the dearly departed society · 2005 royal street - cond guilty. $400 daily fine. 2613 royal street...
TRANSCRIPT
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Volume 38, No.9 www.faubourgmarigny.org. October 2010Les Amis de Marigny
Helping to make Marigny a better place to live, work and play
by Donna Wakeman
Founded by Gene Cizek and Lloyd Sensat, the Dearly Departed Society will debut on All Saints Day, November 1st. The Society is intended to be a participatory group fostering the perpetuation of All Saints Day traditions in the old historic cemeteries of New Orleans.
Events will be held at St. Louis #1 Cemetery from 10am- noon. The Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association will place a floral wreath on Bernard de Marigny's tomb and the organization will have a table with information on Bernard's fabulous neighborhood. Wil l iam de Marigny Hyland ( Bernard's great, great, great, great grandson) will discuss his illustrious ancestor. Robert Florence's Friends of New Orleans Cemeteries will have the blue note replaced on the Musicians’ Tomb and provide a jazz band. Anna Ross Twichell will decorate the tomb in authentic 19th century mourning. Additionally, there will be role playing ghosts: Lloyd Sensat as Bernard de Marigny, Barbara Trevigne as Marie Laveaux, Barbara Robichaux as a lady from Storyville, and Greg Osborne as Apollinaire Perrault. At noon, Mass for the Dearly Departed will be celebrated by Father Tony Rigoli at the Mortuary Chapel. Now Our Lady Of Guadalupe Church and International Shrine to St. Jude at 401 North Rampart St., the church was built in 1826. Its original function was as a mortuary chapel when funerals from the St. Louis Cathedral were forbidden by city ordinance because of yellow fever contagion. The famed Creole team of Claude Gurlie & Joseph Guillot were the architect-builders. In 1969, it was designated an official New Orleans historic landmark.
The Dearly Departed Society
'All Saints Day in New Orleans -- Decorating the Tombs in One of the City Cemeteries, an 1885 engraving'
Anyone interested in participating may email Lloyd Sensat at [email protected]. Even if you do not have a relative entombed, you can participate by adopting and tending a nameless, unadorned, forlorn, neglected and forgotten tomb. Some suggested All Saints Day traditions: attend mass, lime wash a tomb, clean the names cut in the marble slabs, weed a grave site, leave flowers, drape a tomb with black cloth, picnic in the cemetery, have a family reunion or simply visit the cemetery.
"There is much that is great & wonderful & exceptional about New Orleans, but nothing is more impressive than the fact that the richest elements of this city's culture are participatory." - Lolis Eric Elie
W A L K I N G T O U R & O T H E R S P E C I A L E V E N T S ‐ p a g e 1 5
NOPD HOT SHEET page -11
The Dearly Departed Society
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About the NewsletterLes Amis de Marigny is the newsletter of the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, a 501(c) non-profit, all-volunteer organization committed to the preservation of the unique architectural and cultural heritage of our historic district, and to improving the quality of life in our diverse community. Contents, editorials and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the official views of the FMIA, its Board or its members. Contents of Les Amis de Marigny are copyrighted. Permission to reprint any of the newsletter, including photographs and original artwork, must be obtained from the editor and/or byline columnist.
Manuscripts, photographs and articles dealing with topics of interest to the Marigny neighborhood are encouraged. The editor reserves the right to reject submissions including editorial and advertising content. Submissions must be received by the 7th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s issue. Send contributions to: FMIA Newsletter, 2 4 0 1 B u r g u n d y S t B o x 1 0 , N O L A 7 0 11 7 o r [email protected].
The newsletter is published each month except July and December.
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by Lisa Tabb
A big Who Dat goes out to the Who Dat Coffee Café! They generously opened their doors to the Marigny community, serving up delicious cheese cakes and other nibbles. For those of you who have not yet been to a Meet the Neighbors function, it is open to all residents of the Faubourg Marigny, renters and owners alike. Its purpose is to give an opportunity for Marigny residents to get to know one another, while learning about all types of businesses in the area.
Our next Meet the Neighbors will be held at Magnolia Physical Therapy. Elizabeth Winkler-Schmit and Lisa George, co-owners of Magnolia Physical Therapy, purchased the business a month before Katrina. Since returning, they not only rebuild their flooded homes but have more than quadrupled their business.
Please join us on Tuesday, November 9th at 6:30 – 8:30pm at Magnolia Physical Therapy 839 Spain Street.
MEET THE NEIGHBORS
7
Next Board Meeting: November 4 Next General Meeting: October 19
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NO MORE BLIGHT
JOIN US IN OUR FIGHT As part of our plan to combat blight, we have been helping the City cite owners of blighted properties. This is the first step in the process which will lead to the adjudication of the properties if the owners do not bring their properties out of their blight status. We will announce the dates and time of these adjudication hearings as it is important that we show a strong presence at these hearings. The Hearing Officers need to hear how these properties and the continued lack of their maintenance affect our neighborhood and our lives. If you know of a property that has visible damage and/or is vacant; please let us know so we may add them to the list.
You can e-mail us at [email protected] with the address of the property, or call us at 888-321-0812 with the same information. We all want to live in a safe and healthy neighborhood. We are asking these neighbors to help us in rebuilding our neighborhood and City by taking care of their property.
Status from Code Enforcement 2424-26 Dauphine Street ! Case Rest for 10/7/2009 2604-06 Dauphine Street - Cond Guilty $300 daily fine 1728 Pauger Street - Cond. Guilty. no daily fines 2005 Royal Street - Cond Guilty. $400 daily fine. 2613 Royal Street - Case Reset for 10/22/2009
Status of Demolition By Neglect None
25th Annual Candlelight Caroling &
Holiday Art Market
We are four months away from our 25th Annual Candlelight
Caroling and Holiday Art Market on December 13, 2009. This is our silver anniversary! Congratulations to all those that have helped continue this tradition. We are in the planning stages and need your help. As with our other events we need volunteers to help plan the event as well as volunteers to help the day of the event. The planning committees are: Volunteer * Art Market * Caroling * Brochure * Music * PR/Media * Photography * Site Logistics * Sales
Logistics * Kids Areas. Day of the event volunteers serve a two hour shift of their choice and help with tasks for the day. If you are interested in volunteering out please contact volunteer chair Ron at 909-7047.
