Rose Collaborative

After Hurricane Katrina and the floods in 2005, community leaders in the 7th Ward and Treme joined forces to revitalize their neighborhoods. They recognized the need for spaces that would nurture New Orleans’ cultural arts and growing education sector. This vision evolved into the idea of establishing a campus dedicated to advancing these objectives. In 2010, the Rose Community Development Corporation was established under the guidance of Hal Brown, Vera Warren Williams, Vaughn Fauria, Jeanne Nathan, Robert Tannen, and others, in collaboration with the Downtown Neighborhoods Improvement Association. Hal, a respected developer with strong ties to the 7th Ward, identified the closed St Rose de Lima Church campus on Bayou Road and Columbus Street as the ideal location for the initiative, which was named the Bayou Treme Center.



Despite facing challenges due to Hal's cancer diagnosis and subsequent passing in spring 2013, the Board of Rose CDC remained committed to the project's vision. Under the leadership of Hal's widow, Shawn Kennedy, the organization retained control of the site and sought additional resources to move the project forward.



In late 2014, Alembic Community Development was chosen by Rose CDC through a competitive process to help realize the redevelopment plan that aligned with the original goals of supporting arts, education, and community on Bayou Road and Columbus Street. A joint venture partnership was formed between Rose CDC and Alembic, leading to the purchase of the St Rose campus from the Archdiocese in June 2016. Construction commenced in July 2017 and was completed in August 2018. Community input led to the project being renamed the Rose Collaborative in 2017. Rose CDC and Alembic continue to co-own the property, sharing responsibilities for project decisions and financial aspects.