Downtown New Orleans

In January of 2007, the board and staff of the DDD came together to review the existing DDD mission, discuss a vision for Downtown, and set programmatic priorities for the next five years. Through this and subsequent sessions, a new Downtown vision was created, the DDD mission was refined, four key areas of focus were identified, and a plan was laid out to achieve the goals identified within each focus area.

Economic Development

Implement the Canal Street Development Strategy

• Fully implement Façade Improvement Grant Program
• Create cultural attractions & reenergize the theatre district
• Transform Canal Street retail
• Facilitate upper floor development
• Guide the transformation of Iberville into an attractive mixed-income neighborhood
• Complete the connection to the Mississippi riverfront
• Relocate bus transfers from Canal Street

Drive the economic incentives, physical infrastructure and process reform needed to transform Downtown

• Drive legislative changes and implement creative financing tactics
• Move aggressively into land banking; purchase and resell strategic properties
• Move aggressively into parking management; purchase and operate strategic parking locations to support development and retail

Attract and retain Industries of the Mind

• Attract and embrace entrepreneurial newcomers as important sources of intellectual and creative capital
• Make Downtown the center of a regional bioscience industry
• Make Downtown the center of a digital media industry
• Grow the arts (visual and performing) as an economic engine

Brand the DDD as the place to come for any Downtown economic development need

Retain existing Downtown businesses and institutions

Lead and Advocate

Influence strategically important public policy issues, including city- and state-wide issues.

• Retain LSU (University Medical Center) and VA Hospitals Downtown
• Create incentives for and availability of workforce housing
• Be the driving force in creating a “green environment” Downtown to improve quality of life

Provide contractual services in adjacent areas to strengthen Downtown and increase DDD top and bottom line performance.

Drive cooperative initiatives with the French Quarter, Lower Garden District, Greater New Orleans Bio-Science Economic Development District, and O.C. Haley and St. Charles Avenue commercial corridors

• Implement Unified New Orleans Plan recommendations
• Create and implement communications & outreach plan

Market and Promote

Create a “Place Brand” for Downtown New Orleans

Brand and promote the DDD

Market the Canal Street Development Strategy and own the successes

Implement economic development and retail attraction marketing plans

Support merchant association marketing initiatives

Support DDD human resource initiatives

Safe and Clean

Implement effective code enforcement to elevate the maintenance standards of buildings

Quickly, effectively and compassionately deal with homelessness

Improve the quality of pedestrian life

Continue to be the safest place in New Orleans

• Reduce car break-ins and car thefts
• Educate constituency on the real crime situation Downtown

Continue to be the cleanest place in New Orleans: Match or exceed the standards of other major American cities

Improve Downtown sidewalks and other infrastructure