Spring 2008

Download the document here.

Annual Meeting Recap

Louise S. McGehee School’s newly renovated building at 2344 St. Charles Avenue was the à propos setting for this year’s Annual Membership Meeting on April 28th. In fact, the school was the 2008 Renovator Award recipient for their restoration of this 8,800 square foot Greek Revival/Italianate residence. Neighbors mingled in the spring air, admiring the restored columns and decorative ironwork that now grace the restored façade, as well as toured the beautiful educational facility within. This three million dollar restoration and adaptive reuse project was certainly praise worthy and a great example of a positive contribution to the streetscape of the Garden District.

In addition to the Renovator Award, GDA President Laura Shields presented the Association’s highest honor: The Terry Parkerson Award. This honor is given to a group or individual who has performed beyond the call of duty to preserve the historic and architectural integrity of the neighborhood, or to enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood. This year’s recipients were Tony Gelderman, Bret LeBreton, and Bill Trufant who were recognized for their vision and diligence in starting and nurturing the success of the Garden District Security District ten years ago. We toast to their generous gifts of time and wisdom!

Overall the event was a great opportunity for members to discuss neighborhood projects with Board members and neighbors. The Association sincerely appreciates McGehee’s generosity in welcoming us for this special event, and for their many years of contributions to the neighborhood. Congratulations to all of our award winners!

New Board Member & Officer Nominations

The Association would like to welcome the following new Board Members who were elected at the Annual meeting:

Michael Dolan
Pauline Hardin
Jennifer Falon
Keene Kelley
William Groome
Denice Warren

The following officers were subsequently elected by the Board at its recent meeting:

Laura Shields – President (returning)
Aaron Marcus – Vice President (returning)
Richard Simmons – Treasurer
Susu Stall – Secretary

On behalf of the Association and the neighborhood, we offer our sincere appreciation to outgoing board members Kay Colbert, Robert Hassinger, Mimi Koch, Rick Normand, and Hal Williamson. Individually and collectively they have made a tremendous contribution to the betterment of the area.

22nd Anniversary of A Fall Affair

Sunday, September 21, 2008 will mark the 22 Annual Fall Affair Fundraiser at Commander’s Palace that will be co-chaired by Carolyn and Brian Fitzpatrick and Marilee and Andrew Hovet. Again, two levels of tickets will be available for the event: $500/couple for benefactors and $350/couple for patrons. A pre-dinner party for all benefactors is scheduled at the home of Jennifer and John Steck and Fifi Laughlin and her mom, Sherrill Benjamin, will chair the art auction once again. Many more details will be sent later. Stay tuned.

Halloween Spooktackular!

Mark your calendars for this year’s Halloween trick-or-treating along the “safe route” and the family party at Kristine and Rivers Lelong’s lawn on October 31st. Jennifer Moses, Jennifer Gary and Dodie Powers will soon begin planning lots of fun for the whole family. For more information, or to volunteer to participate as a designated “trick-or-treat” house (on or near Chestnut Street) or for an “adult watering hole,” please call (504) 525-7608 or email gardendistrictno@bellsouth.net.

21st Anniversary of A Fall Affair

September 23rd will mark the 21st Annual Fall Affair Fundraiser that will be co-chaired by Mimi and John Koch and Marilee and Andrew Hovet. Benefactor tickets are available for $250 per person and include the pre-party before the dinner at the home of Susu and Andrew Stall. The Stall’s were recipients of a 2007 GDA Renovator’s Award at our Annual Meeting in May, so the benefactor party will be a wonderful occasion to see the fruits of their labors! Patron tickets will be available for $150 per person for the dinner only. If you would like to participate as a Benefactor, please call 525-7608 or email gardendistrictno@bellsouth.net to let us know by July 20th so that we may include your name on the invitation or, if you are a professional or high-quality amateur artist interested in donating a piece to our art auction please let us know by July 20th as well.

