 |
 |
 |
 Overview Most New Orleanians associate the St. Roch neighborhood with its historic market on St. Claude Avenue where local vendors once sold fresh fish and produce. The St. Roch Market is an anchor in the neighborhood, both in its location and its social and economic roles. Built in 1875, the market was rehabilitated in 1935 as part of WPA efforts in New Orleans, which installed new plumbing, refrigerator units, and glass displays. In 1945 it was leased to a private owner and continued to be an integral part of the surrounding communities. An image of the market from the 1970's (see images below) shows the market as "Lama's St. Roch Market", looking very active and vibrant after 100 years of continuous service. Hurricane Katrina left the market damaged and inactive, and the St. Roch neighborhood is currently without a market of any kind in operation. Beyond the practical offerings the rebuilt market could provide, such as jobs and fresh foods for residents, the historic structure is a symbol, and by reviving it the Project could lift the spirits of neighborhood residents and all New Orleans citizens. With our partners we are securing funding and generating proposals for rehabilitating the St. Roch Market. The work will preserve this historic structure and modernize its amenities and services. Historic and recent images of the St. Roch Market. (click to view larger) 
 Sharon Keating, a long time New Orleans resident recalls: "I remember the St. Roch Market, where I went as a child with my Creole grandmother to buy fresh seafood gumbo. There were large wooden hamper baskets filled with fresh seafood from nearby waters. In the hampers were handmade signs that read, 'Fat Crabs' or 'Female Crabs fresh from Lake Pontchartrain.' The market was filled with wonderful smells and friendly faces. Both black and white, neighbors came together to share news of the neighborhood and recipes while seafood cooked in large pots all around." In 2006, Students of Cornell University undertook an extensive study of the market's architecture and its economic and social role in the community. The study concluded that the market has great potential to be "a great, open Basilica overflowing with bounty and energy, weaving together St. Claude, the neutral ground, and the neighborhoods to either side in a joyous, festive celebration of life and community" Download Cornell study Upon a request made by City of New Orleans officials in September 2010, St. Claude Avenue Main Street, the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, the Faubourg St. Roch Improvement Association, and the Faubourg St. Roch project joined together to solicit and understand the desires of St. Claude Avenue corridor community residents for use of the St. Roch Market. Download the St. Roch Market survey and its results |
||
 |
 |
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||