KEY TAKEAWAYS: City proposes $1 million for Armstrong Park master plan Plan includes redevelopment of Municipal Auditorium Partnership with Save Our Soul Coalition and GNOF Planning process expected to take 9–12 months pending approval   The City of New Orleans is moving forward with a $1 million investment to launch a long-awaited strategic master plan aimed at revitalizing Armstrong Park and the adjacent Municipal Auditorium. Mayor Helena Moreno announced the initiative February 19, calling it a major step toward transforming the historic Treme landmark into what city leaders describe as a world-class cultural destination. The funding, which was introduced to the New Orleans City Council and is pending approval, would finance development of a comprehensive plan to guide the park’s future. If approved, the planning process is expected to take nine to 12 months. City officials said the master plan will address architecture and engineering, urban design, cultural programming, infrastructure, financing, governance and community engagement. The effort will be undertaken through a partnership between the city and the Save Our Soul Coalition, with support from the Greater New Orleans Foundation, which will help hire a planning team with local and national expertise. Armstrong Park, home to Congo Square — widely recognized as the birthplace of jazz — and the historic Municipal Auditorium, has long been viewed as a cultural cornerstone of New Orleans. However, efforts to redevelop and reinvest in the property have stalled in recent years. In December 2024, the city entered into a five-year Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Save Our Soul Coalition to develop a strategic plan, but funding was not allocated under the previous administration, delaying progress. “This administration is proud to prioritize and secure the resources needed to begin this historic work,” Moreno said in a statement. “Armstrong Park is hallowed ground, home to Congo Square, the birthplace of Jazz, as well as our Municipal Auditorium, a historic cultural institution we intend to revitalize and reinvent.” Jackie Harris, president of the Save Our Soul Coalition and executive director of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, said the announcement marks a turning point after decades of community advocacy for restoration and redevelopment. “For decades, the community has been requesting and waiting for support, restoration, and redevelopment of Armstrong Park,” Harris said. District C Councilmember Freddie King III described the project as an opportunity to connect cultural preservation with economic opportunity, emphasizing that future redevelopment should benefit local artists and residents both artistically and financially. City leaders have framed the effort as an economic development strategy as well as a cultural one. Councilmember-at-large Matthew Willard said the investment is intended to position Armstrong Park as a center for culture, community and economic growth. Andy Kopplin, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, said the foundation will support a planning process that includes community input and reflects the city’s arts and cultural heritage. Officials said the long-term vision is to create a destination with national significance, comparable in impact to major cultural institutions, while honoring New Orleans’ unique history and identity. If approved by the City Council, planning is expected to begin this year, marking what city officials describe as the first coordinated step toward a comprehensive revitalization of Armstrong Park and Municipal Auditorium. ...read more read less