GDSD 10th Anniversary

Ten years ago, the Garden District Security District was voted into legislation to create a continual private patrol for all residents of the Garden District. This was the result of countless hours of work by Shelley Landrieu, the Garden District Association, and a few dedicated neighborhood volunteers, notably Tony Gelderman, Bret LeBreton, and Bill Trufant. For many years prior to 1998, there had been a smaller private patrol service funded by a voluntary paying membership. The creation of the GDSD in 1998, with its property tax funding, allowed the Garden District to triple the patrol coverage that it was previously accustomed to. The patrol had a successful start, and in 2002 renewal legislation for the security tax passed with 78% favorability. We are very proud to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the GDSD and we encourage all neighbors to use its services regularly. Remember: all day, every day, GDSD officers are available in the District to assist you in emergency situations, to check your home or business when you are out of town, escort you safely from your car to your door, and check out suspicious persons in the area. GDSD officers also work closely with the Sixth District NOPD to monitor and deter crime in the area, and report crimes that have occurred. All residents and
businesses within the boundaries of Louisiana Avenue, Carondelet Street, Jackson Avenue and Magazine Street (both sides of all streets) are eligible to call for GDSD patrol service any time of the day or night. The security district is managed by a dedicated group of your neighbors in the District. Like you, they live in the District and are concerned about the safety of the entire area. Please feel free to contact any of them or the GDSD Executive Director with issues or suggestions on how to improve the safety of the area. For more information about the GDSD, or to check crime statistics for the area, please visit: www.gdsdpatrol.org

GDSD Patrol 24/7 #899-GDSD (899-4373)

Zoning

A big thanks is in order to all who participated in the processes of the following zoning issues, especially GDA president Laura Shields and Zoning Chair Susan Tyler who spend countless hours on these matters, and to Council member Stacy Head and staff for working closely with us:
Our Lady of Good Counsel

The GDA recently sent a letter to Archbishop Hughes in an attempt to prevent the closure of this historic church and to ensure that the adjacent rectory and Louise Day Care properties be maintained or redeveloped in a way that is harmonious with the neighborhood. We are committed to work towards this goal and are awaiting a meeting to be set with the Archdiocese.

Magazine Street Developments:
Corner of Magazine St. & Jackson Ave.: Charcoal

On April 17th, Charcoal Restaurant came one step closer to making their mark on the corner of Magazine and Jackson Avenue. The City Council voted in favor of the Conditional Use permit needed to allow the sale of alcohol at the upscale hamburger eatery. The GDA and the Irish Channel Neighborhood Association worked closely with the two young entrepreneurs, the City Planning Commission and Stacy Head's office to craft 19 provisos that set parameters meant to ensure that the restaurant operates in harmony with neighboring residents and businesses. A Good Neighbor Agreement and Restrictive Covenant was signed by both Associations, the owner of the property and operators of the business. Aside from providing a much needed anchor on this site, the now empty and overgrown lot will soon become home to a handsome building approved by the Historic District Landmarks Commission. We welcome our new neighbors and look forward to their year-end opening!

3333 Magazine Street: Renovations underway

Renovation is almost complete for a new retail space where Francesca’s Collection, a hip women’s boutique, plans to open this summer. The modified shotgun will feature an enclosed glass store -front that will allow for a view of the original historic façade within.


2850 Magazine Street: proposed Sugar Shack

On March 21st , the City Council voted to uphold the City Planning Commission’s denial for an all day/ late night restaurant slated for the 2800 block of Magazine Street. The proposal clearly did not have the endorsement of the Irish Channel Neighborhood Association or the Garden District Association Boards. The applicant has said that he will revise his plans and open without a liquor license.

