MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELL RELEASES COMPREHENSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS REPORT HIGHLIGHTING MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS OF PROGRESS, RESILIENCE, AND TRANSFORMATION IN NEW ORLEANS

Since taking office on May 7, 2018, Mayor Cantrell has led New Orleans through some of the most challenging years in modern history — including a global pandemic, multiple major hurricanes, national economic uncertainty, and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities — while still delivering long-term, equity-centered improvements that strengthened the City’s stability and resilience. 

“Serving as Mayor of New Orleans has been the honor of my lifetime,” said Mayor Cantrell. “For more than seven years, we have pushed our City forward — modernizing infrastructure, improving public safety, expanding affordable housing, uplifting our culture, transforming transportation, and strengthening City services. We led through unprecedented crises and still delivered results that will benefit New Orleanians for generations to come.” 

Mayor Cantrell also led New Orleans through over 30 major emergencies and crises — including hurricanes, tornadoes, extreme flooding, extreme heat events, a citywide cyberattack, the Hard Rock Hotel collapse, a global pandemic, public health outbreaks, saltwater intrusion, and multiple infrastructure failures — while still advancing long-term modernization and reform. 

The administration’s major accomplishments are outlined below, with additional detailed metrics included in the separate transition document titled New Orleans Forward: Detailed Accomplishment Metrics from the Cantrell Administration (2018–2026). 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CANTRELL ADMINISTRATION’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS (2018–2026) 

INFRASTRUCTURE & SWBNO MODERNIZATION 

• The Cantrell Administration’s Fair Share initiative restructured long-standing state and tourism revenue streams, securing $50 million in upfront funding and $27 million in recurring annual revenue for critical City infrastructure — enabling more than $300 million in new City bond sales and unlocking historic FEMA reimbursements and hazard-mitigation investments.  

• Under Mayor Cantrell’s leadership, New Orleans executed the most significant upgrades to its water, power, and drainage systems in decades: 

• Implemented the Fair Share Initiative, securing $50 million in one-time and $27 million in recurring revenue, enabling $300 million in City bond sales for infrastructure projects 

• Delivered $2.4 billion in FEMA Joint Infrastructure Recovery projects and $150 million in hazard-mitigation funding for drainage and streets 

• Completed the $1 billion North Terminal project at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport 

•  Advanced the $300M+ Power Complex, modernizing power for the City’s water and drainage systems 

• Nearly eliminated citywide boil water advisories through the Water Hammer Hazard Mitigation Program 

• Launched the full replacement of 140,000 mechanical meters with smart meters to improve billing accuracy 

• Implemented a 10-year initiative to eliminate all lead service lines across New Orleans 

• Completed major upgrades at the East Bank Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sycamore Filter Gallery, and Oak Street Pumping Station  

• Modernized customer billing and service systems, including PromisePay enrollment for over 60% of past-due customers 

• Brought the SWBNO public website into full ADA compliance 

• Installed donated Super Bowl LIX turf at multiple recreation fields and constructed new trails and walking paths (Recreation Development Commission) 

• Secured $26 million for Lincoln Beach redevelopment and completed design work for Phase I construction (Department of Property Management/Office of Resilience & Sustainability) 

• Secured $10.5 million capital funding for the construction of a new Field Operations Office and Warehouse at 2829 Elysian Fields Ave. (Sanitation Department) 

• More than $2.4 billion in FEMA-funded Joint Infrastructure Recovery projects — the largest infrastructure investment in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina 

• Over $450 million in drainage, power, and pump-station modernization supporting flood protection for hundreds of thousands of residents 

• Citywide completion or advancement of over 400 roadwork projects spanning all Council districts 

PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC HEALTH & EMERGENCY RESPONSE 

Public health, emergency preparedness, and climate adaptation became core pillars of the administration’s safety strategy, especially as the City responded to more than 30 major emergencies during her tenure.  

• The administration strengthened safety systems and expanded community-focused strategies: 

• Secured $32.5 million for NOPD recruitment and retention 

• Directed $50 million in ARPA funds toward human services and violence prevention 

• Expanded EMS capacity and modernized emergency fleet operations 

• Implemented new emergency-alert and flood-warning systems for residents 

• Strengthened domestic violence, anti-trafficking, and crisis-intervention partnerships

• Expanded the City’s Public Health infrastructure, including significant growth in community health programming, Family Connects home-visiting services for newborns, and maternal and child health initiatives 

• Launched a citywide Narcan distribution program and expanded harm-reduction strategies 

• Implemented climate adaptation strategies to address extreme heat, air quality, flooding, and saltwater intrusion 

• Delivered major equipment modernization for NOPD, NOFD, and EMS, including new emergency response units, fire apparatus, and specialty vehicles 

• Opened the City’s new Public Safety Equipment & Logistics Warehouse to improve emergency supply management 

• Advanced the development of the new NOPD Headquarters and Municipal Court facilities to support long-term public safety operations 

HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 

The Cantrell Administration delivered the largest housing investments in years. 

