Neighborhood Profiles / Gert Town

Gert Town

Neighborhood Overview

Gert Town, a small but historically significant neighborhood in Mid-City New Orleans, sits at the intersection of industrial heritage and educational innovation. Bounded by Jefferson Davis Parkway, Earhart Boulevard, Carrollton Avenue, and Washington Avenue, this community has been shaped by both Xavier University of Louisiana—the nation's only historically Black Catholic university—and its industrial past. Despite its relatively small geographic footprint, Gert Town encompasses remarkable diversity of uses, from academic facilities to light industrial operations, residential blocks to commercial corridors. Long overlooked in broader New Orleans narratives, this community has been gradually reclaiming its identity through community organizing, university partnership, and strategic development.

The neighborhood's name reportedly derives from "Gehrke Town," after the Gehrke Brick Company that once operated in the area, though local oral histories suggest various other origins. Once a thriving center of African American business and culture in the early-to-mid 20th century, Gert Town experienced significant disinvestment during the urban renewal era, followed by industrial decline, and then catastrophic flooding during Hurricane Katrina. This layered history of challenges has created both obstacles and resilience within the community.

Quick Facts

Population: Approximately 3,800 residents (down from pre-Katrina but slowly rebuilding)
Demographics: Predominantly African American (85%), with growing student population and increasing diversity
Housing: Mix of historic shotgun homes, small apartment buildings, new post-Katrina construction, and student housing
Historic Significance: Home to Xavier University of Louisiana, site of significant industrial operations including the former American Can Company, historical center of Black entrepreneurship, and birthplace of numerous jazz musicians and cultural figures including Danny Barker and Paul Barbarin

Core Challenges

1. Environmental Justice & Remediation

Gert Town's industrial history has left environmental legacies:

Soil Contamination: Legacy pollution from former industrial operations, including a documented Radium-226 site discovered in 2018 and remediated in 2019-2020
Brownfield Sites: Underutilized properties requiring remediation before redevelopment can occur
Stormwater Management: Poor drainage infrastructure creating regular flooding, with some streets experiencing water accumulation even during moderate rainfall
Limited Green Space: Few parks and recreational areas, with minimal tree canopy compared to adjacent neighborhoods
Climate Vulnerability: Increasing heat and flooding impacts due to climate change and low-lying topography

The 2021-2023 discovery

The 2021-2023 discovery of additional contamination near the former Harcros Chemicals site heightened community concerns about environmental justice and transparency. Soil testing revealed several "hot spots" of industrial chemicals exceeding safe levels for residential exposure, leading to a community-driven campaign for comprehensive environmental assessment and remediation.

1. Environmental Justice & Remediation

Gert Town's industrial history has left environmental legacies:

Soil Contamination: Legacy pollution from former industrial operations, including a documented Radium-226 site discovered in 2018 and remediated in 2019-2020
Brownfield Sites: Underutilized properties requiring remediation before redevelopment can occur
Stormwater Management: Poor drainage infrastructure creating regular flooding, with some streets experiencing water accumulation even during moderate rainfall
Limited Green Space: Few parks and recreational areas, with minimal tree canopy compared to adjacent neighborhoods
Climate Vulnerability: Increasing heat and flooding impacts due to climate change and low-lying topography

2. Economic Development & Community Benefit

Gert Town faces challenges in equitable economic revitalization:

Disinvestment Cycles: History of economic neglect and limited commercial reinvestment
University-Community Relationship: Balancing Xavier's growth with neighborhood needs
Workforce Disconnection: Gap between resident skills and available employment
Commercial Corridor Struggles: Earhart Boulevard and Washington Avenue underutilized
Development Benefit Questions: Ensuring new projects serve existing community

The 2024 announcement of Xavier University's campus expansion plan renewed discussions about how institutional growth can create meaningful benefits for surrounding residents through jobs, housing, and commercial opportunities.

3. Housing Affordability & Quality

Housing presents complex challenges across the neighborhood:

Housing Condition Disparities: Block-by-block variations in recovery and maintenance
Affordable Housing Scarcity: Limited options for low and moderate-income residents
Student Housing Pressure: University growth creating rental market competition
Vacant Properties: Persistent blight on certain blocks despite revitalization elsewhere
Gentrification Concerns: Early signs of housing market pressure from adjacent neighborhoods

Recent housing market data shows increasing pressure, with average rent in Gert Town rising approximately 22% between 2022-2025, creating affordability challenges for longtime residents.

4. Institutional Partnership & Coordination

Relationships between key institutions create both opportunities and tensions:

University-Community Engagement: Evolving relationship between Xavier and residents
Cross-Jurisdictional Coordination: Projects spanning multiple planning districts
Nonprofit-Government Collaboration: Aligning resources and initiatives effectively
Industrial-Residential Relations: Managing impacts of remaining industrial uses
Development Decision-Making: Questions of who influences neighborhood change

Community Assets & Strengths

Despite these challenges, Gert Town possesses significant assets:

Educational Anchor: Xavier University's institutional resources and stability
Strategic Location: Central positioning with strong transportation access
Industrial Infrastructure: Existing facilities with redevelopment potential
Cultural Heritage: Rich history of music, entrepreneurship, and community resilience
Committed Residents: Multi-generational families with deep neighborhood knowledge
Faith Communities: Active churches serving as community anchors
Redevelopment Momentum: Recent successful projects demonstrating potential
Community Organizations: Growing coalition of neighborhood advocacy groups

These assets provide a foundation for addressing challenges while building on neighborhood strengths and identity.

