Downtown Living: February 2015
Community: The Downtown Development District launches a new public safety initiative.
The Downtown Development District recently launched the Take a Walk with a Ranger safety initiative, which is designed to improve relations and communication between the DDD Public Safety Rangers and residents, businesses and proprietors in the Downtown neighborhood. This initiative offers the opportunity for people to spend time walking with a Public Safety Ranger through different areas of Downtown and discussing public safety concerns.
“The safety of our residents and workforce is a top priority of the DDD, and our Public Safety Rangers are on the front lines — patrolling our streets to deter crime and address quality of life issues,” says Richard McCall, director of operations for the DDD. “We want to expand their reach by encouraging everyone to spend time with a Ranger and experience our public safety program firsthand.”
DDD Public Safety Rangers act as extra eyes and ears for the New Orleans Police Department, patrolling the Downtown area on foot and bicycle, and responding to hundreds of incidents every month. The Rangers also offer SafeWalks (escorting business owners and residents to their destination within the Downtown area), CPR and homeless outreach services. downtownnola.com
Celebrate: The Downtown Development District turns 40!
Created by the Louisiana Legislature in 1974, the DDD has spent almost half a century driving the development of New Orleans’ Downtown neighborhood. Over the years, the DDD has invested $6 billion to make Downtown New Orleans the enriched, enlivened and prosperous neighborhood it is today. As part of its efforts, the DDD has increased the overall number of residents and enticed 43 national retailers to the area, made cleanliness and safety top priorities, developed almost 20 percent of vacant or underutilized properties and much more. downtownnola.com
Carnival: Laissez le bon temps rouler!
Pretty soon, parades will be rolling through Downtown — beginning with the Krewe of Oshun on Feb. 6 and ending with the Krewe of Crescent City on Mardi Gras Day (Feb. 17). Roll with all of them, or pick your favorites! New this year, NOLA Brewing has partnered with the Krewe of Muses to develop a Belgian-style brew dubbed Muses. Profits from the sale of these frosty beverages will benefit local charities. We all know what we’ll be drinking on the route! In other news, Endymion will debut the E-TV — a huge, LED screen mounted on a float — showing alternating krewe logos and live images of the parade-going crowd. Plus, Endymion has announced country music singer Luke Bryan as this year’s celebrity monarch. Have a safe and happy Mardi Gras!