linear park

Lafitte Greenway Update

March 2, 2015 by Charlie London

The Final Stretch: Greenway Construction News

Tree-planting began on the Lafitte Greenway this month. The City’s construction contractor has started work on the final stretch of the Greenway from N Alexander Street to Carrollton Avenue. Construction is approximately 80 percent complete and on track to open this spring. Read the full DPW update.

Lafitte Greenway at Carrollton Avenue

Great American Clean-Up: Lafitte Corridor

Friends of Lafitte Corridor and NOLA Trash Mob are hosting a Great American Cleanup of the neighborhoods surrounding the Lafitte Greenway. Join us for coffee and pastries, and a great cleanup of the Corridor.

Over the past two years, NOLA Trash Mob, an all-volunteer litter-fighting group, has picked up over 9 tons of trash from New Orleans streets on weekly mobs.

When: Sunday, March 8th
(Sunday date chosen to accommodate 30 University of Georgia students that are generously spending their spring break volunteering in New Orleans)

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Coffee & Pastries provided by Mid-City Market

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Trash Mob: Head out in groups to clean up the Corridor

Where: Jeff Davis Parkway & Lafitte Street (501 N Jefferson Davis Pkwy)

RSVP for the Facebook event, and invite your friends!

Greenway Art: Water Challenge Civic Design Pitch Competition

Help select the first public art installation on the Lafitte Greenway by attending the Water Challenge Art Pitch. In January, Arts Council New Orleans and Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation issued a call to artists to propose designs for a $25,000 art installation for the Lafitte Greenway at Jefferson Davis Parkway on the theme of living with water.

The three finalists–Jennifer Blanchard (Contraflow), Michel Varisco (Turning), and Amy Stelly & Darryl Reeves (Drop in the Bowl)—will pitch their pieces to the public during the 2015 Water Challenge. The winner will be selected by audience vote. Attend the live arts pitch on March 23^rd to help select the Greenway’s first public art installation!

What: Public Art Pitch for Water-Themed Lafitte Greenway Art Installation

When: Monday, March 23, 10:15AM – 12:00PM

Where: The Chicory (610 S Peters St)

For more information, visit Arts Council New Orleans.

Jefferson Davis Bike Trail Sees Improvements

Biking the Jefferson Davis bike path just got better! This February, the City spent $110,000 on improvements and repairs to the Jefferson Davis Bike Path including replacing broken concrete panels, installing Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps, and re-leveling uneven ground adjacent to the path.

Line 58 Gives Back

Every year, Line 58, a local branding and web design firm gives away a year’s supply of branding, strategy, and design to one lucky nonprofit in the New Orleans region. FOLC is grateful to have been selected as the 2015 recipient. Thank you Line58!

Spurring Development

As the Lafitte Greenway nears completion, it is spurring investment in the surrounding neighborhoods. Here are a sampling of development projects underway or proposed for the Lafitte Corridor.

Broad Street Movie Theater Building

Broad Street Movie Theatre to Open this Summer

Get ready movie lovers. A new four-screen movie theatre is opening in the Lafitte Corridor this summer. In January, City Council unanimously approved plans for a movie theater at 636 N Broad one short block from the Lafitte Greenway. This 12,400 square foot, 90-year old building was formerly a charitable bingo hall, a plumbing supply store, and an auto shop. The movie theatre will focus on art house and local films.

The Broad Street Theatre joins a list of theaters that call the Lafitte Corridor home, including the Carver, Mid-City, and Mahalia Jackson. It adds to the growing revitalization of the Broad St. and the Greenway intersection, spurred by the new ReFresh and Whole Foods.

Tulane Laundry Building

Green Coast Enterprises hopes to renovate the Tulane Laundry building, located at 2606 St. Louis Street into a local brewery, tap room, restaurant, and office space. This 32,000 square foot historic building has sat vacant across the street from the Lafitte Greenway at N. Dorgenois since 2005. Urban South Brewery would serve as the building’s anchor and the newest addition to Louisiana’s blossoming craft beer industry. For more information, see the NOLA.com article.

Faubourg Lafitte Senior Building

On February 25, the Housing Authority of New Orleans and partners Providence Community Housing and Enterprise Community Partners broke ground on a new 100-unit senior-only apartment building, the latest addition to the Faubourg Lafitte community. This 96,000 square foot building is located one block from the Lafitte Greenway at N Galvez Street and Orleans Avenue. It is a $22 million project that will provide affordable housing to New Orleans seniors.

