Biz New Orleans February 2024

AN IMAGE CHANGE FOR THE QUARTER?

Daniel Hammer, CEO of The Historic New Orleans Collection, has big plans.

54

Biophilic

58

Two

NOTE

Morale Boost Time

Forget what that Christmas song says, in New Orleans THIS is the most wonderful time of the year

It’s mid -January as I write this, and the high school band up the street has been playing and parading around our neighborhood for about a week now Home decorations have switched over — there’s even been the return of some house floats — and king cake is everywhere . The weather is cool, even cold, but things are definitely heating up...in a good way.

February marks 13 years since my family moved to New Orleans from Omaha, Nebraska, where we lived for seven years while my husband got his medical training. It was a very safe , very inexpensive , very easy, very family-friendly place to live It also had zero massive, weeks - long street parties and the feels like temperature right now — I just checked — is negative 17 degrees

Nope

According to the latest economic impact study the total direct and indirect impact of Mardi Gras on the New Orleans economy is $891,202,780, which equals 3.07% of the New Orleans gross domestic product In Tulane professor Toni Weiss’s study, it was also found that Carnival season generates more than $14 million in state tax revenues.

Even a huge number like $900 million , however, may be low, according to Weiss, who added “my strong sense is that the actual

impacts of this internationally renowned celebration are even greater than can be accurately measured ”

I agree There are so many intangibles, maybe the biggest of which is the morale boost we see in the city The streets, the crime, the storms… we all know the challenges of living in this city, which makes it extra incredible that we can all come together and collectively pull off what is commonly referred to as “the world’s largest free party” every single year

It makes me wonder what other incredible things we could accomplish in this city if we had enough determination and support.

But for now, I’m busy fluffing up my big Dolly Parton wig, breaking in my dancing shoes and getting ready to roll for the second year with the Krewe of Dolly. You can catch us in all our fabulousness at King Arthur, Bosom Buddies and Tucks.

See you on the streets and thanks for reading!

KIMBERLEY SINGLETARY

Editor

Kimberley@BizNewOrleans.com

Publisher Todd Matherne

EDITORIAL

Editor Kimberley Singletary

Art Director Sarah E.G. Majeste

Digital Media Editor Kelly Massicot

Associate News Editor Rich Collins

Perspective Writer Drew Hawkins

Contributors Morgan Kendrick, Meaghan McCormack, Ashley McLellan, Chris Price, Poppy Tooker, Keith Twitchell, I. Steven Udvarhelyi, M.D.

ADVERTISING

Senior Account Executive Meghan Schmitt (504) 830-7246 Meghan@BizNewOrleans.com

Account Executive Abby Palopoli (504) 830-7208 Abby@BizNewOrleans.com

Sponsored Content Coordinator

Jeremy Marshall

RENAISSANCE PUBLISHING

PRODUCTION

Digital Director Rosa Balaguer Arostegui

The Clock Is Ticking

This month, as we celebrate Mardi Gras — specifically Bacchus Sunday — everyone else in the country will be focused on a different event: Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas

The 2024 Super Bowl was supposed to be in New Orleans , but when the NFL extended the season to 17 games a few years ago that caused the game to move . However, thanks to great planning and foresight by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation ( GNOSF ), New Orleans’s winning bid included a clause to account for this change and ensure New Orleans would host the next available Super Bowl This means Super Bowl LIX will be held in New Orleans on February 9, 2025 — the first time we’ve hosted since 2013.

I say all of this because right now we have one year to prepare — one year to get New Orleans ready to showcase our talents to the world and let everyone know we are, (in the words of New Orleans & Company’s marketing slogan) “Built to Host ”

I have confidence in GNOSF, as well as our tourism organizations and economic partners. I think the bigger question is whether our local government is ready. My answer to that is that it must be. Whatever the mayor’s office and city

council must do, they need to start now They need to have a game plan and assure everyone they are doing what needs to be done We cannot afford a fumble or interception We need to score

The good news is that , thanks to a newly renovated Superdome, the setting will be spectacular Now we just need everything else to be in order so we can continue earning the praise of so many industry insiders as “the perfect city for a Super Bowl. ”

And let’s all hope the Saints can make a run next season and make Super Bowl LIX another home game win for the recordbooks! Who Dat!

IN THE BIZ

12 SPORTS On

14 ENTREPRENEUR

Potholes: An underused

PHOTO

POPPY TOOKER has spent her life devoted to the cultural essence that food brings to Louisiana, a topic she explores weekly on her NPR-afliated radio show, Louisiana Eats! From farmers markets to the homes and restaurants where our culinary traditions are revered and renewed, Poppy lends the voice of an insider to interested readers everywhere.

