Calliope Projects
Encyclopedia
The B.W. Cooper Apartments is a neighborhood
of the city of New Orleans
and one of the housing projects of New Orleans
, more commonly known by its former name, the Calliope Projects. This area of New Orleans gained nationwide fame/infamy for its extremely high violent crime rate, one which rivals even that of the also-famous Magnolia Projects
and infamous Melpomene Projects
. It is now in the process of being demolished, to be replaced with newer, mixed-income apartment buildings.
, the district has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²). 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of which is land and 0 square mile (0 km²) (0.0%) of which is water.
of 2000, there were 4,339 people, 1,421 households, and 1,139 families residing in the neighborhood. The population density
was 14,463 /mi² (5,424 /km²).
located in Central City New Orleans. There are 1,546 units on 56 acres (226,624.2 m²) of land (or 24 city blocks.)
The project was built between 1939 and 1941. The original boundaries were South Dorgenois, Erato, Calliope (now Earhart Boulevard) and South Prieur Streets. In 1941, rents ran from $8.25 a month for a one bedroom apartment to $22.00 a month for a three bedroom. Until the projects were built, the buildings in the neighborhood were one- or two-story wooden shot-gun structures for the most part. The projects were sturdily made of brick with iron grill trimmings and manicured lawns. The floorplans of the project apartments allowed for more privacy for bedrooms than the traditional neighborhood residences where supposedly one could fire a shotgun from the front doot to the back door without encountering any barriers.
During the Calliope's early days, it was considered a means for working class families to live comfortably, while saving up the funds to purchase their own homes. St. Monica's Catholic Church and School were considered anchors of the neighborhood, along with the local public schools like Booker T. Washington High School. Along with a steady stream of outstanding musicians, the neighborhood produced educators, including a Superintendent of Orleans Parish Schools, and politicians, who served city and state government.
There are 690 apartments in the original development. In 1949, a gymnasium was added at Broad and Calliope Streets. In 1954, a twelve block expansion added 860 new units. The expansion pushed the western boundary of the Calliope back two blocks from Erato Street to Melpomene Avenue (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard).
In May 1981, the Calliope was renamed the B.W. Cooper Apartments. Mr. Cooper worked for the Housing Authority of New Orleans for 33 years and served on several civic and social organizations until his death in 1974.
The Calliope Projects are among the most notorious in Uptown New Orleans
and the United States along with the Magnolia Projects
and Melpomene Projects
. The drug trade and subsequent violence from it were two of the primary reasons New Orleans was nicknamed the "Murder Capital of the U.S."
The projects are in the 2nd Ward
(map).
Most of Calliope is closed due to demolition. As of January 2007, a small section of Calio has been reopened to residents.
New Orleans neighborhoods
In 1980 the New Orleans City Planning Commission divided the city into 13 planning districts and 72 distinct neighborhoods.While most of these assigned boundaries match with traditional local designations, some others differ from common traditional use...
of the city of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
and one of the housing projects of New Orleans
Housing Projects of New Orleans
The Housing Authority of New Orleans is a housing authority in New Orleans, Louisiana tasked with providing housing to low-income residents....
, more commonly known by its former name, the Calliope Projects. This area of New Orleans gained nationwide fame/infamy for its extremely high violent crime rate, one which rivals even that of the also-famous Magnolia Projects
Magnolia Projects
The Magnolia Projects, officially the C.J. Peete Projects, was one of the Housing Projects of New Orleans. As part of the ongoing redevelopment, the area has been renamed Harmony Oaks. The project was among the largest, housing approximately 2,100 people...
and infamous Melpomene Projects
Melpomene Projects
The Melpomene Projects, officially called the Guste Apartments, is located in Central City New Orleans and is one of the Housing Projects of New Orleans....
. It is now in the process of being demolished, to be replaced with newer, mixed-income apartment buildings.
Geography
The Calliope Projects are located at 29°57′02"N 90°05′32"W and have an elevation of 0 foot (0 m). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the district has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²). 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of which is land and 0 square mile (0 km²) (0.0%) of which is water.
Adjacent Neighborhoods
- Tulane/GravierTulane/Gravier, New OrleansTulane/Gravier is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Mid-City District Area, its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are: St...
(north) - Central CityCentral City, New OrleansCentral City is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. It is located at the lower end of Uptown, just above the New Orleans Central Business District, on the "lakeside" of St. Charles Avenue...
