The Canal Street Renaissance has begun.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno announced the start of that project during a Tuesday press conference on Canal Street.
According to the mayor, that renaissance will be a multi-faceted project.
"This initiative will have several phases," Moreno said. "The first phase is really a hyper-focused phase on public safety, infrastructure improvements, code enforcement enhancements, and quality of life enhancements. Then there will be subsequent phases after that including improving pedestrian safety and traffic operations; expanding arts, entertainment, and cultural programming; recruiting new retailers; and creating incentives to fill vacant store fronts, coordinated branding and marketing of Canal Street, (and) activiating upper-floor residential, hotel, and office spaces. "
According to the leader of the renaissance, Canal Street will be destination for locals and tourists once the multi-phase project is completed.
"Canal Street is more than just a corridor," Sayde Finkel, the chief administrative officer's staff member who will coordinate the project, said. "For generations, it has served as the center for commerce, culture, and civic life."
Finkel says the goal of the renaissance is simple.
"We need to make sure that all hands are on deck with all of our partners, including city departments, to ensure that Canal is a place where businesses can prosper, where families can gather, and where investment can flourish if we give it the time and dedicated attention it so richly deserves," Finkel said.
According to Finkel, that includes attracting new businesses and getting rid of eyesores along the Canal Street corridor.
"We also need to heighten code enforcement and adjudication to finally address persistent blight, illegal dumping, and property maintenance violations," Finkel said.
Moreno concurred, saying this is a golden opportunity to give the downtown area a boost.
"Bottom line is we've got 15 blocks from Claiborne to the river," Moreno said. "We've got direct focus now. We've got direct investment. We've got somebody in charge of all of the coordinating that's going to happen on Canal Street. Y'all, we can get it done. This is our moment. This is our time. This is the time for the renaissance."
