As many of you know, a group comprising French Quarter and Marigny business and neighborhood representatives was formed after the storm.  Its name is the French Quarter Marigny Historic Area Management District (FQMHAMD).  The idea was to have a group dedicated to improving the safety and infrastructure of one of the city’s – and state’s – most important economic resources.  The initial plans envisioned state funding to carry out this agenda, but the appropriations never materialized. 


Only registered voters in the District will cast votes, although all property owners would be taxed.  There is a gradation of fees, covering individual residences, apartment buildings, and several sizes of commercial establishments.  To see details of the plan, click here.

VCPORA has not taken a position on this important issue yet because we want to get feedback from you, our members.  This meeting will be both informational, with positions both pro and con explored, and will offer opportunities for comment from the public.  We hope to see many of you there.

If you'd like to familiarize yourself with the plan, click here to read it. 

In response to the recent efforts to enforce the numerous quality of life ordinances on the books, VCPORA issues the following statement:

VCPORA members enjoy music and support street musicians as contributors to New Orleans's rich cultural scene. To preserve the livability of the historic French Quarter, we also support the long-standing ordinance that permits outdoor music only between 6Am and 8PM.  We have long encouraged NOPD to enforce all ordinances that contribute to the enhancement of both residential and visitor experiences.    

Since October, we've been holding the At Home events in private houses throughout the French Quarter, offering guests a glimpse into Quarter living and encouraging recognition of the Quarter as a neighborhood.


So come by to learn about the home, life in the Quarter, see the tranquil courtyard, and make new friends.  As always, we'll serve wine and nibbles.


   

Buy tickets online below, or call 504-581-7200!

Gala Tickets

Patron - 2 Tickets $500.00  Patron - 1 Ticket $250.00  Gala - 1 Ticket $150.00  Junior Patron - 2 Tickets $325.00

   

   

Vieux Carre Property Owners, Residents and Associates and French Quarter Citizens conducted interviews with the major candidates for mayor, council district C, and council-at-large.  Below are links to summaries of those interviews and the text of the mayoral interviews (we'll send the full text of the council interviews in a separate email).

We used a set list of questions for all candidates, although naturally in the course of the interviews other topics were covered.  We attempted to capture the salient points from these interviews, and in cases where we quote the candidates directly, we’ve used quotation marks.

Click here to read the mayoral interviews.

Click here to read the district C interviews.

Click here to read the council-at-large interviews

VCPORA and FQC thank all the candidates for their time and for their energy.  Now it’s up to us, as citizens, to study the candidates and their positions, and make informed votes.

Remember, early voting continues until this Saturday.  It's fast and easy - click here to see where and how.
   

IT’S BAAACCK….

 

The Controversial, Cosmopolitan Condo-tel

proposed for 121 Royal Street…

 “THE TOWER

THAT ATE ROYAL STREET”

See for yourself.  Click on pictures below…

 

Don’t laugh -- Something is seriously wrong when developers need a 26-story building -- to restore a single five-story building!

 In the first picture below (all from developers’ architect), see the proposed skyscraper towering over original five-story Royal St. building…

http://www.themarketingcenter.com/vcp/Tower.Royal-front.jpg 

 

 The view from historic Canal Street -- See how much higher it is than anything else on the block!...

http://www.themarketingcenter.com/vcp/Tower.Canal.jpg 

 

 Next, notice the grey box in rear.  That’s a hotel that was sued because it was 159.5 feet.  The rules allow 85 feet.  The height of this project busts through at 268 feet!

…And, don’t forget to compare the height of neighboring buildings on this Royal Street block!

http://www.themarketingcenter.com/vcp/Tower.Royal.jpg

 

Please take a moment to e-mail or phone your New Orleans City Councilpersons…  click below for contact information, and for more details on this important issue!

 

 Continued  »  

   

On Thursday, October 29, VCPORA bid a fond farewell to our departing board members, including outgoing president Mike Moffitt.  We also welcomed our new and returning board members, including Ann Masson, VCPORA's new president!  To see a list of the 2009-10 VCPORA board members, click here.  And to read the remarks and thanks of our outgoing president, click below.

We are prepared for another year of challenges and successes in protecting and preserving the Vieux Carre, and thank our board members and our membership for their dedication and support!
 Continued  »  

Below is a letter sent by VCPORA as well as French Quarter Citizens and the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association regarding the proposed rezoning of riverfront land for the "Reinventing the Crescent" park.  While we wholeheartedly support the creation of the park, we have some specific concerns about this proposal, and have asked the Council to defer the matter until key questions have been answered.  Click below to read the letter.  Continued  »