Newsletter

Touro Bouligny Neighborhood News - Spring, 2009

Spring/Summer 2009
Touro Bouligny Newsletter
A publication of the Touro Bouligny Neighborhood Association
www.tourobouligny.com

INSIDE TH IS ISSUE
1 Best of Gardens Competition
1 Author Stephen Rea: On Living in Touro Bouligny
2 Best of Gardens Winner
3 Crocker Arts and Technology School
3 Be the Difference.
4 Community Action – Blighted Housing
5 Community Action – Blighted Housing
6 Editorial
7 2009 TBNA Memberships
8 Night Out Against Crime Block Party

On Living in Touro Bouligny
Stephen Rea
Author & Resident
Although my hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland is
more than 4,000 miles away from Touro Bouligny
physically, and a million miles away culturally and
climatically, I have found that there are a remarkable
number of similarities between the two as well.
My North Carolinian wife Julie and I moved to the
neighborhood five years ago in the summer of 2004. As
I wrote in my book Finn McCool's Football Club - The
Birth, Death and Resurrection of a Pub Soccer Team in
the City of the Dead: "We’d only planned to stay in New
Orleans for a year, but the place has a way of burning
into your skin and we decided to plant some roots... It
reminded me of Belfast in the way it felt like a small
village rather than a large city, and I’d often meet
people I knew in shops or bars - I reunited with my
friend Ray whom I’d lost touch with and hadn’t seen in
seven years when I bumped into him on the street. I
also loved the informality and the lack of pretence: The
first time we met our Porsche-driving neighbor Rob he
was in his garden wearing nothing but a pair of boxers,
holding a beer and cooling himself off with a garden
hose."

Although both of us had visited New Orleans before,
neither Julie nor I knew it well when we decided to live
here. On my week-long bachelor party in 2000 I had
stayed in a house on Napoleon six blocks north of St
Charles, so when we arrived in the city we started our
hunt for rented accommodation in this area. After five
days of intensive searching it was still our favorite part
of the city, and after renting for eight months on
Peniston we bought a house literally around the corner
on Perrier. The places are so close together we didn't
even need a car to move and simply carried most of
our stuff to our new home.

We like being halfway between the Quarter and
Audubon Park. It’s a short drive to either and I’ve even
walked to both on occasions, and one of our biggest
attractions is that we have so much within strolling
distance. I’m guessing there are very few other cities in
the States which has so much to offer within a short
dander - parks and playgrounds for the kids, lively bars
for the adults, and unique restaurants and boutique
shops for the family. Indeed after Katrina I briefly
evacuated to California, and though we had considered
moving out West after Louisiana a few days there put
paid to that. I could not live in a place where you have
to drive five miles just to buy a gallon of milk.
But of course there is something much more important
than where your house is or the district’s architectural
qualities, and that is the people who make up your
neighborhood. The location attracted us here, but it is
the great friends and neighbors we have which has
kept us in Touro Bouligny. 􀂙

Much of Stephen Rea’s nonfiction book Finn McCool's
Football Club - The Birth, Death and Resurrection of a
Pub Soccer Team in the City of the Dead is set in the
Touro Bouligny district. Signed copies are available
from both Garden District Books and Borders.
www.stephen-rea.com
Author of: Finn McCool's Football Club - The Birth,
Death and Resurrection of a Pub Soccer Team in the
City of the Dead.

Best of Gardens Competition
Christopher Quail
Editor

There are many beautiful gardens in our neighborhood.
The hidden backyard ones can only be glimpsed
through a gate or over a fence. Sometimes the tranquil
beauty of these, often surrounding a pool, are almost
seductively tranquilizing. One could fall in the pool if
there! However, these private hideaways could not,
obviously, be judged in this competition. The judges
(one was a professional gardener) had to compare
front gardens only and how each matched up to the
charm and style of the home it fronted and enhanced.
There were so many it was difficult to pick out the best
five let alone the best two, the last of which was done
through the kindness of two ladies from Parkway
Partners - Ms. Jean Fahr, the Executive Director, and
her assistant Joanna Albrecht. They took photographs
which will be shown in the next issues of their
newsletter online. (www.parkwaypartnersNOLA.org)

