New Orleans, LA is known for its vibrant nightlife and rich culture, encouraging creativity and new ideas . However, it has also been tested with challenges such as the land slowly eroding and increase of poverty rates throughout the area. Last weekend, Super Bowl LIX took place in New Orleans bringing millions of tourists and new challenges for the city of New Orleans.
In 2020, they announced the location of Super Bowl LIX being in New Orleans causing excitement to buzz within the city. Over the next couple of years, the city of New Orleans worked tirelessly to ensure that fans coming to watch their teams play got to witness the best parts of New Orleans, such as the culture, traditions and of course the food. “Giving the city a chance to shine,” said Michael Hecht, the chief executive of Greater New Orleans Inc., the region’s economic development organization.
While the city focuses on fixing streets, sidewalks, and old buildings for tourists, residents are feeling left behind and forgotten.
In order for fans and tourists to feel safe while exploring the area, it required an increase in security and for the “bad” parts to be hidden. However, residents showed dissatisfaction with the area as city officials are “cherry picking” what gets fixed and what doesn’t
In the historic French Quarters, roads that used to be cracked and a hazard have been fixed and can now be safely used by residents. Over summer break, PVHS Senior Jonathan Bergert visited New Orleans for a week to take part in the ELCA youth gathering. Hecompares what he saw there to what what televised last weekend.
“Unlike during the Superbowl where they show only one side of the truth it had a much less welcoming feeling. Walking through the streets of New Orleans revealed the harsh conditions of the city and the people living there. The streets were covered in litter and we were able to see firsthand how people were struggling in many different ways.” states Bergert.
Not only did the City of New Orleans fix streets but they also spent $21 million on decorative lights to spruce up the city into it’s best form.
However, with the combination of constructions, decorations and tourists coming to see the game and culture, the city of New Orleans was able to help small businesses around the city flourish and be financially secure.
While certain parts of the city are now sparkling and flourishing, others continue to face hardships and the challenges that came with them. “Through the Super Bowl, you can just get a small glimpse of what the city truly is,” Bergert adds “With all the brightly colored lights leaving the impression on the viewer that New Orleans is this amazing city. But our time in New Orleans showed us the true reality of what the city is like and how many people are struggling to live a promising life.”