• Completed or advanced more than 7,500 affordable housing units 

• Provided major rental assistance and home repair support for seniors and vulnerable residents 

• Supported first-time homebuyers through down-payment assistance and neighborhood revitalization 

• Completed the elevation of 100+ flood-prone homes using federal mitigation funds 

• Strengthened the Office of Homeless Services & Strategy, including a housing plan for 1,500 residents by 2025 

• Expanded the City’s Low-Barrier Shelter system and enhanced emergency housing pathways 

• Supported expansion of the New Orleans Solar Farm project to lower long-term energy costs and strengthen resilience in low-income communities 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT 

Economic mobility, job growth, and workforce development were central to the administration’s goals. 

• Supported more than $2 billion in public and private economic development investments 

• Strengthened small business programs and expanded technical assistance 

• Improved job pipelines through NOBC training, education, and placement programs 

• Led a strong post-pandemic recovery across hospitality, tourism, culture, and creative industries  

• Won $50,000 NACCHO grant to develop a Violence Prevention Action Team (Criminal Justice Coordination) 

CLIMATE RESILIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY 

New Orleans made major strides in preparing for climate change and extreme weather. 

• Secured significant federal and state funding for drainage, green infrastructure, and coastal resilience, including more than $200 million in climate-resilience, mitigation, and coastal-protection grants 

• Expanded stormwater mitigation projects throughout neighborhoods, including over 90 acres of green-infrastructure and stormwater-retention installations 

• Modernized resilience planning to address extreme heat, flooding, saltwater intrusion, and hurricane impacts 

• Restarted citywide recycling and improved sanitation coordination, diverting tens of thousands of pounds of waste annually, including 73,000 lbs through Recycle Dat in a single Mardi Gras season 

• Launched youth-led climate action and leadership programs in partnership with schools and community groups 

• Expanded green workforce training and youth climate readiness initiatives 

• Supported multiple phases of the NORA Urban Farm and community agriculture development, including multi-acre expansion of urban agriculture sites 

• Secured millions in climate-adaptation and coastal-resilience grants to prepare New Orleans for sea-level rise, extreme heat, flooding, and saltwater intrusion 

• Expanded the City’s Sustainability & Resilience initiatives through NOTCF funding and partnerships 

CULTURE, YOUTH & COMMUNITY INVESTMENT 

• Expanded NORD programming and strengthened recreation facilities citywide, supporting over 100,000 youth and families annually 

• Supported cultural bearers, artists, musicians, and tradition keepers through NOTCF and cultural-economy initiatives, providing assistance to more than 1,200 creatives each year 

• Delivered improvements to parks, libraries, playgrounds, and community centers, including over $75 million in park and recreation facility investments and upgrades to more than 50 parks and playgrounds 

• Advanced international partnerships and Sister City relationships that strengthened cultural exchange, economic development, and global visibility for New Orleans 

RTA & TRANSPORTATION MODERNIZATION 

• Implemented the Rolling Ahead plan to improve service reliability and customer experience 

• Added new buses and expanded paratransit services 

• Enhanced ADA accessibility and rider communication tools 

• Strengthened regional mobility strategies and route performance 

GOVERNMENT MODERNIZATION & TECHNOLOGY 

• Selected and implemented new systems for payroll, human resources, asset management, and financial operations 

• Strengthened cybersecurity and data protection standards 

• Improved digital customer service tools and transparency dashboards 

• Streamlined department operations and reduced outdated manual processes 

LOOKING FORWARD 

“The next administration will inherit a stronger, more resilient, and more modern New Orleans because of the foundation we’ve built,” Mayor Cantrell added. “I am grateful to the people of this city for trusting me to lead, and I know New Orleans will continue moving forward with strength and purpose.” 

Click here to view the full accomplishments report and detailed metrics from the Cantrell Administration: “NOLA Forward: Detailed Accomplishment Metrics from the Cantrell Administration (2018–2026).”