The City of New Orleans has started demolishing the Gordon Plaza subdivision to build a new community solar farm. This move aims to address past injustices for residents and promote a greener future, as stated in a press release from the Mayor's office. The site, developed on the former Agriculture Street Landfill, has been the ground for long-standing environmental health issues affecting the local community. Mayor LaToya Cantrell, in the presence of Congressman Troy Carter, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, and other dignitaries, marked the commencement of the demolition, which sets the infrastructure for a sustainable project replacing the contaminated ground, the website nola.gov reported.
Mayor Cantrell emphasized in the press release, “By transforming this site into a community solar farm, we are not only addressing a painful past, but also creating a brighter, more sustainable future. This project represents our commitment to clean energy, environmental justice, and resilience. I am grateful to all our partners and community members who have made this possible.” However, Congressman Troy A. Carter shared this view, recognizing the long struggles of residents living near the landfill. He highlighted their resilience and noted that the new solar farm represents an important step toward environmental justice and sustainability.
The City, working in collaboration with the City Council, provided $35 million in 2023 to facilitate the relocation of residents, allowing them to transition to healthier living environments of their choice; these efforts are part of a larger plan to offer affordable, clean energy to low-income residents, as reflected in the considerable federal funding, amounting to $131 million, garnered by the Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS) since 2023 to implement the City's Climate Action Plan goals, according to the Mayor's office.
Dr. Beverly Wright of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, who has championed environmental justice long before it became recognized as a field, conveyed her elation over the demolition, the future solar farm, and the tenacity of the community members: “One thing I’ve learned in all those years is that every victory is a hard one, and this one is no exception. While I am elated to see this long-overdue demolition, and excited about the solar farm that will stand in its place, I am more than anything in awe of the community here that never gave up, and who made this day possible. Justice should never take this long, but I’m so glad we didn’t give up,” a statement obtained by nola.gov.