The Wild, Wild, West

Thanks in great part to one man, Algiers is New Orleans’ latest burgeoning restaurant district

BY POPPY TOOKER

Bryson Aust is hot on the future of Algiers Point

The serial entrepreneur — who has founded or co - founded ventures that range from a tax credit company to a sake company — has become the area’s greatest booster and now has a hand in three different ventures that are transforming the picturesque neighborhood into a true restaurant district. With a background in finance , Aust is uniquely suited to identify what he says is an untapped opportunity

“Looking through the possibilities with a financial lens , the risk is low, the overhead is low, and there is a tight- knit community welcoming the growth , ” he explained with a smile “I believe this is a trend which I anticipate will continue in Algiers for the next five to 10 years At this time, I see the West Bank as literally the wild, wild West ”

Brett Jones of Barracuda Taco Stand is an Algiers believer Aust and Jones worked together previously at the now defunct Dinner Lab and became friends When the one-time fine-dining chef dreamed of having his own restaurant, his friend and former colleague stepped up “Bryson created the financing opportunities that initially helped us open the first location of Barracuda Taco on Tchoupitoulas Street in 2019,” Jones recalled.

As Barracuda’s popularity grew, Aust pushed the idea of expansion into Algiers Point. When a historic Gulf gas station became available, the pair agreed it was an ideal place to grow the business That second location opened in 2021 and has proved wildly popular

“It’s just an amazing New Orleans neighborhood and the whole community embraced our concept,” Jones said The following year, Barracuda opened on Government Street in Baton Rouge, and with Aust’s continued guidance, a fourth is slated to debut in Nashville this year

Observing the great work culture and employee retention Jones accomplished while building the Barracuda team, Aust approached him with a new project that had nothing to do with tacos

“Despite the large number of full - service pizza places on the East Bank, amazingly there were barely three on the West Bank , ” Aust reported . Identifying the need, he set out to correct that on Algiers Point.

Aust and Jones were great fans of pizza master Adrian Chelette ,

who gained fame for his craft at Uptown’s Ancora and later Margo’s in the Marigny Chelette studiously follows the flour, water, salt and yeast rule of Italy’s Association of Vera Pizza Napoletana Baked in a wood-fired oven, the dough yields a crispy, chewy, blistered crust providing an ideal foil for any topping With Aust raising capital and Jones providing management assistance , the two partnered with Chelette on Nighthawk Napoletana, which opened in Algiers last fall

Aust’s next dream for the Point was to secure a craft cocktail bar

“There’s one in every neighborhood on the other side of the river, but none here,” he noted. He approached Byron Stithem of Proper Saké and Rice Vice with the opportunity. Back in 2016, Aust was instrumental in helping Stithem source financing for Proper Saké, which became the first saké brewery in Tennessee, complete with a tasting room. In 2022, Stithem opened a saké forward cocktail bar, Rice Vice. Originally conceived as a place to showcase his award-winning Proper Saké, its Tokyo Record Bar vibe and delicious cocktails quickly made Rice Vice a Music City hot spot Honored by Esquire in 2023, Rice Vice was named one of the top bars in the U S

Just as Aust persuaded Jones to expand Barracuda Tacos to Nashville, he went to work on Stithem, urging him to export his cocktail concept to Algiers Right next door to Nighthawk Napoletana , Rice Vice is poised to add another layer of cache to Algiers’ restaurant scene when it opens early this year With barely 20 seats, the new sake den will be an intimate but important addition to the point. “Both pizza and sake are packed with umami,” Aust declared. “It’s a perfect pairing. ”

Catch Poppy Tooker on her radio show, “Louisiana Eats!” Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Mondays at 8 p.m. on WWNO 89.9 FM.

When you’re seeking new taste experiences, head to Algiers Point. The delicious diversity awaiting you is guaranteed to exceed your wildest expectations

CHRIS PRICE is an award-winning journalist and public relations principal. When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football.

Winning* Season

On paper, the Saints’ 2023 season was a success, but it sure did leave a rancid aftertaste

BY CHRIS PRICE

The 2023 NFL season will reach its zenith this month with Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas , but don’t expect many Saints fans to give the game more than a passing interest

It’s Carnival time in New Orleans , and the NFL’s biggest game will be played on the Sunday evening right before Mardi Gras. Most in New Orleans will look forward to the revelry of the Thoth and Bacchus parades; however, many in the Who Dat? Nation will take time to continue to reflect on the past year and offer hopes for the season to come in 2024.

The Saints finished the 2023 season ranked 14th in total offense (337.2 yards per game), 11th in passing yards per game (234.7), 24th in rushing yards per game (102.5), and 9th in points per game (23.6). One of the most alarming trends during the season, however, was the unit’s Red Zone efficiency Of the 60 times the offense made it within 20 yards of the end zone, they only scored 32 touchdowns (53.3%).

The defense finished 13 th in total defense (327.2 yards per game), 8th in points per game (19.2), 22nd in rushing yards per game (119.9)

and 10th in passing yards per game (207.3).

Now that the Saints’ season is complete, the team , front office , and fans are questioning whether this franchise can escape mediocrity From all communication out of Saints’ HQ, it appears that General Manager Mickey Loomis, along with Head Coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr will be back with the team Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael, who seemingly made a name for himself in Payton’s shadow, may be the fall guy for a team looking for positive momentum as it enters a new league year. But there are a ton of questions about how the Saints can build a roster that returns them to their winning ways.

