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Council backs Lake Forest Cultural District to boost arts and economic activity in New Orleans East
Summary
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting an application to create the Lake Forest Cultural District, a land‑use and cultural designation aimed at leveraging existing venues, festivals and churches in New Orleans East to attract investments and programming.
The New Orleans City Council voted to support the creation of the Lake Forest Cultural District, a designation proposed by community organizations to concentrate cultural activity and spur economic development in New Orleans East.
Councilmember Thomas introduced the measure and the council adopted it, 5-0, after several residents and community leaders from New Orleans East testified in favor. Speakers described existing cultural assets — including Joe W. Brown Park, local churches that host concerts, the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center and other neighborhood festivals — and urged the council to approve the district to help attract tax credits, grants and events.
Residents told the council the district would formalize and expand local cultural programming. D’Shea Greeley said, “We deserve it in New Orleans East. We have several venues that support movie night, concert night, poetry night, music. We are ready for it.” Tanji Wall and Kimberly Burbank cited recent investments and events at Joe W. Brown Park and the role of local churches and crews in drawing artists and visitors. Community organizers said the district boundaries would run roughly west to east from Mayo Road to Mishou Boulevard and north to south from I‑10 service road to Dwyer Road, covering corridors and anchors in the Lake Forest area.
Council members emphasized the district is intended to be a planning tool to coordinate festivals, tourism, small business support and cultural preservation. Councilmember Green noted the scale of New Orleans East and framed the district as “a city within the city” that can qualify for targeted land‑use and economic tools.
The council also encouraged community outreach and coordination with the Office of Economic Development and other city offices as the application moves forward. The resolution does not itself create tax incentives; it directs the city to support the application and a liaison role for implementation.