The best gardens, those ranked the highest, were all
well planned and maintained. One, 3711 Chestnut,
was in the English Garden style; the flowers seem to
run wild but are planned that way. 3812 in the next
block had fig ivy on the porch banister and lovely
hanging baskets. 3427 had pretty Japanese Magnolia.
The layered hedges of Karl Katz Antiques on Magazine
Street were very attractive, next door to the bright
bougainvillea at 3939 Magazine. Wirthmore Antiques
had some lovely hedged roses. At 1210 Peniston the
Jasmine hedge in all its glory and the hanging baskets
caught the judges’ eyes as did lots of miniature roses
at 3917 Camp. Further up Camp at 4011, the topiary
maples were effectively maintained to attract attention.
3935 Chestnut was particularly lovely and well planned.
The frontage of the Hampton Inn was very pleasant
and the massed flower baskets at Superior Grille were
outstanding. (We can hope they will do something
similar with the old Copeland’s at the corner of St.
Charles and Napoleon!) This article cannot mention
every garden which came to the attention of the judges,
nor are the ones mentioned here necessarily the top
listed. We do want to mention – “honorably” mention –
the large well kept and laid out frontage of St.
Elizabeth’s, especially the left wing. This glorious
building deserves such a great gardener’s touch.
On behalf of the TBNA we should like to thank all those
who take so much care to present a beautiful face to
our narrow tree-lined streets. We can sympathize with
those who cannot find the time or the energy to do
much with their own front yards and we give thanks
there are very few areas overgrown or run down. In
general we have a horticulturally bountiful, beautiful
neighborhood; a joy to live in, a delight to visiting and
residential eyes and a source of satisfaction to all.
Please neighbors, keep up the good work. 􀂙

Best of Gardens Competition Winner:
1118 Amelia
Congratulations!
Best of Gardens Competition:

2nd Place:
3711 Chestnut Street
Congratulations!
Our thanks to Parkway Partners for judging
and providing prizes.

Crocker Arts and Technology Charter School,
Future Tenant of the Free School Building
Olga Smoak
TBNA Board Member
Crocker Arts and Technology School (CATS) a small, successful public charter
school, is a future tenant of the building formerly occupied by the Free School at the corner of Camp and Foucher. They were previously located at 1700 Pratt Drive. We are ready to welcome CATS and wish it well in our Touro Bouligny neighborhood.

CATS opened its doorsteps in August of 2008 with students from kindergarten to second grade and will add third grade for the year 2009-2010. At this time, matriculation is still open for K through third grade. CATS is based on a rigorous academic program enhanced by arts and technology. The curriculum is supported by an excellent computer laboratory and by programs in visual arts, dance and theatre. It expects, among other things, to prepare students for NOCCA, with which it is creating a “special relationship." In addition CATS is planning a music program with emphasis on piano and violin. These programs include additional classroom time resulting in a longer school day. CATS invites you to its First Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser "The Cat is Out of the Bag." This festive event will be held on Saturday, June 13th, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Arthur Roger Gallery Project Space, 730
Tchoupitoulas St. The admission price of $25.00 goes to fund the school's Arts and Technology Programs. If anyone is interested in donation items for auction or purchasing tickets, please contact CATS Board President Grisela Jackson at 504-952-4049.

For more information about Crocker Arts and Technology School, visit www.crockercats.org.

Special Recognition for Neighborhood Service
One of the TBNA founders and long serving board member, Nelson Jones reached the august age of 90
in January 2009. As we have valued and continue to value his counsel, Mr. Nelson Jones was presented
with an engraved silver tray with the inscription: Nelson B. Jones, Honorary Life Board Member,
Extraordinary Dedication and Service, Touro Bouligny Association. Mr. Jones, over the years, has invested a significant amount of personal time before the City Planning Commission and the City Council defending the residential zoning aspects of the Touro Bouligny Neighborhood, preventing commercial and medial encroachment that would have changed the face of the residential character of the Touro Bouligny. It wasn’t too many years ago that commercial and medical interests were intent on replacing a significant part of the structures in the residential areas with facilities to serve their interest. This would have made the Touro Bouligny neighborhood an appendage to these other interests; much like the residents of Central City are experiencing with the medical complex issues.

