city government

Viewpoint: It’s time to give firefighters their fair share

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By Danae Columbus, opinion columnist

It’s no secret that the New Orleans Fire Department has been understaffed and underfunded for far more than a decade. The city has consistently told firefighters that they should be good soldiers and wait their turn. But their turn has never come. Firefighters are asking — if not now, when? Instead of having the city attorney schedule a negotiating session to discuss outstanding issues, Mayor LaToya Cantrell cancelled all leave and vacation time, in an effort to force firefighters to work extra shifts during Mardi Gras season.

city government

City officially breaks ground on yearlong Freret area roadwork project

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From the Mayor’s Office

Mayor LaToya Cantrell today joined other officials and partners to break ground on the $4.2 million Freret Group A roadwork project. “This is the first Joint Infrastructure Project starting in Council District B; in total there will be nearly $60 million invested in this district over the next several years,” said Ramsey Green, deputy CAO for infrastructure. “At the conclusion of this project, residents on 50 blocks will have better streets and an overall improved quality of life. We have 16 projects under construction worth about $108 million.” The city’s Department of Public Works, in conjunction with the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, began road repairs in the Freret neighborhood on Feb.

city government

Yearlong Freret area roadwork begins

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The Freret roadwork project broke ground on Monday (Feb. 3), the Mayor’s Office announced. Work on the project, which is one of about 200 being funded across the city with more than $2.2 billion of FEMA money, will continue for another year. The boundaries for improvements are bounded by South Claiborne on the north, LaSalle Street on the south, Jefferson Avenue on the west and Napoleon Avenue on the east. This $4 million project was designed by Kyle Associates LLC and will be constructed by Hard Rock Construction LLC.

city government

City Hall hosts Community Office Hours

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The city’s Neighborhood Engagement Office announced the return of Community Office Hours, a chance for residents to meet with the neighborhood liaison from the Mayor’s Office. The District A liaison will be in the Nix Library at 1401 S. Carrollton Ave. In District B, visit the Cafe at Ochsner Baptist Campus, 4500 Clara St. to meet your liaison. Uptown residents are encouraged to bring their questions, comments and concerns on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

city government

Uptown homeowners frustrated over skyrocketing S&WB bills

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Video and story by Madison Mcloughlin, Pack News

Uptown homeowner Mark Heller noticed what he said had to be a mistake in one of his Sewerage & Water Board bills several months ago. What was usually a bill for around $100 was now a bill for $697 for a single month. There was no explanation. “I would expect there to be a small flood somewhere in my yard with a bill that size, but we don’t see any leaks anywhere,” he said. Heller is not alone in his frustration.

arts, books and music

Central City Library to open Wednesday in new location

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The Central City Library will open in its new location on Wednesday (Feb. 5) at 10 a.m.

The new branch library in the Allie Mae Williams Multi-Service Center promises to be larger and more accessible than the previous location in the Mahalia Jackson Center. The hours will expand at the new location to include Saturdays. The library will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It will have dedicated areas for children and teens and more public computers for the community to use.

city government

Mardi Gras 2020 has some new and revised rules: Port-o-lets, prohibited throws, ladders and parade elements

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By Sue Strachan, Uptown Messenger

Need to go to the bathroom during a parade? For Carnival 2020, parade-goers might have to walk farther to use private port-o-lets on trucks parked in the streets. This was part of one of two ordinances passed unanimously Thursday (Jan. 30) by the City Council “updating sections of the Municipal Code that address Mardi Gras regulations, clarifying parade terms and codifying reforms,” states a City Council press release. Amended ordinance (Sec.

Advertiser specials

Advertiser: Forward New Orleans releases progress report on mayor and City Council

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Forward New Orleans (FNO) issued its First Progress Report on the 2018 Municipal Elections Platform today. The Progress Report is an assessment of our elected officials’ work towards achieving the Platform’s objectives in six priority areas: public safety, infrastructure, economic opportunity, city services, city finance, and civil service. Since 2010, FNO has developed issue-based platforms to shape the policy priorities within municipal elections. FNO seeks pledges of support for the Platform from mayoral and city council candidates, with those pledges becoming mandates for post-election action by elected officials. FNO issues regular progress reports that assess the City’s advancement towards fulfilling the Platform’s objectives, and this is the first report to measure the achievements of the Cantrell Administration and the current City Council since the 2018 municipal elections.

city government

Delachaise Security District expected to begin patrols in February

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By Sue Strachan, Uptown Messenger

The Delachaise neighborhood is getting closer to becoming a security district. Organizers are pushing for active patrols by the second weekend of Carnival parades. At the Delachaise Neighborhood Association meeting Tuesday (Jan. 21), board member Remy Richard said the association was awaiting the release of funds from the city before he sent out a prospectus to security companies to patrol the neighborhood bounded by Carondelet and South Saratoga streets, and Louisiana Avenue and Marengo Street. It will also include Palm Terrace, between St.