What's Up Downtown April 30, 2010
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| | DDD Hosts Leading Minds Breakfast Tuesday, May 4
Featuring Keynote by "Official Statistician of the Creative Class"
The Downtown Development District of New Orleans will present the findings of a Creative Class market research project and will welcome guest speaker Kevin Stolarick, PhD, at the quarterly Leading Minds Breakfast on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. at the Intercontinental Hotel. The DDD’s Industries of the Mind Creative Class market research report to be released at the event was conducted by RDA Global, a leading labor economics analysis and research firm based in Houston, Texas. The research was funded by the US Economic Development Administration and its findings will be utilized in the evolution of Downtown New Orleans as a hub for Industries of the Mind—defined by the DDD as digital media, bioscience, and arts-based businesses. It will allow the DDD to work with its partners at the City of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, and the development community to shape Downtown into an attractive physical, social, and economic environment for Industries of the Mind, and to brand Downtown as the center of Industries of the Mind in this region. The DDD will leverage the research findings to create and implement a place branding initiative to promote Downtown’s unique assets and environment. The goal of the campaign is to communicate that Downtown is among the nation’s most fertile areas for Industries of the Mind. Guest speaker Kevin Stolarick, PhD, dubbed the “Official Statistician of the Creative Class,” will speak on the topic of “Creating a Competitive Environment for the Industries of the Mind.” Stolarick is a contributing researcher for Richard Florida’s books The Rise of the Creative Class, The Flight of the Creative Class, and Who’s Your City. He is also the Research Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Stolarick was also part of the research team that guided the DDD’s Industries of the Mind Creative Class market research. The DDD created the Leading Minds Breakfast series in 2009 to engage and inform Downtown stakeholders about its efforts to attract and retain Industries of the Mind and other issues of import to Downtown New Orleans. |
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| US Department of Veterans Affairs Begins Historic Restoration of
Original Pan American Life Insurance Co. Building
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is beginning restoration and repair of the original Pan American Life Insurance Company Building at 2400 Canal Street. "This marks the first of many steps to come as we work towards our goal of creating a 21st century state-of-the-art health care system for our Veterans," said Julie Catellier, Director of Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. The building is listed individually on the National Register for Historic Places and is a significant representation of post-World War II International style architecture. The building has a steel frame, glass walls and aluminum sunscreens to shield the interior from the sun. Original features included an elevated terraced entrance and an interior courtyard. More recently, the building was used as a City Hall Annex, but is currently closed and out of service. Restoration of the Pan American building will help preserve New Orleans' unique architectural heritage while simultaneously honoring New Orleans' proud history of innovation and design. The Pan American building will be the first building to come on line as part of the new VA Medical Center, housing education, training, recruitment and administrative services. The VA Medical Center is scheduled for completion in 2013. The new facility will provide comprehensive healthcare to over 70,000 enrolled Veterans when it opens. To see the latest VAMC renderings, visit www.neworleans.va.gov. |
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| | Downtown Property Owners May Apply for Sidewalk Improvement Grants As a special incentive for Downtown property owners, the Downtown Development District implemented a sidewalk improvement grant program that provides financial assistance for improving the quality of sidewalks in front of their properties. The DDD will match up to 50% of the cost of sidewalk improvements conditional on the number of applications and budget allocation for each year. "Over the next several years, the DDD will continue to work to improve the sidewalks Downtown," said DDD Director of Public Space Operations Richard McCall. "We encourage property owners to take advantage of this incentive program and will assist them with the application process as well as meeting the grant requirements." One of the requirements of the grant is that all new or repaved sidewalks immediately adjacent to property located within the DDD are to be brick in the tan-medium brown color range or with Pennsylvania bluestone in the blue-grey color range. The DDD also requires that all permits from the City Department of Safety and Permits are acquired and notification of proper utilities (Sewerage and Water Board, Entergy, AT&T, and Cox Communications) are received prior to any improvement work. The DDD also must approve the materials to be used prior to installation.
