* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.
          [Westbank Expressway Beautification Groundbreaking]
          [00:00:04]
          THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR THE WEST BANK. 
          IT'S FOR JEFFERSON PARISH. 
          THIS PROJECT WILL IMPROVE THE LANDSCAPE FOR THE ENTIRE WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY, FROM AVONDALE ALL THE WAY TO TERRY PARKWAY. 
          THIS PROJECT HAS ONE SIMPLE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE ON THE WEST BANK. 
          UNDERNEATH THE EXPRESSWAY, WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH LITTER. 
          WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE HOMELESS. 
          WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE CULTURE AND ADDRESS THOSE TWO ISSUES. 
          THE ONLY WAY IT CAN HAPPEN IS WITH EVERYBODY BUYING IN. 
          SOMETIMES WE GET BEAT UP ON BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS, PEOPLE WANTING TO KNOW WHY DO WE SPEND MONEY FOR PLANTINGS OR ENHANCEMENTS ON OUR NEUTRAL GROUNDS AND EVERYTHING. 
          BUT YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE YOU'RE SELLING SOMETHING. 
          WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THIS PROJECT HERE TODAY. 
          WE'RE TRYING TO SELL A QUALITY OF LIFE AND A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST BANK. 
          IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH FOR YOU TO LOOK AROUND OF THIS EIGHT MILES AND SAY THAT YOU'VE EVER BEEN PROUD WHAT WAS HERE, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ANY OF US HAVE. 
          UH, SO AFTER TODAY, THIS FIRST PHASE, WE'LL BE TAKING EVERY MAJOR INTERSECTION AND MAKING IT AN IMPROVEMENT, UH, AND MAKING AN ENHANCEMENT.
* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.