Mr. Jones and a few others were not to let that happen, and from their efforts we have the intact community that we enjoy today. Where and who are current activists who will carry on and guard the vital interests of maintaining the character, desirability, and livability of the Touro Bouligny Neighborhood? It takes people to preserve the community we live in. Who will volunteer? We need you. Just as we need volunteers to help with community activities. A few cannot do it all. We need help with Night Out Against Crime Party on August 4th. Who is willing to go to City Council meetings and City Planning Commission hearings to defend the proposed changes to zoning or proposals to raze a property?

Sign up by emailing me at nolasmokehouse@aol.com or by mail at P.O. Box 750290, NOLA 70175.
“I volunteer!” Do it!

Community Action Items
James Smoak
TBNA President
If you recall in the previous new circulars there was
discussion of plans to relocate the 2nd district NOPD
headquarters from the corner of Magazine and
Napoleon to a location further uptown closer to the
levee. It is our understanding that the idea has been
scratched, and as the representatives from NOPD’s
2nd District clarified at the neighborhood meeting on
April 28, 2009, the 2nd District will probably stay
where it is.

As discussed previously is the new fast food outlet at
corner of Magazine and Louisiana; an illegally
permitted fast-food outlet – Hot Wok - that the Touro
Bouligny and the Garden District opposed. By our
persuasion, Paul May, Director of Safety and Permits,
pressured the Hot Wok to it convert to table service
format (restaurant in lieu of fast food) or face a forced
closure. The Hot Wok name has changed to Green
Tea and now has table service to qualify as a
restaurant.

The corner of Napoleon and St. Charles, formerly
Copeland’s, is to be converted to a seafood outlet
owned by Superior Grill. The design has been
reviewed and vetted by the Historic District Landmarks
Commission (HDLC) and the St. Charles Avenue
Association. The design renderings were posted at
the neighborhood meeting April 28, 2009, to show the
perspective angles on both Napoleon and St. Charles
Avenues.

The Exxon property at Louisiana and St. Charles is in
the process of being converted to a branch of the First
Bank and Trust Company. The architect’s rendering
of the building is posted on a display board on the
corner. Plans were vetted by the St. Charles Avenue
Association and the HDLC, since that corner is
included in a local historic district. The building will
have 19th century lines and embellishments for
community harmony.

Borders Books has opened – corner Louisiana and
St. Charles – after a beautiful renovation of the old
Bultman Funeral Home.

Previously discussed was the property owned by
Howard Russell that was becoming blighted, located
at 4235 Coliseum St. (Corner of Gen.Pershing St.).
Substantial rework was undertaken following
complaints filed with the Code Enforcement Office,
and work continues to be done. Mr. Clarence
Wolbrette, a neighbor of the Russell property, has
pressed this matter to its current state. We all owe
him a debt of thanks.

Another blighted property is at 1303–05 Peniston St.
(previously discussed) which is owned by Mercier
Realty and Investments. This property, gutted and
boarded before Katrina, had sagging siding and vines
growing on parts of the structure creating blight that
was progressively advancing and needed to be
addressed in short order. Some work was undertaken
following complaints filed by neighbors in the vicinity
with the Code Enforcement Office. Siding was
replaced, windows and doors sealed up, and a coat of
paint was applied uniformly to the whole structure.
The lawyer for the owner, Mr. Peter Nass, indicated
that the owner plans nothing more than has been
done, since the city cannot require any interior work.
The boarded-up condition will likely continue. At the
neighborhood meeting, April 28, 2009, this location
was discussed with Councilwoman Stacy Head as to
the neighborhood options. Ms. Head advised that as
long as taxes are paid and grass is cut and the
exterior is maintained, the owner cannot be forced to
do more. This issue bears continued neighborhood
surveillance and monitoring.