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President’s Report
by Chris Costello
We have made it through another summer and another year for
our organiza4on. Happy Birthday FMIA. We are 39 years old and
ge@ng beBer with age. Congratula4ons to everyone who has helped make our neighborhood a great place to live, work and
play. Our efforts were recognized one year ago by the American
Planning Associa4on by selec4ng us as one of the Top 10 Great American Neighborhoods. This dis4nc4on is the culmina4on of
39 years of focused efforts, thousands of hours of volunteering
and a belief that we can build a great neighborhood by working together. We look forward to more good things to come.
Congratula4ons and thank you to our new board members
Donna Wakeman, Jason PaBerson and Jim Farr for taking on the responsibility for represen4ng our neighborhood. We are lucky
to have a board that represents more closely our neighborhood, a mix of residents and business, owners and renters and each
living in a different part of the neighborhood. Diversity is what
makes us strong. I look forward to a produc4ve year improving our neighborhood.
We are looking for people to invest an hour of their 4me a week
to help the neighborhood. All the work we have done over the last 39 years to help stabilize the neighborhood and to make it a
place where people want to live, work and play has been
through volunteer hours of neighbors. Be a part of this legacy. Come help us out.
I am happy to report some great news on the Riverfront Park.
We met with the Mayor’s office to discuss our concerns with the riverfront park. We were happy to learn that this project
benefited from the 4me the Mayor’s office took to reevaluate all
the plans for the city recovery projects by informing them of its strengths but more oXen 4mes its weaknesses, many of which
were our concerns. The plans for the park as last presented by
the pervious New Orleans Building Corpora4on were over budget and some of the necessary agreements to build the park
had not been made. Despite the setbacks we were informed that the city was going to build a passive park with a good,
sound infrastructure for the near future and when finances were
available they would make improvements the community needed.
October 17th will be our 5th Annual Walking Tour. This year the
tour will focus on the Marigny triangle. This year, in addi4on to the art market, kids area and music which has been generously
sponsored by Café Rose Nicaud, Snug Harbor and DBA, we will
have a Green Fair where different green organiza4ons will be informing residents on how to reduce the nega4ve impacts of
20th century living on our neighborhood and planet. We are looking for volunteers to help with on the day of the tour. If you can help
out please contact Ken.
Just around the corner is our Annual Candlelight Caroling which will be on December 12th. We are looking for volunteers to help
with this event as well. Please contact Maureen.
As we begin our new organiza4onal year and ease into another
season please consider giving some of your 4me back to the
community. The Marigny is a great place to live, work and play because of the efforts of many who have given their 4me to make
our neighborhood what it is today. Volunteering is part of the
human experience. Come share it with us.
NONPAC 8th District Meeting
A volunteer is needed to aBend and report on the 8th District NONPAC mee4ngs. Contact Maureen Steffek, [email protected] or 901-283-1118 if interested.
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DON’T MISS THIS HOT-OFF-THE-PRESS NOVEL
BY FAUBOURG MARIGNY RESIDENT DAVID LUMMIS!
Largely set in the Faubourgs Marigny and Tremé, the book “reviews” and is often narrated from local coffee haunts from Café
Rose Nicaud to CC’s to Café du Monde. It blends fact, fiction, and satire in exploring such themes as the “sacrament” of
coffee drinking, living sober, and the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow in America.
What the reviewers are saying… “Lummis’s tender and affectionate descriptions of New Orleans, his ‘Paris of the South,’
evoke Pat Conroy’s lush and loving portrayal of coastal South Carolina. Just as Conroy’s South of Broad is a paean to Charleston, so is Lummis’s Chronicles a love song to New
Orleans. Alternately funny, painful, entertaining, and always unflinchingly honest, The Coffee
Shop Chronicles of New Orleans is a must read.”
—Penne Laubenthal, Swampland.com: Cultures of the South
“...a real book, one I can hold in my hands and cherish and savor. ...gives every appearance of
being a beacon of light in this moment of BP-produced darkness...”
—Diann Blakely, poet and author of Cities of Flesh And The Dead (Elixir Press, 2008)
SUPPORT FAUBOURG MARIGNY BUSINESS OWNERS! TAKE THIS AD TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS AND RECEIVE
A $2 DISCOUNT OFF THE COVER PRICE OF THE BOOK. Faubourg Marigny Arts and Books – 600 Frenchman Street – (504) 382-2365
Who Dat Coffee Cafe – 2401 Burgundy Street – (504) 701-1575
American Aquatic Gardens and Gifts – 621 Elysian Fields Ave. – (504) 944-0410
Beth’s Books – 2700 Chartres Street – (504) 947-4477
visit us at www.coffeeshopchronicles.com and on Facebook
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The FMIA Blight Committee has investigated the profile of blighted property owners in our neighborhood using the newly released uncertified 2011 home value assessment from the New Orleans tax assessor website (the data is free and can be accessed at www.nolaassessor.com). Here are some of our findings, based on the 138 different properties in our neighborhood that are or have been blighted. Blighted buildings assessed at more than $600,000, such as the Saint Roch Market or the Robert supermarket, have been removed from this analysis):
• The ave rage b l i gh ted p rope r t y i n ou r neighborhood was purchased in 1991 for $64,507 and was assessed at $200,969 in 2010.
• Owners of properties that are currently boarded are those that have paid the lowest sales price at the time of the purchase: $26,600 in 1989.
• Properties that are currently under renovation are those that have been assessed with the highest value in 2010: $214,300.
• Blighted properties that have been remedied since 2005 are the ones with the lowest assessed value in 2010: $170,000.
These numbers reveals some interesting facts. First of all, the last sale transaction for blighted properties in our neighborhood occurred on average almost two decades ago! A small but significant share of these properties is owned by residents who have now less energy and income to afford the necessary renovations of their homes. Secondly, according to the New Orleans tax assessor, a blighted property in our neighborhood does not lose its intrinsic value. Since we live in a historic district that rules out demolitions, blighted property owners capitalize on what the property could be worth. They have been able to take advantage of the extraordinary increase in prices witnessed in our neighborhood since Katrina (the home price per square foot went from $75 in the first months of 2005 to $122 in 2009 according to a February 21st, New Orleans Times-Picayune article). Delinquent homeowners are demanding very high prices even though potential buyers would have to pay a significant additional cost to perform all the repairs necessary to bring the property up to Code. Finally, it seems that the cheapest blighted properties have been the first ones to be renovated. Most likely, these properties did not require as much investment to bring them out of blight. However, there is an upcoming
trend of renovations for most blighted properties, among them many former corner stores (See picture below of 2401 Saint Claude back in July).
