New Orleans plans to spiff up as host of next year's Super Bowl
New Orleans hosts its 11th Super Bowl next year
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans hosts its 11th Super Bowl next year and the preparations involve showcasing the city's heralded architecture, music, food and celebratory culture while addressing its myriad challenges, including crime, pockets of homelessness and an antiquated drainage system.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry joined Mayor LaToya Cantrell and a host of other city and state officials on Tuesday at a downtown theater for a news conference to discuss the process, kicking off what the Democratic mayor declared “the Summer of Super Bowl.” Landry, a Republican elected last year with a strong anti-crime message, vowed that the city will be one of the nation's safest by game day.
Road and drainage improvements and the use of state police to help the New Orleans Police Department combat crime are among the efforts.
Michael Hecht, the president of a local economic development nonprofit who was recently tapped to coordinate local Super Bowl preparations, listed scores of infrastructure projects planned or under way. They include street and sidewalk repairs, lighting improvements and repairs to the aging system of stormwater street drains and pumps that are under constant strain to prevent flash floods.
He also noted efforts by the city and local advocates to close down and clean up homeless encampments and provide safter housing for those in need.
Only Miami has hosted more Super Bowls than New Orleans — the two cities will be tied at 11 each once the 59th game is played in February. But it's been almost 12 years since New Orleans hosted and local officials are eager to show the city off again.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser noted international media would fill much of the city's
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