Businesses in New Orleans’ French Quarter are reporting a drop in foot traffic and revenue as ongoing construction projects disrupt the area, leading the city to launch initiatives to support affected establishments.
The construction, which includes sewerage and water board projects near Dumaine and Decatur streets, has created challenges for local businesses. Ali Mohammad with Christmas Quarters said, “We’re losing customers because of this barricade, and it’s hurting all the business and all the blocks where they have.”
The decline in traffic has been significant, with one neighboring business, Cafe Sbisa, forced to close its doors. In response, the city’s marketing department has placed signs to inform visitors that businesses remain open despite the construction. “We created some wayfinding for those businesses to just to help people understand that may see a fence here but these businesses are open,” Jeremy Cooker with New Orleans and Company said.
New Orleans and Company has also launched a summer campaign to promote the French Quarter and encourage tourists and locals to visit the area. “The summer campaign includes a wide mix of tactics, included connected, TV, online video which is like video you see embedded in websites, YouTube display, which is like those big expanding banners that happen on websites where we can feature more of the city,” Cooker said.
Business owners are eager for the construction to be completed. “We need to get those barricades down,” one owner said. Another added, “They can put down the green curtains, people can see there are businesses on the other side.”
The Sewerage and Water Board stated during a council meeting that the construction is expected to be completed by September. Councilmember King addressed the issue, saying, “We recognize that ongoing construction along Decatur Street has created challenges for many local businesses. While these infrastructure improvements are important for the long-term benefit of the area, we are committed to working with stakeholders to identify ways to support affected businesses through improved communication, promotion, and access during the construction period. It is important that we work together with the business community to provide meaningful assistance.”
As construction continues, the city and local organizations are working to ensure businesses can endure the disruption and recover once the projects are finished.
READ MORE:French Quarter businesses struggle during construction as city launches support efforts
