NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today was joined by District D Councilmember Eugene Green, Department of Public Works (DPW) Director for Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Mary Kincaid, Interim General Superintendent of Sewerage and Water Board New Orleans (SWBNO) Ron Spooner and Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) State Applicant Liaison Supervisor Stanley Aaron to break ground on the Oak Park Drainage Upgrades project in the Fillmore neighborhood of Gentilly.
“Once completed, this project will help alleviate flooding by increasing our capacity of our subsurface draining using green infrastructure options,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “These green projects are innovative and really make us stand apart from other cities across the nation. What we do now will determine where this city will be in 50 years. However, we will start seeing the impacts of our investments sooner. These actions are critical in ensuring our sustainability, whether it’s promoting renewable energy, installing EV chargers or investing in solar farms.”
This groundbreaking event celebrates the start of the Oak Park Drainage Upgrades project that will help alleviate flooding in this community. The scope of work will include increasing the capacity of subsurface drainage between local streets and trunk lines and utilizing green infrastructure options, such as retention/detention basins, street basins, rain gardens and street-side bioswales, which are channels that help with stormwater runoff.
“Today, we’re kicking off this federally funded project to reduce flood risk and add beneficial green space to this community,” said Kincaid. “Not only will this project aid with stormwater management, but it will improve the walkability of the neighborhood, allowing the community to connect with each other more.”
This $5.3 million project is being funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the City’s Joint Infrastructure Recovery Response (JIRR) Program in partnership with the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO). The Oak Park project was designed by Meyer Engineers, Ltd. and will be completed by contractor Cycle Construction Company, LLC.
“SWBNO is always proud to partner with the City of New Orleans under Mayor Cantrell’s leadership. We are rocking and rolling with our JIRR projects,” said Spooner. “What’s unique here is that we are doing two blocks of large sewer trunk mains that feed directly into the pumping station right up the street. The existing utilities date back to 1952. This is why continued investment in our infrastructure is key to the success of our city.”
“Our efforts to build an enhanced quality of life for the residents of New Orleans must include addressing the issues of drainage, flood reduction and storm water management,” said Councilmember Green. “Today’s project reflects the commitment of the Cantrell administration, the Sewerage and Water Board, the City Council and my District D office to build stronger City infrastructure based on the assets, opportunities and challenges inherent in our drainage system. The future is a better, more resilient city, based on the start today of this important project.”
As a critical partner on the Oak Park upgrades, GOHSEP will act as the liaison between FEMA and the City of New Orleans, serving as the grant recipient to ensure the implementation of a cost-effective mitigation project. They will also ensure compliance, offer technical assistance and coordinate with local and federal resources available.
“GOHSEP has worked closely with the City of New Orleans and FEMA to utilize Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to improve drainage in the Oak Park neighborhood,” said GOHSEP Director Casey Tingle. “Infrastructure improvements such as this make our communities more resilient. The impacts of flooding are all too familiar, and we look forward to the protection this project provides.”
As of May 1, 2023, DPW has completed 160 projects with an estimated value of $585 million since May 2018, and DPW currently has 53 roadwork projects under construction with an estimated value of nearly $618 million.
The expected completion date for this project is the fall of 2023.
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