Because the Saints finished middle of the pack, they’ll get middle-of-the-pack draft positioning. Right now they’re slated to pick 14th in the coming first round They obviously need to focus on upgrading the talent and depth in the trenches Focus on the offensive line — which too often did not give Carr the pass protection he needed, nor open the holes needed to effectively run the ball, control the clock, and dominate the Red Zone — is imperative If fixing the O line is priority 1A , rebuilding the defensive line has to be priority 1B

Lowering the average age of the roster is also paramount While fan favorites defensive end Cam Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis continue to play at a high level , they’re not getting any younger

While the front office updated several contracts at the end of the season to help prepare the team going into 2024, the Saints’ salary cap issues remain a red flag. It’s difficult to land top-flight free agent talent when money isn’t available to lure those players to town . With little positive momentum over the past three seasons and sparce indication that the team is poised for an upswing, players who can choose their destination may opt to sign for a team that at least appears to be able to compete for a championship

The Saints have much work to do to prepare for the 2024 season If Allen holds on , he has to build respect and camaraderie in the locker room — which was tested in the last few seconds of the 2023 season when backup quarterback Jameis Winston overruled the head coach in the waning moments of the Atlanta game in order to get running back Jamaal Williams , who led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns in 2022, his only TD in 2023. Instead of closing ranks around his players , Allen aired their dirty laundry. He’s going to have to work hard this offseason to instill his loyalty to his players.

For the past 15 years, the Saints have been trying to hold on to a Super Bowl-caliber team but continue to fall short of the mark. While that window has been open for an incredibly long span, it now looks like it is closing, if not being slammed shut The Saints haven’t won the division in three years, nor have they been in the playoffs for that same span They are looking like a middle-of-the-pack NFL franchise right now While it is better than year upon year of losing, that’s not where anyone in the Who Dat? Nation wants to be There’s a lot of work that needs to be done to get the Black and Gold back to the Super Bowl

Pothole Potential

A look at this underused New Orleans natural resource

BY KEITH TWITCHELL

New Orleans made national headlines last summer when residents along Esplanade Avenue were photographed using a giant pothole in that street for a swimming pool . Given the relentless heat, it was a small stroke of genius. From an entrepreneurial standpoint, though, this was an opportunity missed. Surely other residents would have gladly paid for a dip in those refreshing waters ; one can envision lines stretching several blocks down

KEITH TWITCHELL spent 16 years running his own business before becoming president of the Committee for a Better New Orleans. He has observed, supported and participated in entrepreneurial ventures at the street, neighborhood, nonproft, micro- and macro-business levels.

the neutral ground Why did no one open a concession stand selling summer beverages and snacks? Or develop and market a line of streetwise swimwear, accessories and pothole pool toys?

Given that potholes are pretty much everywhere in our swampy city, they deserve more attention as entrepreneurial resources Beside neighborhood pool ( or in summer, hot tub ) opportunities, other options could include:

POP-UP CRAWFISH BOILS. Why lug those giant pots around when there is a conveniently located boiling vat near you? Throw in the mudbugs, add the corn, potatoes and sausage, season to taste, and the afternoon sun will have everything simmering in no time. Shrimp, crabs and/or palmetto bugs could also be boil options.

UNDERGROUND CAVE TOURS. As deep as some of the potholes go, they must link to subterranean sites ripe for exploration A little tunneling could expand the tour lengths, and even link one pothole to another Why not pothole pub crawls? Think of the artifacts that could be discovered: everything from brothel tokens to Rex scepters, from discarded dueling pistols to voodoo ritual relics There would be spectacular underground bead formations to observe, and even finding an antique car or two would not be out of the question

GREENHOUSES. Our subtropical paradise encourages lush foliage of many kinds. Tapping into that rich subsurface soil would make for a great plant nursery. Plus, the next time the state increases the number of medical marijuana growing licenses, these facilities could be in demand.

OIL WELLS. It’s a wonder that none of our potholes has yet been observed gushing up that black gold, but oil cannot be that much farther

down Entrepreneurs pursuing this approach might want to start with those divots closest to various gas stations, both operating and abandoned With the former, this would facilitate ease of product delivery; with the latter, there is always the possibility of tapping into one of those old gasoline storage tanks that somehow never quite got cleaned up

And who knows what other marketable resources might be accessed from these yawning chasms? From paving supplies like oyster shells to any number of fertilizers (see greenhouses , above ), from lead leached out of the water pipes to enough bricks to build several houses, New Orleans potholes are an endless resource.

ATHLETIC FACILITIES AND COURSES. Jumping skills are a part of many sports; leaping across, or in and out of, potholes would be excellent training for these athletic endeavors If enough potholes could be found in proximity to each other — a distinctly likely scenario — a worldclass steeplechase course could be set up , offering an exciting new alternative to regular road races

Mobile axle repair and alignment services

For entrepreneurs not interested in diving into the potholes themselves, myriad auxiliary opportunities abound The most obvious is fixing those unfortunate vehicles that drive through these devastating divots Setting up a specialized repair van nearby could be very lucrative. A little surreptitious rearranging of traffic cones and barricades could help increase customer volume.

