What's Up Downtown August 7, 2009
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| | Downtown New Orleans Bids Farewell to SIGGRAPH 2009
The Downtown Development District of New Orleans bids farewell to more than 27,000 visitors this weekend, all of whom were in town for SIGGRAPH 2009, the world's largest computer graphics and interactive conference and tradeshow. As part of the DDD's continuing effort to attract and retain Industries of the Mind in Downtown New Orleans, the DDD was a major sponsor of the Louisiana Economic Development booth at the trade show. The DDD also hosted three very successful happy hours for this group and invited our local digital media and arts community to share the benefits of living and working in New Orleans.
"This week was a huge success--for SIGGRAPH, for the City of New Orleans, and for the DDD. New Orleans' culture and walkability are two things that help bring large conferences like SIGGRAPH to Downtown. The DDD has taken a pro-active approach to reaching out to conference attendees and getting them excited about the quality of life they can have and the role they can play in the rebirth of New Orleans," says DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle. For more information on the DDD's Industries of the Mind initiative, click here.
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| | Downtown and Central Business District to Undergo
Major Road Repairs in Fall 2009; Community Meeting Planned
The Downtown Development District is partnering with the South Louisiana Submerged Roads Program to inform Downtown residents and business owners that significant repairs to major Downtown roads will begin in early Fall. The repair process will consist of replacing two inches of old asphalt pavement and other curb repairs. It will also result in new striping and markers, as well as new ADA handicap ramps. A community information session has been planned for Tuesday, August 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Avenue. At the meeting, representatives from the South Louisiana Submerged Roads Program will present the schedule of work, answer any questions, and provide other helpful information to Downtown stakeholders who may be affected by the repairs. Click here to view the Submerged Roads flyer with more information on the program, affected areas, and schedule.
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| | DDD Celebrates 35th Anniversary and Honors
Eleven New Canal Street Retailers at Press Conference
On Wednesday, July 29, the DDD held a celebratory press conference to congratulate eleven new Canal Street retailers for their recent investment in Downtown New Orleans and welcomed PJ'S Coffee to Canal Street with a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony.
Also at the press conference, New Orleans City Council member Stacy Head presented the DDD with a proclamation from the City of New Orleans to honor its 35th anniversary. To see a list of the new retailers on Canal Street published in New Orleans CityBusiness, please click here.
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| | | | Crescent City Farmers Market Contributes $8.9 Million
to Local Economy, Report Finds This Saturday, August 1, at the corner of Magazine and Girod Streets, people will gather to enjoy a favorite Downtown weekend tradition, the Crescent City Farmers Market. On this particular Saturday, the organizers of the farmers market, marketumbrella.org, will share the results of their 2009 Economic Impact Study. According to the report, the Crescent City Farmers Market, which operates twice weekly at two different locations, has a combined economic impact of $8.9 million on the surrounding region.
"Having the Crescent City Farmers Market Downtown is very important to us," says DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle. "Not only is it a great weekend family attraction, but it is also a great economic driver for the area, as evidenced by this study's findings."
The Crescent City Farmer's Market is held Downtown every Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to noon at 700 Magazine Street. |
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| | DDD Graduates Six Summer Interns; Students Return to
School with New Set of Skills
On Wednesday, August 5, six high school students graduated from the Downtown Development District's summer internship program focused on public space operations. The interns, all female students from the New Orleans area, updated the DDD's public infrastructure database, which includes information on the condition of hundreds of light poles, trash cans, tree grates and storm drains. Their research will help the DDD improve drainage systems and determine where to plant new trees, among other things.
The program lasted eight weeks and culminated with an awards presentation in the DDD's office.
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|  | | New Orleans Saints Return to the Superdome and
Hornets Release 2009-2010 Schedule The New Orleans Saints will return to the Superdome next week for their first preseason match up against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game, which begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, will mark the beginning of the Saints' 2009-2010 season. The New Orleans Hornets released their official 2009-2010 season schedule, which will include nine nationally televised games. Both the Saints and the Hornets bring crowds of thousands to Downtown New Orleans and are huge economic drivers for the area.
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| | | Downtown Retailers Encouraged to Participate in 2009 Holiday Promotion, Canal Street: Your Home for the Holidays The Downtown Development District is encouraging all Downtown businesses to participate in the 2nd annual holiday promotion, Canal Street: Your Home for the Holidays, which features a magical holiday parade, all-star concert, kids' day, and last-minute shopping specials. The DDD is also seeking float, marching band, and concert sponsors. While it may seem early to begin thinking about the holidays, those who are interested in being a part of the fun should contact DDD holiday event coordinator Valerie Robinson at 504-421-6692 to take advantage of "early-bird" advertising and promotional opportunities. For more information on this year's planned events, as well as information from last year's promotion, visit www.neworleansdowntown.com/holidays.
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| | Here's a Little Bit More of What's Up Downtown This Week... Red Dress Run
This annual event, which is more like a pub crawl than a street race, is open to "anyone 21 years old or over who has a good sense of humor and realizes that August in New Orleans is HOT!" and will take place this Saturday, August 8, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The starting location is at Ernst Cafe, 600 S. Peters Street, and will bring an estimated crowd of 2,500, all wearing red dresses, to Downtown New Orleans. Canal Place Banana Republic Special Event
On Thursday, August 13, Banana Republic in the Shops at Canal Place will host an exclusive special event from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In addition to in-store specials, the event will feature complimentary bar-bites from Morton's The Steakhouse, sparkling wine by M & R Asti, and entertainment by NOCCA student musicians. YLC Role Models Gala
The Young Leadership Council's annual black-tie gala will be held on Saturday, August 15 at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown New Orleans. The event will honor 25 people in the New Orleans community who serve as outstanding role models to the members of the YLC. This year, DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle and DDD Board member Karyn Kearney have both been chosen as honorees! Visit the YLC website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Savoir-Faire: A Celebration of Sensational Style
Benefiting Dress for Success New Orleans
Dress for Success New Orleans, located Downtown at 509 Baronne Street, will host its summer gala, Savoir-Faire, next Saturday, August 15 at Republic from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The event will feature a fashion show, step show, live poetry slams, live artists, entertainment by the Irvin Mayfield Quartet, and celebrity guests Kim Kardashian and Wendell Pierce. Visit the Dress for Success New Orleans for more information and to purchase tickets. Enjoy!
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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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