Corner of Magazine St. & Louisiana Ave.: Subway & Hot Wok

Last year, a Subway sandwich shop opened in 1116 Louisiana Avenue. According to city law, Subway is classified as a fast food restaurant. This falls within a category of restaurants that is
not allowed in the Garden District or on Magazine Street unless a special permit known as a conditional use permit is granted by the City Council. Because of an error made by the city, the restaurant was allowed to open without following the proper procedures and without receiving the proper permits. In correcting its mistake, the city forced the owners to go through the correct process. This process allows for public input. Because the GDA had received numerous complaints on the encroachment of this fast food operation, the Board decided to send out email surveys and hold a March membership meeting to discuss the issue with neighbors. The survey and forum showed that the majority of neighbors agreed with the GDA that the intrusion of fast food would not enhance, but detract from the ambiance of the Magazine Street corridor. The GDA Board decided to try to work with the owners and operators of the site to make the entire strip more attractive and its future uses in keeping with the eclectic mix of Magazine. On March 21st the City Council introduced an ordinance to allow the Subway to remain open if they agreed to meet many conditions. This ordinance is up for final passage in the coming weeks.
Council member Head added a strong public urging for the applicant to enter into a satisfactory Good Neighbor Agreement with the Garden District Association and the Touro Bouligny Association. All parties are communicating to create such an agreement before the final measure passes.

Hot Wok, the take out Chinese Restaurant next door to the Subway Sandwiches, is another case of a mis-classified restaurant. This business is classified by the Zoning Administrator as a full- service restaurant, yet it does not have table service, a wait staff or serve with utensils that are
non- disposable. The GDA is working to correct this mistake and will keep you posted.

In response to the controversy over the Pit Pit restaurant further uptown and the problems associated with the Department of Zoning classifying several restaurants in error, the City Council recently made a change in the zoning law that will strengthen the procedure regarding “cafeteria restaurants.” This new law will force applicants wanting a cafeteria restaurant to follow a conditional use process that entails public input and council approval. This change was made in response to several "misinterpretations" by the Department of Safety and Permits of the zoning law, who have allowed fast food restaurants to go in B1A zones under the guise of a cafeteria style permit, where they would not otherwise be allowed.

Updates on the Avenues: Corner of LA & St. Charles:
FNBC

The former Fortissimo building was recently demolished to make way for a new First National Bank of Commerce branch. FNBC's Ashton Ryan and David Anderson will oversee the building of more than one dozen branches across the metro area as they expand the relatively new entity in the business banking arena. Representatives from the Garden District Association Board met with bank representatives to discuss their plans for the site and to endorse their plan for demolition. A quick demolition permit was approved based on conceptual plans for the site and to allow time for the builders to remove the gas tanks underlying the property, which may take several months. Architectural plans for the site are underway by Sizeler Architects and must be reviewed and approved by the Historic District Landmarks Commission through a public process. The Garden District Association intends to remain involved in the process and will keep residents posted as to the progress of the project.

Exxon

The GDA Zoning Committee continues to communicate with representatives of Exxon regarding the future use of their property. The Association has attempted to work with Corporate Realty Representative Richard Weber in order to help guide it’s redevelopment, though new plans have not been forthcoming as of yet.

Borders Books

You may have noticed the construction of a massive steel frame underway behind the historic façade of the former Bultman Funeral home. Although Borders Books has been in the news lately about their struggling competition with Barnes and Nobles, they are working at full speed to open their new location at St. Charles and Louisiana Avenues. This site is one of 14 new prototype stores that is scheduled to open in 2008. The concept of these flagship stores is an interactive shopping experience, featuring a bright open space with leather chairs, a performance stage, TVs and computer kiosks, gourmet coffee, and a large digital media space. Customers will be able to mix and burn CDs, create digital photo albums, print recipes, and even have books electronically signed by authors through a video conferencing device called LongPen. Of course books will still be the main ingredient! This national company investing their time and money to open an innovative new branch here is a great sign of progress post-Katrina for our neighborhood and our city. The GDA plans to stay in close contact with local developers Bill Ryan and Lewis Sterling in order to keep you posted.

Support Your Neighborhood Association

If you are not already a GDA member, we hope that you will join our Association and support our efforts to maintain the unique quality of life of our area. Please support us by sending in the form below along with your membership contribution or register online.

Name: ____________________________________

Address: _______________________________

Phone:__________________________
Email: ________________________________

Membership Level: ___$500 Sponsor ___ $250 Sustaining ___ $100 General

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST - We'll keep you in the loop!

If you are not already on our neighborhood email list and would like to receive these periodic announcements, please send us an email

gardendistrictno@bellsouth.net

Visit GDA on the web at: WWW.GARDENDISTRICTASSOCIATION.ORG

[ RETURN TO TOP ]