Welcome to the city of perpetual construction

This sidewalk was roped off for work 5 months ago. My conversation with two locals last night:

Them: "That's not because of Katrina"
Me: "Really? It was roped off for repair months ago."
Them: "They're just redoing the sidewalk."
Me: "Really? All the light posts were bent and broken and some tiles were pulled up in October."
Them: "That's not because of Katrina."

I suppose they meant the palettes or the totally pulled sidewalk. Thanks for the insight locals!