What's Up Downtown

December 19, 2008

DDD Sidewalk Cleaning to Continue

Downtown Development District (DDD) President & CEO Kurt Weigle announced today that sidewalk cleaning services in Downtown New Orleans will continue in 2009 regardless of whether similar services are provided by the City of New Orleans to the French Quarter.

“The area within the boundaries of the DDD – Iberville Street to the Pontchartrain Expressway, and Claiborne Avenue to the River – will continue to receive sidewalk cleaning provided by the DDD’s contractor, Block by Block, just as it has for many years now. DDD property owners pay a special property tax to the DDD, which allows us to provide this service, among others, without relying on City funding,” says Weigle.

“The DDD hopes that enhanced sidewalk cleaning will continue in the French Quarter, as well, and is pleased that City Council has found a way to fund this important service. Also, I am pleased that the City’s French Quarter cleaning contractor, SDT, has agreed to provide baseline street sweeping to Downtown if City funding is restored for its contract.”

Downtown has not received the baseline city service of mechanical street sweeping of gutters (along the curb) since March of 2008, when this service was discontinued by the City. “Restoration of weekly street sweeping is an important issue for us as we represent the interests of Downtown businesses, property owners, and residents,” says Weigle. “Weekly street sweeping will remove silt build-up from the streets and allow the DDD’s sidewalk cleaning contractor to focus on keeping the sidewalks clean and tidy.”

Sidewalk cleaning services provided by the DDD include litter removal, sidewalk pressure washing, graffiti removal, weed prevention & removal, and cleaning & painting of street furnishings such as trash receptacles, light poles, and utility boxes.

Last-Minute Mania! Shoppers Invited to Canal Street
This Saturday for Specials, Free Streetcar Rides

On December 20, a light-hearted approach to Last-Minute Mania will provide some “peace on Earth” with an alternative shopping experience on Canal Street. Carolers will stroll the corridor and good-natured Public Safety Rangers will play Santa’s elves by passing out candy canes and other goodies. Rides on the Canal Street streetcar from the River to Claiborne will be free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with coupons available at participating merchant locations along Canal Street.

For more information on all of the Downtown holiday events, visit the DDD's website at www.neworleansdowntown.com/holidays.

New Shelters Make Downtown Shine

Eighteen shiny, new transit shelters have been installed throughout Downtown, thanks to an agreement between the Regional Transit Authority, Downtown Development District and Laurel Outdoor Advertising that allows for a different look than shelters along transit routes in the rest of the city.

The RTA signed an agreement with Laurel for shelters for the entire transit system earlier this year. The company has advertising rights for the shelters in return for maintaining them. The contract allowed for the shelters in the DDD to sport a “hip, contemporary” look, according to DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle.

“Throughout the city, the shelters are the same design, but with green paint and plexiglass panels,” he says. “We requested the aluminum finish and glass panels. The DDD also will be allowed to approve advertisement placements on the Downtown shelters. The overall effect is a great enhancement to the streetscape along our commercial corridors.”

Harrah's New Orleans Named #1 Best Place to Work by
New Orleans CityBusiness Newspaper

This year's 50 Best Places to Work in New Orleans have been announced, with Harrah's New Orleans Hotel and Casino topping the list at number one.

"This is great news and we are proud to be located in Downtown New Orleans!" says Carla Major, Harrah's Vice President of Human Resources and Community Relations and DDD Commissioner.

Eleven Downtown businesses were honored, including restaurants, hotels, law and advertising firms.

"Downtown is a great destination for new businesses--ideal for those looking for competitively-priced office space, a professional atmosphere, and a neighborhood unlike anywhere else in the world," says DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle. "Digital media, bioscience, and the arts--'Industries of the Mind'--are the future of business development Downtown, and the DDD has tailored its economic development strategy to attract and support businesses in these fields."

Spruce Eco-Studio Now Open Downtown

Now open in the Warehouse Arts District of Downtown, Spruce is an eco-friendly lifestyle concept encompassing decor, building products, finishes, design services, and lifestyle products. Owners Nomita Joshi-Gupta and Cheryl Murphy are committed to providing green products but also demand that their products have a high design value as well.

The carefully curated showroom features the vast range of products and Joshi-Gupta and Murphy's design services include interior design and architectural work, green consultation, color consultation, as well as custom kitchens and baths.

Joshi-Gupta purchased the building at 304 S. Diamond Street right after Hurricane Katrina to renovate and rent as a residential space, but quickly realized its potential as a studio/showroom, given its location and the creative energy in the area. Joshi-Gupta and Murphy believe that the neighborhood has the potential to attract many more like-businesses and shoppers looking for design-related goods, whether it's furniture, fabrics, textiles, art, or design services.

Says Joshi-Gupta, "Downtown is a breeding ground for creativity. We are seeing more and more young, business-minded people trusting their crazy ideas and choosing to be at the forefront of the creative movement by coming Downtown."

Spruce will be hosting an open house every first Saturday of the month beginning January 3.

For more information, including store hours, visit www.sprucenola.com.

Duplantier Fine Framing Makes Business an Art

Bettye Duplantier purchased the building at 818 Baronne Street between Julia and Howard streets in 1981, and for many years operated an art gallery in the space. Today, she is the proprietress of Duplantier Fine Framing, offering 20 years of experience in the craft.

"I think I surprised many people in the business when I purchased brand new, state-of-the-art equipment," says Duplantier. "I emphasize the quality of my work, and everything is done in-house by my hand. I see every piece of work that leaves this building."

Duplantier enjoys her Downtown location now more than ever, as the Baronne Street neighborhood continues to grow and develop. The Michelle Williams gallery and several condo developments are her newest neighbors. "Parking is easy, and that makes it convenient for my customers. Sometimes people will even stop by on their way to Saints games! The shop is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., but if the lights are on, I'm here!"

For more information on any of the articles featured in What's Up Downtown, or to submit an item for consideration,
contact Lauren Hotard at lhotard@neworleansdowntown.com.