In new Big Easy plan, little clarity

Nagin did propose some dramatic changes in the way New Orleans is run: a new city-run school system led by a seven-member appointed board, the consolidation of the city's seven assessor's offices into one, the merging of the civil and criminal sheriffs' offices into one, and the consolidation of some police districts. Overseeing the city's elaborate redevelopment would be a new public agency, the Crescent City Redevelopment Corp.

Nagin's plan also includes physical improvements: the creation of a light-rail transit system connecting the airport to eastern New Orleans, the installation of temporary locks, pumps, and floodgates to relieve pressure on the levees, and restoration of coastal wetlands.

The plan won praise from some, including members of the redevelopment commission. "I think it's very important that we move forward in a unified way, but it's very difficult to do that in the midst of a campaign," says Una Anderson, a member of the school board and government effectiveness subcommittee. "It may be that some of the more radical ideas have to wait until after the campaign."

The city's primary election for 20 offices, including mayor and city council, is scheduled for April 22.

It's possible that Nagin's plan could be scrapped altogether if he does not win reelection. But such a plan is critical in garnering support from Congress, which has earmarked $29 billion in hurricane recovery and reconstruction for the Gulf Coast region, and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), the state agency charged with allocating the federal funds.

LRA member Sean Reilly says the state agency walks a fine line because, while not a planning commission, it will not sign off on unsafe plans. "We are going to be faithful stewards of this federal money."

He would not say whether he considers the mayor's urban-redevelopment plan unsafe, but says the most important thing he heard was that the neighborhood planning process was going to proceed.

Groups of residents from each community are being brought together to let city officials know what their neighborhoods need and, ultimately, whether they can survive.

Because they had trouble securing funding, the neighborhood groups got a slow start and will hopefully make their presentations to the city at the end of June.

"At the end of the day, the hard decisions should be made at the neighborhood level," says Mr. Reilly.

• No moratorium on building permits.

• Build a light-rail transit system connecting the airport to eastern New Orleans.

• Fortify the city in the short term by installing temporary locks, pumps, and floodgates and, in the long term, by restoring coastal wetlands.

• Create a new city-run school system led by a seven-member board appointed by the mayor and state officials.

• Consolidate the city's seven assessor's offices into one.

• Merge the civil and criminal sheriffs' offices into one.

• Consolidate some police districts.

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