What are the implications of these facts? First of all, a comprehensive blight program ought to be fair with its residents. It is not acceptable to have a policy that will kick out a resident that has been living all of his or her life in our neighborhood because his income may not be generous enough to cover all the charges associated with homeownership in an area that has seen such an increase in home values over the last decades. If our neighborhood and city benefit from having a preserved architectural integrity, it may be sound policy to help some of our neediest residents maintain their homes. This will benefit them and us. To that effect, the FMIA Blight Committee does not report elderly residents who experience financial difficulties to maintain their homes up to code. We need however to find new solutions for the real problem blight may cause to the neighbors. The FMIA Blight Committee believes on the other hand that it is not fair to let homeowners who do not live here benefit from higher housing prices without bringing their home/investment up to code. In these cases, we are very strict and donʼt hesitate to ask for the cooperation of Code Enforcement.
A s u s u a l y o u c a n c o n t a c t u s d i r e c t l y a t [email protected] to let us know of any properties that you would like some assistance in getting through the Code Enforcement Process.
Code Enforcement Hearing results:1518 Pauger Street (Accessory): On 9/22/2010: Not Guilty1030 Port Street: On 8/25/2010: Conditionally Guilty2230 Chartres: On 8/25/2010: Conditionally Guilty824-26 Marigny Street: On 9/14/2010: Guilty. No Show.1119-21 St.Anthony Street: On 9/15/2010: Guilty. No Show
NO MORE BLIGHT -Join Us in Our Fight
by Alexandre Vialou Blight Committee
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What does it mean to make your home energy efficient? How can you pay for the upgrades to make your home more energy eff icient? This month’s Global Green workshop will answer these questions, and explain how you can use a Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) assessment to qualify for the Louisiana HERO (Home Energy Rebate Option) program, a state-funded program to reimburse homeowners who make energy efficient upgrades.
Speakers will include Andrew Spaulding, HERS Rater, Americoprs VISTA Technical Coordinator; Forest Bradley-Wright, Senior Program Director, Alliance for Affordable Energy; and Buddy Justice, HERO Program Director, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.
Stop by and learn how you can start saving on your utility bills with assistance from the state of Louisiana. Global Green’s Build It Back Green events are free and open to the public.
Healthy Green Homes Series: Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) and the Home Energy Rebate Option (HERO) ProgramOctober 12, 6pm – 8pm7th Ward Neighborhood Center1910 Urquhart St.
by Deborah Oppenheim
Above the fold in the Times Picayune Monday, September 20, 2010 the headline read “Region still lags in recycling options” which is a sad reality. Marigny Green and the ReUse District are working on a recycle proposal to the city. Until we have curbside recycling, these are available free services. If you are interested in learning more about M a r i g n y G r e e n c o n t a c t D e b o r a h a t [email protected]
DROP OFF Services:City of New Orleans Recycling Center 2829 Elysian Fields Saturday 8am-1pmWHO: open to residences and small business owners of Orleans ParishACCEPTS: plastics, aluminum cans, metals (which weigh less than 25 lbs), paper, magazines, phone books, newspaper, tires (maximum 4)NO: glasswww.cityofno.com/pg-123-1-department-ofsanitation
Euterpe Recycling Center 1829 Euterpe St. 7 days a week, 24 hours WHO: open to residents ACCEPTS: all plastics and aluminumNO: Paper or glasswww.ecogreenclean.org (504) 861-1100
Target All locations Monday - SaturdayACCEPTS: cell phones, aluminum cans, brown glass, clear glass, green glass, ink-jet cartridges, mp3 players, #1 plastic, #2 plastic (clear and colored), plastic bags
Tulane Newcomb Art Dept. Plum Street extension, behind Woldenberg Art 7 days a week, 24 hours ACCEPTS: clear glass only, recycled into student art projects
Pep Boys 7 days a weekACCEPTS: scrap metal, batteries, used auto parts, waste oil, tires
Home Depot All locations Store hoursACCEPTS: bins for recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs
Village Green at the New Orleans Public Library Version 5 August 2010 is available on line for more information on recycling in New Orleans.
News From Marigny GreenHers and Heros.....
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The Academic Studio at NOCCA
by Arin Clark Adkins
The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) plans to expand its curriculum to offer a full-time program starting in the fall of 2011. Currently students are required to get core credits, such as math, history, etc., at other schools, as NOCCA offers only the creative arts curriculum at the Chartres Street campus. Beginning next fall, freshman will have the option of obtaining all of their academic credits at NOCCA.
This is good news for students and their families who would prefer not to leave one school site for another half-way through the day. For those who do prefer to split the day between two campuses, the half-day option will remain available. The expanded program is for entering freshmanfreshmen only, and these students can continue on this track through graduation. This track begins in the freshman year only, so cCurrent sophomores, juniors and seniors are required to continue in the half-day program through their graduation.
NOCCA has been working for years to develop a full-time program that includes both traditional academics and creative arts. The plans are now coming together with the Academic Studio track being introduced next fall. Ms. Robbie McHardy is in charge of developing that curriculum. The Academic Studio will follow the current NOCCA model of “Master-Apprentice” style learning. But the idea is not to “pile academics on top of art” says Ms. Jackson Knowles, the NOCCA Director of Community Development. It will not be the study of art in history, or math in music, but rather a true academic
concentration of the particular subject, from which students will be well-prepared for college and the real world.
Ms. Knowles attended the September meeting of the FMIA to provide the community with the latest information about the developing program. She says that NOCCA is working with a master plan to determine what expansion is necessary. At this time NOCCA has no designs for new buildings. They are looking at what they currently have, what they expect they will need and they will consider these factors in light of what works best for the neighborhood in accordance with HDLC criteria.
New details about the expansion will be provided as they become available. Check the website at www.nocca.com to keep updated about yet another exciting community development in our corner of New Orleans.
ANNUAL BOOKFAIR IN THE MARIGNY
The 9th Annual New Orleans Bookfair will be held on Saturday November 6th, 2010, from 11am - 6pm on the 500 - 600 blocks of Frenchmen St, in the Faubourg Marigny. The NOLA Bookfair is an annual celebration of independent publishing and alternative media featuring small presses, zinesters, book artists, anarchists, rabblerousers, and more! It is a free celebration of books and is open to the public.
