I find it difficult to write on the subject of saving Charity Hospital. It is complicated situation, to say the least. You would think that since my studies here at Tulane are aimed at obtaining a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation I would be firmly in the camp of saving the hospital in its current location and all of the historic homes and other buildings in the location of the proposed new hospitals. But the thought of having a world-class medical complex in our city is tempting. It’s pretty obvious, I’m not a true purist.
Charity has been in existence sine 1736 and is now in its 6th location. The moves have been mostly due to fire and sheer growth, so the idea of a new hospital is not unprecedented. The controversy lies in the decision on whether to reuse one of the most important architecturally significant Art Moderne buildings in the south or move it to a new, state of the art facility. At the core of this argument is what is commonly known as the “land grab”. That is, the public taking of private property and displacing the current residents (with fair compensation, or so we are told) for the greater good. We stand to lose a large number of historic homes and buildings, architecturally significant in their own right, not to mention a structually sound 70 year old building designed by the same architects responsible for our state capitol building under the watchful eye of then-governor Huey P. Long (who was later assassinated in that same building). From the preservation perspective, it is downright criminal.
Does our city deserve a modern medical complex? Yes. Can Charity Hospital be renovated to meet those needs? Probably. If a new complex is built, can Charity be repurposed and kept standing? I hope so. Is the razing of 70 acres of historic homes for the so called “greater good” a plan worth carrying out?
The lump forming in my stomach at the mere thought of it says “No.” And so did the 1200 people that showed up to second line through the streets of lower Mid-City. Rebirth and Hot 8 are always a treat, but add in a passionate crowd and a worthy cause and you get an afternoon worth remembering, no matter what the outcome is.
The city will win either way. The real question is “What will we lose in the process?”
