Community input encouraged for New Orleans’ Lincoln Beach Redevelopment Master Plan
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The City of New Orleans hosted one set of its milestone planning meetings for the Lincoln Beach Redevelopment Master Plan.
Lincoln Beach, once known as the only local beach open to Black families, is getting a facelift thanks to millions of dollars that are now allocated to the redevelopment project.
“People don’t know New Orleans has a beach, and it’s more than a beach,” said activist Sage Micheal Pellet.
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Several activists have worked for years to grow community and political support to reopen the beach. They say it can solve many issues in the area.
“Solve a lot of quality-of-life issues in our community, helps us solve crime. We believe it brings economic opportunity to us. Also, for our elders, so they can walk the lands when they were children,” said Pellet.
Though the beach is off-limits to the public right now, many over the years have spent their days swimming and enjoying the views.
Pellet and activist Reggie Ford made that possible by cleaning up the trash, and they say the redevelopment project will be worth every penny spent.
“Cutting the grass and opening up the site lines so people could take the lake in. Preparing green space for our people because there is a lack of green space for relaxation,” said Ford.
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“The water brings us healing, it brings so much wildlife that is rich and gives us a way to escape the world we are living in,” said Pellet.
Though the fun at the beach has been halted for now, both say it’s up to the community to show up to meetings and give their input.
“To have the community have a voice on what this place will be, how the program will be, concepts being thrown out,” said Pellet.
“Understand these projects affect their lives, the lives of their children and economically. Not only that, but they are also paying for it whether they participate or not,” said Ford.
Those unable to make the first meeting can go to the New Orleans East Opportunity Center at 12000 Hayne Blvd. on Saturday at 10 a.m. The same information will be presented.
Residents will also be able to respond to a virtual survey.
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