A settlement has been reached in the yearslong saga surrounding Brad Pitt’s Make it Right Foundation and residents of New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward.
NOLA.com is reporting that the foundation will pay a total of $20.5 million in the form of individual $25,000 reimbursements available to any plaintiffs covered by the class action suit, which was first initiated in 2018.
The foundation’s attorneys did not immediately comment on the outcome of the highly-publicized case, which stems from flawed designs, faulty construction techniques, rotting building materials, and unsafe living conditions documented in nearly all of the 109 total homes built between 2008 and 2015 through the foundation. (A mere 6 of which are still considered to be in “reasonably good shape,” according to a January report from University of Illinois urban geographer Judith Keller.)
“This is one of those scenarios when the impossible became possible,” an attorney for the plaintiffs told the publication after the settlement was announced Wednesday.
In terms of monetary compensation, the damages are equivalent to the amount previously estimated to be required for repairs and close to the reported $26.8 million that went into their design and construction, which included contributions from star architects like David Adjaye, Frank Gehry, Shigeru Ban, and others. The foundation would later sue both its former executive director and managing architect for undisclosed amounts.
Several other lawsuits brought against Make it Right are still pending. Pitt had unsuccessfully petitioned the court to absolve him of any personal wrongdoing in the matter in the years leading up to this week’s settlement. In a statement to the press, the plaintiffs' attorney indicated that the payments would be disbursed through a California-based non-profit called Global Green.
4 Comments
Brad's having a rough week. :-(
What was other bad news? Seen Bullet Train yet?
Brad Pitt's intentions were good and right. The fault lies with the design and construction professionals and the AHJ Inspectors who were involved. What a waste of resources and time!
Yeah, he had the right intentions but the pros who advised him should've known better. The local AOR was especially culpable, though he was given a tough assignment trying to turn the starchitect sketches into affordable reality. In the end, a lesson in project delivery failure.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.