As always there will be a ton of books to peruse & ponder, live music, craft-made one-of-a-kind art books of all shapes & sizes, 'zines-a-plenty, a kid's space, and readings from authors local and otherwise. This year we will also be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the publication of The Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole with extra readings, contests and discussion forums.
We hope the New Orleans Bookfair can help the public experience first-hand the joyful weirdness of New Orleans that John Kennedy Toole captured in the persona of Ignatius Riley. What better place to do so than in the Faubourg Marigny on Frenchmen Street where absolutely anything can happen and usually does?
Participating publishers range from powerhouse nationals like AK Press and MIT Press to local heroes Pelican Press and Garrett County Press to earnest individuals selling hand made books bound lovingly with their own heartstrings. There are plenty of locals, plenty of out-of-towners and children of all ages will enjoy a slate of creative kids' activities. Those over 21 will find special bookfair prices at the multiple venues hosting the event.
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This is the ninth in a series of drawings to show the rich architectural inventory of Faubourg Marigny. I will be featuring drawings from my sketchbook of Bernard de Marigny's historic neighborhood. Eventually, it will become a coloring book to teach children and adults how " to read" a building by type and style and identify its components. The houses illustrated will represent what I consider to be the best examples in Marigny. It is my hope that this will aid in a better understanding of architecture and foster a love for old buildings and demonstrate the importance of historic preservation.
Lloyd SensatSun Oak in Faubourg Marigny
Sept 2010
Center Hall Greek Revival Town House: 1830-1865By Eugene Cizek & Lloyd Sensat
As more and more Americans moved to the Creole city of New Orleans, they brought with them their own architectural ideals. One of these was the Greek Revival style which drew its inspiration from the architecture of ancient Greece. The architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe introduced this style to New Orleans. The classicism of the American town house was manifested by detailing rather than the temple form. Two characteristic features are a very wide entablature with denticulated cornice just below the roof line and a classic entrance with paneled doors flanked by glass sidelights and rectangular transoms. Note the simplicity, strength and dignity of this style. New York architect Minard Lafever popularized the style with the publication of his pattern books.
The Americans also introduced the concept of a hallway. The Creoles considered halls wasted space. The center hall house is an urban extension of the plantation type.
Claiborne Mansion: 2111 DauphineBy Eugene Cizek & Lloyd Sensat
This is one of the grandest houses in the neighborhood: built on the banquette, two stories, of brick construction with separate kitchen, large service building and patio. It is an outstanding example of the emerging American influence in Faubourg Marigny. The house is raised above ground level and features a center hall entrance detailed in the Greek Revival manner.
Its interior has a double parlor with pocket doors with Greek key surrounds. One of the trademarks of Greek Revival is the Greek-key doorway. This is characterized by a slightly overlapping lintel and a slight flaring out of the face of the surround from the top to the bottom. In response to the subtropical climate, the house has much higher ceilings than its Northern counterparts. The epitome of the Greek Revival style is reflected in the restraint and classic simplicity of both the interior and exterior of this great house. A bronze plaque identifying this building as a city landmark was affixed by the Orleans Parish Landmarks Commission in 1962.
The mansion was built in 1859 by William C.C. Claiborne 11. He was the son of our first American Governor. Samuel Stewart was the American builder. Claiborne's half sister, Sophronia Louise, married Bernard de Marigny's son, Mandeville. It was owned by the Claiborne family until 1919.
When owned by Cecil Burglass, the house was used as a meeting place for civic groups. It was here, in 1972, that the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association was formed. Appropriately, thirty years later the same house is often the focus for neighborhood house tours. The current owner is Cleo Pelleteri. The restoration architect was Robert Cangelosi, Jr.
C o l o r M e C r e o l e
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Richard Mayer opened the Shadowbox Theatre this March with the help of friends and volunteers who assisted in rehabilitating the formerly abandoned building. This newest performance space in New Orleans is housed in the old Marquer Drugs building on the corner of St. Claude and St. Roch. The old Marquer Drugs neon sign, restored to its original location atop the entrance, now shines over this landmark in our neighborhood. Richard chose the Marigny for his venue because he believes it is the neighborhood most welcoming to alternative arts and to the variety of performance genres he wants to put on.
On the day I walked in to talk with Richard, he was helping to set up the stage for the evening performance of “Aliens, Immigrants and Evildoers” with its feature one-man show featuring actor, Jose Torres-Tama. The wooden seats and vintage red velvet curtains were instantly recognizable as being from the old Colton School auditorium. A small venue, seating 85 people, the Shadowbox is the ideal size for the kinds of intimate performances that Richard solicits for production. The space has a fully changeable stage and seating, which allows for versatility in the range of shows that can be put on. The black box theatre immediately conveys a sense of proximity between the audience and the stage, and the modular seating allows for the space to be reorganized in a number of different ways.
Richard graduated from Tulane with a degree in history and theater, and worked in theater for ten years while also doing improvisational comedy. He teaches improv at a local high school while running The Shadowbox as essentially his own one-man show. Richard donned a red velvet circus director’s hat (perhaps his marketing / PR hat?) when he took a break from setting the stage to sit down and speak with me, but he also wears a number of other hats as manager, sales
director, marketer, building maintenance man and producer, while also acting in a number of the performances staged there.
Theatrical performances are all done by professionals, but the space also hosts lighter entertainments such as improv comedy and burlesque. Monthly poetry slams are distinguished from others in town by virtue of being held within a dedicated performance space to better engage the audience.
The current production of “Aliens” continues from Sept. 30 – Oct 3, and Oct 7-10. All shows start at 8pm and cost $10. A Sci-fi Latino Noir Multimedia Solo by award-winning performance artist José Torres-Tama, his show satirizes the status of Latino immigrants as "aliens" and explores the rise in hate crimes against immigrants across the U.S.
In the second half of October, “Frozen” will runs on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The story entwines the lives of a murderer, the mother of one of his victims and his psychologist to explore our capacity for forgiveness, remorse and change after an act that would seem to rule them out entirely.
The Shadowbox will be one of the official Fringe Festival venues in mid-November.
$ $ $ - BUSINESS NEWS-$ $ $
by Rachel Smith
The Shadowbox Theatre2400 St. Claude Avenue504-298-8676
ORCHIDS-
Thank you to Steve and Cake Café for their donations from the sale of their T-Shirts.
