President’s Column: Residents and Businesses Must Work Together
One of the enduring lessons of the hospitality zone proposal is how important it is for neighborhood groups to develop h4 relationships with the business community. Believe it or not, many French Quarter businesses share our concerns with crime, infrastructure, and other quality of life issues. I’ve put together some thoughts:
Open Dialogue
One avenue for maintaining an open dialogue with the business community has been the French Quarter Management District (FQMD). FQMD, chaired by FQC member Kimberly Rosenberg, is a state-created board made up of residents, businesses, and political appointees and is charged with improving the quality of life for French Quarter visitors and residents alike. For more information about FQMD, I suggest you check out their very informative webpage. FQMD, despite keeping a relatively low profile, has a number of very active committees that work closely (and collaboratively) with residental groups such as FQC. Brian Furness, a FQC board member and past president, is your representative on FQMD. For more information on how to get involved, please email Brian at brian@frenchquartercitizens.org.
Key Players
Besides FQMD, there at least two French Quarter business associations that FQC works closely with year round. The French Quarter Business Association (FQBA) has been a wonderful partner in trying to elminate graffiti in our historic neighborhood. The Bourbon Street Business Alliance has also been a partner on a number of issues including the speaker placement ordinance recently passed by the City Council.
Moving Forward
This is not to say that we won’t disagree with our friends in the business world – the French Quarter is a small place and disputes are bound ot happen. But, in my opinion, it’s important that we recognize that French Quarter businesses share our concerns and can serve as a powerful and vocal partner in our future endeavors.
Brian
bwiggins@frenchquartercitizens.org
Hollywood South: Weekly Film Updates
Filming continues on the 500 Block of Bienville – crews will be parked on Front Street, the 300 Block of Conti, and the 300 Block of Bienville. The entire 500 Block of Bienville will be closed from Sunday, July 29th at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, July 31st at 6:00 a.m.
Click on the location/date for more information or go to the city’s Film New Orleans website.
Annual Jazz Mass
Mark your calendars for an annual summer event that’s too good to miss. On Sunday August 5 at 10:00 a.m, St. Augustine Church will once again host the Annual Jazz Mass honoring Louis “Satchmo” Armh4 featuring the Treme Brass Band and the St. Augustine Soulful Voices Choir. Following Mass, worshipers and participants will then second line parade to the Satchmo Festival at the Old U.S. Mint on Esplanade Ave.
St. Augustine Church is located in the Histroic Treme neigborhood at 1210 Governor Nicholls Street.
Important Dates
- September 20th, FQC Quarterly Meeting.
- November 2, FQC Progressive Dinner, details to come!
Street Closures
Lane and Road Closures for Friday, July 27th:
- Burgundy from Canal to St. Louis
- Esplanade parking lanes closed from Royal St. to North Peters (both lake- and river- bound)
- NEW: Royal Street closed from Esplanade to St. Phillip.
- NEW: North Peters riverside right lane from Canal to St. Louis
While some inconveniences are to be expected, please let a board member know if you were not properly notified or encounter other problems.
For more information, please go to the Paths to Progress website.
Interesting Article
The E-Write received this interesting New York Times article from CoCo Garrett exploring the hazard of indoor noise – an on-going problem here in the French Quarter.