 1021 Audubon Street, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA - Seeking Public Comment"
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Public Notice Regarding Section 106 Review of the Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund’s (Tulane) Proposal to Demolish the Anthropology Building (U064), 1021 Audubon Street, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA - Seeking Public Comment


The high winds and heavy rains of Hurricanes Katrina and the subsequent widespread flooding damaged many buildings in Orleans Parish, including the Anthropology Building, 1021 Audubon Street, New Orleans, LA. In the aftermath of the hurricane, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing this public notice as part of its responsibilities under the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's (ACHP) regulations, 36 CFR Part 800, implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. This notice applies to activities carried out by the Public Assistance (PA) program implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C.§§ 5152-5206.

Tulane has determined that the repair of this damaged facility is not feasible due to the damages sustained from Hurricane Katrina and has requested that FEMA provide funds for the demolition of the Anthropology Building. The ACHP's regulations require FEMA, as the Federal funding agency, to identify if any of the properties that may be affected by this proposed demolition are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and to assess the effect the demolition will have on these properties. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) for standing structures is shown in Figure 1.

Link to PDF document containing images and figures

The Anthropology Building shown in Figure 2 is located within the Uptown National Register Historic District included as Figure 3. FEMA has determined, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), that the Anthropology Building is a contributing element to the Historic District because it falls within the district's period of significance (1820 - 1935) and represents an intact example of an early twentieth century apartment building. It is also representative of the development of this area of the Uptown neighborhood adjacent to the Tulane University campus, reflecting a period when most students lived off campus and walked to school.

Link to PDF document containing images and figures

In order to identify archaeological resources that may be affected by the proposed demolition and reconstruction, FEMA examined maps to identify the locations of previously recorded archaeological sites and any buildings that were located on the project site prior to the construction of the Anthropology Building. The historic maps indicate that the project area is located in a reclaimed marsh. Urban development in this vicinity dates after the 1920s. Based on its consultation of data provided by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), FEMA has determined that there are no known archaeological sites within 0.5 miles of the APE. The soils in the APE consist of Schriever Clay and organic and mineral deposits of Gulf Coast Deltaic Marsh. The Hardee's 1878 map of New Orleans included as Figure 4 shows much of this general area as undeveloped woods and marsh. The Mississippi River Commission Map of 1935 included as Figure 5 shows this area as a newly developing, sparsely populated area. The existing building is shown on the 1951 Sanborn Fire Insurance map included as Figure 6.

Link to PDF document containing images and figures

FEMA has determined that demolition of the Anthropology Building will constitute an Adverse Effect to historic properties. Tulane has not determined if it will replace the Anthropology Building with a new building or if it will construct a surface parking lot on the site. Either of the proposals for the redevelopment of the site may affect the Uptown National Register Historic District. FEMA is seeking input from members of the public on ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the Adverse Effect.

Any member of the public is encouraged to provide views on this project to FEMA. Comments can be submitted to FEMA for a 15-day period beginning on September 25, 2009 at http://www.crt.state.la.us/culturalassets/fema106/ or by regular mail.

Mailed comments should be sent to:

Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA-1603/1607-DR-LA
Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office
1250 Poydras Street, 17th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70113

If mailed, comments and requests must be physically received at this address by October 10, 2009.