The Office of Inspector General completed 15 of the 22 investigations it opened in 2009, according to an annual report the office submitted to the city Tuesday. “Most of the investigations concerned relatively minor matters. However, The Crime Surveillance Camera inspection revealed multiple evasions of competitive requirements, and generated suspicions of corruption in contract administration,” […]
Author Archives: Ariella Cohen
Posted inLand Use
City has $9 million more for economic development
After doling out nearly $3 million in loans for an expansion of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club headquarters and an entertainment complex on St. Bernard Avenue, the city of New Orleans has about $9 million left in its Urban Development Action Grant fund for revitalization projects in low-income neighborhoods. “We have $12 million […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Mysterious “recovery board” made key decision on project
For all who were wondering who made up the “recovery board” that decided to pull the plug on a contract to develop a long-awaited linear park in New Orleans, The Lens has obtained an answer. Sort of. According to Mayor Ray Nagin spokesman James Ross, the executive branch board is comprised of “staff members who […]
Posted inLand Use
When a greenway becomes a roller coaster
After unexpectedly throwing out a hard-won contract for the development of a grand linear park through the heart of New Orleans, the city has reopened bidding. But this time, the urban planners who won the first contract say the question is not how to win the contract with City Hall, but whether they want to. […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
Like Zulu, nightclub developer may get loan from city
The proposal calls for the former Liberty Hardware Store to become retail on the ground level and a members-only club upstairs. Update: The Thursday City Council meeting where these loans were to be considered has been postponed. The matters likely will be taken up by the council Tuesday at 10 a.m. The oversized check Mayor […]
Posted inLand Use
City releases HUD report, invites public comments
The federal government gave New Orleans more than $6.5 million to build or repair affordable housing last year, resulting in 63 rental rehabs and 150 blighted property renovations, according to the draft of a federal report released for public review this week. Another 81 blighted properties were expropriated using the federal grant money, according to […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City makes $50k grant to support abstinence education
The city gave $50,000 in federal grant money in part to help support sexual abstinence education done by a Christian organization, according to a spending report presented Monday to members of the City Council. The grant also financed tutoring and day camps for more than 100 kids. The money came out of an $800,000 pool […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Contractor being paid for work done by city employees
The city has paid the private company managing the bulk of New Orleans’ recovery projects more than $3 million for work actually done by city employees, according to an internal memo written by the ousted city capital projects director just weeks before he left City Hall. Bill Chrisman wrote in the Feb. 20 memo that […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Contractor for recovery oversight is overcharging, says ousted city official
Controversial contractor MWH Global, which serves as the project manager for most major city recovery projects, is billing the city at a higher rate than allowed for in federally subsidized projects, according to an internal city memo obtained by The Lens. “…MWH has grossly exceed [sic] the 8% cap max fee allowable for project billing,” […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
See for yourself: Zulu, others vie for city grant money
More than two weeks after filing a public records request, The Lens has gotten its hands on the proposals that competed with Zulu for a share of the city’s Urban Development Action Grant fund.In addition to the winning $800,000 Zulu proposal, the city considered a plan for a nightclub and multimedia production center on St. […]