At Home in the Vieux Carre - SEASON FINALE!

Please join VCPORA for the season finale of our popular
"At Home in the Vieux Carre" this Friday!

Since October, we've been holding the At Home events in private houses throughout the French Quarter, offering guests a glimpse into Quarter living and encouraging recognition of the Quarter as a neighborhood.

For the finale, we're delighted to be hosted by Robin and Michael Wilkinson at their elegant side gallery shotgun at 813 Barracks Street. The house's layout is perfect for the indoor/outdoor living that is the hallmark of so many French Quarter homes, and is complimented by Robin and Michael's extensive art collection.

So come by to learn about the home, life in the Quarter, see the tranquil courtyard, and make new friends. As always, we'll serve wine and nibbles.

Special thanks to French Quarter Realty, who has sponsored the At Home series!

Friday, May 7, 2010 ~ 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
813 Barracks Street
$5/members, $10/non-members,
FREE to those who join at the door!

2010 VCPORA Gala!

Buy tickets online below, or call 504-581-7200!

VCPORA Welcomes our New Board Members!

On Thursday, October 29, VCPORA bid a fond farewell to our departing board members, including outgoing president Mike Moffitt. We also welcomed our new and returning board members, including Ann Masson, VCPORA's new president! To see a list of the 2009-10 VCPORA board members, click here. And to read the remarks and thanks of our outgoing president, click below.

We are prepared for another year of challenges and successes in protecting and preserving the Vieux Carre, and thank our board members and our membership for their dedication and support!
Continued »

VCPORA honors Nathan Chapman with the Gage-Schwartz Award

Please join VCPORA on Saturday, August 30, when we present the Gage-Schwartz Preservation Award to Nathan Chapman. The awards ceremony will take place over brunch at Antoine’s, and will begin at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $50 per person.

As most of you know, Nathan has worked tirelessly for the preservation of the French Quarter for many years. His service includes the presidency of VCPORA for over 5 years, during which he led us to success on a number of important issues. Nathan, who was also recently presented with the Elizabeth T. Werlein Award by the Vieux Carré Commission, is certainly deserving of our highest honor!

(Note: the tickets for the event only cover costs - this is not a fundraiser.)

VCPORA prevails in lawsuit attempting to quash our right to free speech!

We are pleased to announce that a lawsuit seeking to silence VCPORA from our advocacy protecting the Vieux Carre has been dismissed by the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. (Read today's Times-Picayune story on the case by clicking here.) The case arose from our successful campaign to pass an ordinance placing modest limits on the so called "ghost tours." These late night, large and boisterous throngs of people were overwhelming the residential part of the Vieux Carre. Continued »

VCPORA's Cold Storage Committee Seeks Input

As you know, the Board of Directors of VCPORA recently voted to establish an ad hoc committee in support of a Section 106 review on the Cold Storage project. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. The review process will afford the community input on the matter and give a voice to some of our membership's concerns.

In an effort to gather additional input from our membership, we have established an e-mail account, ColdStorage@VCPORA.org. Please share your comments and suggestions with us. Thank you!

VCPORA's Efforts to Relocate Cold Storage

VCPORA, in conjunction with the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, has created a radio spot urging legislators to find a different location for the Cold Storage facility. Click on the link below to hear it for yourselves, and we encourage you to forward it widely.

GameOfChicken.mp3

Also, on Tuesday, June 9, the Vieux Carré Commission met to discuss the proposed Cold Storage project. After a brief presentation, the commissioners asked for statements of position from any organizations. VCPORA board member Mamie Gasperecz, chair of our new Cold Storage committee, read the following statement into the record:

The Vieux Carre Property Owners and Residents Association (VCPORA) voted to establish an ad hoc committee in support of a 106 review on the Cold Storage project. The review process will afford the community input on the matter and give a voice to our membership's concerns. VCPORA solicits feedback from the community on the issue as the effective grass roots organization that our loyal membership has grown to expect over the past 70 years. Additionally, the Board of VCPORA voted to commit funding and support of radio advertisement regarding the issues surrounding the proposed project.

Faubourg Marigny president Chris Costello also spoke and expressed his organization’s opposition to the project. No other comments from the audience were offered.

The Commission voted unanimously to object to the placement of the facility at the Gov. Nicholls Street Wharf. Click here to read the Times-Picayune article on the meeting.

CALL TO ACTION! Defeat SB 75!

***CALL TO ACTION!!!***

YOUR HELP NEEDED TO DEFEAT

SENATE BILL 75

In November, 2008, with the broad-based support of citizen and neighborhood leaders, business and good government groups and developers, the voters of New Orleans approved a charter change to give the city's master plan the force of law.

Now, despite that favorable vote, Sen. Ed Murray of New Orleans has introduced legislation (SB 75) to require yet another favorable vote of the citizens of New Orleans. That's not fair!

THE TRUTH ABOUT SB 75:
- IT'S AN EFFORT TO UNDO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE
- IT'S AN ATTEMPT TO RE-POLITICIZE THE PLANNING PROCESS
- IT'S A VIOLATION OF THE CITY'S HOME RULE CHARTER! (the city attorney agrees!)

New Orleans went through months of discussion about the charter change. It was on the ballot of the biggest turn-out election in the city's recent history. Since then, thousands and thousands of citizens have participated in dozens of planning meetings all over the city. This bill seeks to undo all of that, and to KEEP POLITICS THE DRIVING FORCE IN OUR CITY’S LAND USE PROCESS.

It is critical that you make your voice heard.

PLEASE EMAIL THE LEGISLATORS TO LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU WANT THEM TO VOTE

AGAINST SENATE BILL 75!!!

TAKE ACTION NOW! It takes only a minute. Go to:

https://secure2.convio.net/cgno/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=281

and PLEASE personalize your message!

Continued »

New Orleans Cold Storage Terminal at Gov. Nicholls Wharf

VCPORA held a membership meeting on May 27, 2009, among other things asking for membership input on the proposed Cold Storage Terminal. In a show of hands, approximately 90% of the members present favored VCPORA taking a stand against the facility.

Today the VCPORA Board voted to honor this clear communication and adopt a position on behalf of our membership opposing the construction of a Cold Storage Terminal at the Governor Nicholls Street Wharf.

As we have throughout this debate, we will continue to listen and to respect the views of the minority of our membership who hold a contrary conviction.

The Board will be considering other inputs received at the meeting on this and other topics and provide a more comprehensive report to our membership following our June meeting.

Preservation News

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