Better + Boulder

Local company Better + Boulder, LLC, has a vision to transform 8 acres of former industrial property along the Lafitte Greenway between Jefferson Davis Parkway and N Scott Street into a $100 million mixed-use complex. They have created an ambitious development plan for the property, which they currently have under contract. The 374,000 square foot complex would feature a fitness center with squash courts and a climbing gym, a 120-room boutique hotel, 300 residential units, office space, a spa, restaurants and cafés, demonstration kitchens, active lifestyle boutiques, a theater, and a business and startup incubation center. For more on this proposal, see the Biz article.

Bird’s Eye View of Lafitte Greenway Construction

October 30, 2014 by Charlie London

UPTDATE: WWL-TV covered the Lafitte Greenway on December 9, 2014.

December 3rd, 2014 update

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/12/lafitte_greenway_farmers_marke.html

Would-be gardeners wishing to grow and sell small crops along the Lafitte Greenway had reason for hope Wednesday when the White House announced it wanted to help install a farmers market in the developing park.

The project was among 26 handpicked by the White House Rural Council and other federal agencies to receive federally financed technical guidance as a means to boost local food farming around the country.

Dubbed the “Local Food, Local Places” initiative, the projects collectively have $800,000 to draw from. It’s unclear how much of that will go to the Friends of Lafitte Corridor, the non-profit booster group tapped to spearhead the farmers market plan.

Sophie Harris, the group’s executive director, said federal support likely will come from paid consultants as opposed to grants or particular financing. “We’re really grateful for federal assistance,” she said. “We think it’s a great opportunity.”

The fruit it could bear is also uncertain: The projects could veer from a farmers market to implementing community gardens throughout the greenway. The master plan doesn’t specifically set sites for such gardens, Harris said, but that could change.

Friends of Lafitte Corridor plans to hold stakeholder community meetings next spring to hash out their next steps. That number includes Xavier University and Sprout Nola, which is working to build a teaching farm between Mid-City and Treme on Broad Street.

Construction of the greenway, which stretches from the French Quarter to City Park, began in March and is expected to wrap up next spring.

“There’s a grand vision for the greenway, and we’re going to get an amazing park next spring, but there is still much left to do,” Harris said.

Lafitte Greenway farmers market to receive federal help, White House announces


			Lafitte Greenway farmers market to receive federal he… This story has been updated to reflect comments from Sophie Harris, executive director of the Friends of Lafitte Corridor. Would-be gardeners wishing to grow a…
			View on www.nola.com

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Aerial Images of the Greenway’s Progress

by Sophie Harris

Craig Guillot of NOLA Aerials captured extraordinary aerial low-altitude images of Lafitte Greenway on October 20, 2014. Construction of the Greenway is over 50% complete in these images, shot from two locations:

North Prieur: The site of the new soccer/football and baseball fields, where we see the Greenway’s utility as a transportation corridor to the new BioDistrict hospitals and the Central Business District.
Jefferson Davis Parkway: The Greenway and the Jefferson Davis Bike Path intersect at the base of Bayou St. John at the new bicycle roundabout. Take the Jefferson Davis Trail into City Park and out to the lakefront, or follow it the other direction to Uptown New Orleans.

North Prieur

Jefferson Davis Parkway

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Click here for more photos of the progress on the Lafitte Greenway.

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=zV06vuvcN3M4.kQshOWTF5l-Q
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Placement of the asphalt portion of the Lafitte Greenway bicycle and pedestrian path is now 75% complete in Areas 2, 3, 4, and 5. The Department of Public Works construction contractor, Durr Heavy Construction, has completed installing most of the trail lighting fixtures in Areas 3 and 4, and continues installation of trail lighting in Areas 2 and 5. Lighting wiring will be installed toward the end of the project construction, when the project is ready for public use.

The contractor has completed collecting the cobblestones that will line the Carondelet Walk crushed stone path. The contractor will begin constructing the walking path, which will run along Lafitte Ave., in November. The Carondelet Walk starts at N. Claiborne Ave. and will end at N. Galvez St. The remaining cobblestones not being used as part of the walking path will be moved off-site to a DPW storage facility in early November.

