New Orleans city leaders began the first phase of a long-anticipated effort to revitalize Canal Street.
The new initiative, called the Canal Street Renaissance, will focus on public safety, code enforcement, infrastructure, and quality-of-life improvements.
Mayor Helena Moreno said reviving the corridor is long overdue and emphasized that the first phase is already underway. Future phases are expected to address pedestrian safety, expand arts and entertainment offerings, recruit new retailers, and fill vacant storefronts.
Sadye Finkel will serve as the Canal Street renaissance coordinator, working with the Downtown Development District and French Quarter Management District. Finkel previously served as Moreno’s chief of staff when Moreno was an at-large City Council member.
Finkel said the initiative will include a review of legislative and zoning barriers, an analysis of economic development incentives and grant programs, and heightened code enforcement.
Public Works Director Steve Nelson said the city completed an assessment of streetlights along Canal Street and identified 20 outages. Six lights have already been repaired, and crews are working on the remaining lights.
Officials are also evaluating traffic-signal timing and equipment age, repairing pedestrian crossing signals, and paving portions of Canal Street.
A curb analysis will examine whether loading zones are properly placed and whether pedestrian connections are as safe as possible.
“The work is intended to reduce crashes and traffic deaths,” Nelson said.
The New Orleans Police Department has also renewed its focus on Canal Street safety during the past six weeks.
Police say they have made 23 narcotics arrests, increased parking and traffic enforcement, and conducted quality-of-life sweeps along the corridor.
Daniel Shanks said the French Quarter and Downtown Development Task Force is working to keep the area clean and safe. The effort includes a new partnership between the French Quarter Management District and the city’s Office of Homeless Services.
Kenny Rubenstein, who owns the iconic Canal Street store Rubensteins, expressed his confidence in the corridor revitalization plan. .
“Canal Street is not going away,” Rubenstein said.
The mayor said the city is also coordinating with Louisiana State Police and Troop NOLA as part of the public-safety effort.
READ MORE:The ‘Canal Street Renaissance’ is already underway. Learn more on the city’s plan for the corridor
