2018 Recap: Mayor's Neighborhood Engagement Office
Happy Holidays!
The Mayor's Neighborhood Engagement Office (NEO) would like to wish you a very happy 2018 holiday season. Headlined by the welcoming of Mayor LaToya Cantrell to New Orleans City Hall, this was an action-packed year for NEO, and we thank you for being a part of it!
We are thrilled to share a number of our 2018 highlights with you as we begin preparing for the New Year.
 Clockwise from top left: Shelly, Burnette, Gordon, Cormier, Tapp
New Staff Members
This past Summer, we were thrilled to announce the addition of 4 new staff members to the NEO team:
Kyle Shelly: Strategic Engagement Manager
Sam Gordon: Neighborhood Liaison for Council District A
Talva Burnette: Neighborhood Liaison for Council District B
Allison Cormier: Neighborhood Liaison for Council District C
Trey Tapp: Neighborhood Liaison for Council District E
  Community Office Hours
Increasing boots-on-the-ground engagement serves as one of Mayor LaToya Cantrell's strongest priorities.
Hosted by NEO in New Orleans libraries and recreation centers twice a week in each Council District across the city, Community Office Hours was launched as a pilot program to address neighborhood-level issues while strengthening communication and information flow between City Hall and New Orleans residents.
From its launch date in June 2018 to its conclusion at the end of October, over 500 New Orleans residents visited Community Office Hours. NEO looks forward to bringing back the program in 2019 with an increased capacity!
  Cleaning Up Streets and Reducing Street Flooding
As part of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s CleanUpNOLA initiative, NEO led its second annual series of Catch Basin Cleaning Days in an effort to help keep New Orleans streets clean and flood-free.
Beginning in the last weekend of September with a “Catch Basin Cleaning Training Day” for city neighborhood leaders, NEO led a cleanup day each ensuing Saturday through the month of October and first weekend of November.
Thanks to the help of over 150 registered volunteers, close to 200 catch basins were cleaned in the Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans East, Hollygrove, Broadmoor, Algiers Point, Bywater, and Gentilly.
We look forward to continuing the CleanUpNOLA initiative in 2019.
Click this link to learn more about Catch Basin Cleaning.
 The 2018 Neighborhood Summit
With over 500 registered attendees, the 2018 Neighborhood Summit: Building a Resilient New Orleans Together was held on Saturday, November 10th at the University of New Orleans Student Center. Panel topics and discussion focused on coastal resilience, housing affordability, youth and family development, equitable transportation, and more.
Read more about the Neighborhood Summit here!
 Three Neighborhood Leaders Roundtables
NEO convened three Neighborhood Leaders Roundtable Meetings in 2018, attended by over 350 New Orleans residents. The three Roundtables were focused on the Opioid Crisis, Hurricane Preparedness, and City Infrastructure.
The Neighborhood Leaders Roundtable series provides an opportunity for neighborhood leaders to discuss New Orleans issues and explore solutions with City leadership and government officials, while networking with residents in other parts of the city.
Click this link for more information on Neighborhood Leaders Roundtables.
 Coffee on Your Corner
Coffee on Your Corner is one of NEO's longest running programs, for which residents gather at a local venue in their neighborhood to hear about City programs and initiatives directly from City officials and representatives in an informal setting.
Topics this year included urban water management, street infrastructure, NOLA 3-1-1, sanitation, and short term rentals, with one held in each Council District throughout the year.
Click this link to learn more about past and upcoming Coffee on Your Corner events.
  Civic Leadership Academy
NEO is thrilled to have graduated two outstanding Civic Leadership Academy cohorts with over 80 total students this year.
Held every Spring and Fall, Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) is an engaging 8 week program that provides residents with an in-depth look at City government. The program includes tours and presentations from City leaders that give participants an insider view of how the City of New Orleans operates. With this knowledge, participants become better equipped to lead collective action towards the advancement of neighborhoods and residents’ quality of life.
We urge interested participants to stay tuned for the Spring 2019 class!
Click here for more info.
 Working to Strengthen the New Orleans East Economy
Strengthening economic development in New Orleans East serves as one of Mayor LaToya Cantrell's biggest priorities moving into the second year of her term.
NEO hosted an Economic Development Luncheon in New Orleans East on Thursday, November 26th, at which over 80 residents and business owners had the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas on the subject with Mayor Cantrell.
Representing New Orleans Neighborhoods at NeighborWorks America Training Institute
 The City of New Orleans Mayor’s Office and a cohort of neighborhood leaders attended the NeighborWorks America Training Institute (NTI) in Pittsburgh, PA. Every council district in New Orleans was represented in courses ranging from – The Art of Meeting Facilitation to Community Engagement: Measuring your impact. The Training Institutes are designed to build skills and add information needed to address community development challenges.
...and on Snapchat too!
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Gentilly Terrace Group A
@RoubionShoring crews have completed sidewalks and ADA ramps throughout the final phase the Gentilly Terrace Group A project. All work is scheduled to be completed by January 2019. @roadworkNOLA #nolaprogress #cityofyes
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 St. Charles (Louisiana Avenue to Napoleon Avenue)
Palmisano crews detoured traffic last week to complete asphalt work on St. Charles Ave. as part of the $1.3M project currently underway. @roadworkNOLA #nolaprogress #cityofyes
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Read West Group A
Command Construction crews replacing roadway panels and preparing to pour on Arthur Drive as part of the $5.5M Read Blvd West Group A project. @roadworkNOLA #nolaprogress #cityofyes
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Fleur de Lis fill southbound
Command Construction Industries, LLC crews install roadway fill in the southbound lane of Fleur de Lis Dr. in West End. Concrete placements are occurring on almost a daily basis. @roadworkNOLA #nolaprogress #cityofyes
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Magnolia Bridge stabilization
Hard Rock Construction, LLC crews stabilize the banks of the rehabilitated Magnolia Bridge along Bayou St. John. @roadworkNOLA #nolaprogress #cityofyes @fsjna
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 Stay Safe in the Cold
The men and women of the New Orleans Fire Department would like to wish everyone a SAFE and Happy Holiday Season! Unfortunately at this time of year we see an increase in the incidence of residential fires. The New Orleans Fire Department is committed to protecting our citizens. Please use the link below to educate yourself and your loved ones about Holiday and Cold Weather Fire Safety.
https://nola.gov/nofd/safety/
 Free Fire Alarms!
the New Orleans Fire Department would like to remind citizens that “working smoke alarms” are the most effective and efficient way to protect your home and its occupants. The New Orleans Fire Department will supply and install “free 10yr smoke alarms” to any citizen of Orleans Parish in need. Please contact us at 504-658-4714 or online at www.nola.gov/nofd if you or anyone you know is in need of this potentially lifesaving service.”
https://nola.gov/nofd/citizen-services/free-smoke-detector-installation/
Community Yoga:
At the Historic Carver Theater on December 17th from 5pm - 6pm
Wind Down Wednesday at the Historic Carver
At the Historic Carver Theater on December 19th from 5pm - 8pm; 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Yoga for the Community followed by happy hour at The Carver
Note: Monday and Tuesday Classes at the Carver will resume January 7, 2018, from 5:30pm-6: 30 pm after the final class of the year takes place December 19, 2018
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