Congratulations to the birth of bebe Pierre to the proud parents of Angele and Alex.
Red Dress Run was handled very well, thank you.
A big thank you to Ron Petty and Reg Medellin for their time on the Board and we wish them well.
Thank you, Brian, for working on the Histories Project
ONIONS-
Property and business owners who do not apply for appropriate permits.
Tourists and others who use our streets as parking lots when visiting the French Quarter.
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5th District NONPAC Meeting
by John Luckett
The meeting was opened by Captain Kelly at 7 PM. She discussed the complaints from the July meeting and the resolutions of them. Officer Alsina talked about the abandoned autos in the district. All that had been reported had been tagged and sent to abandoned autos at City Hall. There was a discussion of current complaints which will be addressed by the Fifth District officers before the next meeting. Captain Kelly stressed that all citizens should keep the police advised of anyth ing happening in the i r neighborhoods; she cannot address complaints if she does not know of them. The meeting was adjourned at 8 PM.
!
by Chris Costello
We have been a strong supporter of opening up the riverfront to the citizens of New Orleans. Our concerns have centered on the lack of basic planning for the success of the project which includes minimizing the impact of this project on our neighborhood. Our issues remain the same:
1. the intensity of the use of the Mandeville Street Wharf to include parking and traffic,
2. the substantive change of the park, transforming from a place for recreation including athletic courts and a playground to a grassy area devoid of such elements,
3. the lack of access to the park,
4. the lack of a business plan for the successful operation of the park, and
5. the lack of a dedicated funding source for the basic operation, safety and maintenance of the park.
In a meeting with the Mayor’s office we learned that there were significant issues with the plans. Specifically, the plans as presented by the New Orleans Building Corporation (NOBC) of the last administration were over budget and they failed to secure the agreement with the Port of New Orleans to release the land for the development of the park. This was discovered by the Mayor’s Office during the stop work order they imposed on all city recovery projects. This temporary stop gave them time to reevaluate all the plans for the city recovery projects which informed them of their strengths but more often times their weaknesses.
With this information, the city has decided it is going to build a passive park with a good, sound infrastructure for the near future and when finances were available they would make improvements the community needed. The Mayor’s office is currently looking at the plans to make them fit within the money left over by the previous NONBC but has signed the agreement with the contractor so that when the plans are ready (which should be by the end of October) construction can begin immediately.
We were very happy to learn that all of our concerns were addressed and only one, the use of the Mandeville Street Wharf, was deferred until that city has the money to build it.
Thank you to the Mayor, our Councilmember Gisleson Palmer, Cedric Grant and Karen Ford for listening to our concerns and working with us to make sure the city and its residents gets the park it needs.
R i v e r f r o n t P a r k U p d a t e
7
Next Board Meeting: November 4 Next General Meeting: October 19
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NO MORE BLIGHT
JOIN US IN OUR FIGHT As part of our plan to combat blight, we have been helping the City cite owners of blighted properties. This is the first step in the process which will lead to the adjudication of the properties if the owners do not bring their properties out of their blight status. We will announce the dates and time of these adjudication hearings as it is important that we show a strong presence at these hearings. The Hearing Officers need to hear how these properties and the continued lack of their maintenance affect our neighborhood and our lives. If you know of a property that has visible damage and/or is vacant; please let us know so we may add them to the list.
You can e-mail us at [email protected] with the address of the property, or call us at 888-321-0812 with the same information. We all want to live in a safe and healthy neighborhood. We are asking these neighbors to help us in rebuilding our neighborhood and City by taking care of their property.
Status from Code Enforcement 2424-26 Dauphine Street ! Case Rest for 10/7/2009 2604-06 Dauphine Street - Cond Guilty $300 daily fine 1728 Pauger Street - Cond. Guilty. no daily fines 2005 Royal Street - Cond Guilty. $400 daily fine. 2613 Royal Street - Case Reset for 10/22/2009
Status of Demolition By Neglect None
25th Annual Candlelight Caroling &
Holiday Art Market
We are four months away from our 25th Annual Candlelight
Caroling and Holiday Art Market on December 13, 2009. This is our silver anniversary! Congratulations to all those that have helped continue this tradition. We are in the planning stages and need your help. As with our other events we need volunteers to help plan the event as well as volunteers to help the day of the event. The planning committees are: Volunteer * Art Market * Caroling * Brochure * Music * PR/Media * Photography * Site Logistics * Sales
Logistics * Kids Areas. Day of the event volunteers serve a two hour shift of their choice and help with tasks for the day. If you are interested in volunteering out please contact volunteer chair Ron at 909-7047.
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HOT SHEET
MAIL OR DELIVER TOFifth District Station
4015 Burgundy St.., New Orleans, LA 70119Office: (504)658-6050
Hot Sheets are used by the NOPD to identify those areas where illegal activities have occurred or potential problems exist.
