What's Up Downtown October 26, 2009
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| | Baronne Street Revitalization Rejuvenates Neighborhood
There are cranes in the sky in Downtown New Orleans, and few neighborhoods have seen more development than Baronne Street. Construction of developer Brian Gibbs' 250-unit luxury apartment building at 930 Poydras is nearing completion, and a substantial, diverse small business community has developed in its shadows. Owners of Big Pie Pizza, now open at 407 Baronne Street, have rushed to open their doors in time for the remainder of the Saints football season. Property owner Dotan Bonen, who transformed the once derelict space into a mixed-use showcase property with the help of the DDD Facade Improvement Grant, says he has been inspired by the revitalization taking place in the neighborhood. Besides Big Pie Pizza, which occupies the first two floors of the building, Bonen's renovation also includes a lavish third floor apartment.
"I bought this property because I fell in love with this city and this neighborhood. I don't know if it is coincidence or fate that I found it at this time, when so much is happening along this corridor," says Bonen. Bonen's Baronne Street neighbors include a dynamic mix of recently opened attractions: Dee's Coffee, Cakes, and Copies; Dress for Success New Orleans Boutique; YA/YA, an after-school arts and professional enrichment program for local youth; The Beautiful Foundation, a non-profit focused on youth development and education; The Emporium fine gift shop; Duplantier Fine Framing; Transportation Revolution, New Orleans' exclusive Vespa and Ducati dealer; the Michelle Y. Williams art gallery; Guerlain Spa; Domenica Restaurant; Civic Lofts & Penthouses; the Roosevelt Hotel and many more. Click here for a photo gallery of Baronne Street's revitalization.
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| | Bioscience Industry Leader Presents to Packed House;
BioInnovation Center to Break Ground on Canal Street This Month More than 200 people were present at a luncheon held on Thursday, October 22 when James Greenwood, President & CEO of the BIO Industry Organization delivered a keynote address that applauded New Orleans' strides toward becoming a leader in bioscience industry development, one of the DDD's target Industries of the Mind.
Also at the event, Jim McNamara, DDD Commissioner and President & CEO of the Greater New Orleans Biosciences Economic Development District (GNOBEDD), announced that the New Orleans BioInnovation Center will break ground on Canal Street before the end of October. "The pilings have been delivered, and barring anything catastrophic, they will begin driving this month," he promised the crowd. The New Orleans BioInnovation Center will be a technology business incubator created to foster entrepreneurship within the New Orleans bioscience community. Its mission is to assist biotechnology-related companies in commercializing technologies from New Orleans-based universities. The facility will cater to a broad scope of companies, ranging from pre-startups and start-ups to maturing and expanding businesses. The BioInnovation Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, and the new VA and University Medical Centers will serve as anchors for New Orleans' biomedical district and will spur development throughout Downtown New Orleans, including residential, retail, health care support facilities, restaurants, and hotels. For more information on the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, click here.
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| | DDD to Power WiFi at Interactive Media Conference October 29-30
As part of the Downtown Development District's ongoing efforts to attract Industries of the Mind to Downtown New Orleans, the DDD has partnered with TribeCon 2009--an interactive media conference taking place on the VooDoo Music Experience grounds October 29 and 30. The DDD will provide WiFi access at the conference where attendees will hear from social media industry leaders, both local and national. "We want this group of influential interactive media leaders to recognize New Orleans, and particularly Downtown, as a naturally creative and business-friendly location. Clusters of digital media companies are already thriving Downtown in developments like the Intellectual Property, or IP, and Entrepreneur's Row," says DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle. Topics will include how social media would impact hurricane response, the future of marketing, how failure often breeds community, and how to build a new professional community.
TribeCon founders Chris Schultz and Tiffany Starnes also led the New Orleans "Y@T Pack" delegation, which was sponsored by the DDD and included three DDD staff members, to South by Southwest Interactive in Austin, Texas earlier this year. For more information, including how to register for Tribe Con, click here.
For more information on the DDD's Industries of the Mind initiative, click here.
