What's Up Downtown October 3, 2008 |
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| | Federal Bailout Package Passes, Includes Extension of
Key Hurricane Recovery Incentive Congress passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 today, giving final approval to the $700 billion bailout for the troubled financial system. Included in the act was a key provision that extends the GO Zone historic tax credit beyond January 1, 2009, as well as an extension of the New Markets Tax Credit program. Development projects that have been on hold in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf Coast stand to benefit the most from the extension of these programs. Under the GO Zone extension, developers will continue to benefit from a 26 percent federal historic tax credit rather than the standard 20 percent. For example, an eligible $100 million historic development project slated for completion in 2009 would receive a $26 million tax credit, $6 million more than would be possible without the extension. "Today's extension of the GO Zone historic tax credit incentive will allow developers to greenlight at least one major Downtown residential project--and probably many more--that may have otherwise not moved forward," says DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle.
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|  | | Important Election This Weekend Don't forget to vote tomorrow, October 4. Voters go to the polls Saturday to vote on a proposed Charter Amendment to dedicate three-fourths of one percent of the City's annual budget to fund the office of the Inspector General on a permanent basis. Voters also will cast ballots for Orleans District Attorney, the 2nd Congressional district seat (closed Democratic primary), and several judgeships. |
|  | | DDD Seeks Partners for Rabouin Mentoring
and Internship Initiative The Downtown Development District is seeking local individuals and/or companies interested in working together to provide mentoring and internship opportunities to students at Downtown New Orleans' only public school, L.E. Rabouin High School. Leaders of Each One/Save One, a locally based mentoring group, have agreed to assist the DDD and volunteer mentors and to design an effective, goal-oriented program. Volunteers will be asked to volunteer their time as either one-on-one tutors, mentors, or classroom speakers as part of the team. Organizations able to provide paid internships for students are also asked to apply. For more information, contact Anthony Carter at acarter@neworleansdowntown.com. |
|  | | DDD Public Safety Rangers Complete Bike Training In the past two weeks, 12 Public Safety Rangers have been certified by the International Police Mountain Biking Association in bicycle safety. Rangers now have 17 certified cyclists on staff and have recently purchased five additional Fuji police patrol bikes bringing the total number of Ranger bikes to nine. The training was conducted by Lt. Stanley Cosper of the Tulane University Police Department. "Having Rangers on bicycles allows them to survey more area in less time and respond to calls faster, increasing their impact particularly in areas such as the Warehouse and Medical Districts. Most importantly, the bikes will make the Rangers more visible to Downtown residents and guests, increasing their impact dramatically," says Patrick Thompson, DDD Public Safety Manager. Rangers will continue to patrol the French Quarter and Marigny neighborhoods, both on foot and on bikes, as part of their contract with the French Quarter-Marigny Historic Area Management District. |
|  | | Merchants Encouraged to Participate in Holiday Promotion;
Sample Display On Exhibit at Rubenstein's This Week! The DDD is encouraging all Canal Street merchants to participate in the holiday extravaganza, "Canal Street: Your Home for the Holidays." A holiday parade, outdoor concert, and large-scale, festive decorations will remind residents and visitors alike of nostalgic shopping experiences along New Orleans' most historic and grand corridor. Retailers are invited to participate in the DDD's holiday advertising co-op program which includes a custom-designed holiday window display. Elves from Christmas Depot have already decorated a sample window! Interested merchants, large or small, should visit Rubenstein's at the corner of Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue this week to view the sample display.
For more information, please contact Valerie Robinson at vrobinson[at]neworleansdowntown.com or by calling (504) 561-8927. |
|  | | The Idea Village Announces 504ward $100,000
Business Competition to Retain Young Talent in New Orleans The Idea Village is launching the 504ward business competition for entrepreneurs with business ideas that retain and engage the 23-35 year old demographic in New Orleans. The winning entrepreneur will receive $100,000 in cash as well as free office space, legal support, marketing, website development and optimization, advertising, staffing, networking facilities, event and media productions, and data center storage services. The current value of the prize package from the local New Orleans community and the national network of entrepreneurs is more than $200,000.
Click here to watch the YouTube video and learn more! |
|  | | Astor Crowne Plaza Completes Multi-Million Dollar Renovation As one of the anchors of Canal Street, the Downtown Astor Crowne Plaza has committed to the city's revitalization efforts with a multi-million dollar renovation program to restore and beautify one of Downtown's major hotels. "This commitment to enhance the luster of the Astor Crowne Plaza's guestrooms and meeting space confirms our faith in the future of one of America's favorite cities and its importance as a convention destination," said Todd Rayburn, Regional Vice President of Operations for Prism Hotels & Resorts. The theme of the renovation, "Polishing the Crowne of New Orleans," included a redesign of the lobby's grand corridor and furnishings, guestrooms, the executive lounge and fitness center, and several meeting rooms. The Astor Crowne Plaza will be the site of the International Downtown Association's IDA Institute conference in January 2009, which will draw representatives from Downtown associations from across the globe to New Orleans. The IDA Institute is hosted by the Downtown Development District of New Orleans. |
|  | | CAC Presents 30th Anniversary Art for Arts' Sake The Contemporary Arts Center's Art for Arts' Sake has become an annual rite of fall, and this weekend, art lovers and party-goers from around the city will gather Downtown to participate once again. Over 40 galleries and museums citywide will mark the opening of the city's arts season.
Don't miss the free block party in the 300-600 blocks of Julia Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with plenty of food and drinks, gallery openings, and live video and interactive art installations by New Orleans artists. The official afterparty at the Contemporary Arts Center, from 9 p.m. to midnight, features a special Music of New Orleans Series concert with Bonerama. For more information, visit www.cacno.org. |
|  | | New Orleans Seafood Festival to Rock Fulton Street
Downtown This Weekend The New Orleans Seafood Festival will take place this weekend, October 3-5, on Fulton Street in Downtown New Orleans. The festival will feature cuisine from many famed local restaurants including Mr. B's, Drago's, Arnaud's, Galatoire's, Ernst Cafe, Barreca's, Carnival Brands, Mr. Mudbug/King Creole, Pontchartrain Point Cafe, ACME Oyster House, Cafe Giovanni, Carondelet Cafe, Grand Isle, and many more. The festival is free and open to the public. Live entertainment will be played on two stages. Over 15 bands including the Radiators, Soul Rebels, and Rockin' Dopsie will perform. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to offer greater access to culinary education and the arts, while providing support for the health and social welfare of children across Louisiana. For more information, including times, please visit www.lousianahospitalityfoundation.org. |
|  | | Downtown Hosts Hornets, Saints, and Tulane in October You can feel the energy! Downtown New Orleans will be inundated with fans this fall as the Hornets return to the New Orleans Arena after a remarkable last season. Hornets fans will not be alone--excitement is building for Tulane University football fans as the Green Wave goes into this weekend's game 2-2. The Saints will play their first Monday night football game on October 6 at 7:30 p.m. against the Minnesota Vikings. DDD Public Safety Rangers, as well as cleaning contractor Block-By-Block, are on hand during all sporting events to ensure fans have a safe and clean Downtown experience. For more information, visit www.superdome.com. |
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| | Celebrate Italian Culture and Heritage Downtown
The New Orleans Italian Cultural and Heritage Festa will be held Saturday, October 11 from 11 a.m. until dark at the Piazza d’Italia Downtown, located on the corner of Poydras and Tchoupitoulas streets. The festa, organized by the Greater New Orleans Italian Cultural Society, will feature live music, fabulous food and artwork by local artists. Admission to the festa is free.
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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@neworleansdowntown.com. |
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