Target address:_________________________________________________ If municipals are unknown, please describe fully
Problem occurs most often at this time of day: ___________________(am/pm)
Days of the week: ______________________________________________
TYPE OF PROBLEMCheck all that apply and please use remarks section for any additional information, such as description of house, cars, etc.1. Drug Dealing (location drugs are being hidden if known)2. Abandoned Housing3. Abandoned Vehicle (Make, Model, Color, License Plate Number if known)4. Vacant Lot Tall Grass Trash Abandoned Car5. Street Lights None Broken Hidden by trees6. Trees need trimming (specific location of trees)7. Curfew Violation8. Truant Activity9. Excess Loitering (intersection of ________________________________________)10. Illegal Business Activities (ABO violation, auto repairs, not permits, etc.)11. Other Complaints
Remarks: Please use this section to further explain the problem(s) _______________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________COMPLAINANT: (Please use the area below if you wish to be contacted by the police regarding this problem)
NAME: _________________________________
ADDRESS: _____________________________
TELEPHONE: ___________________________
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by Donna Wakeman
On September 21, elections were held for the four vacant positions on the FMIA’s Board of Directors. The race had been hard fought, but amazingly free of mud-slinging and dirty tricks. Poll-watchers declared the balloting to be untainted by ballot-stuffing, and all voters were apparently alive. Voting followed high school rules, with the candidates permitted to vote for themselves. The four candidates were all elected unanimously,Previously, the two board vacancies created by the resignations of Eva Campos and Reg Medelin were filled by Gretchen Bomboy and Eva Campos. The two members whose terms expired and have left the board are Ron Petty and Brian Frye. To those who served so tirelessly for the betterment of the Association and the neighborhood, we extend our gratitude and well-wishes.Brief biographies of the new members were printed in the last edition of this newsletter, and are repeated here to insure the largest possible number of our residents know who the board members are. Future editions will profile the remaining board members.Chris Costello (Rectangle Resident & Business Owner) I have served on the FMIA Board for the last 7 years and am currently serving as president. I'm very interested in remaining on the board so that I can continue to improve our neighborhood while preserving and nurturing the quality-of-life and character of the Marigny.My interest in helping to improve the Marigny started in 1998 with the purchase and renovation my home on the corner of Chartres and Mandeville, which earned the 2001 Historic District Landmarks Commission Honor Award. When not enjoying our neighborhood, I work with my partner John, who owns a public relations firm located in the downstairs of our property.We are both transplants to New Orleans. John attended Loyola University for his undergraduate, and I attended Tulane for my graduate work. We both fell in love with New Orleans and its culture and decided to make our life here.James Farr (Triangle Resident) Jim Farr is a long time resident of the "Triangle". He and his partner Louis Huson are practicing architects and have an office in the CBD. Jim worked on the New Orleans Arena among many other well known properties. He also does high end residential consultation. Years back he served on the Board of FMIA and left to take a job on the Architectural Review Committee for the HDLC, which he kept for many years. Thus he has a honed knowledge of our housing and zoning problems. Jim also sings with the Gay Men’s Chorus and loves to travel to Europe where he is this week.Jason Patterson (Triangle Business Owner) I originally moved to New Orleans in 1972 into the French Quarter and then to moved to my home in Marigny in 1975. I was running the Community Flea Market and the French Market at the time and wanted to promote and develop businesses on Frenchmen Street to create a viable business corridor while at the same time creating a space for market vendors to expand into. Therefore, I was looking for a building that I could grow into to promote community businesses. My work enabled me to help open up Snug Harbor, the Marigny Theater, the Arts Supply store and Bicycle Michaels. I currently own the building Snug Harbor is residing in and also book their music. I have perpetually enjoyed the creative environment in the Faubourg Marigny and the diverse population living here. My interest on the board is to help the community by developing creative solutions for security and help promote more security in the community. I also want to help the
organization to become more inclusive to have the whole community so that there is more participation in the association.Donna Wakeman (Rectangle Resident) I am the current editor of the FMIA newsletter, and work as a free-lance business manager. I am interested in contributing to my neighborhood, and in helping to make it an inclusive, welcoming place to live.I am a Louisiana native who moved north with my Yankee husband, living there for many years. A widow, I returned 4 years ago to be closer to my elderly mother and my siblings, abandoning my 30 year old son in Connecticut. I chose to live in the Marigny because I fell in love with its architecture, its friendliness and its diversity. I purchased a home on North Rampart St. and have joined the thousands in our neighborhood and city who are renovating homes. As I’ve told my son, I don’t plan on moving again.
And the Winners Are….
BOARD MEMBERSBOARD MEMBERS
OFFICERS WILL BE CHOSEN AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING
Gretchen [email protected]
Gene CizekPast President
Chris [email protected]
James Farr
Deborah [email protected]
Jason [email protected]
Donna Wakeman
OFFICERS WILL BE CHOSEN AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING
Gretchen [email protected]
Gene CizekPast President
Chris [email protected]
James Farr
Deborah [email protected]
Jason [email protected]
Donna Wakeman
COMMITTEESCOMMITTEES
AdvertisingBlight
Caroling Community Outreach
Crime PreventionFrenchmenFundraisingEducationHome TourHospitality
Marigny GreenMembership
Neighborhood Development
NewsletterSpecial Projects
VolunteerWalking Tour
Washington Square ParkWeb Site
For comments email [email protected] comments email [email protected].
______________________________________________________________________________13
c. Walking Tour: The Fifth Annual Walking Tour and Art Market are on October 17th and the rain date is October 24th. This is an educational event. It is focused on the triangle this year. Ken will coordinate the event and Eva will coordinate the Art Market. The music for the event should reflect the nature of the Walking Tour. Volunteers are needed and welcomed. Tour Guides will have practice dates. Thank you Gene, Lloyd, and Bill for all the hard work in creating this event.
d. Appointments: Chris Costello appointed Eva Campos and Gretchen Bomboy to the Board Second: Gene Vote: Unanimous
Old business:Projectsa. 1027 Touro Street: Have not received the request for more specific
information on the project. No statusb. Reinventing the Crescent: Trevor, Councilperson Palmer’s Chief of
Staff responded to the email. A meeting has been scheduled for 9/14/10 3pm and Chris and Gene will attend.
c. 1807 N. Rampart Street: Gretchen sent a letter to support a valet system for parking.
d. Parking Permits in the Marigny: Public Works, Robert Mendoza wants to have a working group, Chris will follow up.
e. Washington Square Park Trashcans: The contract is signed and the treasurer will pay the invoice. Gretchen will get a drawing for the cement base which is needed per trash can.
f. Washington Square Park Termites in the shed:Ken said that they did a really good job. The termites were in everything. They had to do this twice. They dug 8 inch around the shed which needs to be filled in with gravel. They will treat the trees. The City of New Orleans contracted with a company to do the work. Gene mentioned that the Palm trees in Washington Square Park appear to have a disease. We will contact Parks and Parkways.
g. Walgreen: On the docket for City Council but was deferred – they need to sign the Community Benefits Agreement.
Issuesa. Lazziza’s: Still working on resolving the issue. b. Mardi Gras Zone: FMIA and Councilperson Palmer have received
complaints regarding the wood burning pizza oven. c. 2300 Block of Royal - 18 wheelers: No Status d. The John: The issues have not been resolved. e. CVS on St Claude: They have decided against the project.f. Desperados: Complaints regarding the activities on the second
floor. A letter will be sent to Desperados regarding the zoning laws.
g. Frenchmen St. Deli: Complaints regarding the covered windows on the front of the building and HDLC will be contacted.
h. Mural on Frenchmen between Adolph’s and Spotted Cat: Contact HDLC re inappropriate signage.
j. Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form: Board must sign and return to the president.
k. St. Claude: Gene’s class is working on St. Claude. St Claude Main Street, Eva has been very helpful. St. Claude Main Street would like to have banners. They have a few brackets.