As long as New Orleans streets continue to be one giant Whac-a-Mole game, with two potholes opening up every time one is filled , these gaping gashes in the pavement will remain a remarkable natural resource Put your entrepreneurial creativity to work, and you, too, could be in the national news!

PERSPECTIVES

16 INSURANCE

Two

18

MARITIME+PORTS

The

Amidst

The Elevance HealthBCBSLA partnership will create better health outcomes.

REAL ESTATE + CONSTRUCTION

A look at the initiatives underway now to address New Orleans’ affordable housing crisis

DID YOU KNOW? In 2018, 20.5% of adults in Louisiana were smokers — higher than the national average of 16.1%.

Your Money And Your Life

Two new Louisiana laws aimed at smokers have made 2024 the perfect time to kick the habit.

BY KIM SINGLETARY

About one-third of Americans made a New Year’s resolution or two this year, according to a recent poll conducted by YouGov. The most popular resolutions, it may come as no surprise, are to save more money and improve physical health.

One big way to do both is to quit smoking.

First there are the savings of the habit itself. In Louisiana, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes is $7 (below the national average of $8 per pack) according to the World Population Review That would put the average cost paid per year for a pack a day smoker at $2,555 per year

Then there’s vaping, which has exploded in popularity According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), e-cigarettes and prefilled mint cartridges increased nationwide 122.2% in sales from Sept 2014 to May 2020.

While typically cheaper than cigarette smoking, the cost can still be substantial The average cost per week for JUUL pods is $20

($1,008 per year). The average cost per week of e - liquid used on refillable products is $30 ($1,512 per year), according to 2022 data from the journal Tobacco Control

Last July, vaping got more expensive in Louisiana thanks to a law that tripled the tax on vapor products and electronic cigarettes from five cents milliliter to 15 cents per milliliter Louisiana is among only 30 states and the District of Columbia that have enacted taxes on e-cigarettes as of June 2022.

The cost of the actual products , however, can be a miniscule portion of the real costs of the habit

“Smoking isn’t just bad for your health It can also make your financial future go up in smoke, potentially losing you millions of dollars over a lifetime in the most expensive states , ” said Wallethub Analyst Cassandra Happe , speaking about a Wallethub study looking at the real costs of smoking by state released Jan. 10. “While tobacco products are expensive, the bulk of the money lost by smokers comes from income and investment losses Increased healthcare costs and home insurance premiums are among the other big financial downsides of smoking ”

Louisiana ranked among the lower end of all states when it comes to the financial cost of smoking , with an overall rank of 46 out of 50. The study looked at things like increased healthcare costs , out of pocket costs and financial opportunity cost per smoker — defined as the money an average person would lose by spending their money on smoking instead of investing it.

The study found that smoking in Louisiana costs an average citizen more than $65,000 a year.

Robert Ziegler, an insurance agent with Liberty Mutual based out of Metairie , confirmed that smokers are hit hard when it comes to insurance

“With life insurance, the premiums are astronomically different,” he said

“Every company is different, of course, but you can see rates close to double for someone who smokes — which includes vaping. Insurance companies recognize vaping as smoking Even if you smoke one to two cigars a month, you are considered a smoker ”

While again, costs can vary by insurer, the Affordable Care Act permits health insurance companies to charge up to 50% more for premiums that are 1.5% higher than nonsmokers

There is a bit of good news in all of this , however Because healthcare costs in Louisiana are so high, the state has decided to offer those that want to quit some free assistance

THE FINANCIAL COST OF SMOKING IN LOUISIANA (1=Highest, 25=Avg.):

Overall rank for Louisiana: 46th

Out-of-Pocket Cost per Smoker: $126,144 (Rank: 43rd)

FinancialOpportunity

Cost per Smoker: $2,246,935 (Rank: 43rd)

Health-Care Cost per Smoker: $151,108 (Rank: 43rd)

Income Loss per Smoker: $462,853 (Rank: 48th)

Other Costs per Smoker: $16,170 (Rank: 41st)

Total Cost Over Lifetime per Smoker: $3,003,211

Total Cost per Year per Smoker: $62,567

*DATA CALCULATED BASED ON SOMEONE SMOKING A PACK OF CIGARETTES A DAY FROM AGE 21 TO 69.

As of Jan 1, all health coverage plans in Louisiana — including both Medicaid and private health insurers — must offer a minimum 6- month smoking cessation program benefit. Benefits include “behavioral counseling (e.g., individual and group counseling) and cessation medication (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion , varenicline ) but not e - cigarettes because the FDA has not approved e-cigarettes as a cessation aid ”

“Louisiana Medicaid spends nearly $40 billion annually on treating tobacco - related diseases and disability,” explained Michael Celestin, PhD, who is the director of the Louisiana Tobacco Control Initiative , a program of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center

“Reducing the current smoking rate , by even just 1 % , in the Medicaid population in Louisiana could save close to $31.7 million a year in Medicaid costs. ”

Pricier products , continuously rising insurance costs and widespread inflation , mixed with the offer of free, professional support in quitting? What better time could there be to make 2024 the year you become healthier — both in body and bank balance

Cruising Along

The New Orleans cruise industry is back and stronger than ever.

