The Criminal Justice Committee in New Orleans convened on April 27 to hear presentations and updates about ongoing projects related to employment, education, blight demolition, and workforce development.
The meeting addressed several topics of local importance. Updates included the status of the Brechtel Golf Course in Algiers, which has remained closed since 2005. Michael Karam, Director of Parks & Parkways (DPP), said that while a third of the site is currently maintained and $40,000 worth of land has been cleared over five years, full reopening remains dependent on securing additional funding for repairs and maintenance. Public safety concerns have also limited access to the property.
A representative provided information regarding DeGaulle Manor following a suspension in its demolition project. The administration reached a settlement with Robert Wolfe Construction but indicated that some parts of the project remain unfinished. Legal counsel is being sought before moving forward with any new contracts.
Representatives from the Civil Service Department presented a proposed living wage policy for city employees based on data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator. The proposal recommends raising New Orleans’ minimum wage to about $19.36 per hour and introducing a housing allowance for eligible workers. “A living wage would cover basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and childcare without public assistance,” according to the presentation. Officials said these changes could help retain current staff and attract new workers amid rising costs for essentials like housing and healthcare.
Presentations from NOLA Public Schools and the New Orleans Career Center (NOCC) outlined training opportunities aimed at preparing youth for high-demand careers such as carpentry, electrical work, healthcare fields, welding, HVAC services, and culinary arts. The NOCC expects to serve approximately 800 trainees by late 2026 through its various programs.
Other speakers included Ernest Frazier from Delgado Community College who described free training programs available for formerly incarcerated individuals—including CPR certification—and Dr. Ashraf Esmail from Dillard University who discussed new certification initiatives designed to support community growth across multiple sectors.
Broader implications discussed during the meeting centered around how these combined efforts in job training and wage policy are intended both as investments in workforce stability as well as strategies for long-term economic resilience.
