New Orleans Secures $1.2M for Resilient Algiers Project to Tackle Flooding and Promote Urban Farming

The City of New Orleans has been awarded a $1.2 million FEMA grant under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program for its Resilient Algiers Project. Led by the city’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP), this initiative aims to repurpose two vacant lots in Algiers to combat persistent flooding while creating a community-focused green space, including an urban farm.

The project initially centered around a single 6-acre lot near Sullen Place and Woodland Drive, where Hurricane Katrina once ravaged an apartment complex. In partnership with the Tulane Small Center, the site was reimagined as Hung Dao Heritage Gardens, an urban farm with enhanced stormwater management features. Collaborating with the newly formed nonprofit Hung Dao Community Development Corporation (CDC) and NOHSEP’s Hazard Mitigation branch, the project has since expanded to include an adjacent 3-acre city-owned lot, broadening the green infrastructure footprint.

"This $1.2 million award for the Resilient Algiers Project is a transformative milestone for our community," said District C Councilmember Freddie King. "By converting vacant lots into green spaces that effectively manage stormwater, we’re addressing the flooding issues that have impacted us for years. This project embodies the power of collaboration and our shared commitment to protect Algiers."

NOHSEP Director Collin Arnold and Hazard Mitigation Director Austin Feldbaum emphasized the importance of green infrastructure in helping New Orleans adapt to extreme weather. "Green infrastructure projects like this reduce chronic flooding and are a crucial part of adapting our city to the escalating impacts of climate change," Feldbaum noted.

As the project evolved, Song Community Development Corporation (CDC) joined Hung Dao CDC in leading development efforts. This collaboration has yielded additional recognition, with the Resilient Algiers Project being named a finalist in the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s (GNOF) Next 100 Years Challenge. The designation secured an additional $100,000 to further support green infrastructure.

“BIPOC communities are disproportionately affected by climate change,” said Tap Bui, Co-Executive Director of Song CDC. “This funding not only supports hazard mitigation but also enhances community well-being and cultural preservation.”

GNOF President and CEO Andy Kopplin praised the project’s alignment with the foundation’s mission. “When we launched the Next 100 Years Challenge, we aimed to foster innovative, community-centered infrastructure projects,” Kopplin stated. “This initiative not only protects Algiers from flooding but builds a foundation for a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable regio