PROJECT2025NOLA: THE INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE, DEMOCRATIC PLAN TO A MORE PROSPEROUS NEW ORLEANS
by Councilman Oliver Thomas
New Orleans stands at a crossroads, facing challenges and opportunities that will shape its future. I am proposing a new agenda and working guide for our great city and state. I call it PROJECT2025NOLA. This plan offers a transformative vision for the city, emphasizing inclusivity, equity, and economic growth. This comprehensive plan aims to create a more prosperous New Orleans by addressing critical issues and harnessing the city’s unique strengths. Let’s explore how PROJECT2025NOLA can bring about positive change.
1. Consistent Crime Reduction Strategy
PROJECT2025NOLA prioritizes safety by implementing a consistent crime reduction strategy. This plan ensures that citizens remain safe, regardless of who holds office. By focusing on community policing, crime prevention programs, and stronger law enforcement collaboration, PROJECT2025NOLA aims to create a safer environment for all residents.
2. Diversification of the Economy
New Orleans must diversify its economy to reduce reliance on tourism. PROJECT2025NOLA outlines a strategy to prepare the city’s landscape for growth, including developing waterways, investing in New Orleans East, promoting eco-tourism, and leveraging Bayou Sauvage. By fostering new economic sectors, the plan aims to create sustainable job opportunities and economic stability.
3. Poverty Reduction in Disparaged Neighborhoods
PROJECT2025NOLA uses the TCA Poverty Reduction Plan to address historically neglected neighborhoods. By leveraging the United Way A.L.I.C.E. Report and the DATA Center Wealth Gap Study, the plan identifies where and why certain communities have been left behind socially and economically. This targeted approach ensures that resources are allocated effectively to uplift these areas.
4. Repositioning Nonprofits and Agencies
To address the demographic shifts post-Katrina, PROJECT2025NOLA proposes repositioning nonprofits and city and state agencies. These organizations, particularly those dealing with social and economic disparities, should be better positioned within the communities they serve. Refocusing and targeting their work enhances their effectiveness and responsiveness to local needs.
5. Early Childhood Education and Family Stabilization
PROJECT2025NOLA champions early childhood education and family unification. The plan calls on school boards and education leaders to prioritize these areas, recognizing their importance in long-term community stability. By providing robust support for early education and family services, the plan aims to create a strong foundation for future generations.
6. Economic Growth for Black Middle and Working Classes
PROJECT2025NOLA emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts between the business community and elected leaders to grow the Black middle and working classes. Economic stability for these demographics is crucial for the city’s overall safety and prosperity. By implementing programs that promote economic mobility and financial stability, the plan aims to reduce economic disparities and foster a more inclusive economy.
7. Establishing Order
To create a stable and orderly city, PROJECT2025NOLA emphasizes the importance of rule enforcement. The plan seeks to address the current perception that individuals can act without consequence. By establishing clear and fair rules and ensuring their enforcement, PROJECT2025NOLA aims to create a more orderly and respectful community. We have laws and rules on the books already. Let’s enforce those and only tweak when required.
8. Economic Empowerment and Job Creation
PROJECT2025NOLA places economic empowerment at the forefront of its agenda. The plan aims to create a robust local economy by supporting small businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship. It includes initiatives such as providing grants and low-interest loans to minority-owned businesses, fostering innovation hubs, and offering vocational training programs. By equipping residents with the skills and resources they need, PROJECT2025NOLA aims to generate sustainable employment opportunities and reduce income inequality.
Related: The Election of Oliver Thomas
9. Health and Wellness Initiatives
Health disparities are prevalent in New Orleans, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. PROJECT2025NOLA seeks to bridge this gap by improving access to healthcare and promoting wellness. The plan supports expanding community health centers, increasing funding for mental health services, and launching public health campaigns to address chronic diseases. By prioritizing health and wellness, PROJECT2025NOLA aims to enhance the overall quality of life for all residents.