At the neighborhood meeting April 28, 2009, a few of
other properties were discussed: one at corner of
Napoleon and Perrier (downtown river),the caretaker’s
cottage on Camp near Foucher Streets and the
antebellum house at 3430 Coliseum. The Napoleon
property is literally falling apart if observed from the
side and rear and is getting overgrown. Ms. Head
suggested that neighbors take pictures and submit
them to the Code Enforcement office for possible
action. However, she underlined that it is more difficult
to act on occupied property, as compared to vacant
property; but with perseverance action is possible.
Ms. Head stressed that any communications re the
code enforcement be copied to her office
shead@cityofno.com and also to the 2nd NOPD District
Quality of Life Officer, Edgar Staehle
estaehle@cithofno.com . Officer Staehle said that he
could check the property to verify and report the blight
condition. The 3430 Coliseum property owner had
petitioned the city for permission to tear-down;
neighbors objected and this was refused. The owner
was fined and given 6 months to rectify code violations
of the vacant property. The deadline is June 6, 2009.
Ms. Head said to give her office a call on June 7, 2009,
if action is not being taken or if no progress is evident.
She will immediately get with code enforcement on the
matter. Two weeks ago, a team of workers (6 or so)
from Chicago with a team leader associated with the
National Historic Trust, moved into 3430 Coliseum with
the owner’s permission to begin a restoration (That’s
what the team leader says). The team leader is to
teach the others (apprentices) about historic restoration
as they reside on the property. This development is
reallya a major milestone for a property that has been a
neighborhood problem for so long. The caretaker’s
cottage is a different story, said Ms. Head, since it is
RSD (School) property on site of the New Orleans Free
School (Academy). Only the School Board can resolve
this condition and so far it has not responded to
neighborhood concerns nor to proposals from the
Preservation Resource Center (PRC). Since this
discussion new developments have occurred with the
Free School site.

Changes at the Free School site: The T-P in an April
22, 2009, article reported that the board of the Free
School voted to cede the charter and end its
association with the company managing the charter
(lack of progress), and also the end the existence of
the Free School. However, just this week, May 14,
2009, the RSD has verbally agreed to provide this
Camp Street facility to another charter school, the
Crocker Arts and Technology School (Cats), a K to 3 to
be expanded gradually to a K to 5 school. This school
has an association with Vassar College, but an
independent board that provides oversight
management. Eventually the CATs will occupy a new
facility on General Taylor near Freret, but at that site a
building must be razed and a new one constructed; a
process that may take up to 5 years. In the meantime,
maybe, just maybe, some action may be possible
about the caretaker’s cottage.

The neighborhood needs to be involved and proactive
to assure that blight does not get a foothold in this
community…..This is your community – only you can
do it!! Code and blight issues should be addressed to
the Office of Recovery and Development, Bureau of
Administration, Code Enforcement, 1340 Poydras St.
Suite 1100, New Orleans, LA 70112. (You can fax to
658 – 4368) or (you can send by email to
nebutler@cityofno.com)

Other Matters at April 28, 2009, Meeting
Re: Churchs closed by the Archbishop. The church
property, if not being used for religious purposes,
should not retain the tax exempt status. If citizens
agree, they are urged to contact the assessor and
petition for consideration of a change.

Re: Trash collection before sunrise. Several residents
were critical of Richard’s for starting too early and
disturbing neighbors from a deep slumber. This was
especially galling to those who have guests in B&Bs
who are roused long before sunup. The Quality of Life
officer agreed that a conversation with Richards may
be helpful. Richards was invited to the meeting but did
not come. 􀂙

Touro Bouligny
Neighborhood
Association
Board
James B. Smoak
President
891-4770
Juan Barreto
897-5511
Virginia Brunet
895-5948
Marian Chainski
891-5430
Peter Dorsett
894-1909
Kirk Groome
865-0320
Joyce Hunter
895-2925
Nelson Jones
891-6568
Damian Kulas
899-6465
Harold Longaker
899-8841
Christopher Quail
891-0979
Stephen Rea
371-5041
Chris Reade
299-8333
Olga Smoak
891-4770

Editorial
Christopher Quail
As one of the judges of the Beautiful Garden competition I sat in the car
as we drove back and forth, up and down, crossing the whole
neighborhood, only stopping when there was a possible “candidate” for
the winning two gardens. Our neighborhood, so well laid out by
Bouligny, or his engineers, (the French are good at this as they are at
formal gardens), is a multitude of little squares or blocks. There is
nothing rambling or fortuitous in its design as there might be in an
“English” garden. You could say we are a geographically organized
community. No wonder the builders have built such lovely homes all so
different but all similar. Only an occasional modernity breaks the historic
pattern or an unfortunate edifice that escaped the city planners’
sanctions of yesteryear – if these then existed. The very beauty and
order of all this brings about community or helps built it. It is up to the
residents to comply with an orderly existence, to seek peace and beauty
in their lives and surroundings, to take care of the environment, to watch
out for others, to report destructive forces or tendencies at war with this
socially desirable style of living and its peace.

