New Orleans Repair an Experiment in Green

Films provide critical revenue to city

(NEWSER) - Movie projects like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button have provided valuable revenue to beleaguered New Orleans, and new studio and soundstage developments aim to ensure the city has all the amenities filmmakers need to complete their projects. The city is getting 600,000 feet of soundstages—needed to shoot indoor scenes—and a $30 million studio that’ll be the largest east of Albuquerque, USA Today reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Even if the government somehow managed to re-create pre-Katrina New Orleans, it couldn't guarantee the safety of the city and its residents, according to a new report. The Army Corps of Engineers is rebuilding levees in anticipation of a “100-year storm,” but for a city of New Orleans’ size nothing is truly sufficient, the Times-Picayune reports. The report recommends relocating people living in at-risk areas. More»

Company claims it overpaid on some rebuilding grants

(NEWSER) - A contractor responsible for doling out federal rebuilding money to Katrina victims is seeking another company to collect what may amount to hundreds of millions of dollars from Katrina victims. ICF International claims it overpaid some applicants in a rush to get $11 billion out the door; meanwhile, a third of claimants have yet to receive a dime, AP reports. More»

Money will support building of 20 new houses

(NEWSER) - The chair of Barnes & Noble and his wife are donating $20 million to New Orleans in what may be the biggest Katrina relief project yet, the AP reports. Leonard Riggio said today that the funds will build 20 new houses in a racially mixed neighborhood for lower-income families. Those who win a lottery can trade in a storm-damaged home for a new one. More»

Luxury carmaker signs 10-year deal despite Katrina memories

(NEWSER) - The New Orleans Superdome, home stadium to the NFL's Saints, will soon be sponsored and rebranded by Mercedes-Benz USA, reports Adweek . The luxury car manufacturer signed a 10-year agreement to link its name to the Saints' turf—despite the Superdome's lingering association as a makeshift refugee camp for victims of Hurricane Katrina. “Enough time has passed," says Mercedes' VP of marketing, "and America loves a comeback story.” More»