Teamwork and attention to detail paid big rewards for New Orleans last week.
In what Mayor Helena Moreno called “a substantial win and something we have been hoping or and waiting on for quite some time,” the Federal Emergency Management Agency agreed to give New Orleans a two-year extension to finish road and drainage projects as the last portion of Hurricane Katrina relief.
The city can now complete some 400 projects, at a price of about $500 million, according to what CAO for Infrastructure Steve Nelson described as a “very detailed schedule” backed by a comprehensive financial audit. This represents the remainder of a $1.7 billion settlement with FEMA for work on some 6,000 city blocks. Without the extension, numerous projects that had already begun would have stopped, and other projects already planned and approved would, at least for the foreseeable future, be jettisoned.
For a cash-strapped city contending with drainage and subsidence challenges faced almost nowhere else, this extension is an immense boon.
FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Arsany Thomas rightly is . In a city not always known for tight administrative action, it is heartening to see the ability of Moreno and of Nelson’s team to convince federal officials that the city’s management of the funds would be trustworthy.
At her news conference announcing the “really fantastic” news, Moreno was quick, and wise, to thanks FEMA for cooperation while sharing generous credit with numerous others. Among those she thanked for their efforts were U.S. Rep. Troy Carter and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who jointly represent New Orleans in Washington, along with Gov. Jeff Landry and his administration.
Moreno also gave substantial accolades to Saints owner Gayle Benson, who advocated for the extension directly to President Donald Trump. “I really do believe that Mrs. Benson is the one who brought it over the finish line for us,” Moreno said.
If it might seem unusual for someone who isn’t a public official to help secure an agreement from the federal government, the mayor made a good and useful point about how civic collaboration ought to work.
“To get something big done for the city of New Orleans,” , “I’ll bring in whatever advocates I need to.”
Trump, too, merits gratitude for his help.
Meanwhile, the immense complications involved in the city’s 20-year post-hurricane rehabilitation once again show the importance of FEMA, an agency initially targeted by the Trump administration for severe downsizing or even dissolution. More recently, the administration has leaned more toward
As Carter said in a release, “FEMA’s partnership and resources have been the backbone of Louisiana’s rebuilding efforts.”
Overall, this welcome agreement shows that goodwill, hard work and teamwork are the best way to take up arms against a sea of troubles. Kudos to all involved.