News & Announcements

June 24, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City Announces New Business Stabilization Fund for French Quarter Businesses Affected by Lower Decatur & St. Peter St. SWBNO Construction Project

NEW ORLEANS – Mayor Helena Moreno and The City of New Orleans today announced a Business Stabilization Fund to assist businesses located along two economically vibrant corridors, Lower Decatur and St. Peter Streets, that have experienced prolonged disruption due to construction projects.

“The poor communication and even more troubling execution of this SWBNO project has caused significant harm to the businesses and residents of this area. It should never have happened. But, when we see a problem, we go to work, thinking creatively to maximize public and private resources and to lend a hand,” said Mayor Helena Moreno. “This new fund is only one of the measures we are using to fix a problem the city did not create. Moving forward, we are taking even more urgent steps to keep SWBNO and their contractors accountable; ensure the timelines are met and promises are kept; and to vastly improve communication to our residents and businesses so that this does not happen again.”

June 23, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Announces Long-Awaited Demolition of DeGaulle Manor

NEW ORLEANS, LA — After more than 14 years of delays, District C Councilmember Freddie King, III, and Mayor Helena Moreno today announced they have secured approximately $3 million to demolish the long-vacant DeGaulle Manor apartment complex in Algiers, removing one of the neighborhood's most persistent sources of blight and public safety concerns. 

The one-time housing-related funding will be used to complete the full demolition of the 12-building complex at 3010 Sandra Drive. The funding was made available from the short-term rental fund, allowing the city to move forward with a project that had remained unfunded for years due to financial and administrative barriers. 

June 22, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Mayor Moreno Announces Economic Development Leadership Team to Expand Partnerships, Drive Investment, and Accelerate Growth Across New Orleans

Mayor Helena Moreno today announced a series of leadership appointments designed to strengthen the City’s economic development efforts, expand international partnerships, and accelerate investment opportunities throughout New Orleans, with a particular focus on New Orleans East.

As part of the reorganization, Dr. Jenny Mains will transition into a new role as Special Advisor to the Mayor for International Partnerships and Strategic Economic Development. In this capacity, Dr. Mains will serve as a senior representative of the administration, helping cultivate relationships with business leaders, investors, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, trade organizations, and international partners while identifying opportunities that support New Orleans’ long-term economic growth.

June 18, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Provides Update Following Severe Weather Event

NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans is continuing response and recovery operations following severe weather that moved through the area overnight and into the morning hours.  

Strong thunderstorms moved through the New Orleans area overnight and into the morning hours, bringing heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and tornado activity. Multiple severe weather watches and warnings were issued throughout the event, including a tornado warning for Orleans Parish after a tornado was confirmed near the University of New Orleans (UNO). No major damage reported at this time. The threat of severe weather has since passed, and all watches and warnings affecting Orleans Parish have expired.  

June 17, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Prepares for Potential Weather Impacts

NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans is getting ready for inclement weather. Sandbags are available for distribution across the city today. Hours vary by location.

June 15, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City Uses $1.6 Million in Bond Funding for Desire Square After Years of Inaction

NEW ORLEANS —Mayor Helena Moreno announced today that the administration has identified a path to release the $1.6 million previously committed to the Desire Community Housing Corporation (DCHC), ensuring the long-awaited investment can finally move forward for the residents of the Desire neighborhood. The funds will come from the city's general obligation bonds. 

The funding fulfills a commitment approved by the New Orleans City Council in 2025 through a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with DCHC to advance the long-planned Desire Square development. The project is designed to bring critical community resources to the neighborhood, including a health clinic, pharmacy, grocery store, educational programming, community gathering spaces, and other essential services. While the agreement was approved, the funding was never appropriated, leaving the project unable to advance as planned. 

June 11, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Mayor Moreno Launches New Effort to Return Stagnant Properties to Commerce

NEW ORLEANS — Today, Mayor Helena Moreno announced the creation of the Adjudicated Property Task Force, a citywide initiative designed to tackle one of New Orleans' longest-standing redevelopment challenges. Currently, the city has more than 6,500 properties that have remained tied up in the legal and administrative limbo of the tax-adjudication process for years, and in some cases, for generations. 

The new task force will bring together key City departments to cut through bureaucratic barriers, resolve ownership issues, and return underutilized properties to productive use for housing, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development. 

June 5, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Mayor Helena Moreno Announces FEMA Approval of JIRR Extension Through 2028

NEW ORLEANS - The City of New Orleans has secured a major win by receiving approval for an extension of the Joint Infrastructure Recovery Response (JIRR) program through June 2, 2028, providing the City and its infrastructure partners additional time to complete critical federally funded infrastructure and resilience projects across New Orleans.

The extension ensures the City can continue advancing major drainage, sewer, water, and roadway improvements that are essential to strengthening New Orleans’ long-term resilience and quality of life.

June 5, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Files for Supreme Court Rehearing in Clerks Case to Secure Voters' Rights and Protect Sanctity of the Ballot

NEW ORLEANS - Today, the City of New Orleans applied for rehearing and requested oral argument at the Louisiana Supreme Court in the Orleans Parish clerk case. The City Attorney, representing both the Mayor and the New Orleans City Council, petitioned the Court to reconsider its decision, which fails to protect the rights of Orleans Parish voters. The Court decided in a narrow 4-3 decision against the City's claims and barred the City from holding the election called by the City Council for the fall.  

"Neither a court nor a legislature should have the authority to override the voice of the voters and as a City we must use every tool at our disposal to defend that right when it is under attack," said Mayor Helena Moreno. "I hope the majority justices will review and reconsider their position and do right by the people of our City."

June 2, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

City Moves Forward with Next Phase of Budget Stabilization to Solve Budget Crisis by 2027

NEW ORLEANS - Today, the City of New Orleans announced a continuation of repairs to its fiscal health. In collaboration with and with the support of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, the City is continuing its cash flow management strategy by advancing an expected medium-term loan with a banking institution as it gets closer to clawing out from under the inherited fiscal crisis.

"Seeking this medium-term financing option is a substantial step towards restoring the fiscal health of the City and signals our transition from crisis towards stability," said Mayor Helena Moreno. "This financing package steps us away from immediate crisis-response revenue anticipation notes over the past six months into a cheaper, more advantageous option."