2012 February • Preservation in Print  29www.prcno.org

REBUILDING TOGETHER NEW ORLEANS (RTNO) works in target neighborhoods at the invitation of the neighborhood association. By developing a partnership with local community leaders, the PRC program can rely on residents to spread the word about our services and help us reach homeowners in need. Since Hurricane Katrina, RTNO has successfully completed work on more than 300 homes in eight neighborhoods 

in Orleans Parish, from Holy Cross to Hollygrove. Last year, we expanded into McClendonville in Algiers. This year, at the request of the Algiers Riverview Association, RTNO agreed to expand to this second West Bank community.  Algiers Riverview is a relatively small neighbor-hood, just 10 blocks long and three blocks wide, and is primarily residential. A historically African-Ameri-can community, Algiers Riverview was the birthplace and home of a number of famous jazz musicians, including Henry “Red” Allen. On the corner of Newton and Elmira streets, the Red Allen home was restored by PRC’s Operation Comeback and remains a single-family residence. Before New Orleans music venues were integrated, African-American musicians and patrons came to Algiers Riverview hot spots like the Greystone for entertainment.   The Algiers Riverview Association was established in 1994 as a non-profit organization. It is focused on improving housing and living conditions for area residents. Though still a tight-knit community, Algiers Riverview has lost a number of its residents and important buildings in the past decades. Many of the children who grew up in the neighborhood have cho-sen to live elsewhere, leaving a mostly elderly commu-nity. Due to this loss in population, the neighborhood also suffers from blight and generational neglect. Some 

of the area’s most important commercial proper-ties and historic sites, including the Greystone, are either vacant or have been demolished due to neglect. Though not damaged by flooding, the neighborhood was negatively affected by Hurricane Katrina, as high winds from the storm damaged a number of build-ings. Many residents need minor home repairs includ-ing weatherization work and accessibility features like wheelchair ramps and grab bars.   The Algiers Riverview Association hopes that, with the support of organizations like RTNO, they can help elderly residents age in place and attract new residents to redevelop vacant properties. Adjacent to thriving communities like Algiers Point and new centers of eco-nomic development including Federal City and a U.S. naval base, there is great potential for Algiers Riverview to attract new residents and see the restoration of the historic commercial center along Newton Street. 

The Renaissance Awards & HeritageClub Luncheon

Heritage Club Reception

PRC and New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles hosted The Renaissance Awards & Heritage Club Luncheon at The Roosevelt New Orleans on Thursday, Oct. 13. The featured guest speaker was noted author and interior designer Charlotte Moss, who shared some of the inspirations from her travels and designs. Britton Trice of Garden District Bookshop provided her newest book – Charlotte Moss Decorates – for a signing at the conclusion of the luncheon, donating a portion of the book proceeds to the PRC. The program also included the presentation of the Renaissance Awards, a collaboration of PRC and New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles which honors local individuals who have undertaken major renovations while staying true to the original architecture and history of the buildings. The 2011 award recipients were: Valorie Hart and Alberto Paz (Irish Channel); Beverly McKenna (Upper Tremé); Wes and Melinda McWhorter (Irish Channel); Lydia and Blair Francis Scanlon (University District); and J. Wardlaw Witherspoon, Jr. (Uptown).

Anne Redd, Hugh Uhalt, Susan Johnson

The Heritage Club is reserved for members who contribute a minimum of $300 in annual dues. Heritage Club benefits above and beyond general membership benefits include two tickets to the Heritage Club Reception, one ticket to the Holiday Home Tour, a complimentary totebag, and a special listing in one issue of Preservation in Print. To join the Heritage Club, contact Wendy Angus, Membership Coordinator, at 504.636.3057 or membership@prcno.org.

To honor our Heritage Club members, PRC held a private cocktail reception on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. Douglas Johnson, Jr. This elegant event was catered by Flavor Box Catering and graced by special guest Charlotte Moss. Thank you to everyone involved in setting the scene for this charming reception!

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Heritage Club Luncheon chairs Lynne Uhalt and Patricia Brinson

Jimmy Gundlach, Olivia Manning, Sybil Favrot

Michael Carbine, Charlotte Moss, Hal Williamson

Preser vat ion Resource Center ’s 2011 Her i tage Club Events

PRC Expands Rebuilding Together to Nine NeighborhoodsBy Amanda Murphy

The home of legendary jazz musician Henry “Red” Allen, located in Algiers Riverview, was restored by PRC in 2005.