Mayor Helena Moreno gathered with civic leaders on April 22 at Gallier Hall to celebrate her first 100 days in office and present the “All In for New Orleans: 100-Day Report.” During the event, Moreno highlighted accomplishments achieved during her administration’s early months and outlined priorities for the term ahead.
The milestone was marked by what city officials described as one of the most extensive community engagement efforts in recent memory. Nearly 300 civic leaders contributed across seven policy committees, while a citywide survey collected nearly 5,800 responses. More than 400 residents participated in in-person events designed to shape the new administration’s agenda.
Moreno cited improvements such as repairing over 2,300 streetlights using crime risk data, filling about 10,000 potholes, and completing the city’s first in-house concrete repairs in more than two decades. Fiscal reforms included reducing overtime spending by $8 million and recovering around $7 million through sales tax audits conducted during the first quarter. On economic opportunity, she noted that permit approval timelines were reduced from an average of forty days to fourteen. Other highlights included breaking ground on nearly three hundred affordable housing units at the Naval Support Activity site and reopening a full-service grocery store in New Orleans East.
“The mandate came from 5,800 residents,” Mayor Moreno told attendees. “The plan is in your hands. The work continues tomorrow.” Transition co-chair Emily Arata said: “The Mayor listened to the community. Civic leaders worked hand-in-hand with the administration to develop a road map. The Mayor put together the right team, and together they’ve worked 24/7 to deliver.” Cedric Richmond, former U.S. Congressman and transition co-chair said: “I spent a decade in Congress watching cities rise and fall based on one factor more than almost any other: whether their leaders knew how to work beyond City Hall… The relationships Mayor Moreno is building right now… will pay dividends for this city for years.” Desirée Charbonnet added: “Every issue is a public safety issue… This Mayor understands that… this is what it looks like when a city treats public safety as a whole-of-government responsibility.” Ryan Berger said: “Permitting timelines cut from forty days to fourteen; City-owned sites put back into productive use; …the energy in the city is different… New Orleans is open for business.”
Looking ahead, Moreno pledged further reforms including making permanent capacity for city repair crews and pursuing legislative changes aimed at modernizing utilities such as through HB 573. She also outlined plans for workforce development strategies connecting employers with job seekers and developing long-term regional transit solutions—issues she called top priorities based on resident feedback collected through surveys.
Community engagement throughout this process was supported by organizations including Council on Aging of Greater New Orleans, Committee for a Better New Orleans, Eternal Seeds, New Orleans East Leadership (NOEL), Mary Queen of Vietnam Church, Step Up Louisiana, Young Leadership Council; HR&A Advisors provided strategic support while PFM advised on fiscal matters.