Recovery FAQs

How did the City of New Orleans begin planning for recovery?

How is recovery being funded?

How many recovery projects are now in progress?

Who is managing the recovery effort?

What is the Office of Recovery Development and Administration?

What is MWH's role in the recovery process?

Is there still an opportunity for citizens to be involved in the process?

Will any of the repair work being done throughout the City go beyond basic repair of storm damage?

Is any work already completed?

How can I determine the status of a particular project?

DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM (DBE) FAQS

What is the DBE Program?

What do you mean by socially and economically disadvantaged?

Is the City going to expand their number of DBE contracts?

How do you become a DBE?

What kind of proof do you have to provide to verify that your business ownership is at least 51% socially or economically disadvantaged?

How did the City of New Orleans begin planning for recovery?

Mayor Nagin began planning for recovery immediately following Hurricane Katrina, convening the Bring New Orleans Back (BNOB) Commission just 30 days after the storm made landfall. Planning continued with the Unified New Orleans Plan (UNOP), an effort that included unprecedented civic involvement by thousands of residents both at home and displaced. UNOP planning culminated in January 2007.

How is recovery being funded?

Project funding may come from several different sources. Sources include:

  • FEMA –Federal Emergency Management Agency / GOHSEP-Governor’s Office Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
  • State RLF –State Revolving Loan Fund
  • CDBG –Community Development Block Grant
  • GO (General Obligation) Bonds –City bonds voted on by Citizens prior to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
  • How many recovery projects are now in progress?

    As of July 31, 2008, the Recovery Program includes a total of 171 facilities projects and 236 Department of Public Works street projects, for a total of 407 projects.

    Who is managing the recovery effort?

    The Project Management Team consists of:

  • MWH Americas, Inc. (Project Manager)
  • Architects & Engineers/A&E (design consultants)
  • Executive Committee (ExCom)
  • Project Delivery Unit (PDU)
  • Finance/Accounting Unit - (FAU) Haggerty Consulting
  • Federal/State Reimbursement (FSRU)
  • Projects are being managed by the Project Delivery Unit, an innovative approach established to streamline the planning and approval processes that govern building projects. Key decision makers are represented in the Project Delivery Unit and make collective actions and approvals (Click here for the PDU Organizational Chart) .

    What is the Office of Recovery Development and Administration?

    In November 2007, Mayor Nagin merged the Office of Recovery Management with the Office of Planning and Development to create the Office of Recovery and Development Administration (ORDA).

    This new organization allows the City of New Orleans to efficiently and effectively capitalize on recovery planning and procedural reforms. The expanded organization will implement projects, processes, and partnerships with private and governmental entities to achieve long-term community redevelopment, infrastructure modernization and equitable and continual growth for the city.

    What is MWH's role in the recovery process?

    In January 2008, MWH was selected by the City of New Orleans to manage and expedite the reconstruction of various city facilities, such as firehouses, police stations, criminal justice facilities, playgrounds, parks, community centers, libraries, clinics, streets and other projects. As the program managers, MWH is able to leverage its global experience and local knowledge to move projects to delivery through the phases of planning, contracting, design, bid and award, construction and commissioning. In addition to project oversight and management, MWH is providing cost and schedule control, public outreach, communication, data management and other services in support of the Recovery effort. As of July 31, 2008, the Recovery Program includes a total of 171 facilities projects and 236 Department of Public Works street projects, for a total of 407 projects.

    The City of New Orleans will leverage MWH's global experience and local knowledge to expedite the simultaneous planning and delivery of the recovery projects.

    Is there still an opportunity for citizens to be involved in the process?

    Yes. So far, Mayor Nagin has hosted 27 "One New Orleans" community meetings focused on recovery throughout the city.

    Will any of the repair work being done throughout the City go beyond basic repair of storm damage?

    Although FEMA will release funds to bring a site back to its pre-storm status and up to code, the City will also be investing in enhancements for some municipal sites. For example, the Mahalia Jackson Center for the Performing Arts, which is slated for completion later this year, will have new, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems and the capacity to quickly adapt to various types of functions, from the opera one night, to a ballet the next and a movie the third.

    Is any work already completed?

    Yes. In fact, projects are moving into construction and being completed on a regular basis. The City recently held groundbreaking events for road projects on Robert E. Lee Blvd, Fleur de Lis Drive and Cardenas, Papania, Adele and Fulton Streets in New Orleans East.

    How can I determine the status of a particular project?

    Information on all projects is available on this site as it becomes available.

    DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM (DBE) FAQS

    What is the DBE Program?

    The City of New Orleans has implemented a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program as a race and gender neutral program to provide for the participation of businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons to participate in contracting opportunities with the City of New Orleans.

    What do you mean by socially and economically disadvantaged?

    "Socially and economically disadvantaged" refers to any business owner who has not had the benefits of social networks or economic foundation that may provide opportunities for growth. A business may qualify for DBE certification if it is determined that the business' ability to compete in the business world has been restricted due to industry practices and/or limited capital and/or restricted credit opportunities which are beyond their control. And if the business is owned, operated and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged person(s) who own at least 51% of the business.

    Is the City going to expand their number of DBE contracts?

    Yes, the City is reaching out to disadvantaged businesses across New Orleans to expand their current list of DBEs in order to create capacity for recovery projects. The City's efforts to increase DBE participation in the recovery projects are focused in three areas:

  • Reaching out to firms already certified as DBEs;
  • Encouraging qualified firms to apply for DBE certification; and,
  • Supporting the creation of new businesses, some of which will be DBE.
  • How do you become a DBE?

    Download and print the DBE application from the Economic Development Department's section on the City of New Orleans Web site, which is located at www.cityofno.com.

    The application will be reviewed by a Certification Panel that will approve or deny DBE certification. Please note that firms already certified by the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans or the New Orleans Aviation Board are automatically certified by the City of New Orleans.

    What kind of proof do you have to provide to verify that your business ownership is at least 51% socially or economically disadvantaged?

    The application asks specific questions about each business owner's background and experiences to determine DBE eligibility. The information is self-reported and accompanied by a signed affidavit.