10. Infrastructure and Transportation
A well-maintained infrastructure and efficient transportation system are crucial for economic growth and quality of life. PROJECT2025NOLA focuses on modernizing the city’s infrastructure and improving public transit. Our Sewerage and Water Board must be fixed. New Orleans must lead the world in water management. All aspects of the SWB must be excellent. The plan also includes initiatives such as repairing roads and bridges, expanding public transportation routes, and promoting sustainable transportation options like biking and walking. By investing in infrastructure and transportation, PROJECT2025NOLA aims to create a more connected and accessible city.
11. Environmental Sustainability
New Orleans is particularly vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation. PROJECT2025NOLA prioritizes environmental sustainability to protect the city’s future. The plan advocates for the expansion of green spaces, making sure there are great neighborhood parks, the implementation of renewable energy projects, and the promotion of eco-friendly practices. Additionally, it supports community-led initiatives to restore wetlands and protect coastal areas. By focusing on sustainability, PROJECT2025NOLA aims to ensure a resilient and environmentally sound New Orleans.
12. Community Engagement and Participation
True progress requires active participation from all community members. PROJECT2025NOLA emphasizes community engagement and participation in the decision-making process. The plan encourages the formation of neighborhood councils, hosts regular town hall meetings, and ensures transparency in governance. By empowering residents to have a voice in shaping their city’s future, PROJECT2025NOLA fosters a sense of ownership and accountability.
13. Cultural Preservation and Promotion
New Orleans is renowned for its rich cultural heritage. PROJECT2025NOLA seeks to preserve and promote this unique identity. The plan supports funding for cultural institutions, the preservation of historic sites, and the promotion of local artists and musicians. Additionally, it encourages cultural exchange programs and tourism initiatives that highlight the city’s diverse traditions. By celebrating its cultural heritage, PROJECT2025NOLA aims to strengthen community pride and attract visitors from around the world.
14. Social Justice and Equity
PROJECT2025NOLA is deeply committed to social justice and equity. The plan includes measures to address systemic racism, reduce disparities, and promote inclusivity. It supports criminal justice reform, advocates for equitable access to resources, and promotes diversity in leadership positions. By championing social justice, PROJECT2025NOLA aims to create a city where everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive.
Making New Orleans the Best It Can Be
PROJECT2025NOLA offers a visionary roadmap for a more prosperous, inclusive, and equitable New Orleans. By focusing on economic empowerment, education, housing, health, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, community engagement, cultural preservation, social justice, and technology, the plan addresses the city’s most pressing challenges. With collective effort and commitment, PROJECT2025NOLA can transform New Orleans into a vibrant and thriving city for all its residents. By enacting PROJECT2025NOLA, we give ourselves a chance to be stable and viable well into the 21st century.
This sounds fantastic and refreshing, but let it not be just rhetoric. This is a very sound approach and could work if all stakeholders put forth the effort to make it happen. I support Councilman Thomas and pledge to him my support as one part of the body.
I love it, and now “Let’s Do IT.”
At first I thought Project 2025? WTH? Then I read the awesome well tought out plan. Fabulous!! Let’s get to work
I would like to see more about this plan. The upper 9 from St. Claude to Florida is severely overlooked. Besides, NOE what is being proposed for other neighborhoods?
Let tap into the life experiences, knowledge and utilize mentorship of our retired citizens can provide. There’s a lot of institutional knowledge out there that is going to waste.
Provide livable wage for our citizens at both ends of the age brackets summer jobs for high school kids should pay decently and part-time jobs for folks 65+ should pay decently as well. Lower the cost of secondary education and improve the quality of primary education. Crime will take care of itself if we take care of our most needed, the youth and the elderly.
Really bad decision to name it this, if he is running for mayor, he will only get the Rump vote.
Sad but true, this shorter name has been destroyed.
The most pressing need for black american New Orleanians is home ownership and small business ownership to service those black american communities. The home ownership goal needs to be at least 70%. Small business at least 30%. These two most important problems have been ignored for decades while addressing them cures a lot of off-shoot problems. Why can’t you black politicians grow a spine and a conscious to address these core issues? Enough with the overused broad and empty sloganisms. We need tangibles.
Councilman Thomas has not done enough to bring businesses, groceries, doctors, and restaurants, etc. to New Orleans East and now he wants to be Mayor? I want a better quality of life in Lake Willow and NOE. We need better candidates.