The New Orleans City Council approved $750,000 to create a master plan for the redevelopment of the Municipal Auditorium.
The council also hopes to revitalize Armstrong Park and continue the legacy of Treme.
The community also stepped up to discuss the future of Armstrong Park and the Municipal Auditorium.
Neighbors hope that the vision of the master plan showcases just that.
This initiative comes as $38 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding remains in limbo, with the money technically expiring at the end of last year.
The city is hoping to appeal for the continuation of this funding.
It was announced last week that the city set aside $1 million to begin a Strategic Master Plan that will guide the future of the historic site.
Mayor Helena Moreno said the city is proud to begin this work. She said Armstrong Park is sacred ground that includes Congo Square and the Municipal Auditorium. She said the plan will help honor the past while creating new cultural and economic opportunities for the Tremé community.
Mayor Moreno has pushed for this effort from the beginning. The city signed a five‑year agreement in 2024 with the Save Our Soul Coalition to lead the planning process. Funding was not available at that time, which caused delays. That funding is now in place, allowing the work to move forward.
The master plan will cover many areas. This includes architecture, engineering, urban design and cultural programming. It will also look at water management, public space, financing, long‑term operations and community engagement. The city and the Save Our Soul Coalition will partner with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to select a planning team.
Community leaders say the announcement marks a major milestone. Jackie Harris, president of the Save Our Soul Coalition, said the community has waited for decades for real support. She thanked Mayor Moreno, Councilmember King and the city council for moving the project forward.
Cheryl Austin of the Greater Tremé Consortium said she is excited to work with the city, the coalition and local groups on the plan. She said she is ready for progress after years of delays.
District C Councilmember Freddie King said Armstrong Park is a cultural cornerstone. He said the master plan must honor ancestors while also creating new chances for artists and culture bearers today. Councilmember Matthew Willard said he hopes the project becomes a center for culture, community and economic growth.
Andy Kopplin, president of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, said the group is proud to support the project. He said the foundation wants to help create an Armstrong Park that inspires residents and visitors.
Officials say the goal is to create a cultural site as important to New Orleans as the National WWII Museum is to the country. They hope the site will honor New Orleans’ heritage and support economic growth for years to come.
Once approved, the planning process is expected to take nine to twelve months.
Watch the full presser below.
READ MORE:City leaders approve $750,000 redevelopment plan for Municipal Auditorium, Armstrong Park
