In celebration of NOELA Services’ 10 year anniversary, articles from previous editions of the NOELA Newsletter will be reintroduced. This week’s focus is on the year 2009.
-
- Jazz Fest tickets were $60.
- Nickelodeon showed interest in developing the former Six Flags site, and Big League Dreams also showed interest in the site as a sports complex.
- Textron Marine gained contracts to build Armored Knight vehicles for the US Army and armored craft for the Colombian Army.
- Then-US Senator Mary Landrieu secured $1 million for a hospital in New Orleans East.
- Audubon Nature Institute organized a major tree planting and reforestation initiative.
- Renaissance Marketplace sponsored a monthly arts, crafts and food market.
- Lake Bullard presented the 3rd Annual Christmas in the East event with help from local leaders and businesses. The event featured carriage rides, caroling and food.
- Congressman Joseph CAO secured $1 million for a New Orleans East hospital.
- Liberty Bank acquired Home Federal Savings Bank of Detroit.
- Domino’s Pizza announced plans to open a Chef Menteur Highway location.
- Dollar General Stores announced more sites in the East.
- Construction started on New Orleans East Library.
- Jazz City Java Coffeehouse held Open Mic nights on the 2nd Friday of the month.
- Candidates for City Council District E were Austin Badon, Jon Johnson, Leonard Lucas, Cyndi Nguyen, Alicia Plummer and Jerrelda Drummer-Sanders.
- Lake Forest Elementary Charter School received the National Title I Distinguished School designation and 4 Star School.
- Baskin-Robbins opened.
- Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church resumed services in the New Orleans East location.
- Residents supported the Fourth Weekend initiative to support New Orleans East businesses.
- Then-State Senator Ann Duplessis confirmed Wal-Mart interest in coming to the former Plaza site.
- A local businessman and Gretna resident was fined $40,000 for dumping in New Orleans East.
- The Fast Forward Mainstreet organization was recognized by the City Council for supporting small businesses in New Orleans East
- Design Development plan was released for Fannie C Williams School.
- A local effort of the national Project 3/50 to encourage residents to choose 3 businesses in the area and spend at least $50 total at these businesses was introduced.
- Power outages were common in the area.
- Troy Henry ran for Mayor.
- Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet was closed to protect the Industrial Canal from storm surge.
- Lockheed Martin completed its 130th external fuel tank for the space shuttle program.
- Building started on the Village de Jardin, the former Gaslight apartments.
- Franklin Avenue Baptist Church announced that it will move to New Orleans East.
- Taco Bell and KFC opened to long lines of cars along Bullard.
- Developers Cesar Burgos and Ashton Ryan received approval from the City Council for a 2% City sales tax to fund redevelopment of the former Lake Forest Mall and open it as New Orleans East Marketplace.
- Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank opened.
- Sun Energy considered building a plasma arc gasification plant in New Orleans East. It was opposed by residents.
- Then-NOPD Superintendent Warren Riley suggested that New Orleans East and Lower Ninth Ward get their own police districts.
- Residents considered seceding New Orleans East, to become a city much like Miami Gardens, FL or Prince George’s County, MD.
- Southern Star Amusement applied for $100 million in bonds for the purchase of the former Six Flags Site.
- DEQ announced a crackdown on illegal dumping and arrested a Kenner waste hauler for causing more than $50,000 in criminal damage to property.
- Fort Pike reopened.
- More than $12 million in improvements was announced for Joe Brown Park.
- Lakefront Airport officials announced plans to begin an $8 million renovation.
- Kurt Pellerin’s Regency Reception Hall opened.