The world is torn apart by warring factions and ideological extremists
who try to impose their views and ways of life on others. Here in TBN
we can allow the gift we have been given shape us as neighbors with
gratitude and pleasure. Do we know our neighbor next door, in that big
corner house, in that little row of attached homes, in that jewel set in a
lovely garden? Do we know them enough to help them in a disaster,
hurricane, tornado, flood or even a domestic need? Maybe it would be a
good idea to work up to this – going out of our way to find out who might
need us next door, in the next block or three blocks away, older folk,
women with young children. Order and unity in our universe, both local
and cosmic, is best evidence in the variety and multitude of its parts.
Preservation of one leads to preservation of the other.

As a great theologian wrote centuries ago so acutely – we might today
say, “cutely” – “The simplicity (technical term in that theology) of God is
best honored and praised in the multiplicity of created things.” We are a
race of beings best defined by differences yet united in similarities.
Houses, flowers, gardens, neighborhoods, people. What a joy.
Personally I delight in creation. Don’t you? 􀂙

Touro Bouligny 2009 Memberships
The Touro Bouligny wants to recognize the many residents and businesses who have taken out memberships for 2009 to support to ongoing activities of the neighborhood. Thank you all for this extra interest in making our neighborhood a desirable location in which to live in New Orleans. If you have not yet contributed, please consider joining up for 2009. You can download the membership application and mail it in - businesses, renters and homeowners.
Thank you -

Andrew & Brandy Gilly
Anonymous
Arthur & Marion Strauss
Ashley and Benjamin Gootee
Audrey Preston
Cathy McGehee
Cathy Powell
Charles and Kent Davis
Christine Keating
Christopher and Florence Quail
David Huete
David Leefe
Deborah Grant
Dr. Brenda Mabry
Edgar and Cathryn Smith
Edward and Patricia Frosch
Edwards Shoe Service
Elizabeth Fowler
Guy and Loretta Corbett
Hank & Lynn Longaker
Hugh Curtis
Hugh Ettinger
James & Deborah Barbeau
James and Olga Smoak
James Doherty MacMaison, Ltd.
Jane Buie
Jeffry Mazzant
Jill Lindberg, M.D.
Jim and Becky Moss
Joan Coulter
Joyce Griener
Joyce McGee
Karen Vincent
Katy Beh Contemporary Jewelry,
LLC
Kevin Stone
Kevin Stone Antiques
Kimberly Austin & Sandy Miller
Leslie Snider
Lizbeth Ann Turner
Lynn Latham & Bernard
Lechowick
Margaret Gilbert
Michael and Kathleen Schorr
Mr. & Mrs. Hans Luetkemeier
Myles Barrett
Neal Auction Co., Inc.
Oliver Miles
Orient Expressed Imports, Inc.
Ricky and Cheryl Dietz
Robert & Venus Masakowski
Ronald Demilio
Ruth Gairen
Samuel and Kathy Boyd
Sanford & Grace Kaynor
Sarah Covert
Seth Knudsen
Stephanie Tortu
Steven Koeppel
Vince and Erica Avila
Virginia Brunet

NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY
Date:  Tuesday, August 4th (rain date, august 5th)
Time:  6-8:30 pm
Place:  3900 Block of Camp (between Austerliz and Constantinople)
Cost: $5 adults/$3 seniors/$1 children

There will be food and beverages, music, raffle items donated from Magazine Street Merchants, and a silent auction. Items to be auctioned and raffled will be posted on the web site as they are received.

Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs for a fun evening with all of your neighbors.