Emerging Solutions

Environmental Justice & Health Initiative

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Community-driven approaches to environmental challenges:

Gert Town Environmental Monitoring Collaborative: Resident-led testing and oversight
Brownfield to Greenspace Conversion Project: Transforming contaminated sites into community assets
Xavier Environmental Health Partnership: University research supporting community advocacy
Green Infrastructure Demonstration Network: Water management features throughout neighborhood
Community Environmental Health Education Program: Building resident knowledge and capacity

These initiatives represent a shift from accepting environmental burdens toward community-controlled environmental monitoring and improvement.

Economic Development Partnership

Strategic approaches to inclusive economic growth:

Gert Town Business Incubator: Support for local entrepreneurship
Xavier Community Hiring Agreement: Priority employment for neighborhood residents
Washington Avenue Commercial Revitalization: Targeted support for business corridor
Workforce Skills Alignment Program: Training connected to actual job opportunities
Community Benefits Agreement Framework: Standards for major development projects

These efforts aim to ensure that economic development creates tangible benefits for existing residents while supporting necessary growth.

Housing Balance Initiative

Maintaining housing diversity amid market changes:

Gert Town Community Land Trust: Properties secured for permanent affordability
Vacant Property Redevelopment Strategy: Converting blighted properties to quality housing
Xavier Workforce Housing Partnership: Affordable options for university employees
Home Repair Assistance Network: Supporting existing homeowners with maintenance
Student Housing Management Agreement: Standards for rental properties and student conduct

These approaches work to balance necessary housing improvements with preservation of affordability and neighborhood character.

Collaborative Governance Model

New frameworks for inclusive decision-making:

Gert Town Collaborative: Formal coordination structure for major stakeholders
Participatory Planning Process: Resident involvement in development decisions
Xavier-Neighborhood Council: Regular forum for university-community dialogue
Cross-Boundary Project Review: Coordinated approach to projects affecting multiple areas
Community Data Collection & Analysis: Building shared understanding of conditions

These initiatives aim to ensure that neighborhood development reflects resident priorities while leveraging institutional resources effectively.

Looking Forward: Strategic Priorities

Community leaders have identified several priorities for Gert Town's continued development:

1. Environmental Health & Justice

Completing comprehensive neighborhood environmental assessment
Implementing remediation of identified contamination sites
Developing green infrastructure throughout the neighborhood
Creating new parks and recreational spaces
Building environmental monitoring capacity within the community

2. Economic Opportunity Ecosystem

Expanding locally-owned business development
Creating stronger Xavier employment pathways for residents
Revitalizing key commercial corridors with neighborhood-serving businesses
Developing workforce training aligned with growth sectors
Building wealth through homeownership and entrepreneurship

3. Housing Balance & Quality

Addressing remaining blighted and vacant properties
Creating permanently affordable housing options
Supporting existing homeowners with repairs and maintenance
Managing student housing impact on neighborhood
Developing mixed-income approaches that preserve diversity

4. Community Infrastructure & Services

Improving street conditions and sidewalks
Enhancing public spaces and gathering places
Expanding youth programming and recreational opportunities
Addressing food access and nutrition needs
Creating better public transportation connections

How to Get Involved

Gert Town's continued development requires collaborative approaches and sustained commitment. Here are ways to contribute:

For Residents

Join neighborhood associations and planning processes
Participate in environmental monitoring and advocacy
Support local businesses through intentional spending
Engage with Xavier University community initiatives

For Organizations

Align programming with community-identified priorities
Develop services addressing neighborhood gaps
Provide technical assistance for community-led initiatives
Support leadership development and capacity building

For Government Officials

Prioritize environmental remediation and infrastructure
Implement equitable development policies
Improve coordination between departments
Ensure effective community engagement in decision-making

For Funders

Support resident-led initiatives
Fund collaborative approaches across organizations
Invest in environmental justice projects
Prioritize initiatives addressing historical disinvestment

Key Contacts & Resources

Neighborhood Organizations

Gert Town Revival Initiative
Gert Town Neighborhood Association
Gert Town Business Allianc

Environmental Resources

Gert Town Environmental Health Collaborative
Environmental Testing Program
Green Infrastructure Assistance

Housing & Development Resources

Gert Town Community Land Trust
Home Repair Assistance Program
Small Business Development Support

This community profile was developed through interviews with Gert Town residents, business owners, Xavier University representatives, and community leaders. It reflects conditions as of April 2025 and will be updated regularly as new challenges and solutions emerge.

About This Series: This profile is part of TheNolaFiles.com's "Neighborhood Resilience Series," examining how different New Orleans communities are adapting to environmental, economic, and social challenges. Other profiles feature Gentilly, the Lower Ninth Ward, Tremé, Central City, the 7th Ward, Bywater, Hollygrove, Lakeview, Broadmoor, Algiers, Mid-City, the Irish Channel and Garden District, New Orleans East, Arabi, Chalmette, Uptown, the Marigny, the French Quarter, and additional neighborhoods, each facing similar challenges but developing unique solutions based on local context and community assets.