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| | Bike Paths, Striping and Curb Repairs Will Make Downtown
Streets More Pedestrian Friendly; Work to Begin Next Week
Downtown pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists will have it a little easier in the coming months once major repairs to Downtown roads are completed and new bike lanes are added to several major traffic arteries. Next week, the South Louisiana Submerged Roads Program will begin a repair process that consists of replacing broken sections of roadway base, removing and replacing two inches of old asphalt pavement, and curb repairs, including new ADA-compliant handicap ramps. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, October 13. Speakers included Councilmember Jackie Clarkson, Director of Public Works Robert Mendoza, DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle, as well as representatives from the Department of Transportation & Development and the Regional Planning Commission.
For more information, visit www.pavinglaroads.com. |
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| | Roosevelt Hotel Weekend Long Celebration Marked Historic
Grand Opening, Featured New Orleans Musical Legends The Roosevelt New Orleans rolled out the red carpet last weekend for an historic grand-opening gala weekend. On Friday night, New Orleans' first family of funk, the Neville Brothers, took the stage at a reception-style event. On Saturday, Grammy Award-winning singer Irma Thomas and musician, composer and producer Allan Toussaint performed at a black-tie event that included a four-course dinner. The events coincided with the opening of Domenica, a John Besh restaurant, as well as the introduction of the 12,500-square-foot Guerlain Spa, which features 10 private treatment rooms, a fitness center, a couple's therapy suite and more. Portions of the gala weekend will benefit the FORE!Kids Foundation, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Foundation, Tulane Educational Fund, and the National World War II Museum. For more information, visit www.therooseveltneworleans.com.
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| | | Good News Bites! 1201 Canal Condos & Apartments is a finalist in two categories for the 2009 Timmy Awards, which honors outstanding rehabilitation and preservation projects based on overall design and quality, interpretation and respect of historic elements, impacts on the community and financial and market success. 1201 Canal is nominated in the categories "Best Market-Rate Residential" and "Most Innovative Adaptive Reuse."
Harvest the Music, the Fall concert series held in Lafayette Square, culminates on Thursday, October 29, with a performance by Blues Traveler.
Rubensteins is excited to announce two new additions to its historic location on the corner of Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue: a boy's department with suits, blazers, pants, dress shirts and sport shirts, as well as Harold Clarke Couturiers, formerly located in the French Quarter. Also at Rubensteins..."Denim Days," a two day event scheduled for October 30-31, gives customers the opportunity to meet AGAVE jean designer Jeff Shafer and receive a personalized jean fitting. Tequila Herradura will be served at the event. Riverwalk Marketplace is hosting a photo exhibit through January 4, 2010 titled, "Opening Doors/Abriendo Puertas: A Photographic Look at What We All Have in Common." The 40-photograph exhibit, sponsored by Puentes New Orleans, Inc., chronicles the lives of 15 Latin American immigrants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. |
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| | Here's a Little Bit More of What's Up Downtown... ArtWalk, Sponsored by the DDD
What: New Orleans Arts District hosts this monthly event to showcase the newest Downtown art exhibits.
Where: New Orleans Arts District on Julia Street, Camp Street, and St. Joseph Street
When: First Saturday of each month, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
First Tuesdays
What: An annual interfaith series promoting dialogue and understanding on topics of spirituality. Representatives of the New Orleans' Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities lead our conversations about their spiritual traditions and address this year's theme, "Spirituality in the City."
Where: Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception, 130 Baronne Street
When: First Tuesday of each month, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
PRC "Renaissance Awards" Luncheon
What: The Preservation Resource Center and Renaissance Publishing present the Renaissance Awards and Heritage Club Luncheon featuring keynote speaker Donovan Rypkema. The awards honor renovation projects that stay true to their original architecture and history.
Where: The Roosevelt New Orleans Hotel, 123 Baronne Street
When: Tuesday, October 27, 11:30 a.m.
Insectarium "Happy Crawl-oween"
What: Audubon Insectarium is celebrating Halloween bug style. Learn about the myths behind some "scary" critters and visit the butterfly garden with hundreds of orange and black butterflies. Crafts, treats, and discounted admission for children in costumes are all part of the special holiday event.
Where: Audubon Insectarium, 423 Canal Street
When: Saturday, October 31 |
| 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.
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