The housing project had been in poor condition for the past four decades, falling into a state of urban disrepair at its worst. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina further damaged the crumbling housing project with severe flooding. An assessment of the property led to demolition. 

The City of New Orleans along with HANO and FEMA wanted to develop and transform substandard housing in the city into livable, revitalized communities. The Columbia Parc Senior Center provides exemplary government subsidized, low income, and market rate housing options for its residents. 

The team had to overcome several design constraints. The landscape architect introduced the unique solution of raising the grade in both the interior courtyard and the parking area. This provided comprehensive accessibility to the site while saving several historic live oaks around the site.