FEMA Supports Renovation of New Orleans Traffic Courthouse

September 11, 2007, NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The city of New Orleans' Municipal Traffic Courthouse received nearly five feet of flood water, damaging much of the facility's equipment. A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant will replace this equipment and restore the courthouse back to its condition before Hurricane Katrina.

Among the items to be replaced include the mechanical system that controls the building's heating and cooling sources and the main electrical switchgear. These systems were located approximately four feet below the building's ground floor, which resulted in them being inundated with eight feet of water. The water remained for two weeks. The mechanical and electrical systems need to be replaced, which will be funded fully by FEMA.

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Construction on replacing these systems has already begun. Other damages to the building include interior damages to the floors and walls. Mechanical and electrical repairs should be completed by December. Architectural repairs should begin within the next 60 days.

"Restoring this facility is going to help the city administer its judicial responsibilities more quickly and efficiently," said FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office director Jim Stark. "FEMA will continue working alongside the city of New Orleans to resolve hurricane-related issues in its justice facilities."

FEMA has obligated more than $1.6 million for replacing the electrical and mechanical systems. To date, $3.3 million has been obligated toward the recovery of the Municipal Traffic Courthouse.

When projects are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the applicant, in this case the city of New Orleans, to work with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as quickly as possible to access the reimbursement monies. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursing the funds. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations' buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Source: FEMA