A low-lying swampland transformed itself into a thriving community. Welcome to Hollygrove in New Orleans.
Before the 1920s Hollygrove was largely untouched. Drainage systems installed in the 1920s allowed for housing construction. These systems were not initially very effective. The 1960s saw reworks to improve drainage reliability. Even before effective drainage Hollygrove grew drastically.
Pre-Katrina nearly 50% of Hollygrove’s houses were built before 1949. Over half of the homes were owner-occupied. When Hurricane Katrina breached levees Hollygrove flooded. The community persevered. A Louisiana State University survey reported a high recovery of residence. On a scale of 1 to 11 Hollygrove and Gert Town were placed at 9.
Generations of families call Hollygrove home. This creates a strong sense of place and community.
Notably Lil Wayne grew up in Hollygrove.
Hollygrove’s boundaries are defined by several streets. These include Palmetto Street Cambronne Street and Earhart Boulevard. The boundary extends to the Jefferson Parish line. Earhart Boulevard runs through Hollygrove.
In the 1970s Hollygrove faced high poverty crime and homicide rates. The NOPD battled drug dealers dominating Hollygrove. Gunfire was a constant fact of life in the 1980s and 1990s. The crime rate was 136% higher than the national average.
Since the early 2000s Hollygrove has experienced change and revitalization. Crime rates have dropped dramatically. It is now a welcoming diverse neighborhood. Property values and new home construction have increased significantly. Hollygrove exemplifies the possibilities of New Orleans.
The Ochsner Medical Complex Campus sits just over the Orleans/Jefferson Parish line. It serves as a major employer.
As of 2000 the population was 6919. By 2010 it was 4377.
The median real estate price in Hollygrove is about $191342. The average rental price is around $1297.
Many residences in Hollygrove are historic. They were built no later than 1939. Some were built even earlier.
Vacant apartments or homes are a major fact of life in Hollygrove.
One unique characteristic of Hollygrove is its lower per capita income. A large percentage of children live in poverty.
Small apartment buildings dominate the real estate.
A significant portion of residents have African and Sub-Saharan African ancestry.
The neighbors in Hollygrove are low income.
Most residents speak English. Some speak Spanish.
In Hollygrove 41.6% of the working population holds executive management and professional occupations.
The greatest number of commuters spend 15 to 30 minutes commuting to work. Most drive alone in a private automobile.
Originally Hollygrove was a mixture of working-class Italians and African-Americans. During the years of white flight the Italians moved away. The neighborhood is seeing a resurgence of young white families.
After Katrina Evelyn Turner moved into Hollygrove. She fell in love with the neighborhood while working with Trinity Christian Community. She got help from volunteers to redo a house. Many older people own their homes in Hollygrove.
Trenida stayed at Palmetto Apartments. She was homesick after being evacuated to Texas. She loves Hollygrove and TCC Level Ground.
Phillip Wricks’ family is one of the original families from Hollygrove. Katrina dispersed many people. Before Katrina most residents were from the 17th Ward. Now it is a mixed population.
Ursula’s family owned a bar in Hollygrove for several generations. It catered to a more settled crowd. It burned down. There is not enough community togetherness like there used to be.
Kevin Brown and other community leaders and residents would like to shut down a convenience store. It has been the site of numerous shootings and homicides.
Hank said the hurricane washed out evil. Before the hurricane there were drug spots. There was a bar where people often got killed.
In conclusion Hollygrove stands as a testament to resilience community spirit and the vibrant possibilities within New Orleans.