Good News! NOAC plan withdrawn from City Council & reworked.

Garages, unlike parking lots, are permitted uses in the
Vieux Carré. Above is an example from Miami of a garage
that was designed to fit into the local architectural style.
VCPORA is working with other organizations on solving the
French Quarter's chronic parking shortage.

Zoning for French Quarter left alone.

VCPORA and French Quarter Citizens continued working with the NOAC on this surprisingly complicated zoning/parking issue. As we had urged, the NOAC withdrew its application which would have changed the zoning for about 1/3 of the French Quarter. Instead, Mr. More worked out a solution with the City Planning Commission that will avoid changing the zoning but still let it proceed with removing the old Goodyear store and expanding its parking. As preservation groups for the French Quarter, we've learned to be very careful about not creating problems for the entire French Quarter when trying to solve a problem for one property owner.

We very much appreciate that Mr. More shared this concern, while he needed to solve his problem. Also sharing the concerns of protecting the French Quarter were members of the City Council. We met with Councilmembers James Carter and Jackie Clarkson, and heard from Arnie Fielkow, on this issue. They all stressed that while they wanted to help the NOAC, they had a good grasp of zoning laws and did not want to upset the balance in the French Quarter. That strong leadership helped create an environment for seeking alternative solutions. Thank you!!

While on the topic of parking, here's even more exciting news: The UNOP plan for the French Quarter and CBD included as a major goal the creation of a world-class parking plan to address the legendary parking shortage in the French Quarter and CBD. We hope to develop innovative solutions, such as possibly financial incentives that could transform eye-sore surface parking lots into good looking garages (not an oxymoron, believe it or not) with retail on the first floor, as you might see in other cities.

Working closely with the Downtown Development District team (whose leadership and service was pivotal), last year we obtained funding in Legislature along with funding from the DDD and a grant. We now have issued an RFP and are about to review proposals from nation's best parking/mobility consultants.

Buckle your seat belts! If we can make it dramatically easier to park in the French Quarter, it will increase shopping, dining, visiting and living in the historic French Quarter!