Secretary Martinez visited New Orleans recently to sign an agreement speeding up the redevelopment of the St. Thomas public housing development. The Fourth Amendment Agreement includes the City of New Orleans, the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) and developer Historic Restoration, Inc.

Secretary Martinez signs the agreement as Congressman William Jefferson and Assistant Secretary Michael Liu look on.

The new agreement toughens the October 1999 St. Thomas HOPE VI Development Agreement establishing timelines for performance. HANO received a $25 million HUD HOPE VI grant in 1996 to demolish and revitalize the 60-year-old St. Thomas public housing development. The Secretary also presided over the demolition ceremony at the Fischer Housing Development by blowing a Klaxon horn, signaling the on-site wrecking crew to begin demolition of the Fischer buildings. The comprehensive plan will replace high-rise and institutional-style buildings with small-scale single-family homes and multi-unit structures in a new and safe urban community.