New Orleans East Matters

Economic Development

Economic Development leaders at the City and at the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) are actively marketing sites in New Orleans East with the help of a leader real estate and marketing firm

Real Estate & Development Updates:

  • PJ’s Coffee Shop is opening on Read Blvd. in two weeks. PJ’s partnered with the Urban League of Louisiana’s STRIVE program to recruit and hire 9 work readiness/professional development graduates.
  • Martin Plaza, LLC is planning for 3 commercial developments at 7135 Bundy Road including a restaurant and recreation center.
  • AT&T’s Believe New Orleans: Commitment to build 3 retail stores within the footprint of the East
  • Construction is underway for a medical clinic on Bullard.
  • Dixie Brewery: adding 60+ new permanent jobs and is on schedule to open in November.
  • The Michoud Assembly Facility continues to expand, with tenant LM Wind Power announcing in November its expansion to add 100 new permanent jobs.
  • We are working with Congressman Cedric Richmond to ensure that the National Finance Center for the Department of Agriculture stays in the East.

Progress on Problem Sites:

  • Six Flags - A strategic economic assessment is underway by TIP Strategies/Perkins+Will, and we expect to receive recommendations from them next week on the highest and best uses for the site.
  • Filming – Revenue from filming on the Six Flags site is used to provide security and maintenance of the site. Starlight Studios is one of the largest studios in New Orleans, and creates jobs and generates revenue for the entire city.
  • Cave Man Reader - This site is under development by Peter Gardner. He plans to develop the site into residential units and is working with the City on building permits and other plans.
  • Lowes – Lowes is actively marketing the site for sale. They have had one open house and will have another one next week. There is significant interest in this site.
  • Lake Forest Plaza & The Grand Theater – The Mayor has a team of representatives across City Departments working on the Lake Forest Plaza property matter. Unfortunately the length of time across prior administrations where this matter was not addressed in any way has created challenges that our team is working to resolve. This administration is taking action, but it’s premature to share the specifics.

Public Safety

  • Reinstating Summer Curfew hours.
  • Ready, Set, Engage! Seventh District Community Liaison Officers are walking the beat in New Orleans East neighborhoods, providing safety brochures and leaving door hangers about general safety.  Since April, the CLOs have walked the beat in 15 neighborhoods. The walking beats will be in all 52+ subdivisions and apartment complexes that make up the New Orleans East community.
  • Find it- Fix it!  Under the philosophy of Find it - Fix it, D7 officers are required to work through any community problem to the best of their abilities and then cam make the appropriate referral
  • CPTED Checks: Community Liaison Officers are required to conduct business checks and provide Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) tips to business owners/managers.
  • School resource officers (SRO) have been conducting youth dialogues at our schools to hear first-hand what the issues are from our youth.
  • Starting May 20, bi-weekly bicycle patrols will start within the community.

Lot Maintenance & Land Use

  • Land Use & Zoning – We continue to explore land use and zoning changes that will facilitate the disposition of property for residential and commercial development.
  • Adding 265 lots in NOE to the Lot Abatement Program by June 30, 2019.
  • NORA sold/put back into commerce a total of 761 properties in New Orleans East to date.  (359  Lot Next Door, 290 Auction and 112 for Housing development) 
  • NORA still has 413 parcels in New Orleans East in its inventory.  We completed an inspection of all NORA owned properties as of December 31, 2018.
  • There are approximately 253 “potential” Lot Next Door eligible purchasers next to a NORA vacant lot in New Orleans East.  Individuals can go to the NORA website to express interest in those properties.
  • $1.2 million in funding for soft second mortgages went to homeowners in the East, about 50% of total funding available in that cycle.

Infrastructure

  • Construction on Read Blvd. West project is 80% complete
  • Preparing for final walkthrough of construction in Read Blvd. East neighborhood
  • This $3.9 million project is the first of six construction projects planned to improve the infrastructure in the Read Boulevard East neighborhood which spans from Read Boulevard I-10, I-510 and Chef Menteur Highway.
  • New Orleans East Bridges construction begin this month
  • Sewerage & Water Board are proactively working on dredging the canals in NOE, Florida Ave. canal dredging is complete.
  • Streetlights: Michoud (I10 to Interchange) 54 lights ($39,000),  Bullard 20 lights (S12,500), Louisa EB Exit 239A and Exit 239 B 16 lights ($18,000)
  • Construction phase of Village De L’Est Group A Project is now 99 percent complete
  • The City has completed paving 125 open roadway utility cuts in NOE.
  • Michoud Blvd. project now complete: $3.3M reconstruction project.
  • Curbside Recycling: The City is aware of the recent announcement by Republic Services about the suspension of their acceptance of residential single stream recycling volumes from their recycling curbside pickup. We are working with all parties to explore options before determining next steps related to the City’s recycling program.

Neighborhood Engagement

  • Meeting with New Orleans East faith leaders from New Home Ministries, Household of Faith Fellowship Church, and St. Maria Gorretti Church
  • Car Break-Ins/Theft: NEO has worked to provide information and presentations to residents on SafeCam NOLA.
  • 7th District response Times/Visibility: NEO has worked with Commander Dupree to provide information on how the department responds to calls, prioritizes calls, and provide information on various shift duties of officers.
  • Grass cutting and Vacant/Blighted Lots: The city has cut over 90 lots in NOE.