Canal Street revival plan starts with fixing the basics
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Canal Street is busy with streetcars, vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Mayor Helena Moreno is betting that if City Hall can get the basics right on Canal Street, private investment will follow.
Why it matters: Canal Street is one of the city's most prominent commercial corridors, and its condition often shapes how residents and visitors view downtown.
The big picture: A newly announced initiative formalizes work already underway, including public safety efforts and infrastructure repairs, while laying out longer-term goals for redevelopment.
- Moreno signed an executive order creating the Canal Street Renaissance Initiative and named her former chief of staff Sayde Finkle as its director.
- It puts direct focus on the 15 blocks from Claiborne Avenue to the Mississippi River, Moreno says.
- It builds on the efforts from the citizen-led Celebrate Canal Coalition.
Zoom in: The initiative brings together city agencies, law enforcement and business groups under one strategy.
- The Downtown Development District and French Quarter Management District are also partners, bringing funding and operational support.
- NOPD, Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana National Guard will focus on public safety.
- The city's health department will work with unhoused residents to connect them with resources, while other city agencies tackle infrastructure improvements, cleanliness and code enforcement.
What he's saying: "I think there's no reason that this can't rival streets like Times Square," Councilmember Freddie King III said at Tuesday's press conference.
- "We have the people. We have the culture, but it starts with doing the smaller things and getting the little things right," he said.
- Added City Council President JP Morrell, "I know a lot of us who are from here, we all like to talk about Bourbon Street, but Canal Street is New Orleans' Main Street."
Zoom out: The current phase focuses on visible improvements, including repairing sidewalks, fixing lights and enforcing quality-of-life ordinances.
- Future phases will focus on recruiting new retailers, activating upper-floor development and expanding cultural programming.
- They'll study incentives to entice businesses, along with cracking down on building code violations.
- Morrell says the council also will explore ways to require Canal Street building owners to utilize their upper floors.
State of play: The announcement comes a few weeks after Moreno unveiled a similar long-term investment strategy for New Orleans East.
- Both initiatives pair improvements to infrastructure and quality of life with efforts to attract private development.
- Neither relies on major new city spending. Instead, Moreno is coordinating existing departments and resources while pursuing outside investment.
The bottom line: "I want people who come visit Canal Street to say, 'Wait a second. Wow, things feel different,'" Moreno said.
