NEW ORLEANS — It's been a plan in the making for several years. The first phase of the new Claiborne Corridor Marketplace is now complete. Organizers said the changes will bring an economic boost to an area that was disrupted by the interstate decades ago.
Wednesday the ribbon was cut and a new era was introduced to the residents of New Orleans.
“This idea is over 50 years old. We always admit the truth. No sooner than the bridge went up community wanted to reclaim the space”, said Nyree Ramsey Executive Director of Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation.
Ramsey is working to create the Cultural Innovation District Marketplace. She shared what's been done so far in the multi-phase 22-block project.
“In phase one a lot of the money went into the infrastructure. Because you can’t have a marketplace without a bathroom, water, or lights,” she said.
The entire project is estimated to cost $2.4 million and will include commercial kiosks for vendors, decorative lighting, art installations, and even flood mitigating landscape.
“What we know about our community is that our dollars don’t circulate enough. So we are creating an opportunity for sustainability by allowing the dollars to circulate right here in our neighborhoods,” Ramsey explained.
“Claiborne is the most popular street and the longest. It's great to create stuff like this and bring awareness to different businesses,” said Cymande Ford, who owns a handmade jewelry company called Ugly Betty Boy Crush.
Aside from being a vendor, she said she's excited about how the space will be used.
“It makes you feel like you are safe. It makes you feel like you are somewhere where there is no clutter or junk and debris. You can just sit and have a good time,” Ford said.
Right now, the project spans a couple of blocks near Orleans and Claiborne. The hope is it will one day stretch all the way to North Claiborne.
A celebration will be held on Saturday, Apr. 20 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
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