Despite statements from three city officials that Walmart would build in Gentilly with no government assistance, the retailer is like to benefit from as $2.7 million in federal grants.
Tag: MITCH LANDRIEU
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Despite community input, Landrieu increases NOPD spending, cuts most other areas
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | This summer, Mayor Mitch Landrieu invited residents to come out and tell him how they wanted their tax dollars spent in 2012. Community meetings held in every section of the city attracted hundreds of residents who spoke passionately about needs in their community – needs for jobs, […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Thousands in improperly documented Nagin-era charges foul city's 2010 audit
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | More than a year after Ray Nagin left City Hall, New Orleans taxpayers are still feeling the pain of thousands of dollars in undocumented credit card purchases made by his administration in its waning days. At least $12,000 in improperly documented purchases were made on city credit […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
As the Saints open season, Mayor Landrieu throws support behind sports district
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | At a final budget town hall meeting Wednesday in the French Quarter, Mayor Mitch Landrieu threw his support behind a new special taxing district in downtown New Orleans. “We are trying to conceptualize what the district should look like and who the major players are,” Landrieu told […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Lower 9th Ward residents tell mayor to speed progress or lose their votes at next election
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | A week after Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced he will spend $45 million on street repairs in the Lower 9th Ward, residents said the Landrieu administration has many more promises left to deliver on. “If you expect residents to return, there must be faster progress on the infrastructure […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Clarkson offends crowd with remarks praising '50s as a golden age, refuses to apologize
Update 9/1: Clarkson issued a statement Wednesday night stating that she is “sorry that there were a handful of people in the crowd that didn’t appreciate what I’ve done for them.” By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | Marguerite Blunt, 91, remembers the 1950s as a time when she couldn’t enter restaurants through the […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
City bulldozes Gert Town neighborhood pool but without securing committee's OK
Workers on Monday prepare to haul off the demolished dome that once covered the Gert Town Pool. Photo by Karen Gadbois By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | Ignoring a committee’s request for more information about redevelopment plans, the Landrieu administration on Monday bulldozed the Gert Town Pool. The pool, housed within a distinctive […]
Posted inOpinion
Feds question handling of houses transplanted from hospital footprint
Without review by the Historic District Landmarks Commission, another house from the hospital footprint arrives in Treme. Photo courtesy of insidethefootprint.blogspot.com By Karen Gadbois, The Lens opinion writer | It’s no longer just those fussbudget New Orleans preservationists who are concerned. A federal agency has weighed in on the treatment of old houses being moved […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics, Schools
Juvenile jail to stand just across the street from relocated McDonogh 35 High School
The juvenile jail will remain at a location adjacent to Bayou St. John and the planned home of McDonogh 35 High School. By Steve Beatty, The Lens staff writer | Despite concerns from some neighbors, Mayor Mitch Landrieu said this week that the city will rebuild its juvenile jail where it now stands – right […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Algiers residents unload road frustrations on mayor, who says long-term fix is expensive
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | Streets and infrastructure topped the list of budget priorities for Algiers residents who came out Wednesday night for the second of seven public hearings regarding Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s 2012 budget. “More than a year ago, we were sitting in this exact spot and I told you about […]