BY DREW HAWKINS

The first paddlewheel steamboat docked in New Orleans in 1812, and ever since, the Crescent City has been one of the world’s biggest cruise destinations

But around this time three years ago , the future of the cruise industry was completely uncertain

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down almost the entire hospitality industry Cruise ships

DREW HAWKINS is a writer and journalist in New Orleans. He’s the health equity reporter in the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration among public radio stations in Louisiana (WWNO and WRKF), Alabama (WBHM) and Mississippi (MPB-Mississippi Public Broadcasting) and NPR. He’s also the producer and host of Micro, a LitHub podcast for short but powerful writing.

across the world were docked, with no clear idea about when they’d be able to sail again

But recent numbers suggest the cruise industry in New Orleans is already showing signs of getting back to pre-pandemic levels and is poised to become stronger than ever

“In 2022, we welcomed a total of 17.53 million visitors who spent $9.1 billion , ” said Kelly Schulz, senior vice president of communications and public relations at New Orleans & Company. “That’s total visitation, not specific to cruising.” In 2019, that number was 19.75 million visitors, with $10 billion of spending.

New Orleans is one of the most popular pre - and post- cruise vacations . Schulz said visitors often choose to arrive early or stay late to explore the city’s culture and attractions , contributing to an industry that generates nearly 40% of New Orleans’ operating budget She added that the industry employs 75,000 people from every neighborhood, and without those funds, every family in Louisiana would pay thousands of dollars more per year in taxes

“Tourism drives our economy, boosts infrastructure, instills civic pride and provides lifelong career opportunities,” she said “The things that make our city an attractive place to visit can also make it an attractive place to live, work and invest ”

When marketing to visitors, conferences and major events, New Orleans & Company touts the city’s infrastructure , including facilities such as the Port of New Orleans , Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Caesars Superdome, The National World War II Museum and more.

“We are known worldwide for our food, music and culture, but we also want to be known as a forward-thinking city of innovation, sustainability, creativity and business that is ‘Built to Host,’” Schulz said “The world-class Port of New Orleans helps us tell that story ”

In March, the port broke its monthly record with 155,225 passenger movements and 39 vessel calls The previous record was 154,409 passenger movements and 31 vessel calls, set in February 2020, right before the pandemic hit

and lockdown measures were in full swing

For some, record-breaking numbers are a testament to the unique experience offered by the city

“What sets us apart is when cruise passengers come to New Orleans , they get to enjoy two vacations in one,” said Port NOLA Press Secretary Kimberly Curth “They spend money at our restaurants, our shops and our attractions That translates to more jobs and revenue for our region and state ”

Curth added that the cruise business is a vital economic engine that contributes to the local tourism and hospitality industry — and it is back and better than ever.

“At Port NOLA, 90% of cruise guests travel from out-of-state with 73% spending one or two days in New Orleans either before or after their cruise,” she said. “That generates more than 300,000 hotel room nights in New Orleans and more than $125 million in local spending each year ”

Every time one of the large cruise ships sails into the city, Curth said, it’s like a mini convention pulling into town — and all the activity that comes with it creates jobs and injects money into the local and state economy And the numbers don’t lie: Port NOLA is on track to set a new annual passenger record this calendar year

There also doesn’t appear to be any sign of the cruise industry slowing down Royal Caribbean will be returning with a new vessel, the Brilliance of the Seas, in November 2024. Port NOLA also inked a deal with Carnival Cruise Line for at least five more years of two , yearround vessels . Norwegian Cruise Line also continues for five more years, with the largest homeported vessel, the Norwegian Breakaway. Disney Cruise Line will set sail again in January, and Curth said Port NOLA continues to see growth in river cruises, with nine homeported vessels including America’s first Viking Cruise, which began sailing last year

Cruises in New Orleans go back to when ships were powered by steam And if the current growth is any sign, they’ll be sailing into the future for a long time to come.

PERSPECTIVES REAL ESTATE + CONSTRUCTION

DID YOU KNOW? In 2022, the City of New Orleans Ofce of Community Development funded 35 afordable housing units. In 2018, OCD funded 142 units, the most, by far, of the past 20 years. The second highest was 74 in 2015.

It’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans, which is a time of celebration . But the vibrant colors , boisterous marching bands , decadent desserts, and larger-than-life characters mask a stark reality lying beneath it all: Hardly anyone can afford to live here.

“Most of the people in New Orleans can’t afford their housing,” said Andreanecia M Morris, executive director of HousingNOLA, a 10-year partnership between community leaders and public, private, and nonprofit organizations that’s working to solve the city’s affordable housing crisis “You shouldn’t spend more than a third of your income on housing — that calculation lets you cover your biggest expense and have something leftover for other necessities ”

BUILDING HOPE

A look at the initiatives underway now to address New Orleans’ affordable housing crisis

BY DREW HAWKINS

HousingNOLA issues an annual “report card,” which grades the progress of commitments to affordable housing made by officials and city and state agencies. This year, for the fourth year in a row, the city received an “F. ” Advocates like Morris are calling for city leaders to fund affordable housing units and help keep longtime homeowners in their homes — as well as ensure safe and healthy conditions inside rental homes and units.

