New Orleans to revive historic building vacant since Katrina
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Mayor Helena Moreno talks about her vision for Armstrong Park at a Feb. 19 press conference. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios
New Orleans City Council members are expected to vote Thursday to fund the next step in revitalizing the Municipal Auditorium and Armstrong Park.
Why it matters: The goal is to turn the space in the Treme into a cultural destination to celebrate the city's Black heritage.
The big picture: The Municipal Auditorium has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina, but it once was one of the city's most important social buildings.
- It hosted Mardi Gras balls, proms, dances, graduations and concerts.
- The building is in Armstrong Park, which Mayor Helena Moreno called "hallowed ground." It's home to Congo Square, the birthplace of jazz.
- After then-Mayor LaToya Cantrell proposed moving City Hall to the building, the community pushed back. In 2024, the city entered into an agreement with the Save Our Soul Coalition to re-envision the space.
Yes, but: Progress has been slow, especially on funding.
- The city hopes to use about $40 million from FEMA to finance some of the work. Moreno says her administration is seeking clarity on whether FEMA canceled the funding after the city missed a deadline.
- Until then, Moreno says, it is time to get started on the project's master plan. "We have waited long enough to start moving with real urgency to create a world class cultural facility and park to benefit the public good."
- Council members, who joined her last week at a press conference, are expected to support the process by shifting $750,000 in unused bond money from other departments to the project.
By the numbers: The city previously allocated about $250,000 for the estimated $1 million planning phase, so the new funds will bridge the gap.
- The expense comes while some city employees continue to have furloughs every other week.
- Moreno says the funds for the project are from a different pot and can't be used on payroll.
Zoom in: The master plan will decide what moves forward and how.
- The top priority is a stormwater mitigation project for the park so it won't flood, says Save Our Soul Coalition president Jackie Harris.
- Then, she wants to see a permanent outdoor performance space in the park. She says a nonprofit has pledged some financial support for that already.
- After the master plan is finished, Moreno says, they'll "figure out how to put the dollars together" to build it out.
The intrigue: The timeline remains uncertain.
- Public works director Steve Nelson said crews recently stabilized the roof of the auditorium and will begin other repairs to keep the interior dry.
- When will the auditorium host Mardi Gras balls again? "In the next few years," Moreno said, hedging in response to Axios' question.
What's next: The city and the coalition will work with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to hire a firm to lead the master plan.
- The planning process is expected to take nine to 12 months.
Go deeper: Comments from officials
