City Announces Plans for Lafayette
Cemetery No. 1 Improvements
NEW ORLEANS — Today, the City of New Orleans, Department of Property Management (DPM) announced plans to revitalize and restore Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, one of the city's most treasured historic resting places and a popular tourist attraction. DPM will work alongside District B City Councilmember Jay H. Banks, representatives from other city departments, as well as local historic preservationists to plan and complete the repairs.
“We are excited about the opportunity to complete these much-needed repairs for our residents and for the many tourists who come to appreciate the cemetery's history,” said Ramsey Green, Deputy CAO for Infrastructure. “Preserving our cultural heritage as it is reflected in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is critically important, and we look forward to taking the next steps in 2020."
The City’s revitalization and restoration plans include the following:
- Trimming back street trees;
- Repairing damaged underground water lines;
- Installing security cameras near gates;
- Replacing the interior perimeter walkways with permeable paving;
- Replacing magnolia trees with trees featuring less-intrusive roots to mitigate damage to tombs and walkways;
- Removing internal cross walkways with permeable paving; and
- Developing a plan for more rigorous grounds-keeping efforts going forward.
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 has been closed since September 2019 to allow various city departments to complete assessments of the property. During that time, several families who own tombs, crypts and copings inside of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 have been able to complete repairs to their structures and earthworks.
The City’s repairs are scheduled to begin in early 2020 and will take approximately five months to complete. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 will reopen in spring 2020.
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