Its called Renaissance Village. Here about 10 miles north of Baton Rouge in Baker Louisiana sit 573 trailers on 65 acres containing 1600 residents. There are Pumas, Jay Flights, Springdales, Nomads, Cougars, Dutchmen, Outbacks, Cruisers, Tundras, Salems and Coachmen - all, compliments of FEMA. The treeless expanse off Groom Road in Baker has been developed like a small suburb.The site, with its own streetlights, is enclosed with a tall chain-link fence and has security guards posted at its entrances.

Free meals are provided in a cafeteria. There are laundry rooms, a recreation area, a free eye clinic and security guards. Managed by the Keta Group (whose majority owner is the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana), a subcontractor of the Shaw Group and ultimately FEMA (I wonder what this costs? Compare to $3,200 per month per trailer in New Orleans).

About 1/4 of the residents are employed. A couple of sex offenders were evicted from the Park in February and three were arrested in February by East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Deputies who visited the park and knocked on doors after FEMA refused to provide information on residents. There have been a few state supported functions at the park including Job Fairs and in February, Mitch Landrieu hosted an entertainment day described as stories, food and fun.

DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 110 north to the Scotlandville/ Baker exit. Turn right on LA 19 and go 3.6 miles to Groom Road. Turn left on Groom Road, cross the railroad tracks and Renaissance Village is a half of a mile ahead on the left. ( I cant find it on Google Maps)

There's not much coverage of life at the site but a couple of magazine articles are circulating on the Web which raise concerns.

Magazine article by Chuck Hustmyre called FEMA's Dirty Little Secret in February. Commented on difficulty in obtaining press access to the facility and outlined security, crime, and other issues in the village. His final words quoted here from the article in 225 Magazine are revealing :
"Is FEMA consciously trying to hide the raw reality of crime in its trailer park?
Is its veil of secrecy over the park connected to the fact the agency is desperately trying to convince more communities around Louisiana to accept trailer parks, so it can move more evacuees out of expensive hotels?
After visiting the park and after hearing some of the residents' allegations of dope peddling, theft, and violence, I made repeated calls to FEMA to get answers. None of my calls were returned.
The government's stonewalling leaves many more questions than there are answers about the Groom Road trailer park and its rules. Too bad FEMA won't let reporters in to look around, and the agency won't cooperate with local law enforcement."

Another article in the blogosphere echoes the same concerns with quality of life at the park. Quotes one resident as saying that most residents sit inside watching TV depressed.

What about schools?

June 2007 still sees a few hundred people still living in Renaissance Village and preparing for yet another Hurricane season.

April 2008 the TP reported that FEMA is planning to close all remaining group trialer sites in Louisiana including Renaissnce Village by May 15, 2008. With 190 trailers still in use on the site, achieving this target date will be quite challenging.