Touro Bouligny Neighborhood News – December 2008

First, a little history about some of the street names in our area for those who are new in the neighborhood and others who may not have seen the prior references. Part of Touro Bouligny was originally in the development of the Faubourg Bouligny in 1834. The surveyor Charles Zimple drew a plan for the Faubourg. The Jefferson Parish surveyor Pierre-Benjamin Buisson, who served as an officer in Napoleon’s army, is credited with naming the streets which are named for cities with connections to the French emperor. Originally, the Faubourg Bouligny boundary ran along St. Charles Avenue (then called Nyades Street) from Upperline Street to Lowerline Street (now called General Taylor Street). The actual Touro Bouligny neighborhood now includes part of the section of this old Faubourg Bouligny from Napoleon Avenue to General Taylor Street. The first street below Napoleon was named Berlin after the Prussian capital that Napoleon occupied after his victory at Jena but was changed to General Pershing Street at time of World War I. Streets that follow are Milan and Marengo that honor Napoleon’s victories in 1796 and 1800, and Constantinople and finally Austerlitz which is named for the site of the French victory over the Austrians in 1805.

Faubourg Bouligny was part of Jefferson City in 1850, thus being part of Jefferson Parish until annexed by New Orleans in 1870. The streetcar line was constructed in 1835 which influenced the urbanization of the Faubourg Bouligny development.

CORNER ACTIVITY

At Corner of St. Charles and Louisiana Avenues the Border’s bookstore opened this December 2008; a great addition to the community; already the parking is challenging, but on a pleasant day it’s a nice walk-over from our neighborhood. Across St. Charles from Border’s, the First National Bank of Commerce plans a full service bank and with its architect William Sizeler has presented the plans to the Historic District Landmarks Commission. Across Louisiana from Border’s, the site previously an Exxon station is for sale. Closed since Katrina and now vacant more than 3 years, it has lost its non-conforming use permit for the site.

At Corner of Napoleon and St. Charles the former Copeland’s Cajun American Café site will be taken over by the Superior Grill owners who have plans to open a seafood restaurant. Across the Avenue diagonally from the proposed restaurant, the Capital One Bank has completed its drive-thru facility with a small bank lobby, ATM, and bank telephone.

(The American Planning Association has named St. Charles Avenue as one of the ten “Great American Streets”. The streetcar has been designated a National Historic Landmark, approved by the State of Louisiana Office of Historic Preservation and the United States National Park Service.)

At Corner of Magazine and Napoleon the city plans to relocate the 2^nd district NOPD headquarters as soon as a new facility can be built. The time frame for the new building may be in the range of 18 months. The new headquarters will be near the Childrens’ Hospital by the levee (highest ground in the area). The current HQ building is a 19^th century designated historic landmark facility, so there will be a need to recycle this building for as yet an undetermined purpose. The City may ask the community for use ideas. Now that Magazine Street has been designated a Cultural Arts District (which allows shop owners to sell original art free of state tax) there is the potential to integrate the NOPD HQ building into the Arts District as a cultural outlet.

At Corner of Magazine and Louisiana the brick mini-mall owner petitioned the city to revise the conditional use (CU) permit to include the fast-food Subway outlet. Subway had been granted a permit to open without going through the established city hall approval process. City Planning Commission refused but City Council agreed, because the owner threatened suit if not passed; this was over the opposition of the Touro Bouligny and the Garden District. However, as a compromise, the owner, Touro Bouligny, and the Garden District executed a Good Neighbor Agreement and Restrictive Covenants (notarized) that will be recorded in the conveyance records of Orleans Parish and shall run with the Restricted property as provided in the Louisiana Civil Code p|650 et. seq. and shall be binding upon future owners, tenants, and operators. If the Subway ceases to operate for a period greater than 90 days, the permit for operation terminates. Additionally, the Chinese Hot Wok that was near the Blockbuster has revamped its outlet from solely a fast food take-out to a restaurant format and has changed the name to Green Tea. The Hot Wok was an illegally permitted fast-food outlet that the Touro Bouligny and the Garden District opposed, and by persuasion, Paul May, Director of Safety and Permits, put the pressure on the Hot Wok to convert to table service format or face a forced closure. The Hot Wok was not part of the revised CU permit action involving the owner and Subway.

INTERIOR RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY

The Touro Bouligny Neighborhood is a community of mostly well kept properties, but there are exceptions where particular attention is lacking. As a rule, the owners of such properties are not residents of the neighborhood but absentee landowners. Two properties that were in an advanced state of blight in the Touro Bouligny were targeted for code enforcement.

