Oak Park drainage project will reduce flooding and add green space, officials say
Officials break ground on the Oak Park drainage project. (Mayor’s Office photo)
City officials broke ground Wednesday (May 10) on the Oak Park drainage upgrades, marking the start of a project designed to help alleviate flooding in the Filmore neighborhood.
The 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, channels that help with stormwater runoff.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell, District D Council member Eugene Green, Department of Public Works Director for Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Mary Kincaid, Interim General Superintendent of Sewerage & Water Board Ron Spooner and Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness State Applicant Liaison Supervisor Stanley Aaron took part in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Oak Park drainage project.
“These green projects are innovative and really make us stand apart from other cities across the nation,” Cantrell said. “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.”
This $5.3 million project is being funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the city’s Joint Infrastructure Recovery Response Program. The Oak Park project was designed by Meyer Engineers and will be completed by contractor Cycle Construction Co.
“Today, we’re kicking off this federally funded project to reduce flood risk and add beneficial green space to this community,” the city’s Kincaid said, adding: “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.”
“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,” Green said. “The future is a better, more resilient city, based on the start today of this important project.”
The expected completion date for this project is the fall of 2023.
