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Council authorizes cooperative agreement for Desire Square development in Desire community
Summary
The council approved a cooperative endeavor agreement with Desire Community Housing Corporation to complete Desire Square, a multipurpose facility expected to include a grocery, pharmacy, health clinic and police substation lease.
The New Orleans City Council approved an ordinance authorizing a cooperative endeavor agreement with Desire Community Housing Corporation to complete construction of the Desire Square development in the Desire neighborhood.
Project description and benefits: The agreement would support completion of a multipurpose facility of roughly 42,000–50,000 square feet that proponents said will include space for a grocery store, pharmacy, health clinic, nonprofit offices and a 30‑year police substation lease on site. Council members said the project is expected to create at least 61 permanent jobs and contribute to neighborhood revitalization.
Desire Community Housing Corporation comments: Wilbur Thomas Sr., president and CEO of Desire Community Housing Corporation, said the building will bring a pharmacist and a health center back to the neighborhood and that negotiations with potential grocery partners were underway. “We just need to finish it so that the tenants can move in and and start moving and getting activities done in our community,” Thomas said.
Council action and vote: The council moved for approval of ordinance 35170 and the transcript records a recorded vote of seven yays, no nays.
Context and history: Council members noted previous federal commitments and past investments in Desire, and stressed the project’s role as part of broader neighborhood recovery and investment. Members urged continued engagement with federal and state partners about past promised funding.
