So I have been hearing all the hype about the super-dome reopening and the saints, etc, etc. How much of the infrastructure of NO has been rebuilt? How many hospitals, city offices, businesses, etc have been rebuilt. I am still shocked they used FEMA money to repair this place. I love football, but isn't there more important things to spend money on than the stadium? It just makes me sad that people will make such a big deal to travel back to see the game but they can't get the city done faster. Just my opinion, I don't know how long reconstruction takes and the red tape that goes with it.
Because the Superdome was used as a shelter, they received FEMA funds for repairs. Those funds were most likely earmarked specifically for the Superdome. I know from Rita, my county received FEMA funds because they used our arena complex as a command center. It housed utility workers, FEMA reps, ad other people helping with repairs, rebuilding. The funds were specifically for repairs and operating costs from having people there and not for the county to use on whatever they wanted. They could use the funds to replace any out of pocket expenses due to the use of the Arena but they couldn't just take money given for the use of the arena and do what they wanted with it. My guess is that it was the same for NO. They received funds for the Superdome and those funds had to be used for that alone.
I was there this past Saturday and near the French Quarter it sems to be business as usual. As I spoke to people from there, hurricane conversation paled in comparison to conversation about Reggie Bush and the Monday night game.
the area east of downtown is still no-man's land. it's nothing but uninhabited homes...few of which have FEMA trailers parked in front. cars still piled up underneath overpasses. sad state of affairs, to be sure.