New business:Projectsa. Histories: Brian is recording oral histories. b. Colton School: RSD has chosen who the operator of the school
and not what the neighborhood has wanted. It is a community school. The community is an active participant and should have input. Selecting the operator of the school was supposed to be a process. We will send a letter to RSD, Councilperson Palmer, the Mayor, and City Council.
Otherc. Flowers for Bernard de Marigny: On all Saints Day by the Dearly
Departed Society, flowers will be place at Bernard de Marigny’s Tomb at St. Louis #1. It revives the idea of All Saints Day. We could adopt the Marigny’s Tomb. Chris moved that if Lloyd agrees to head this that we support flowers for All Saints Day for Bernard Marigny’s Tomb. Second: Deborah Vote: Unanimous
d. Business Cards: We all need businesses cards. Some should be personalized. Chris moved that we purchase the business cards stock Second: Gretchen Vote: Unanimous
e. Office Space: Julian has invited us to look at the Acorn building.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:48 pm
Board members Present: Chris Costello, Gretchen Bomboy, Gene Cizek, Ken Caron, Deborah Oppenheim, Eva Campos, Brian FryeBoard Members Absent: NoneGuests: None Call to Order: Chris Costello called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.Announcements:a.Community Requests: None Administration1. Approval by email: NoneWe reviewed our email policy that we are consistent with FMIA’s policy of not discriminating. a. Political Ads in the newsletter: No2. Approval of minutes from 8/4 Board and 8/16 General meetings
Gretchen moved that we accept the minutes as submitted Second: Ken Vote: Unanimous
3. President’s Reporta. Meetings:
i. Café Negril: Deborah/Ken met with Councilperson Kristen Palmer and Café Negril.
ii. Lazziza: Chris/Gretchen went to the meeting and they must follow the laws.
iii. Code Enforcement: Alex/Chris met with the new person at City Hall
iv. IT Volunteer: Gretchen/Chris met with Craig Bailey, a volunteer who is the IT person.
v. Security Cameras: Chris met with Kim to discuss security cameras. The idea would be to have a package that people could buy and have a central location with the software and where the cameras are located. Kim is waiting for a quote from Omni Technology.
vi. Jill: Lives in the neighborhood and wants to volunteer. Welcome Jill and thank you for volunteering.
vii.AARP Foundat ion: AARP Foundat ion Senior Community Service Employment Program helps people 55+ renter the workforce. Their goal is for participants to gain skills to help them find employment. This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of labor with support from AARP and AARP Foundation. The participant obtains a new skill set and can work up to 20 hours a week. FMIA has qualified and Clive is our first SCSEP worker. Welcome Clive.
viii.We received resignations from Board members Ron Petty and Reg Medellin. Thank you Reg and Ron for your dedication to FMIA and all your hard work.
ix. Cake Café: From the sales of Cake Café T-shirts, Steve chose FMIA as a recipient of a portion of the T-Shirt sales for the past month. Thank you Steve for your donation.
4. Treasurer’s Report: Eva reported that expenses were paid to Ken for Night Against Crime. Receipts are needed from the hosts of the other Night Against Crime events in their area. The Policy: The treasurer is responsible for executing anything voted on regarding money. Eva will inform the Board of such payment.
Committee Reports:a. Budget & Audit Committee: Budget: Eva discussed the Budget for
2010-2011which will be printed in the Newsletter. Chris moved that we accept this as our budget for 2010-2011 Second: Gene Vote: Unanimous Audit: Ed Kepplinger gave the report and gave recommendations. Chris moved that we approve the audit Second: Gretchen Vote: Unanimous
b. Newsletter: Orchids: Thank you Steve Himlefarb and Cake Café for their donations from the sale of their T-Shirts; Congratulations to the birth of bebe Pierre to the proud parents of Angele and Alex; Red Dress Run was handled very well, thank you; A big thank you to Ron Petty and Reg Medellin for their time on the Board and we wish them well; Thank you Brian for working on the Histories Project; Onions: property and business owners who do not apply for appropriate permits
FMIA Board MeetingSeptember 8, 2010 Minutes
______________________________________________________________________________14
Chris opened the meeting at 7:15 and he welcomed the group. This is FMIA’s election meeting for the Board.
FMIA Board Election: Gary passed out the ballot to cast your vote for the names on the ballot. You may vote for 4 people and turn them in to Gary.Speaker/Candidates: Each candidate is given 5 minutes to discuss their platform. The election is October 2nd.1) Candidate Mark Gonzalez, First City Court Judge. 2) Candidate Richard Exnicious, Juvenile Court Judge Announcements:1) Meet the Neighbors at Lost Love Lounge: October12th at 6:30 – 8:30pm
2) Blight Information: Alex introduced the new volunteer for this committee, Brad. Congratulations to Alex and Angele for the birth of their baby boy, Pierre. a) 1119-21 St. Anthony was found guilty b) St. Roch Market will received the funding for renovation c) There is a new layout for the blight email alerts d) Hearing on Wednesday, September 23rd at 1:15 pm re 1518 Pauger e) 2524 Dauphine – filed for an appeal and still guilty f) 2230 Chartres – once the new person buys the property they are
still responsible for the blight. At a sheriff sale, the property can change hands but it is still in the position of the original owners.
