If you've never taken a close look at the amazing facade of Charity Hospital, now is the time. Enrique Alvarez's relief is an ode to the Louisiana worker of the 1930's. (I hear that Huey Long's infamous lost "deduct box," the box that contained an untold fortune in 10% deductions from all state employees' paychecks, is referenced in the relief with images of ducks - beware - I haven't confirmed this!) Since 2005 the state of LA has seemed happy to let workers in New Orleans fend for themselves, and they continue insisting that Charity should be torn down and a new multi-billion dollar complex built, taking over the whole neighborhood. Now Charity and the adjoining neighborhood has made it onto the National Trust for Historic Preservation's annual list of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places." BTW the history of a charity hospital in New Orleans dates back to 1735.
See Katy Reckdahl's article at nola.com.
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