Housing insecurity is a problem in much of the United States where there isn’t a parish or county where you can rent a one-bedroom apartment and pay utilities on a salary of $7.25 per hour — the federal minimum wage Morris said New Orleans isn’t any different , but “things have gotten worse with insurance and utilities [going] through the roof ”

Right now, the city has just 158,828 total rental units, according HousingNOLA A report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition says

New Orleans needs more than 47,000 additional affordable rental units to meet demand

Creating more access to quality, affordable housing isn’t just about providing literal shelter from the storms, it’s also about dealing with the trauma that housing insecurity can inflict, and the way that society attempts to handle it

“Instead of compassion , we react with fear of ‘could this happened me?’” Morris said. “We need to provide all victims of housing insecurity with a safe, decent home and the tools to address the years of trauma and the impact it has had on their lives.”

For Morris , the biggest challenge is what she called the “stubborn failure” of officials to recognize and adequately address the problem

African - Americans disproportionately struggle with housing insecurity, but Morris said decision - makers continue to place the majority of the blame on individuals while refusing to accept that there are inherent flaws in the system

“That’s because of systemic racism — not any failing in Black folks,” Morris said “Even when the problems are so severe that they affect all of us, like insurance, there is still hesitancy to invest in the most vulnerable [ Our leaders ] make excuses and continue to focus on the wrong part of the problem. ”

Addressing a complex problem like affordable housing requires a multi-solution approach that encompasses all aspects of the crisis. That mindset lies at the heart of HousingNOLA’s “10-Year Plan” and its follow-up, the “Housing For All Strategy.”

Morris broke the organization’s plan into three parts

“First and foremost we want to know what is needed and what will work Second , and equally important, is sharing that information with community and decision-makers,” Morris said, adding that while it would seem this would be easily managed by developing solutions in partnership with all affected necessary parties, those blind spots can be “stubborn ”

“That’s why the third part is critical,” Morris said “We have to research and educate , but we must also strategize and win battles Most people call that advocacy, but it’s really a war. And you win wars by fighting a series of strategic battles — some by choice and others not. We help folks understand the battle ahead and respond when they’re attacked. ”

Some city officials share Morris’ convictions and commitments to addressing the challenges around affordable housing in New Orleans. City Councilmember Lesli D Harris, representing District B, — which includes Central City, Broad-

“

Andreanecia M. Morris,

executive director of HousingNOLA

” First and foremost. . . we want to know what is needed and what will work. Second, and equally important, is sharing that information with community and decision-makers.

As part of her efforts, last year Harris’ office partnered with District A Councilmember Joe Giarrusso to introduce the Affordable Housing and Workforce Housing Gap Financing Fund, which dedicated $32 million to support affordable and workforce housing projects that are in gap financing for completion

Harris’ office also worked with Mayor Cantrell’s administration to create Office of Homeless Services and Strategy, which she said has led a concerted effort to ensure that unhoused residents no matter their circumstances are connected to permanent housing opportunities and the services they need for long-term success.

“This is something we will be working to provide to all unhoused individuals in our community, so the City of New Orleans can achieve low or no homelessness in 2025, ” Harris said “I’m committed to leading this initiative, and to leading the council’s progress toward increasing affordable housing availability across the city ”

moor and parts of Mid-City and Bayou St John — has made the issue a focal point of her service

“All New Orleanians deserve well-functioning and interconnected communities,” Harris said “Infrastructure improvements and new affordable residences will hold enormous possibilities, especially for those in our hospitality industry, who keep our great establishments open and running. ”

Harris said the current crisis goes back almost two decades . “Since post - Katrina , affordable housing has been hard for our residents to secure,” she said. “Many cannot afford housing near their employment and have had to move to areas where their commute time continues to increase ”

She also echoed Morris’ and others’ concerns about inflation and insurance rates making housing access more difficult and making new projects harder to finance There are also zoning barriers that Harris said the City Planning Commission and the City Council are looking to tackle to address density allowances, parking requirements, lot sizes, and so much more

She also said it’s important to note that some affordable housing funding comes with strict requirements that make it difficult for people to qualify.

“This also applies to zoning , ” Harris said . “Around the city, many zones only allow for small , multi - family housing , which creates density issues since multi-family housing does not reflect the size or population of an apartment building. However, many funding sources prioritize projects that provide the density of a larger apartment building rather than a house with four to 15 units ”

The New Orleans City Council passed the 2024 budget on December 1, and several of Harris’ priorities were included Her office secured $17 million for the newly created Housing Trust Fund , considered to be an important start toward securing a dedicated stream of funding from the city’s budget to help support affordable housing projects.

