In addition to economic development, cleaning and safety initiatives, the DDD acts as a 'clearing house' for Downtown issues. While the DDD can't solve every problem, we do our best to connect stakeholders to the agency tasked with solving the problem. Below are the most commonly asked questions we receive. If you do not see your question on here, feel free to contact the Downtown Development District via email at ddd [at] neworleansdowntown.com or by phone at (504) 561-8927.  Most City of New Orleans issues can be reported via the City's information line at (504) 658-2299.

Who is responsible for trash collection Downtown?

How do I host an event in Lafayette Square or another Downtown park?

I just moved Downtown. Who are the utility providers in the area?

How can I get around Downtown?

How do I get a construction permit?

How do I report a pot hole?

How do I report a broken street lamp?

How do I report a broken traffic signal?

How do I report a broken or missing street sign or stop sign?

How do I report a clogged storm drain?

How do I report graffiti?

Who maintains trees Downtown?

How do I report vagrants and loitering in my neighborhood?  

Who is responsible for trash collection Downtown?

The City of New Orleans, the Downtown Development District, and individual property owners, businesses, and residents all share responsibility.

The City of New Orleans Department of Sanitation, via a contract with SDT Waste and Debris, provides general trash collection downtown. This collection includes residential and limited commercial collections, as well as emptying the public cans on the street.

The Downtown Development District, via a contract with Block by Block, provides enhanced sidewalk sweeping and cleaning services. The DDD utilizes traditional pan and broom, as well as specialized equipment such as vacuum trucks, pressure washing machines, as well as a dedicated "gumbuster" to clean Downtown's sidewalks. To learn more about the DDD's services, go to the Clean page.

Property owners, businesses, and residents are required to keep the area in front of their business or residence clean. To see the specific requirements, go to the Sidewalk Cleaning Requirements page.

How do I host an event in Lafayette Square or another Downtown park?

The City of New Orleans' Department of Parks and Parkways manages all of Downtown's green spaces. To rent Lafayette Square, or any of Downtown's other parks, contact Ms. Johnson at (504) 658-3200.

I just moved Downtown. Who are the utility providers for the area?

Entergy New Orleans provides gas and electric service for Downtown New Orleans. Go to http://www.entergy-neworleans.com/ for more information.

Sewerage & Water Board provides municipal water. Go to http://swbnola.org/ for more information.

AT&T provides telephone and internet service. Go to https://ordering.bellsouth.com/apps/rnr/ordering/answers/controller.jsp?action=launch to register new service.

Cox Communications provides cable television, internet and phone service. http://cox.com/louisiana/ for more information.

How can I get around Downtown?

For visitors, Downtown New Orleans is easiest to navigate on foot, on bus and streetcar, or in a taxicab. A map of Downtown New Orleans, is available here. Buses and Streetcars are operated by the Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Route information is available at the RTA website, http://norta.com/. A number of taxicab companies operate in New Orleans. TripSmarter.com has a good list at http://www.tripsmarter.com/neworleans/info/info7.htm. If you have any questions or concerns about Taxi Service, contact the City of New Orleans Taxicab Bureau at (504) 565-6272.

For locals, or visitors who drive into town, parking Downtown is available in multiple private lots and on the street at meters. Parking meters operate Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm. The rate is .25 for 12 minutes, with a maximum of two hours. The large green meters service an entire block and accept coins or major credit cards. The machine will produce a receipt to display on the dashboard of your car on the side nearest the sidewalk. When parking on the street, be aware of all signage. Should your car be towed, you can contact the tow yard at (504) 565-7451. Daily parking rates range start at $6 a day for self-parking, and $20 a day for valet parking. It is recommended that you contact your hotel prior to your visit to discuss parking options.

How do I get a construction permit?

Construction permits are issued by the City's Department of Safety and Permits at http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=37 . Due to the nature of historic districts and conditional uses, it is recommended that developers refer to the DDD's Developer's Guide to City Hall for a detailed explanation of the permitting and regulatory process.

How do I report a pot hole?

The City's Department of Public Works handles street repair issues. They can be contacted at (504) 658-2299.

How do I report a broken street lamp?

The City's Department of Public Works handles street lamp issues. They can be contacted at (504) 658-2299.

How do I report a broken traffic signal?

The City's Department of Public Works handles traffic signals. They can be contacted at (504) 658-2299.

How do I report a broken or missing street sign or stop sign?

The City's Department of Public Works handles traffic signals. They can be contacted at (504) 658-2299.

How do I report a clogged storm drain?

The City's Department of Public Works handles traffic signals. They can be contacted at (504) 658-2299.

How do I report graffiti?

On public property Downtown, contact John Roussell at the DDD at jroussell [at] neworleansdowntown.com. For graffiti on private property Downtown, the DDD's graffiti removal program is available to pay half the cost of graffiti removal when done by DDD's contractor. To learn more go to the graffiti removal program page .

Who maintains trees Downtown?

The Downtown Development District, through a contract with Bayou Tree Company, maintains Downtown's trees. To report an issue with a tree on public property, contact John Roussell in the DDD's Public Space Department at jroussell [at] neworleansdowntown.com.

How do I report vagrants and loitering in my neighborhood?

Vagrancy is typically not an emergency situation and can be reported to the NOPD non-emergency number at (504) 821-2222.  Downtown stakeholders can call or email the DDD Public Safety Department to report recurring issues, such as vagrancy, aggressive panhandling, and loitering at (504) 561-8927 or pthompson [at] new orleansdowntown.com.  The DDD's Public Safety Rangers and NOPD Detail Officers can increase patrols in the area to combat recurring quality of life issues.  In any emergency situation, always call 911.