Neighborhood Overview
Broadmoor, located in the heart of New Orleans between Napoleon Avenue and Louisiana Avenue, stands as one of the city's most compelling examples of community-led planning and revitalization. This racially and economically diverse neighborhood sits in a natural basin that was heavily flooded during Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath, Broadmoor was initially designated as a potential "green space" rather than being rebuilt—a decision community members successfully resisted through organizing, planning, and determination. Today, Broadmoor showcases how resident leadership and strategic partnerships can transform a neighborhood's trajectory.
The neighborhood's name reflects its topography as a broad, low-lying area or "moor." Developed primarily in the early 20th century, Broadmoor evolved from swampland to a streetcar suburb and eventually into a fully integrated part of the urban fabric. The Andrew H. Wilson School, Broadmoor Library, and various churches have long served as community anchors, while the Broadmoor Improvement Association (established 1930) stands as one of the city's oldest continuously operating neighborhood organizations, providing a foundation for the remarkable post-Katrina organizing that has made Broadmoor a national model for community resilience.
Quick Facts
- Population: Approximately 7,200 residents (over 95% of pre-Katrina population)
- Demographics: Diverse community (approximately 60% African American, 30% white, 10% Latino and other groups) with mixed income levels
- Housing: Mix of historic homes, small apartment buildings, and new construction
- Historic Significance: Developed in early 20th century from drained swampland, site of significant civil rights history and integration efforts, location of pioneering post-Katrina community planning, and home to the innovative Broadmoor Educational Corridor
Free Spaces
Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Center Courtyard
3900 General Taylor St., New Orleans, LA 70125
A beautifully restored neighborhood hub in a former church. The courtyard is free and open to the public — filled with native landscaping, rotating art, and community energy. It’s often used for yoga, markets, and music events.
Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center
4300 S. Broad St., New Orleans, LA 70125
Free and open to all, this LEED-certified library offers more than books: enjoy its art exhibits, community garden, and shaded outdoor seating. It’s a symbol of Broadmoor’s rebirth and a cornerstone of neighborhood life.
Broadmoor Community Garden
3900 General Taylor St. (behind the Arts & Wellness Center)
A lush, resident-managed garden producing herbs, vegetables, and pollinator plants. Visitors are welcome to stroll the paths, volunteer, or just enjoy the greenery — it’s part of Broadmoor’s commitment to food sustainability and education.
South Broad Green Corridor & Neutral Ground Art Installations
S. Broad St. between Washington Ave. & Napoleon Ave.
A lively stretch connecting key neighborhood institutions, featuring murals, sculpture, and landscaping projects. It’s a great free walk highlighting the neighborhood’s creativity and civic renewal.
Wilson Charter School Water Plaza & Green Space
3617 General Pershing St., New Orleans, LA 70125
An innovative stormwater plaza and outdoor classroom developed after Katrina. While it’s part of the school grounds, the surrounding green infrastructure and walking paths are visible and accessible to the public after school hours.
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