BROADMOOR IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Neighborhood Improvement District Puts Power in Residents’ Hands

State Senator Karen Carter Peterson has introduced legislation that will form the Broadmoor Neighborhood Improvement District. The improvement district formally establishes Broadmoor’s boundaries, creates an elected governing board and allows for a voter-approved $100 parcel fee that will be used, according to Peterson’s bill (SB-703), “solely and exclusively for the purpose and benefit of the district.” *

Broadmoor Improvement Association (BIA) president LaToya Cantrell says the designation is vital for the neighborhood’s continued success.

“We’ve had numerous national funders in the years since the levee failures, and it’s allowed us to accomplish things – like a new charter school, social programs and many rebuilt homes – that most neighborhoods have been unable to do,” Cantrell explained. “The problem now is many funders are leaving New Orleans for other areas, so it’s time for us to put some skin in the game.”

In the past four-and-a-half years under Cantrell’s leadership, BIA has provided the area with resources and capital:
• Brought in more than 13,000 volunteers, who committed more than 362,000 hours to Broadmoor
• Received a $2 million Carnegie Corporation grant for rebuilding the Rosa F. Keller Library and Community Center
• Partnered with Blessed Trinity Catholic Church to renovate the former St. Matthias School building as a fine arts and wellness center
• Through the Broadmoor Development Corporation, rehabilitated 159 Broadmoor homes, and provided more than 450 residents with case management for housing, health care, education, job placement, evacuation and other services.

Under the proposal, residents will elect a nine-member governing board, three representatives from subgroups A, B and C, and all registered voters in Broadmoor will also decide on the parcel fee. Peterson’s bill has yet to face the full Legislature, but it is expected to pass. If the new district is approved, the parcel fee vote will occur in October, and the board election in December.

Other New Orleans neighborhoods have approved neighborhood improvement fees, but Cantrell points out, most of the money is spent on security patrols. The per-property fees for these districts range from $250 to $500. Broadmoor would take a more proactive approach: increasing the number of youth programs, beautifying the neighborhood and eliminating blight to prevent crime.

Cantrell says a portion of the fees will enable BIA to maintain a staff for fundraising, operating social programs and organizing landscaping projects. She adds that often grant organizations require matching funds from the applicant, and the parcel fees will allow for that.

“By putting in half, we can double our investment,” Cantrell says.

Cantrell says support for the parcel fee has been nearly unanimous. The lone exception came from a resident who said she wouldn’t vote for the measure because there was a blighted house on her block.

“I share her concern,” Cantrell says. “But at the same time, you have to remember that only 16.5 percent of Broadmoor houses are blighted while the city’s blight percentage sits at 26.6 percent. And that low number is testament to Broadmoor and the BIA’s resolve.”

For more information on the Broadmoor Neighborhood Improvement District, please call BIA’s office, 309-2571.