For more specifics on the DDD's Sidewalk Enhancement Program, contact John Roussell in the Public Space Operations Department at (504) 561-8927 or via email at jroussell[at]neworleansdowntown.com. The complete guidelines and application are available for download here: SIDEWALK ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
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| | Bike Week Comes to Downtown New Orleans;
Event Coincides with National Bicycle Safety Month May is National Bicycle Safety Month. Throughout the month, Downtown Development District Public Safety Rangers and DDD Police Detail Officers will be stopping cyclists Downtown if they are not following bicycle safety laws and providing them with kits of information on how to cycle safely and legally. The kit will also include front and rear reflective lights, an instructional card, a patch kit and tire levers. DDD Public Safety Rangers will also do outreach to Downtown businesses that depend on cyclists. To request more information, contact DDD Public Safety Manager Patrick Thompson at (504) 561-8927 or by email at pthompson[at]neworleansdowntown.com.
Coinciding with Bicycle Safety Month is an event that planners are calling "Bike Week... Big Easy Style!" On May 5 through 9, motorcyclists from around the country will come to New Orleans for the second annual New Orleans Bike Week. The main event will take place in parking lots along the Riverwalk and will feature 3-acres of live music, red-hot motorcycle entertainment, local and industry vendors and great New Orleans cuisine. More information, including a full schedule of events and entertaiment, visit www.bikeweekneworleans.com. |
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| | Good News Bites! DDD Lead Public Safety Ranger Sam Woodroof recently attended the 16th Annual State Conference on Homelessness in Baton Rouge. This year's conference was titled "People: Uniting Policy and Practice." As a result of the conference, all DDD Public Safety Rangers and DDD Police Detail Officers will be trained on crisis intervention for law enforcement. The DDD continues to work with the City of New Orleans and other community partners to address homelessness Downtown through Permanent Supportive Housing.
Gourmet burgers and sandwich Restaurant DRESS IT! is celebrating National Hamburger Month! Located at 535 Gravier in the heart of the Central Business District, DRESS IT! serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (with fabulous desserts). Downtown residents can also receive 10% of take-out and dinner orders after 5 p.m. DRESS IT! is open seven days a week and has happy hour daily from 5-7 p.m.
The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation has announced that the 4th annual New Orleans Seafood Festival will take place on Downtown's Fulton Square and Fulton Street, across from Harrah's Hotel and Casino, for the third consecutive year. Festival-goers will be able to enjoy cuisine from their favorite local restaurants, music from top local bands, and cooking demonstrations from the best local chefs. The festival takes place Friday, September 10 through Sunday, September 12. |
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| Here's a Little Bit More of What's Up Downtown This Month... Jane's Walk
What: Jane's Walk is a series of free neighborhood walking tours that helps put people in touch with their environment and with each other, by bridging social and geographic gaps and creating a space for cities to discover themselves. Join the DDD's Ryan Bordenave for a tour of Canal Street with an emphasis on the history of the street and the DDD's efforts to attract new retailers.
When: Saturday, May 1, 2010, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Meet "Under the Clock" at 819 Canal Street Derby Day at SoFab Museum
What: May 1st marks the beginning of Mint Julep Season and the running of the Kentucky Derby. The Southern Food and Beverage Museum is celebrating the delicious Southern cocktail by hosting a demonstration and history lesson. Registration is required. Contact info@southernfood.org for more information.
When: Saturday, May 1 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Southern Food and Beverage Museum
Let the Good Times Roll Right Into Summer
What: Harrah's New Orleans will provide sizzling music and entertainment by performers like Lance Ellis & Friends, The Earl Turner Show, and Jeff Cook & The Allstar Goodtime Band to get the summer started
When: Showtimes vary. Please check www.harrahsneworleans.com for more information.
Where: Harrah's New Orleans Casino (Must be 21 to enter)
Spirituality in the City
What: Annual interfaith series promoting dialogue and understanding on topics of spirituality. May 4th's topic is "Women in Islam," featuring guest speaker Jenny Yanez of the Jefferson Muslim Association.
When: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception
Cultivating Cash Flow: A Business Expansion Forum
What: Free business event hosted by Region One Workforce Investment Board Partnership and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center of the Greater New Orleans Region. Downtown small business owners are invited to attend.
When: Wednesday, May 5, noon to 5:00 p.m.
Where: UNO Lindy Boggs Conference Center
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| 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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