Nearly $75 million in investments have already been made along O.C. Haley Boulevard, City Councilwoman Stacy Head told our partners at WWL, and supporters are hoping the area is next in line for a residential and commercial renaissance akin to that on Freret Street. This weekend’s Crescent City Tour of Homes and O.C. Haley Art Market (as well as Thursday night’s Patron Party) are all intended to showcase the improvements that have already been made to the neighborhood and the potential for future growth.
According to a news release from Head’s office:
New Orleans, LA – November 2, 2011 – Central City is one of New Orleans most important neighborhoods, consistently demonstrating positive and substantive signs of recovery and revitalization post Hurricane Katrina. Central City, where culture meets convenience, is located between the Superdome and the New Orleans Arena, St. Charles Avenue, and Uptown. The neighborhood is an exciting example of commercial and community revitalization.
District “B” Councilmember Stacy Head has represented the historic Central City neighborhood since 2006 and has worked on numerous public safety, housing, community and economic development initiatives on behalf of the neighborhood.
“Central City is undergoing a cultural and economic transformation with emerging small business, commercial development and homeownership opportunities. Entrepreneurs and the City’s most important nonprofit organizations are choosing Central City. Join us for the home tour and the gospel and arts festival and see for yourself the renaissance of a historic neighborhood that is conveniently connected by public transportation to the Central Business District, and Uptown and Downtown neighborhoods. Central City is New Orleans next great rediscovered neighborhood,” said Councilmember Head.
Central City Home Tour & Gospel and Arts Festival
On Saturday, November 12th, the Central City Home Tour will showcase the community’s ongoing economic investment and future possibilities. The home tour, free and open to the public, is a residential and commercial neighborhood open house. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about homeownership and commercial development opportunities, among the neighborhood’s architectural gems.Complementing and simultaneous to the home tour, the Oretha Castle Haley Merchant’s Association – Louisiana Main Street Initiative is hosting the 5th Annual Gospel and Arts Festival, occurring along O.C. Haley Boulevard.
Stroll the streets of Central City and see the exciting revitalization and the numerous opportunities to locate businesses along the traditional commercial corridor of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, formally Dryades Street. During the home tour, expect to take time to browse the Art Market at the Ashé Cultural Center, enjoy fare from among the City’s most popular gourmet food trucks and Café Reconcile’s 2011 Cook-Off. Enjoy the street performances of the Mohawk Hunter Mardi Gras Indians, Bamboula 2000, Ecuadorian dancers and hear the sounds of Shades of Praise, Jo’ Cool Davis, The Jones Sisters and the O. Perry Walker Gospel Choir, among others.
Home Tour Patron Party
To support the home tour and celebrate the history of the neighborhood, a Patron Party will be held on Thursday evening November 10th at 2027 Carondelet Street. The historic Carondelet Street residence was once the home of Thomas P. Leathers, Captain of the Steamboat Natchez. The residence was designed by the New Orleans architect Henry Thiberge and its current owners are Mamie and Ricky Favor. The historic 1859 residence is a legacy of the golden age of steamboats. The late classic revival style brick and plaster mansion was constructed in six months for $24,590. To learn more about this landmark New Orleans home click here. For additional information and to purchase tickets to the patron party, (504) 581-5301 or www.myccra.orgCentral City Neighborhood Activities
What: The Central City Home Tour
Where: Zeitgeist Multi-disciplinary Arts, 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
When: Saturday, November 12, 2011, 10: 00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.What: O.C. Haley Blvd. Main Street Annual Gospel and Arts Festival
Where: Ashé Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard
When: Saturday, November 12, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.What: Central City Home Tour Patron Party
Where: Former Residence of Steamboat Natchez Captain Thomas P. Leathers, 2027 Carondelet St.
When: Thursday, November 10, 2011, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Central City Supporting Community Partners
Associated Neighborhood Development; Builders of Hope; Central City Partnership; Colleen and Greg Lusignan; Divine Yoga; Faubourg Delassize Neighborhood Association; Faubourg Lafayette Neighborhood Association; Felicity Street Redevelopment; Cary and Elizabeth Eckman; Hope EC; Jericho Road Episcopal Housing; The Rex Organization; Hoffman Triangle Neighborhood Association; Neighborhood Development Foundation; Neighborhood Housing Services; New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative; Oretha Castle Haley Merchants and Business Association; Zeitgeist; Bellwether Technology; Central City Renaissance Alliance; Councilmember Stacy Head; Greater New Orleans Foundation; Liberty’s Kitchen; Mamie and Ricky Favor; Preservation Resource Center; The Bank; Urban Earth; Valentino New Orleans Hotels.