(south) - Gert TownGert Town, New OrleansGert Town is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. Local traditional definitions of the boundaries vary; this article discusses those designated by the New Orleans City Planning Commission, which includes the right across the Zion City area, which many locals consider a separate neighborhood...
(west)
Boundaries
The City Planning Commission defines the boundaries of the B. W. Cooper neighborhood as: Pontchartrain Expressway, South Claiborne Avenue, Martin Luther King Boulevard and South Broad Street.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,339 people, 1,421 households, and 1,139 families residing in the neighborhood. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 14,463 /mi² (5,424 /km²).
History
Officially called the B. W. Cooper apartments, the Calliope Projects (here pronounced as KAL-ee-ope or sometimes KAL-lee-oh) is one of the Housing Projects of New OrleansHousing Projects of New Orleans
The Housing Authority of New Orleans is a housing authority in New Orleans, Louisiana tasked with providing housing to low-income residents....
located in Central City New Orleans. There are 1,546 units on 56 acres (226,624.2 m²) of land (or 24 city blocks.)
The project was built between 1939 and 1941. The original boundaries were South Dorgenois, Erato, Calliope (now Earhart Boulevard) and South Prieur Streets. In 1941, rents ran from $8.25 a month for a one bedroom apartment to $22.00 a month for a three bedroom. Until the projects were built, the buildings in the neighborhood were one- or two-story wooden shot-gun structures for the most part. The projects were sturdily made of brick with iron grill trimmings and manicured lawns. The floorplans of the project apartments allowed for more privacy for bedrooms than the traditional neighborhood residences where supposedly one could fire a shotgun from the front doot to the back door without encountering any barriers.
During the Calliope's early days, it was considered a means for working class families to live comfortably, while saving up the funds to purchase their own homes. St. Monica's Catholic Church and School were considered anchors of the neighborhood, along with the local public schools like Booker T. Washington High School. Along with a steady stream of outstanding musicians, the neighborhood produced educators, including a Superintendent of Orleans Parish Schools, and politicians, who served city and state government.
There are 690 apartments in the original development. In 1949, a gymnasium was added at Broad and Calliope Streets. In 1954, a twelve block expansion added 860 new units. The expansion pushed the western boundary of the Calliope back two blocks from Erato Street to Melpomene Avenue (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard).
In May 1981, the Calliope was renamed the B.W. Cooper Apartments. Mr. Cooper worked for the Housing Authority of New Orleans for 33 years and served on several civic and social organizations until his death in 1974.
The Calliope Projects are among the most notorious in Uptown New Orleans
Uptown New Orleans
Uptown is a section of New Orleans, Louisiana on the East Bank of the Mississippi River encompassing a number of neighborhoods between the French Quarter and the Jefferson Parish line. It remains an area of mixed residential and small commercial properties, with a wealth of 19th century architecture...
and the United States along with the Magnolia Projects
Magnolia Projects
The Magnolia Projects, officially the C.J. Peete Projects, was one of the Housing Projects of New Orleans. As part of the ongoing redevelopment, the area has been renamed Harmony Oaks. The project was among the largest, housing approximately 2,100 people...
and Melpomene Projects
Melpomene Projects
The Melpomene Projects, officially called the Guste Apartments, is located in Central City New Orleans and is one of the Housing Projects of New Orleans....
. The drug trade and subsequent violence from it were two of the primary reasons New Orleans was nicknamed the "Murder Capital of the U.S."
The projects are in the 2nd Ward
2nd Ward of New Orleans
The 2nd Ward or Second Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the 17 Wards of New Orleans. -Boundaries:The Ward fronts the Mississippi River. The down-river or "lower" boundary is Julia Street, across which is the 3rd Ward...
(map).
Most of Calliope is closed due to demolition. As of January 2007, a small section of Calio has been reopened to residents.
Notable residents
- C-Murder, rapper
- Lil Chuckee, Young Money EntertainmentYoung Money EntertainmentYoung Money Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper Lil Wayne. Young Money's president is Lil Wayne's lifelong friend Mack Maine. The label is an imprint of Cash Money Records and is distributed by Universal Republic Records...
artist - Neville Brothers
- Master PMaster PPercy Robert Miller , better known by his stage name Master P or his business name P. Miller, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur, investor, and producer. He is the founder of the popular label No Limit Records, which went bankrupt and was relaunched as New No Limit Records through Koch...
, rapper - Silkk The Shocker, rapper