Please note the N. Lopez St. pedestrian bridge is closed and will remain closed for the duration of construction in Area 3.

Please note the N. Rocheblave St. pedestrian path is now closed and will remain closed for the duration of construction in Area 4. A new, paved N. Rocheblave St. walk will be constructed as part of this project. Please use N. Galvez or N. Broad streets during construction and avoid entering the construction site.

Crews have removed the sidewalk on the uptown side of Lafitte Ave. between N. Prieur and N. Galvez streets. The new Carondelet Walk on the interior of the park will replace the old sidewalk. Crews will also soon begin replacing the sidewalk on the uptown side of Lafitte Ave. between N. Rocheblave and N. Dorgenois streets. Crews will begin replacing sidewalk on both sides of N. Galvez St. shortly. Please use the temporary walking paths on N. Galvez St. during sidewalk construction.

Conversion of St. Louis St. between N. Carrollton Ave. and N. Soloman St., from two-way directional traffic to one-way traffic in the lakebound direction is scheduled to begin Nov. 10. Crews will mobilize to this portion of roadway in mid-December.

Durr Heavy Construction continues final grading of Areas 2, 3, 4, and 5.

The overall project is about 60 percent complete and on schedule to be opened to the public in spring 2015.

To expedite construction, Durr Heavy Construction has divided the Lafitte Greenway project into six sections:

Area 1 – N. Alexander St. to N. Carrollton Ave.

Area 2 – N. Carrollton Ave. to Jefferson Davis Pkwy – currently under construction

Area 3 – N. Jefferson Davis Pkwy to N. Broad St. – currently under construction

Area 4 – N. Broad St. to N. Galvez St. – currently under construction

Area 5 – N. Galvez St. to N. Claiborne Ave. – currently under construction

Area 6 – N. Claiborne Ave. to Basin St.

Please use caution when driving, bicycling or walking near active construction sites. Traffic cones, construction fencing and safety signage are in place to keep everyone safe. Please respect the signage and fencing – do not enter active construction sites.

Thank you for your continued patience.

Cheryn Robles, APR

Community Outreach Specialist

Department of Public Works

CITY BREAKS GROUND ON LAFITTE GREENWAY

March 25, 2014 by Charlie London

CITY BREAKS GROUND ON LAFITTE GREENWAY
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PATH

2.6 mile Linear Park Will Stretch from French Quarter to Mid-City

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu joined City Councilmembers, City Officials, and community stakeholders to break ground on the $9.1 million Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path. Stretching 2.6 miles, the Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path will be a multi-use trail and linear park connecting six historic neighborhoods from the French Quarter to Bayou St. John and Mid-City. The Lafitte Greenway corridor is bounded by Basin Street, Lafitte Street, St. Louis Street, and North Alexander Street. Before being converted to a railroad right-of-way, the corridor was the site of the Carondelet Canal, which brought ships from Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John to the historic French Quarter.

“The Lafitte Greenway is an important, transformational project that will help spur community revitalization in the heart of New Orleans,” Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “This City-sponsored and funded project will convert a former industrial railway into a recreational green space that will promote healthy lifestyles and serve as an asset for the entire city. As one of my administration’s committed capital projects, the Lafitte Greenway project is another sign of the city we are working every day to build.”

The Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path will include a 12-foot wide asphalt path for bicyclists and pedestrians, new recreation fields and green space, landscaping improvements including over 500 trees, native meadows, rain gardens, trail lighting, storm water retention features, curb extensions, signal-enhanced high visibility crosswalks, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps at sidewalk corners, environmental remediation, and a crushed stone walking path. A bicycle/ pedestrian roundabout will link the Lafitte Greenway with the Jefferson Davis Parkway and Wisner Bike Trails.

The Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path will connect to bikeways in the French Quarter and Central Business District via the Basin Street/ Loyola Avenue bikeway. It also crosses existing and future bikeways on North Galvez Street, North Broad Street, and North Jefferson Davis Parkway. Currently, improvements are underway to the North Jefferson Davis Parkway portion of the nine mile Uptown-Lake Route which will connect users between Uptown and Lake Pontchartrain along the new Nashville Avenue bike lanes, to the Jefferson Davis Parkway path, across the Lafitte Greenway, to the Wisner Trail, and ultimately to Lake Pontchartrain. There are currently 82 miles of bikeways in New Orleans. Before Hurricane Katrina, there were only 5 miles. By the end of 2014, there will be more than 100 miles of designated bikeways in New Orleans.

City Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, “This is a fabulous undertaking of providing green space and connecting neighborhoods. Kudos to the visionaries, the stakeholders, City Administration and Council leadership that made this happen!”

Councilmember-at-Large Stacy Head said, “Today we celebrate the beginning of construction of the Lafitte Greenway, and we also celebrate the many years of work done prior to today by the Lafitte Greenway Steering Advisory Committee, the Friends of Lafitte Corridor, BikeEasy, and many other neighbors, citizens, planners, architects and other visionary leaders who saw this wonderful space as an opportunity and who have helped to make it a reality. I pledge my continued support for the Greenway as it expands its programming and amenities, and to the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. I extend my congratulations to the Administration and all those involved in this success story.”

District A Councilmember Susan Guidry said, “This is a great day for the residents of District “A” and the City of New Orleans! Prior to being elected to represent Council District “A,” I learned of the efforts being made to create a linear urban green space in the heart of the City of New Orleans. Once elected, the Lafitte Greenway became my top priority project. The Lafitte Greenway will provide recreation space for our children and families to enjoy, to experience the outdoors and to engage in healthy activities in a safe and open environment. I applaud the Administration and the many groups and individuals who have participated in the many public meetings on creating the design of the greenway. This public amenity will benefit the citizens of New Orleans for generations to come and will be an asset to the neighborhoods it passes through.”

District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer said, “Today’s groundbreaking marks another example of a strong, grassroots, community-based project that became a priority for the Administration. As a public space, the greenway offers an incredible opportunity to connect people and neighborhoods from the heart of downtown to the lakefront. I am thrilled that the greenway is accessible and sustainable in its design. It will be here for our families and children to enjoy for years to come.”

The Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path is part of the Lafitte Corridor Revitalization Plan which was developed by the New Orleans City Planning Commission in conjunction with the Department of Public Works. The Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path was designed by Design Workshop and is being constructed by Durr Heavy Construction. Funding for this $9.1 million project comes from Disaster Community Development Block Grants and Louisiana Recreational Trails Grants. Construction of the Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path is anticipated to be complete in spring 2015.

Deputy Mayor of Facilities, Infrastructure, and Community Development Cedric Grant said, “The Lafitte Greenway project has been highly anticipated for many years and was designed with extensive input from neighborhood and civic groups. More than just green space, it will be another important multi-modal transportation option and serve as an important gathering place for the community. The revitalization of this corridor will encourage further redevelopment.”

Pat Forbes, Executive Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development said, “The Lafitte Greenway will provide a wonderful recreation area for the community. It will also contribute to the City’s resilience by increasing drainage capacity during heavy rainfalls and providing alternative transportation routes. This is a great investment for the people of New Orleans and the state.”

For more information about the Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path, please visit: www.nola.gov/dpw/projects/lafitte-greenway/.

The Lafitte Corridor Revitalization Plan was developed by the City Planning Commission in conjunction with the Department of Public Works. Download Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the Master plan here. More than two dozen community and stakeholder meetings were held to develop the Lafitte Corridor Revitalization Plan. The first element of the Plan to go into construction is the Lafitte Greenway Bicycle/Pedestrian Path. The off-street trail will allow travel from N. Alexander and St. Louis streets in Mid-City to St. Louis and Basin streets, one block from the French Quarter.

Scope of Work

The scope of this project includes:

Construction of an accessible, 2.6 mile continuous 12-foot wide asphalt multi-use path
Clearing, grading and replanting of the project site, including planting new ball fields, meadows and landscaping
New sidewalks crossing the park
Lighting, signal-enhanced street crossings, improved drainage, and improved transit stops

Timeline

Construction began in March 2014 and will last approximately eleven months.

View a copy of the Lafitte Greenway project fact sheet here.

A pre-construction community meeting was held at the Sojourner Truth Community Center on March 19, 2014 to discuss anticipated construction impacts. View a copy of the community meeting presentation here.

Project Status

The Department of Public Works will distribute monthly project construction updates to interested parties. To be added to the Lafitte Greenway contact list contact Cheryn Robles at crobles@nola.gov.