g) 2613 Royal St. Thanks to the new owner for restoring the propertyQ: Regarding the fine of a blighted house A: It is unclear but they want to get the house back into commerce. It is a process. If a property is out of code, the City has 60 days auto reset on that property. If work is being done an extension can be given. If the city adjudicated the property they will have the record. This takes time.4) Walking Tour: 5th Annual Walking Tour and Art Market - October 17th and thanks to Ken Caron for chairing the event. Volunteers are needed for tour guides, event day activities, kid’s tent, art market, and Marigny Green. Marigny Green will promote recycling. The rain date is October 24th
5) Volunteers: Maureen’s informed the membership of Marigny Green’s accomplishments. FMIA is a volunteer organization and any help is appreciated to make our neighborhood a better place to live, work, and play. For more information contact [email protected] 6) Thank you Officer Alsina ([email protected]) and Officer Franklin for attending our General Meeting. Officer Alsina reiterated the importance of the NOPD Hot Sheet. The Hot Sheets is on line at NOPD and is on FMIA’s website. If you are driving by or see something that is not right, please fill out the Hot Sheet. The contact number for these types of problems is 504-821-2222. Fifth District is on Twitter and Face Book. NOLA Ready is a service that gives crime updates. Fifth District Station 4015 Burgundy St. NOLA 70119 504-658-6050
FMIA General MeetingSeptember 21, 2010 Minutes
7) Mark your calendar for FMIA’s Caroling Event, December 12th.8) NOCCA: NOCCA has a proposal for expansion. The meeting is September 23rd 7pm at NOCCA in the Jazz Studio. The freshmen class of 2011 will attend the first full time program - arts and academics.9) Riverfront Update: Chris and Gene met with Cedric Grant, Christine Ford, and Councilperson Palmer regarding the Riverfront Park. The person who was in charge of the Riverfront Park did not ratify the contract with the Port and there is a smaller amount of money available. Our concerns include a lack of dedicate funding source, access, recreation area, security, and parking. The Riverfront Park now will be a passive park, only the basics. They have signed the agreement with the contractor to do the work. They want to meet with us again to know what we are thinking. Q: What is their security plan? A: A possible camera system and they hope that the French Market Corp will clean up and their funding source with part of the parking lot monies. Q: Access points? A: The “skate board ramp” is gone and are looking into other possibilities for access. Q: Police call boxes A: That is a good idea and will add that. They said that a safety study has to be done because of the railroad tracks. Q: Time line A: Once everything is finalized we will know more about the timeline.
10) St. Roch Market: Good news, the market will reopen. The Mayor has committed to funding the market. The art walk, neutral ground improvements, and park will move separately. We have to brainstorm what people want in the market. With the opening of Food Coop, it would be wise to have other choices in the neighborhood. There was talk about having a regional seafood market. Before they begin construction an operator is needed.11. Washington Square Park: There is a small plague dedicated to the WWII veterans on the shed and Howard thought it would be nice to honor the veterans.
12) French Quarter and Marigny Tax District: This will be on the ballot on October 2nd. This was an initial idea of the hospitality industry to get trash pick and security after the storm. They were initially given $50,000 and now monies are needed to continue the district. There are 13 board members and only one Board Member from the Marigny. This district does not include the entire Marigny, only a few blocks in the triangle. Money generated in the Marigny would not be strictly allocated for the Marigny. After weighting all the cons, we have asked to be removed from the district which will happen next year.13) FMIA Election Board Results: Congratulations to Donna Wakeman, Jim Fahr, Jason Patterson, and Chris Costello 14) Budget and Audit was given to the attendees for approval. We thank Ed Kleppinger for reviewing our financial records. Mr. Chestnut moved to approve the audit and budget Second: Ken Discussion: None Vote: Unanimous15) To be a good neighborhood association, it is important to listen to our membership and move forward the ideas of the membership. Chris asked the attendees to complete the SWAT analysis which is a strategic planning activity. Comments were written on big post notes and the questions were: FMIA’s Strengths, Weakness. Opportunities, Threats, and Short and Long Term Goals. Rebecca, an intern with Deveney is compiling the findings.
Meeting adjourned: at 8:15 pm
______________________________________________________________________________15
C A L E N D E R OF
E V E N T SA L E N D E R OF
V E N T S General Meetings
Monday,October 18
&Monday,
November 156:30 Pot Luck 7:15 Meeting
St. Paul Lutheran Church
2624 Burgundy St
************
BoardMeeting
November 37:00 ‐9:00 pm 2408 Chartres
St.
*********
Walking Tour
October 1710am‐4pmWashington Square Park
*********
Fun for AllNickel a DanceEvery Sunday in October4pm‐ 7 pm
508 Frenchmen St.
*********
Meet the Neighbors
October 126:30‐8:30 pmLost Love Lounge
2529 Dauphine St.
&November 96:30‐8:30 pmMagnolia
Physical Therapy839 Spain St
************
NONPAC Meetings
5th District2nd Wednesday
7 pm2372 St. Claude
Ave&
8th District2nd Thursday
5:30 pm1001 Toulouse
************
St. Claude Ave.
Main Street Meetings
Call 616‐7637
************
Green Markets
‐Wednesdays‐French Market10am ‐ 5pm
********‐Saturdays‐St. Anna’s Episcopal Church
1313 Esplanade Ave.
1 pm ‐ 5 pm&
French Market10am ‐ 5pm
*********
GalleryOpenings
St. Claude Art District Saturday
November 136pm ‐ 9pm
seewww.scadnola.com
*********
New Orleans Bookfair
November 611am – 6pm500 – 600
Frenchmen St.
*********
$79.00?
______________________________________________________________________________16
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F.M.I.A. Membership Form 1. Membership Status: _______New _______Renewal
2. Membership Type:
__Individual $15.00 __Business $25.00
__Household $20.00 __Over 65 $5.00
3. Contact Information:
Name ________________________________________
Address______________________________________
______________________________________
Phone________________________________________
Email_________________________________________
4. Willing to volunteer? _____Yes ________No
Make checks payable to F.M.I.A. and mail to:
F.M.I.A 2401 Burgundy Box 10 New Orleans LA 70117
General Meeting, Monday, 10/18/10
Meet the Neighbors Night, Tuesday, 10/12/10
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
FMIA Accomplishments in 2010• Defeated the proposed relocation of the Cold Storage Plant and had it to move it to
a more suitable location.
• Worked with City Planning on the New Master Plan and the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to strengthen our land use and zoning.
• Raised the funds to spray the beautiful oaks in Washington Square Park to rid them of the buck moth caterpillars and fertilize them.
• Fixed the Dauphine/Frenchmen St gate in Washington Square Park
• Maintained Washington Square Park for another year by coordinating weekly trash removal, quarterly clean ups, and routine maintenance to keep our park open and beautiful.
• Monitored the progress of the riverfront project to ensure our quality of life issues are mitigated and there is proper planning and funding to guarantee the project will be a success.
• Sponsord events including Meet the Neighbors, art markets and music in the park to help build community and bring sales to our local businesses.
• Installed banners on the light pole along Elysian Fields Avenue to beatify the neighborhood and create community awareness.
• Selected as one of the Top Ten Great American Neighborhoods for 2009 by the American Planning Association.
• Produced our Annual Home Tour, Walking Tour and Caroling to raise awareness about our neighborhood and educate people on the unique architectural, cultural and historical significance of our neighborhood.