by Dean Burridge
After only just over 6 years after Katrina, FEMA has announced $40.1 million in federal funding for recovery efforts in Louisiana including several in the Mid-City/Faubourg St. John area.
Grants will fund numerous projects in New Orleans, including repairs to roadways, the Municipal Auditorium, the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ animal control facility and the New Orleans Museum of Art. These grants were provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program.
The grants announced today include:
– $16.67 million to the City of New Orleans to fund repairs to the Municipal Auditorium. Flooding from Hurricane Katrina caused significant electrical and mechanical damage to the building. Grant funding will be dedicated to addressing disaster-related damage, including mechanical and electrical systems, and architectural items, such as flooring, walls, and arena seating.
– $2.02 million to Jefferson Parish to repair asphalt roadways that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
– $1.32 million to the City of New Orleans to restore the Youth Study Center which was heavily damaged in Hurricane Katrina. The facility provides secured detention for youths from the ages of 8-16 who have been arrested and are in pre-trial status.
– $1.26 million to the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, which consists of the following: Schools of Graduate Studies, Nursing and Dentistry, two patient care clinics and two hospitals. Numerous facilities were extensively damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The funding will restore disaster-damaged building contents specific to the Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance.
– $3.86 million to the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, for the School of Dentistry.
– $7.97 million to the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for its animal control facility. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive flooding that reached the roof, as well as wind damage to the New Orleans facility.
– $4.25 million to the City of New Orleans to revitalize roadways that sustained damage from Hurricane Katrina. Work will include repairing damaged roads and street surfaces, paving, sidewalks, curbs, gutters and driveway aprons.
– $2.76 million to the City of New Orleans to restore the New Orleans Museum of Arts building. The grant will fund significant repairs to the historic building, which was opened in 1911, such as fixing roofing, skylights, and carpet damage; and replacement of the basement floor and floor waterproofing. Funds will also be used for upgrades to prevent future flood damage.