“This is a huge step toward creating desperately needed affordable housing,” Harris said. “These funds will be used to both maintain and rehab existing units and create new units to come online. Investments like these will help us take meaningful steps toward getting the housing we need ”

Mayor Cantrell’s office supported the fund’s creation , with one city official calling the housing trust fund a “game changer ” But there are still some questions about whether or not the money would be taken from other existing programs, as well as how much money might be allocated for the fund each year

In its report card , HousingNOLA called for the city to create a trust fund that would generate more than $17 million a year to develop and repair up to 1,500 affordable housing units each year. The new trust fund passed by City Council could eventually fund new affordable housing as well.

For advocates like Morris, the failure to guarantee affordable housing is at the heart of every challenge the people of New Orleans are facing.

“Whether it’s crime , education , climate change or politics , ” Morris said , “we need to address housing in order to ensure other systems work and work well ”

PERSPECTIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

St. Bernard Gets Strategic

Amidst economic uncertainty, the parish is focused on intelligent growth.

BY MEAGHAN MCCORMACK

St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation ( SBEDF ) doesn’t exist to simply attract business to our parish. Improving quality of life for St Bernard residents is the cornerstone of our mission statement Regardless of how much economic prosperity we put on paper, if that “prosperity” does not improve the quality of life for our residents, we have failed

With this ever present in our team’s minds, we’ve spent the past year focusing on projects that directly support our way of life here in St Bernard, while looking for ways to stay ahead of current trends and looming deficits in certain areas of our region’s economy

SEAFOOD INDUSTRY EXPANSION

No single industry better represents our parish’s history and work ethic than our commercial fishing cluster. If you’re reading this article and have eaten gulf shrimp this year, there is a strong chance it came from the docks at Shell Beach on the fringe of lower St. Bernard and was probably hauled in by a family-owned operation

While SBEDF is positioned as a facilitator of economic relief for fishermen following natural disasters, we believe that our fishing industry deserves more proactive support considering its large contribution to our economy and culture. To better equip our shrimpers, oystermen, and other commercial fishing operators for growth, we’ve spent 2023 looking at the entire industry cluster to discover where our efforts can be best applied Our new parish president, Louis Pomes, has been vocal about our parish’s distinct lack of local seafood-processing operations, and rightfully so While we possess some processing capabilities, the lion’s share of St Bernard’s seafood leaves the parish to be processed Thanks to the concerted support of our community, local business Tommy’s Seafood plans to open itsstate-ofthe-art seafood processing facility by mid-2024. The impact of this project will be immediate and significant, helping to move us closer to our goal of expanding our parish’s seafood-processing, storage, and distribution capacity to 100% of our local fishermen’s catch.

Processing capacity isn’t the only growth target for our fishing industry. We’re also helping to facilitate the development of a major cold storage facility to serve fishermen as well as our ever-increasing number of grocery and supermarkets Targeting federal dollars aimed at rural development, we also plan to facilitate the creation of a new open-air seafood market to act as a public gathering place that revolves around the bounty our parish has to offer residents and our neighboring parishes

BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT St Bernard contains some of the most pristine, untamed natural beauty in southeast Louisiana but our hard-working, industrious past has left us with a few scars on our parish’s otherwise serene backdrop. Multiple closed landfills and industrial process sites have sat vacant for decades, adding no value to our small parish as we rapidly develop the surrounding areas.

In cooperation with the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (NORPC), our team was successful in obtaining a $500,000 Brownfields Program Grant in late 2022, which allowed 2023

to see tremendous progress toward the redevelopment of these blighted sites.

Both of our capped landfills are being assessed for redevelopment thanks to this grant funding. The old Paris Road landfill, originally capped in the ’80s, is being reimagined as sustainability-oriented commerce park As part of that plan, the feasibility of a significant renewable energy component is being explored

DRIVING

INNOVATION

Home to both the Port of St Bernard and maritime logistics powerhouse Associated Terminals as well as a range of other maritime-oriented operations, our local workforce has deep expertise working on the water To leverage that expertise and position our parish as a leader in this space, SBEDF and partners are requesting support from the Delta Regional Authority to create a strategic plan for the development of a Maritime Innovation Hub.

The proposed project would likely include business incubator and accelerator programs, as well as dedicated offices and coworking space aimed at attracting blue tech and other maritime-related companies to our region. Similar programs have been extremely successful in Israel and Canada . Seattle , Washington , currently has the only facility of this kind in the U S Our proposed project would be the first of its kind near the Gulf of Mexico, offering maritime and blue-tech startups a launchpad in an area rich with water-related expertise and immediate access to one of the largest rivers on the planet

LOOKING FORWARD Our team is always hard at work progressing a wide range of initiatives , but these types of forward-looking projects are something we’re all extremely passionate about St. Bernard is one of Louisiana’s fastest-growing parishes, and we feel it’s our responsibility to ensure we’re supporting the industries that have driven that growth, while we try to help position the parish for future opportunities. We may be small, but we’re aiming at some huge targets. Keep an eye on St. Bernard, and I think you’ll be surprised with what you see. Things are booming downriver

MEAGHAN MCCORMACK is the CEO of the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation. Her eforts center on business retention, expansion, and attraction, strategic neighborhood development, workforce development and marketing the parish as a great place to live, work and play.

