On Wednesday, Mayor Helena Moreno signed Executive Order HM 26-15, creating a City-Owned Real Estate Team, or CORET, to audit and revitalize underused municipal buildings and land. The group is tasked with finding productive uses for city property that is sitting on the sidelines and making sure public assets do more for residents, according to WWL-TV.
Under the order, CORET will comb through the city’s full inventory of publicly owned parcels and make recommendations on whether to fix buildings, sell them, rent them out, or convert them for community use. The team must also submit written progress reports to the mayor every quarter. “CORET will ensure that every public asset is evaluated thoughtfully and strategically so that city-owned properties serve the people of New Orleans in the most impactful way,” the mayor said, as reported by WWL‑TV.
How CORET fits into Moreno’s early agenda
CORET is the latest piece of Moreno’s early effort to reshape city government and plug visible service gaps. Moreno signed a slate of executive orders when she took office, including a package of 13 orders on her first day that created deputy mayor roles and launched infrastructure initiatives, as reported by WDSU.
The first real test comes with CORET’s initial quarterly report to the mayor. Neighborhood groups and councilmembers will be watching which properties rise to the top of the list and whether the team leans more toward repairs, community use, or outright sale. A steady stream of proposals is expected over the next few quarters as CORET finishes its inventory and lays out options…