Downtown Development District : Newsletter

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What's Up Downtown May 15, 2009

		IHOP Now Open for Business on Canal Street! Fans of the International House of Pancakes, or IHOP, can now enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner on Canal Street at the chain's newest location. "We are thrilled about the opening of IHOP. This restaurant, along with several other new retailers on Canal Street, represents the rebirth of New Orleans' oldest shopping district. The interest in this historic street is the highest it has been in many years and the energy and momentum is impossible to ignore," says Ryan Bordenave, DDD Retail Attraction Specialist. Ruba Management, the owner of the Downtown franchise, took advantage of the DDD's Facade Improvement Grant Program to restore their property at 833 Canal Street.

		Peter Mayer Advertising Completes Major Facade Renovation Peter Mayer Advertising has made Downtown New Orleans its home since 1967 when it opened its doors at 315 St. Charles Avenue. Forty-two years and several locations later, the advertising agency is now the largest in Louisiana with offices at 318, 320, and 324 Camp Street in the heart of the Central Business District. Since June of 2008, Peter Mayer's Camp Street offices have been undergoing major facade upgrades as well as renovations to the interior office space. When this project is finished later this month, it will showcase an entirely new storefront with a main lobby entrance at 318 Camp Street. Unique glass panels, two new awnings, and a new eye-catching sign have all been installed. The DDD awarded the advertising firm $20,000 for the improvement of the buildings' exterior as part of its Facade Improvement Grant Program. For more information on the DDD's facade improvement grants, click here.

		New Orleans Bio Industry Leaders Head to Atlanta for BIO 2009; BioBoom Party Planned to Promote New Orleans' Industry Leaders from the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, and several partners and supporters will take part in the International BIO conference in Atlanta, Georgia next week to showcase exciting developments in the bioscience industry. On May 19, the delegation will host "Bio Boom New Orleans," a networking party for New Orleans' university graduates who now live in Atlanta in an effort to attract them back to New Orleans and share more information about the thousands of jobs that will be created in the medical district. The New Orleans BioInnovation Center is a key component in the Greater New Orleans Biosciences Economic Development District (GNOBEDD). GNOBEDD is a state-enabled economic development district designed to grow the biosciences sector of the New Orleans economy. Their long term vision is to make New Orleans competitive in the global bioscience economy by providing state of the art healthcare, teaching techniques, and facilities. In addition, GNOBEDD focuses on growing and attracting new entrepreneurial companies in order to create more jobs and a more vibrant urban community in the region’s core area. In the past year, both the New Orleans BioInnovation Center and the Louisiana Cancer Research Center have broken ground within the district. In an interview with New Orleans CityBusiness, Bio Boom event marketer Thea Pagel says, "The vision of a cutting edge medical community has come to life. What is happening here is much more than bricks and mortar. It encompasses industries of the mind. BIO 2009 is an opportunity to engage the life sciences community." For more information, visit www.neworleansbio.com. The development of a strong bioscience industry is a key component of the DDD's Industries of the Mind initiative. For more information, visit www.neworleansdowntown.com/imind.

		Summer is in Full Swing at Harrah's! Music and Comedy Acts Will Heat Up the Stage Harrah's New Orleans will bring the sizzle this summer with an entertainment line-up that has something for everyone. Guests can tap their feet to Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk on Saturday, May 30 at 9 p.m. in the Harrah's Theatre, and then to The Stylistics on Saturday, June 20, with shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Enjoy an evening filled with laughs as Joe Piscopo, best known for his stints on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," stops by Harrah's Theatre on Saturday, July 18, with shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The summer series wraps up with The Bluzmen, the ultimate tribute to The Blues Brothers, on Friday and Saturday, July 24-25, with shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. and the Beatles tribute band American English on Friday, August 7, with shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets for all shows are on sale now and may be purchased in person the day of the event at Harrah's box office. You must be 21 to enter the casino and attend shows at the theater. For more information, visit www.harrahsneworleans.com.

		There is SO MUCH Happening Downtown This Week! It is the season for fun events, and there are many to choose from Downtown this week! Here's a list of some of the great goings-on: Young Leadership Council Streetcar Soiree Presented by 1201 Canal Condominiums Join the members of the Young Leadership Council this Saturday, May 16 at the Streetcar Soire! Kermit Ruffins will perform and WWL-TV's Rob Nelson will host a live auction of the "Streetcars Named Inspire." From custom painted garden-sized streetcar sculptures to a selection of streetcars currently displayed on the streets of New Orleans, it's all up for auction to commemorate this special community project. Sippin' in Seersucker A spring event not to be missed, Sippin' in Seersucker is an evening of art, music, cocktails, cuisine, fashion and shopping to benefit the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Entertainment by THE IGUANAS + Los Po-Boy Citos, a special apperance by the Roller Derby Girls, and a "Best and Most Creative Seersucker Ensemble" contest will all take place at the Shops at Canal Place on Friday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 504-539-9618 or at the door. Downtown Abita Wheat Pub Crawl Four bars, one night, and hundreds of your closest friends will join you for the Abita Wheat Pub Crawl through the Warehouse District on Friday, May 15. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. at Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar. Stops along the way will be made at Vic's Kangaroo Cafe, U.S. Prime, and finally Ernst Cafe'. Enjoy! Wednesday at the Square On Wednesday, May 20, Letters to Cleo will perform in Downtown's Lafayette Square as part of the YLC's Wednesday at the Square Concert Series. As always, this DDD sponsored event is free and open to the public. This week is sure to be one of the most exciting yet, so mark your calendar now! New Orleans Wine and Food Experience Now in it's 18th year, the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE) is coming to the Superdome May 19-23 to bring together world-renowned winemakers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders for a showcase designed to entertain, educate and inspire! Tickets are on sale now.

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[at]neworleansdowntown.com.