Bring New Orleans Back Commission

Bring New Orleans Back Commission The Bring New Orleans Back Commission was a post-Hurricane Katrina advisory panel formed to advise recovery of New Orleans and Louisiana after the 2005 disaster. The commission worked alongside federal entities such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, state bodies like the Louisiana Recovery Authority, and municipal offices including the City of New Orleans to produce planning guidance for urban, infrastructure, and social restoration. Its work intersected with debates involving leaders from Mayor Ray Nagin's administration, officials from the White House and Department of Homeland Security, and non‑profits such as the Red Cross, United Way, and Restore New Orleans Now.

Background and Formation

Created in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the Hurricane Rita aftermath, the commission responded to catastrophic failures highlighted by investigations like the Katrina disaster response examinations and reports from the Congressional Research Service. Mayor Ray Nagin established the panel drawing on expertise linked to institutions including the Tulane University, Louisiana State University, Harvard University, the Urban Land Institute, and the American Planning Association. The commission's remit overlapped with federal recovery programs such as those administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, funding streams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and policy frameworks emerging from the Stafford Act and debates in the United States Congress.

Membership and Leadership

Leadership included municipal figures like Mayor Ray Nagin and appointed chairs and co‑chairs who had associations with firms and institutions such as Skanska USA, Jacobs Engineering Group, Perkins+Will, Bechtel Corporation, and academic centers at Princeton University and Columbia University. Members comprised civic leaders from Entergy Corporation, New Orleans Business Alliance, clerics from dioceses like the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, nonprofit executives from Habitat for Humanity, and cultural representatives from entities like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Preservation Hall. The commission convened technical committees drawing on specialists from American Society of Civil Engineers, National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, and policy analysts linked to think tanks such as the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute.

Goals and Recommendations

The commission advanced goals for population stabilization, housing reconstruction, transportation resilience, and environmental remediation, aligning with initiatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Recommendations addressed levee repairs coordinated with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, land use planning influenced by paradigms from the Regional Plan Association, and redevelopment strategies invoking models used in Lower Manhattan and Biloxi, Mississippi. Proposals included zoning reforms, floodplain management tied to the National Flood Insurance Program, and economic recovery plans integrating the Port of New Orleans, tourism entities such as the French Quarter, and small business networks affiliated with the Small Business Administration.

Implementation and Impact

Portions of the commission's blueprint influenced projects funded through programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and contracts overseen by the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Infrastructure efforts connected to restoration of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, enhancement of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and rebuilding of institutions like Tulane Medical Center and Ochsner Health System. Cultural recovery priorities affected venues including the New Orleans Museum of Art, Preservation Hall, and performing arts groups such as the New Orleans Opera Association. Implementation intersected with statewide initiatives such as the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and regional programs supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Criticism and Controversies

Critiques targeted the commission's recommendations for their approach to population return, perceived prioritization of business and downtown redevelopment associated with entities like the New Orleans Business Alliance and developers tied to Bechtel Corporation, and concerns raised by community organizations including Common Ground Relief and neighborhood groups in the Lower Ninth Ward. Controversies involved disputes over the handling of public housing linked to the Housing Authority of New Orleans, transparency issues debated in meetings covered by outlets like the Times-Picayune and The New York Times, and tensions with state authorities including Governor Kathleen Blanco's administration. Legal and policy debates connected to funding under the Stafford Act and litigation involving contractors such as Halliburton and KBR further complicated perceptions of the commission's legacy.

Category:Organizations based in New Orleans Category:2005 establishments in Louisiana