NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans and Jefferson Parish leaders announced that they have reached an agreement on the final terms of the West End Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA), paving the way for a coordinated regional effort to revitalize and develop the West End area.
The historic West End served as one of New Orleans’ great entertainment destinations for generations. However, after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, it sat fallow awaiting redevelopment for year. Further complicating progress is the fact that the West End parcels are split between Jefferson and Orleans parishes. For years, negotiations stalled between the two parishes, but thanks to the leadership of Mayor Helena Moreno, the City and Parish Councils, and State Representative Stephanie Hilferty, the parties resolved disputes within Moreno’s first month in office to move the project forward. This led to Hilferty’s HB 892 which created an economic development district to manage land, enter into contracts and oversee development.
“We’ve been waiting more than 20 years to bring back West End, and I’m proud to have worked collaboratively and urgently with Jefferson Parish leaders and the state to get this project moving,” said Mayor Helena Moreno. “Thank you to Rep. Stephanie Hilferty for taking the lead on this important legislation that once enacted will be the governing entity to bring in development. Just like many other initiatives, we’re moving fast and I know some believe my administration ultimately moves too fast, but I say we’ve waited long enough for progress.”
“I am proud to author House Bill 892, which signifies an incredible opportunity for New Orleans and Jefferson Parish to redevelop the West End area,” said Rep. Stephanie Hilferty. “This project shows a continued commitment to multi-parish collaboration, while promoting economic development that benefits residents and visitors of both parishes.”
“This was the Coney Island of New Orleans,” said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. “Jefferson Parish has very limited lakefront areas to develop. We have many things we are investing in at the lake but there’s really only three areas we could invest our dollars. Now that this West End project is coming online, working with the City of New Orleans, it is so exciting. It took a lot of people and a change of mindset to make this happen and we look forward to doing more projects together.”
“This CEA represents an incredible opportunity for cross- Parish collaboration and economic development that benefits residents and visitors of both Orleans and Jefferson parishes,” said District A New Orleans City Councilmember, Aimee McCarron. “This redevelopment is no small feat – it has taken years of work between the city, state, and our neighbors in Jefferson Parish. This CEA moves us one step closer to reinvesting in the natural gem that is the West End.”
“NOBC expects the redevelopment of the West End parcel to be a very successful economic development project that will soon become a favorite destination for residents of and visitors to the City of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish, just as it was for over 100 years before Hurricane Katrina,” said Annie McBride, CEO of New Orleans Building Corporation. “This effort requires cooperation amongst Jefferson Parish, the City of New Orleans, and the State of Louisiana. Our elected officials have worked hard to foster that spirit of cooperation.”
“Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, along with the State of Louisiana and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have worked together to help restore West End as a vibrant economic and recreational destination,” said Hans Liljeberg, Jefferson Parish District 5 Councilmember. “West End will finally receive the resources it deserves. Today’s announcement shows that multi-parish collaboration benefits everyone.”
The proposed district would be governed by a five-member board with appointees from both parishes, giving local leaders a unified way to guide projects and investments. While the bill allows for the possibility of a future sales tax of up to 2%, any such measure would require voter approval, and funds would be dedicated exclusively to projects within the West End area.