The Municipal Auditorium renovation project, already the center of years of controversy, is now under threat from an expiring end-of-year deadline to spend federal Hurricane Katrina disaster grants, creating a new round of uncertainty for the 95-year-old auditorium that once served as the city’s premiere venue for Mardi Gras balls, graduation parties and touring concert acts.
The five-story building took on several feet of water and suffered severe roof damage from the 2005 hurricane, and, after drawn-out negotiations with city officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded $38.5 million to stabilize the building in 2017.
Work finally began in August after years of arguing between Mayor LaToya Cantrell and community activists over plans for the site. An $8.2 million roof replacement is underway and additional remediation is planned for the interior and exterior. The city can only use FEMA grant money for work done prior to the spending deadline, meaning an extension or new funding is needed to keep the project going…