One property that was becoming blighted is located at 4235 Coliseum St. (Corner of Gen.Pershing St.) owned by Howard Russell. Complaints were filed with the Code Enforcement Office and the property was on an Administrative Adjudication Docket for a hearing that addressed blighted properties on July 2, 2008. Two Touro Bouligny residents were present to press the issue and suggested that further action would ensue if action were not taken to restore the property to residential acceptability. The lawyer for H. Russell – Richard Richthofen (899-7949) – requested that the neighborhood wait 30 days before taking action because he personally would see that restoration work would start on the Coliseum property within two weeks. As anyone can see who has passed by this site, substantial work has been done and continues to be done. The neighborhood can give thanks to Mr. Clarence Wolbrette, a neighbor of the Russell property, who has pressed this matter to its current state.

Another property that was blighted is at 1303 –05 Peniston St. owned by Mercier Realty and Investments. The property was gutted and boarded before Katrina, but the siding was falling off and vines were also growing on various parts of the structure. The blight was progressively advancing and needed to be addressed in short order. Neighbors in the vicinity had expressed concern about the condition and had spoken with the owner directly to no avail. A letter and pictures were delivered by hand on July 9^th(2008) to Dr. Blakely’s Office – Office of Recovery and Development, Bureau of Administration, Code Enforcement, with a request that this property be declared blighted and put on the Administrative Adjudication Docket for action to either prod the owner to fix up the property or put it on the market so someone could restore the property or let the NORA (New Orleans Recovery Authority)appropriate and market the property. Councilwoman Stacy Head and Dr. Ed Blakely, at the neighborhood’s request, included this property to be observed on one of their recent Saturday morning walks for identifying blighted properties that need action. Action was initiated. On November 24^th this property was listed by Code Enforcement for a hearing scheduled on December 8, 2008. The day it was listed, the owner sent a crew to begin repairing the exterior! At the Hearing on 12-08-08, the lawyer for the owner tried to spin the issue as if the blight were Katrina related when in fact Katrina had little effect on the property. This fact was pointed out by the Touro Bouligny representative present at the hearing. The owner was fined hearing cost ($75) and a code violation fine of $250. The lawyer for the owner, Mr. Peter Nass, took umbrage at the comments by the neighborhood representative and retorted that Code Enforcement can only require external remediation and not internal work. The lawyer further indicated that the neighborhood would get little cooperation from the owner to complete rehabilitation and that the boarded-up condition will likely continue. This issue bears continued neighborhood surveillance and monitoring.

The neighborhood needs to be involved and proactive to assure that blight does not get a foothold in this community…..Code and blight issues should be addressed to the Office of Recovery and Development, Bureau of Administration, Code Enforcement, 1340 Poydras St. Suite 1100, New Orleans, LA 70112. ( You can fax to 658 – 4368) (or you can send by email to nebutler@cityofno.com)

MAGAZINE STREET ITEM OF INTEREST

As was reported earlier the Red Velvet Hookah Lounge at 4224-26 Magazine Street had petitioned for a permit to establish a cocktail bar and lounge, that would include late night hours. It was not granted by the City Council. The Lounge was subsequently observed (by owner of Feet First) selling alcoholic beverages and confirmed by undercover ABC (Alcohol and Beverage Control) personnel; the lounge was cited for the violation of selling without a permit. The Lounge has now closed.

TOURO BOULIGNY SECURITY DISTRICT

The CPA review of the Touro Bouligny Security District’s first year operations has been completed and will be posted on the following web site of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. www.lla.la.gov

The millage rate for 2009 related to the Security District funding remains unchanged from the 2008 rate of 7.8 mills. This is a substantially less than the initial millage assessment of 12.8 mills.

The Metro Security, Inc. is the contracted service for the neighborhood patrols. Presently there is one 24-hour everyday patrol plus an 8-hour daily patrol for the period 4:00 PM to 12:00 midnight. There is also a Saturday foot patrol for Magazine Street between Louisiana and Napoleon. Please use the patrol services for your own safety needs by calling 635-5421 to assure that the holidays are enjoyable and free of any unpleasant incidences. Please do let the patrol know if you will be away for any part of the holidays so they can routinely check your property during the patrol, and do leave your porch and garden lights on at all times.

Touro Bouligny Neighborhood and Security District Boards wish you all happy holidays.