MAYOR CANTRELL NAMED VICE CHAIR OF THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS’ INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE

12/01/2018

Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been named Vice Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ (USCM) Infrastructure Task Force. In this new capacity, Mayor Cantrell joined the task force Chairman, Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, and their fellow mayors on a conference call yesterday to discuss infrastructure priorities for the 116th Congress.

 

“As New Orleans makes the pivot from post-Katrina recovery to an emphasis on resilience, infrastructure remains a top priority in keeping our residents safe, secure and thriving,” said Mayor Cantrell. “Infrastructure is vital to the survival and success of our nation’s urban centers, as crumbling roads, buildings and systems threaten to compromise metropolitan growth. I will work with my fellow mayors across the country to seek out innovative ideas and approaches to strengthen our infrastructure and lead our cities forward.”

 

Since taking office in May of this year, Mayor Cantrell has sought to reinforce and expand the City’s infrastructure investments. This effort presents a unique challenge for a City with aging and neglected infrastructure. As the Mayor recently noted: New Orleans will be hard-pressed to maintain its status as a word-class destination location for tourists and job-seekers with cracked roads and leaky pipes.

 

To that end, the Cantrell Administration has overseen infrastructure improvements on several fronts -- including the selection of new leadership at the Sewerage & Water Board under Executive Director Ghassan Korban. At the same time, the multi-departmental CleanUpNOLA initiative has led to more coordinated clean-up efforts that include trimming trees, targeting blighted corridors of the City, and rapid response to cleaning out clogged catch basins.

 

Moving into 2019 and beyond, Mayor Cantrell will continue to advocate for further implementation of the urban water plan. Finding smart ways to live with water and ensure water quality will continue to be at the forefront of those efforts.

SOURCE: City of New Orleans