NOLA [RE]PURPOSED.

Officially launched in 2021, NOLA [RE]PURPOSED is 1735’s flagship program, inspired by Section 150-78 of the New Orleans Municipal Code—a powerful yet underutilized pathway for returning adjudicated properties to commerce.

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Shortly after our launch, Hurricane Ida struck on August 29, 2021, forcing 1735 to pause operations. Yet, from that setback came a new beginning. In 2023, the New Orleans City Council Recreation Fund awarded 1735 a grant to relaunch this one-of-a-kind project—one that has the potential to reshape the future of our city, property by property, block by block.

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Today, NOLA [RE]PURPOSED stands as a community revitalization initiative powered by 1735 NOLA, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming abandoned, adjudicated, and blighted properties into spaces of purpose, progress, and pride.

 

Rooted in the city’s history and fueled by public engagement, NOLA [RE]PURPOSED bridges the gap between research and reality. We identify overlooked properties, trace their histories, and collaborate with residents, city officials, and local partners to bring them back to life. Each restored site represents a chance to build equity, inspire employment, and strengthen the cultural fabric that makes New Orleans truly exceptional.

 

Our goal is bold: to return every adjudicated property in Orleans Parish to commerce by 2035.

Together, we can make it happen.