Speak up in favor of funding for CNO preservation & planning departments!

This week marks the beginning of Mayor Landrieu’s series of community meetings aimed at giving residents the chance to give their input in the City’s budgeting priorities. The first meeting is tonight, August 13, for Council District B and meetings will continue through August 27. 

These meetings are your chance to let the mayor know that planning and preservation are a budget priority! Come speak up in favor of more funding for the Historic Districts Landmarks Commission (HDLC) and the City Planning Commission (CPC).

Reductions in funding for the HDLC in previous budgets have had a negative impact on the agency. In the past, HDLC had three plans examiners–one dedicated to the CBD districts, one Uptown, and one for the downtown districts. With a tighter budget, there are now only two examiners. As a result, wait time for HDLC certificates of appropriateness for renovations of historic district properties has increased to six weeks. Further, there are qualified neighborhoods that seek historic district status but even with a status quo no new designations can be considered. This is missing out on an important tool for economic development, revitalization of neighborhoods and rebuilding the city’s population.

New Orleans’ historic architecture is one of its most valuable assets and the renovation of these structures is a boon to the city coffers. Redevelopment and restoration of our neighborhoods has the potential to attract tourists and new residents, but it can also better serve current New Orleanians. The upcoming budget should reflect the importance of planning and preservation to the city’s economic development. More funding for agencies like the HDLC and CPC means a greater capacity for historic preservation and renovations, and more manpower dedicated to the planning our city needs to continue its rebirth!

View our post about the series of community meetings on budget priorities HERE.