NEW ORLEANS – Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu joined Councilmembers, City Officials and CVS Pharmacy executives to celebrate the grand opening of the new 13,000-square-foot CVS Pharmacy at 5000 N. Claiborne Ave. in the historic Lower Ninth Ward.
This new CVS Pharmacy, which is the first major retailer to open in the Lower Ninth Ward since Hurricane Katrina, features drive-thru pharmacy services, a wide range of high quality health, beauty, personal care products and healthy snack options. This new development brings 20 new full and part-time permanent jobs to the local community.
“Today’s celebration marks another milestone in the renewal and redevelopment of the historic Lower Ninth Ward,” Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “CVS Pharmacy is the first national retailer to invest in and bring important services to this area, leading the way for others to follow. This is a major sign of the progress we're making to rebuild our city not how she was, but how she always should have been.”
CVS Pharmacy currently operates 10 stores in New Orleans. It is the first national pharmacy to end the sale of tobacco and the first pharmacy in the nation to receive the Community Pharmacy accreditation from URAC, the leading health care accreditation organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry.
District E Councilmember James Austin Gray II said, “A CVS Pharmacy on North Claiborne is evidence that national retailers share our confidence in the future of the Lower Ninth Ward. This will be a successful venture for them. To the people of the Ninth Ward, you’ve suffered long and been strong. Your strength and determination are beginning to bear fruit. To other potential investors, this is the time and the place. Invest soon or stand back and watch others reap the rewards.”
For this CVS Pharmacy to be constructed, zoning changes were required. District E Councilmember James Gray worked with the developer to ensure a smooth planning and zoning process. As part of the zoning process, the project completed the City’s required Neighborhood Participation Plan (NPP) process that included a public meeting hosted by CVS/pharmacy representatives to discuss the project and collect feedback from the community.
Rebecca Conwell, Senior Advisor to the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, said, “We greatly appreciate the investments CVS has made in support of New Orleans recovery. After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, CVS Health and its foundation donated more than $1 million in cash donations and supplies to the American Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations in order to assist with relief efforts for victims. This new CVS Pharmacy in the Lower Ninth Ward is another sign of their commitment to our city. We anticipate their success will pave the way for other businesses to follow to this neighborhood.”
Roger Francis, Area Vice President of CVS/pharmacy, said “CVS Pharmacy is extremely proud to now be a part of this community, giving residents convenient access to best in class pharmacy services and high quality health, beauty and wellness products. More than 10 years ago, CVS Pharmacy was on the front lines of aiding in the relief and recovery efforts when Katrina struck, and now we are proud to be on the front lines helping to revitalize this community.”
In addition to today’s ribbon cutting celebration of the new CVS Pharmacy in the Lower Ninth Ward, CVS Health announced a $15,000 contribution to the Baptist Community Health Services (BCHS), a local nonprofit, to support their Chronic Disease Management program. BCHS and its physicians provide quality primary medical care for youth and adults in the Lower Ninth Ward, many of whom do not have regular access to basic health care, including an adult population that has significant chronic health problems.
COMMITMENT TO LOWER NINTH WARD
City officials said since Mayor Landrieu took office in May 2010, more than $500 million has been committed to rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward. Last year, the City opened the new $20.5 million Andrew P. Sanchez Community Center and new $4.1 million NOFD Engine 39 Fire Station, which are both located at the intersection of North Claiborne Avenue and Caffin Street, just down the street from the new CVS Pharmacy. An additional $260 million was invested in the Lower Ninth Ward housing stock through Road Home, Hazard Mitigation Grant, Small Rental Program, Non-Profit Rebuilding Pilot program and HOME funding.
The City has invested more than $90 million in critical road repairs. To reduce blight, more than 500 structures have been demolished or brought into compliance and cleared over 650 property lots. City officials said through the Mayor’s targeted, place-based development strategy, the Lower Ninth Ward’s recovery is also benefitting from initiatives like the $52 million “soft second” mortgage homebuyer assistance program and Lot Next Door Program reforms aimed at getting over grown and vacant property back into commerce.
In recent years, the City reopened the new $2.1 million Oliver Bush Playground and teamed with the New Orleans Hornets and Salvation Army to provide over $470,000 in improvements to Sam Bonart Playground.
The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (INHC)-Lake Borgne Surge Barrier, which is part of the $14.5 billion Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System that surrounds the entire region, provides reduced risk of storm damage to the Lower Ninth Ward.
