Claiborne Corridor Cultural Innovation District
An extension of the Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation, the Claiborne Corridor Cultural Innovation District (CID) is a 19-Block transformation of the elevated I-10 expressway along Claiborne Avenue from Canal Street to St. Bernard Avenue in New Orleans. Under Executive Director Nyree Ramsey’s leadership, the Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation was organized with a mission of equitable redevelopment of the Claiborne Corridor and adjacent communities. Built with green infrastructure, in addition to being a world-class market with arts, crafts, produce, and seafood vendors, the CID includes classrooms and exhibit space, interactive technology, and educational demonstrations. It will be a site for youth programming, health, environmental, and social services, community projects, workshops, and special events for the residents of the Claiborne Corridor.
As a culture-based economic driver, the CID supports native entrepreneurs and culture bearers in achieving equitable and sustainable community development goals. With a foundation of innovation, it is a resident-driven effort focused on providing direct pathways to business ownership, workforce development, and community capacity building through fulfilling the need for neighborhood serving retail and enhanced neighborhood services.
Throughout our period of development for this project, New Orleans Claiborne Corridor residents have been actively involved in determining the most vital activities and experiences to support the Claiborne Corridor’s surrounding community and solidifying it as a welcoming space to gather – as North Claiborne did before the interstate arrived. Many may view the I-10 expressway as an injurious structure due to its proximity to residential neighborhoods. We have set out to make this structure more purposeful for the community that surrounds it. We’ve transformed the space beneath the elevated expressway into a community gathering spot for retailers, food & beverage services, activities, and experiences.
Through several years of outreach, investigation, and review, we’ve worked with the Claiborne Corridor community to understand their clearly identified priorities, to plan for revitalization around the bridge and under it. The interstate will be here for at least another fifty years and we must work to strengthen community interests as diligently as we can. Ujamaa is committed to this community, our community, and to support the movement that uplifts the community’s vision. We welcome you to support the Vision of the CID!
Claiborne Corridor Cultural Innovation District in the Press
October 2019 – mastercardcenter.org
Using Data-Driven Insights to Help Revive a Historic New Orleans Neighborhood
April 2019 – Big Easy Magazine
Residents and Business Owners Discuss The Future of Black Business on Claiborne Avenue
Change is coming to N. Claiborne Ave. corridor
About Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation
The Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation was organized with a mission of equitable redevelopment of the Claiborne Corridor and adjacent communities, and with a commitment by the organization’s leadership to cultural preservation, economic opportunity, housing affordability, environmental sustainability, and safe and healthy neighborhoods for the Claiborne Corridor communities.
About the Executive Director of Ujamaa EDC
Nyree A. Ramsey is the Executive Director of Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation. A native of New York, Ramsey completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Ramsey’s heart and passion to be a servant leader led her to Tremé in New Orleans. Here she served the City of New Orleans as Deputy Director of Community Affairs & Special Events and was promoted to Director of Arts and Tourism in the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. Nyree was the city’s first Black Director of Arts & Tourism. She knows the beauty of her work centers on her efforts to promote, protect, and perpetuate the unique aesthetic of an American treasure, New Orleans’ art & culture.
Facebook: @CulturalInnovationDistrict
Instagram: @cid_nola