Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Given the cost and time, should this city be rebuilt or left alone?
A friend and I were discussing the logistics of fixing the damage done to this city, and given that it's already under sea level and this sort of disaster was "waiting to happen"--- do you think that when all is said and done, it makes sense to rebuild? Or do you think it's better to leave it under water (since it's only a matter of time before it sinks anyway, from all I have heard about the city BEFORE the hurricane)? Why?
I am torn. NOLA is a beautiful city, with a rich history. But at the same time, the sheer man hours that will go into rebuilding, the cost... it's overwhelming to think about.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

NO BRAINER....REBUILT!

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

but then if they don't rebuild it, what's going to happen then?

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

I'm on the fence....it's destined to happen again at some point. Many insurance companies aren't going to insure those who rebuild because of the possibility of disaster again.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

If they don't rebuild, then all hope has been lost and the pattern will follow. LA, NYC, OK, rebuilding means life does go on.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Yes. I am disgusted with how it's been handled by the gov't so far. It's home to people, along with being full of cultural and historical value. I think it needs to be rebuilt, to show that we can prevail over tragedy.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

The reason I asked is because I read this, and it kinda made sense to me.

"The insurance rates are going to be sky-high for rebuilding there, to the point where it just won't be financially feasible for most of the population and many of the businesses. I'm sure a few folks will resettle there despite that, but N.O. as we know it will never be rebuilt to the scale it once was.

Not trying to be a downer, but all the "we will rebuild; we will get through this" sentiment in the world won't change the fact that rebuilding is simply not economically feasible. A few residents may straggle back in, but the employers they used to have will not. Fixing basic infrastructure can be done with public money, but the bulk of rebuilding requires private money, and private money usually takes the path of least resistance, and in this case that path points out of town."

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

What scares me is the intensity in the last 2 years of hurricanes. I lived in FL for 8 years. other than Andrew, this is a new situation. I don't think people should be put in danger. I don't think it is fair to these hungry kids to have to go through this again.

Message edited 9/2/2005 8:49:36 PM.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

How weird would it be if it wasn't rebuilt? I bet it would become a tourist attraction in itself- the "Lost City" of New Orleans.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

I say rebuild New Orleans!

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Rebuild! Most definitely....whats the option leaving it a desolated, abandoned wasteland? Sure the economics of it all will be hard but it is not like a major hurricane like this hits every year.

Some may say why rebuild downtown NY, terrorists will just hit it again....people will go on and should go on

Message edited 9/2/2005 8:56:08 PM.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

I read somewhere that the levees were built to hold up against a Cat 3 or 4 hurricane, not as bad as a 5! Why would they do that! and are they going to improve those levees so this doesn't happen again?

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

I can't believe nearly half think we shouldn't

Should we stop rebuilding areas of Florida that are repeatedly hit by hurricanes!

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

It doesn't matter where it is located- why SHOULDN'T it be rebuilt? Was NYC rebuilt after 9/11? Yes- so why shouldn't the victimized areas of the south?

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

I feel like there is plenty of places to build in the US, to build on land that is below sea level and being supported by a levy system seems unnecessary. Florida does not have levy system.

I don't understand the 9/11, we build in NY again argument. That was a man made act of terror. That was an assult. That is avoidable.

This was us versus nature, and nature won. There was no stopping it. If everyone in the city would have evacuated, they would still be jobless and homeless.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

It isn't just about comparing NO to NYC. Look at Tornado Ally in Oklahoma. Or earthquakes in California. Also natural disasters, and repeated ones, too. And yet, they rebuild. Do we give up on LA b/c one day, it is inevitable that it will fall into the ocean?

Message edited 9/2/2005 11:47:04 PM.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

yes it is really sad and a tough call.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

I don't think downtown should be built either. I think it should be a memorial park.

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Re: Should New Orleans be rebuilt

Posted by Aliasmom

Posted by Janice

I don't think downtown should be built either. I think it should be a memorial park.

I completely agree, ashes were buried there.