New Orleans streetlight repairs held up by federal red tape
Federal red tape has forced Mayor Mitch Landrieu's administration to temporarily suspend its aggressive effort to repair broken streetlights in New Orleans. Through Sept. 30, Deputy Mayor Cedric Grant said contractors had fixed 10,373 light outages reported by residents, leaving a backlog of about 1,720.
The last streetlight repairs were completed in early October.
While the work to date has been paid for with general fund dollars, Grant told City Council members Monday that the city is counting on federal Community Development Block Grant money to finish the balance of the repairs.
By law, he said the city must complete an environmental impact review before spending that money.
Grant, who made the revelation during the council's review of the proposed 2012 budget for the city's Department of Public Works, said he is working with Housing and Urban Development officials, who oversee the grant money, and hopes to resume repairs before Dec. 1.
New Orleans streetlight repairs held up by federal red tape | NOLA.com
Federal red tape has forced Mayor Mitch Landrieu's administration to temporarily suspend its aggressive effort to repair broken streetlights in New Orleans. Through Sept. 30, Deputy Mayor Cedric Grant said contractors had fixed 10,373 light outages reported by residents, leaving a backlog of about 1,720.
The last streetlight repairs were completed in early October.
While the work to date has been paid for with general fund dollars, Grant told City Council members Monday that the city is counting on federal Community Development Block Grant money to finish the balance of the repairs.
By law, he said the city must complete an environmental impact review before spending that money.
Grant, who made the revelation during the council's review of the proposed 2012 budget for the city's Department of Public Works, said he is working with Housing and Urban Development officials, who oversee the grant money, and hopes to resume repairs before Dec. 1.
New Orleans streetlight repairs held up by federal red tape | NOLA.com
