NEIGHBORHOOD FORUM - May 31, 2011
STAGE DOOR CANTEEN
MAY 31, 2011
Recap
Neighbors In attendance: Anne Gauthier, Jim Blanchard, Pamela Gibbs, Rich & Jen Stierwald, Patty & Philip
Buquet, Daniel Naquin, Nick Navares, Doug Whitford, Carol Logreco, Jennifer Siverio, Tom Andrade, Michael
Duplantier, Shaun Talbot, Bruce Schluter, Mary Lou Fewell, Wayne Citron, Jane Pyle, S Pailet, Kevin Kelly, Troy
Dupuis, MaryAnne & David Monts, Ann Vockroth, Regina Draper, Elliott Solomen, Harold Brockman, Terri
Malone, Peter Trapolin, Howard Bautsch, Stephanie Burmaster, Alan Raphael, Ryan Egle, Melanie Holmes, Joseph
Hebert, Jean Bragg, Michael Sobel, Ben Coleman, Scott Briscoe, Diane Finley, Kryste Harper, John Prather, Lee &
Maite Vail, Anita Kimmons, Jack & Cissy Tittle, Byron Cooke, Sue Garrett & Lorrie McGinley
National WWII Museum update – Bob Farnsworth
Mr. Farnsworth gave an update on the National WWII Museum. The Restoration Pavilion will be
opening on June 4, 2011 and the Soda Shop will be open on July 4, 2011.
Q&A
Q: Is the Canopy still in the Museum Plan?
A: Yes, the canopy is still in the Museum’s Master Plan
Rouse’s Supermarket Update
Scott Miller was unable to attend the meeting. I have been playing phone tag with him for the
last couple of months. As soon as I receive an update on their progress, I will send this out to
everyone.
Downtown Development District – Kurt Weigle & Richard McCall
Kurt Weigle & Richard McCall gave a brief power point. For any questions about the power point,
please contact Richard McCall.
Q&A
Q: Can you please elaborate on the streetscape improvements?
A: The DDD is looking at future improvements along the Andrew Higgins Corridor. The
streetscape around Lee Circle is tentatively scheduled to start before the end of the year.
Q: What about Julia Street? It keeps getting overlooked.
A: We recognize the need for improvements on Julia and will advocate as a top priority on any
future projects considered for funding.
Q: Other Neighborhood Associations notify neighbors about filming in the area? Can the DDD do
the same?
A: The DDD is not always informed about the impact of filming Downtown but will work to get
better information that can be shared with residents.
Q: How do we get the film crews to clean up the area after filming? Who is in charge?
A: There is a city agency, the Office of Film & Video that oversees all filming in the City. Please see
www.filmneworleans.org for the contact information to report problems or concerns.
Q: Can there be more communication from the DDD when issues are brought to their attention?
A: Please visit our website and register for our email newsletter. We need more email addresses of
all residents and small businesses. Our website will also provide contact information for the City
agency responsible for particular infrastructure issues.
Q: Does the DDD plan on involving itself in Social Networking? It would be a great way to inform
neighbors if the DDD had a twitter page.
A: Neighbors can already follow the DDD on twitter… @dddneworleans
Note: You can sign up with NolaReady to receive community alerts that are specific to your area.
This will inform you about life-threatening weather, highly disruptive road shutdowns, evacuation
or shelter in place information, boil water notices and crime in your area.
Q: What is the logic to the panhandling being illegal at night?
A: The panhandling ordinance restricts the time, place, and manner of panhandling. It is
unconstitutional to limit panhandling altogether. “Aggressive” panhandling is illegal at all times.
Q: When something is being filmed in the area, why are they allowed to put up taxi cab signs?
A: The DDD will need to refer to the Office of Film & Television
8th district – Commander Jeffrey Walls
Commander Jeffrey Walls provided Hot Sheets for the group to write concerns that need to be
addressed.
Commander Walls answered the previous question regarding the movie companies/taxi cab signs
A: Movie companies have a permit to put the signs up but are supposed to take them down. Please
alert the Office of Film & Television if the signs are not taken down.
Q: When the NOPD leaves barricades up for an extended period of time, what are residents
supposed to do?
A: Any barricades left up by police can be directed to the 8th District Quality of Life Office.
Q: Around Gallier Hall, there are No Parking signs, but people constantly park there. Many of the
vehicles are city vehicles. Is there going to be anything done about that?
A: When these city vehicles are seen illegally parked, please contact the Eighth District Quality of
Life Office.
Q: Lafayette Square needs more security. What is being done about this?
A: Security for the square has been increased. The DDD has hired a detail officer and we have
assigned walking beats near the square during the early morning hours and evening hours.
Public Works – Marvin Thompson & Jordan Helveston
Q: Are there plans to repave S. Peters?
A: S. Peters is not included in the current “Submerged Road” program. This project may qualify
under other programs. However, a final decision will depend on yet to be approved funding
initiatives.
Q: Any Plans for Julia Street?
A: Same as above
Q: How are the sidewalk cafes being enforced? A: Sidewalk Cafes are administered by the
Department of Public Works.
Q: Street light outages are a problem. Why are there so many out? What is the process to have
them replaced?
A: Several lights are out due to the flood water and now have corroded wiring. Much of the wiring
was a direct bury, meaning the wires have no protection such as conduit. Our contractors are
taking a more proactive approach to this issue by installing new wire in conduit and burying it
deeper into the ground. To report street light outages, citizens can dial our street light call center at
658.8080.
Q: If a resident has reported a street light outage for over 4 years and it is not replaced, how do we
get an update on that particular street light?
A: Call the street light call center. However, giving an update on repair, at this point, is a bit
difficult due to the large back log of work orders.
Q: What is the cost to fix all of the street lights that are damaged?
A: The City has a budget of $5.34M this year to repair outages
Q: How many street lights have been repaired and how many are still not functional?
A: From Jan. 17, 2011, 5905 lights have been repaired. Our contractors have identified roughly
2000 outages that they are working through.
HDLC – C. Elliot Perkins
Elliot Perkins gave a power point explaining the functions of the HDLC
Q: Why are there so many boarded up windows in the area? And what is the function?
A: Boarding windows provides a tighter seal than leaving them open. (Taken from notes)
Q: Can the HDLC site open parking buildings?
A: This is not a preservation issue, more of a police or DDD issue.
Q: There are 2 buildings that are leaking water onto the sidewalk. What is to be done about this?
A: We are aware of this issue and both properties have been sited.
Night Out Against Crime – Alan Raphael
Night out against crime has been changed to October 4, 2011 which is the 1st Tuesday in October
in order to have better weather. The 1st committee meeting will be held Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at
6:30 PM at the Stage Door Canteen.
