NEW ORLEANS — The removal of neglected houses built on a contaminated land site commenced on Wednesday in New Orleans. This significant event was marked by the presence of Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, alongside local officials, who highlighted future plans to transform the area into a solar energy farm.

The homes, located in an area known as Gordon Plaza, were constructed during the 1970s and 1980s and were primarily sold to Black individuals and low- to middle-income families, who were unaware that the location had previously functioned as a landfill. As concerns about the site grew, it was designated a federal Superfund cleanup site in 1994. With increasing reports of soil pollution with hazardous substances like lead and arsenic, residents mounted a prolonged campaign seeking relocation at government expense.

In 2022, the city allocated $35 million to facilitate the buyouts of these homes.

Just prior to the demolition’s initiation, Regan praised Mayor LaToya Cantrell, U.S. Representative Troy Carter, City Council members, and local activists for their roles in making the buyouts possible. During a pre-demolition press conference, which was streamed by WWL-TV, he described the occasion as “bittersweet.” Regan reflected on the emotional weight of the moment, stating, “This is the demolition of a neighborhood that, despite all of the issues that they face, it holds sentimental value to so many people. This is where so many people bought their first home after years of work and countless sacrifices.”

City Council members Oliver Thomas and Eugene Green shared that they had relatives who had moved into the subdivision with great expectations, only to later discover the environmental risks involved. Green expressed his gratitude for being present on such a poignant day, acknowledging the struggles families have endured for an extended period.

Officials in New Orleans are optimistic that the energy generated from the proposed solar farm will be integrated into the city’s street drainage pump system, enhancing its energy resources.