Colton School is one of those examples of the ridiculousness of New Orleans. First it was a school. Then it was an artists commune. Then, they kicked the artists out and said they were going to make it a school again. Then the community went ballistic, and neighbor was pitted against neighbor. Some wanted a KIPP school. Some wanted an arts school. Now nobody wins because they are gutting this beautiful building from behind. Asbestos. But that doesn’t stop bulldozers from spreading fine powder all through the neighborhood. It creeps into the cracks of houses and settles on the floor and coats the nostrils of dogs and cats. Some are screaming corruption and waste. I think it’s a bit of laziness and ill-planning. Whether it’s the asbestos or the water, we will all die of cancer some day. Welcome to the Big Easy.
