RAIL COMPACT INITIATIVE

December 7, 2013 by Charlie London

November 26, 2013

 

Kristin_Gisleson_PalmerNew Orleans, LA…Last week, District “C” Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer, chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee and chair of the Louisiana Intrastate Rail Compact, shared updates with the public and policy makers on the Rail Compact initiative. On Friday, November 22nd, Gisleson Palmer held a Transportation Committee meeting to discuss the objectives of the Compact. Rachel DiResto, Executive Vice President of the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) presented findings from the CPEX CONNECT Coalition’s research and outreach efforts for the Compact.

Enacted by legislation passed in the 2010 legislative session, the Louisiana Intrastate Rail Compact met for the first time on October 2, 2013 to elect leadership and receive an update on a rail feasibility study underway for the New Orleans to Baton Rouge corridor. The CPEX CONNECT Coalition has been conducting research and outreach along the corridor to facilitate the formation of the Compact. The Compact Committee is comprised of regional leaders, many of whom are interested in exploring regional rail service as a way to increase residents’ access to job opportunities and employer access to the City and region’s workforce among other objectives outlined by the legislature.

Additionally during Friday’s meeting, Mrs. DiResto, Councilmember Gisleson Palmer and other members of the Council discussed CPEX’s annual Smart Growth Summit which was held November 18-20 at the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge. Councilmember Gisleson Palmer was invited to participate in two of the Summit’s panel presentations – one on the Louisiana Intrastate Rail Compact and one showcasing New Orleans’ Complete Streets policy program.

“The Rail Compact and statewide interest in New Orleans’ Complete Streets Policy point to a positive shift in how our local and state officials are viewing public transit,” says Councilmember Gisleson Palmer. “I look forward to advancing these and other transit initiatives to the benefit of our residents and investors looking at our city and region.”

About Complete Streets: 

In 2011, Gisleson Palmer authored the first Complete Streets ordinance in Louisiana which mandates that all roadways must be constructed and designed for all users. The ordinance was successfully adopted by the City Council and supported by the Mayor and the Administration. The program has been in effect since 2012. Some examples of Complete Street roadways that were recently redesigned are Esplanade Avenue, General Meyer Boulevard, and North Peters Street and Decatur Street in the French Quarter. Design and planning requirements of the Complete Streets program make roadways user-friendly and promote alternate means of transportation such as walking and biking. This means that roadways are more accessible and more safe for all users.

About the Louisiana Intrastate Rail Compact: 

Act #858, passed in the 2010 Legislative session, authorized the creation of a Louisiana Intrastate Rail Compact with the goals of developing and improving an efficient, safe and well-maintained system of rail and other transit ways. Officers of the Rail Compact Chairperson – New Orleans City Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer, Vice-Chair – Cornelius Lewis, Baton Rouge appointee and Secretary/Treasurer – Ryland Percy, Ascension Parish appointee.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: council, district c, New Orleans, palmer

Mary Cunningham Gets Things Done

July 18, 2012 by Charlie London

Faubourg St. John neighbor Richard Angelico contacted Mary Cunningham who works in Councilmember Palmer’s office (District C) about a limb hit by an 18 wheeler on Grand Route St John, directly across the street from 3229 Grand Route Saint John. Mr. Angelico said the limb was dangling dangerously and mixed up in electric wires. Ms. Cunningham immediately took action. She contacted Parks and Parkways, Entergy and the N.O.P.D. to help.

Within minutes, yes I said minutes, vehicles from Entergy and Parks and Parkways arrived on the scene to remove the dangerous limb.

Many thanks to Ms. Cunningham for her quick action on this dangerous situation!

Give Ms. Cunningham a call at 504.658.1030 to let her know Faubourg St. John is truly grateful for wonderful folks like her!

Security cam photo of the truck that hit the tree.

PARKS and PARKWAYS
The Department of Parks and Parkways is responsible for the maintenance of city trees. These are the trees on public property such as neutral grounds, parks and those trees between the sidewalk and the street. The Department responds to requests for tree removal, tree trimming and stump removal. The Department places primary importance on the issues of public safety and prioritizes its work accordingly. Citizens have the option of hiring an arborist and paying to have work done to a city tree in front of their property. This work must be done by a Louisiana licensed and insured arborist and requires a written permit from the Department of Parks and Parkways. The arborist must obtain the free permit. A non-comprehensive list of qualified arborists is available. Stumps may be removed without a permit but should be done only by a licensed contractor with insurance to protect the homeowner in case of accidents. The Department of Public Works has determined that the repair of sidewalks is the respnsiblity of the adjacent property owner. You may contact them at (504) 658-8000. A sidewalk bridging detail, (download here), is available which will allow the citizen to repair the sidewalk while accommodating the roots of the tree and minimizing the need for future repairs. Contact us for more information, to report a city tree problem, or to request pruning or removal.

ENTERGY
Entergy is committed to maintaining its infrastructure in a manner that helps ensure the safety of its employees, customers, and community. Part of that commitment is trimming or removing trees that are too close to the power lines and may be likely to cause power outages or create a safety hazard.

Filed Under: More Great Posts! Tagged With: bayou, bayou st john, council, district c, entergy, faubourg, faubourg st john, kristin palmer, mary cunningham, New Orleans, office, parks and parkways

District C Photo Winners

May 2, 2012 by Charlie London

Recently, Councilmember Palmer, who represents District C held a photo contest. Participants sent in photos they thought best represented their neighborhood. The winners are listed below:

First Place (tie)
French Quarter Ghosts of the Past by Daniel C. Hochradel
Old Point Bar – Algiers Point, 2011 by Shawn Stallard

Second Place
Indian – Treme by Michelle Hamilton

Third Place (tie)
Friday Before Mardi Gras – Bourbon by Steven Guidry
Armstrong Park – New Orleans, 2012 by Shawn Stallard

Honorable Mention

All Ways – St. Claude Ave. by Johnny Gembitsky
Late Winter Shadows – St. Louis Street by Karen L. Allayaud

More soon about the upcoming exhibit!

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