VCPORA Welcomes our New Board Members!

Thank you again for coming. This year has been more than exciting for issues in the Vieux Carre’.  It is especially important to look back and to recognize those who helped to make it a successful one. 

First, we especially need to recognize the vital contribution Meg Lousteau has made in her inaugural year as Executive Director.  So many things would not be possible without Meg’s time and dedication.  You each get her weekly update.  She tracks issues coming before the VCC, The City Council and the State Legislature. She always works hard to serve your interests.  She keeps up solid communications with surrounding neighborhoods.  She is constantly listening.  She supports every committee.   

Meg, Please stand up and be recognized. 

This year has been huge in terms of collaboration with other neighborhoods and organizations.  We led a coalition of VCPORA, FQC, Treme, Esplanade Ridge and Marigny Associations to re-shape the HRI project at 1137 Esplanade.  We defeated a project design that was too dense, too square and focused on the wrong market.  HRI came back to the table with a sound design that should be an asset to the neighborhood. 

We Collaborated with DDD & Lafayette Square on the UNOP district 1 Master Plan, on promoting the Charter change and on a mobility study. 

Nathan Chapman has been our representative on the FQMHAMD, and we have been a powerful influence on that group to present a creative and convincing plan for increased security in the French Quarter if they expect citizens to vote to tax themselves. 

Nathan has also been our representative on the Riverfront Alliance, a collaboration of the French Quarter, Marigny and Bywater.  Our goal has been to support NOBC’s “Reinventing the Crescent” initiative, while at the same time trying to assure that NOBC honors its commitments to the neighborhoods and has a sustainable plan. 

Early in the year we were asked to join a “Save Charity Hospital” campaign and were instrumental in refocusing that effort to a winning strategy, going beyond just saving the Charity Building, and advocating transparency and discipline in Government.  This story is not yet complete, but we were successful as a part of a huge coalition in slowing down the train. 

VCPORA was one of many French Quarter Organizations that collaborated to organize MOM, or “Meeting of the Minds”, a coalition in response to increasing crime in the French Quarter.  We all appreciate the good work of Chuck Ransdell in establishing a continuing dialog with NOPD and raising pressures on them in many constructive ways. 

During the legislative session we successfully fought off an assault on the Master Plan.  We were less successful in preventing a blurring of the definition Restaurants that would allow them to redefine themselves as Bars or Nightclubs.  Jim Babst on our Board was a great help in steering our course in Baton Rouge. That effort was a collaboration with Louisiana Landmarks Society, PRC, The Garden District Association and FQC. 

We all thank the FMIA for their leadership in the Cold Storage Issue.  We did not take a leadership position on this matter, however, in response to  input from our membership and to their leadership, we joined the successful chorus demanding a different location for NOCS. 

There are also many issues we have played a leadership role, especially working with the VCC and city and state government on enforcement issues. 

Carol Allen as Chair of our Quality of Life Committee has addressed issues from  Barkers to Noise to Graffiti, Garbage Collection, Bicycles Safety and many others.  Carol has devoted tremendous energy and surely has earned a seat on the VCPORA Board. 

We have made significant progress in enforcement in these several areas and have special hope for the effectiveness of changes to the City Noise Ordinance.  We hope to see a new ordinance passed by the Council in the very near future. 

On another matter Meg started getting alarms from Neighbors about activity at 711 Bourbon and 814 Orleans beginning with an e-mail on August 18. This issue is an example of how VCPORA makes a huge difference.  Over the next 6 weeks, Meg and Mary Lane Carleton, our intern, took pictures of illegal construction, of deliveries to 711 Bourbon through 814 Orleans, of Beer cases and Bar Furniture being stored in a residential building.  Her pictures and her diligence with all parties were a stimulus to the VCC and Safety and Permits, They were used by the press in television reports of the abuse, and they helped to defeat an injunction sought by the owners of Bourbon Lights to allow them to continue to desecrate a historic site without permits. 

Another current issue is an application to the VCC to build a penthouse on top of 528 Bienville Street.  Inexplicably, the VCC gave tentative approval to the Architects proposal, against the recommendation of the VCC Staff.  We have argued against this decision, appealed this decision to the City Council, and are preparing a case against it at the Bureau of Zoning Adjustments.  . 

In addition to dealing with specific issues, VCPORA has to operate as a service to our members every day.  All of our directors and many volunteers work very hard to further our mission of protecting the vitality of the French Quarter.  Some who have made particularly hard include: 

Freddie Pincus has been a great resource for many years, and this year was no exception.  Freddie did a splendid job organizing the Gage Schwartz Awards luncheon where we honored Past President Nathan Chapman.  She is also our board historian and is working very hard to secure our organizational memory. 

Barbara Bowen as our Treasurer has spent endless hours not just keeping the books but helping with office systems and processes.  Will Norris has provided valuable technical support. 

John Church as Chairman of the Finance Committee has managed a careful and deliberate budgeting process, made more demanding this year by the addition of the expense of an Executive Director. 

Thanks also to Judy Kossover for chairing the membership committee and stimulating us to do a much better job on our membership maintenance and recruiting 

Rick Normand, our Parliamentarian today has also been our secretary and provided counsel on legal issues.   

David Speights has worn many hats including exec committee for three years and liason with Rampart Main Street 

Ann Masson our president elect is always available with wise counsel.  She is an experienced hand at preservation and at VCPORA and will do a fabulous Job as president next year. 

And we thank Liz Tahir and the Bourbon Orleans for their efforts to make this and our earlier meetings pleasant and successful. 

Finally, on many of these issues, including especially the Noise Ordinance, the legislative session, 711 Bourbon, we owe a great debt of gratitude to Stuart Smith and his staff attorney, Alan Alario.  Stuart has made a wonderful personal and financial commitment without which we would not have accomplished many of our successes. Thank you, Stuart.