I. STEVEN UDVARHELYI, MD, is the president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. For more information, visit bcbsla.com/betterblue MORGAN KENDRICK serves as executive vice president of Elevance Health and president for the company’s Commercial and Specialty Health Benefts.

A Healthy Pairing

The Elevance Health-BCBSLA partnership will create the better health outcomes Louisianians need and deserve.

BY I. STEVEN UDVARHELYI, M.D. AND MORGAN KENDRICK

Elevance Health’s partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana ( BCBSLA ) is crucial to improving the overall health of individuals , families and our communities in Louisiana.

By virtually every measure , Louisiana ranks at or near the bottom in health outcomes. Louisianians have shorter life spans, higher rates of infant mortality, and higher burdens of obesity and chronic illness than citizens of other states

It is undeniable that there needs to be systematic and material change to the trajectory of healthcare access, affordability and outcomes in this state

The proposed partnership between Elevance Health and BCBSLA is the best opportunity for

addressing the gap between Louisiana and the rest of the nation Together, we will improve health outcomes and affordability for all Louisianians, who need and deserve this opportunity. By combining our organizations, members will continue to receive the reliable, local care they have come to know with BCBSLA , enhanced by Elevance Health’s unmatched national scope, breadth of capabilities and technology.

Our partnership will bring expanded benefits and resources to BCBSLA members by drawing on the full breadth and scope of Elevance Health’s national capabilities and delivering them locally Together, we will continue and build upon the strong, local tradition of Louisianians serving Louisianians BCBSLA’s leadership will remain headquartered in Louisiana, just as leadership is in every state where

Elevance Health operates Together, we will be focused on the needs of every community across Louisiana — from Ruston, Natchitoches and Deridder, to Lafayette, Lake Charles and New Orleans

Members will benefit from more affordable and convenient care , enabled by access to new capabilities and services that will slow the current pace of rising healthcare costs and make gaining access to healthcare easier Elevance Health has invested billions of dollars to provide members with cutting - edge capabilities and benefits that BCBSLA does not currently offer.

Members of the new BCBSLA will have access to a nationwide portfolio of innovations, including behavioral health services, digital-first solutions that empower people to take charge of their care, advocacy services to help navigate the healthcare system, and programs to help address complex and chronic conditions — much of it accessible through the phone in the palm of your hand

Also important is what will not change As part of Elevance Health , BCBSLA provider networks will remain the same Members can keep their doctors , hospitals and healthcare providers, with continued access to the 95% of doctors and 96% of hospitals in the U S that are in our broader network

The combination with Elevance Health will also result in the creation of a new nonprofit entity that will be narrowly focused on improving the health and lives of the people of Louisiana, a fitting legacy for BCBSLA’s 90-year, mission-focused history in the state.

The Elevance Health-BCBSLA partnership is more than a collaboration; it’s our commitment to Louisiana’s health and our future generations that build on our great history Together, we are excited to welcome a new dawn for healthcare in Louisiana that embodies the successful approach that BCBSLA has maintained for nine decades, with greater support, innovation, and new options for consumers, families and employers across the state

FUELING OUR FUTURE WITH OUR PAST

Imagine if New Orleans was known as the country’s premier museum destination. What would that mean for the city? The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Daniel Hammer thinks it would be a game-changer, which is why he’s set on making it happen.

BY Kim Singletary PORTRAITS BY Adrienne Battistella

When you think of The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC), you may think of a little museum in the French Quarter that houses some wonderful photographs and interesting historical pieces. In doing so, you’d be partly correct, but nowhere near accurate when it comes to the size and scope of the organization.

Founded in 1966 through the estates of General Lewis Kemper Williams and his wife, Leila Moore Williams — both preservationists and Louisiana history enthusiasts — The Historic New Orleans Collection is the worlds’ largest holder of materials relating to the history and culture of New Orleans

It’s also a sizeable holder of real estate in New Orleans’s oldest and most well-known neighborhood Starting with five buildings that extend like an “L” from 533 Royal Street to 722 Toulouse Street, THNOC’s French Quarter footprint has grown to include a dozen properties spanning more than 125,000 square feet In addition , THNOC owns a 21,000 -square-foot offsite storage facility on River Road.

The organization’s latest addition to its property collection came this past December with the purchase of 416 Chartres Street, best known as the former home of K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen The three-story , 175 -year-old building spans just over 12,000 square feet and sits adjacent to THNOC’s Williams Research Center The new acquisition is integral to the organization’s ambitious plans, which include a major museum renovation and expansion

In July 2019, just a few months after the unveiling of a new $38 million exhibition center at 520 Royal Street, the organization welcomed Daniel Hammer as its seventh president and CEO, and the first to have grown up in a family that traces its New Orleaans roots back generations. Hammer recently spoke with Biz to explain how THNOC is working diligently to not only raise awareness of the museum and its o erings, but toward a bigger vision to change how the world views the French Quarter, and thus New Orleans

You’re the first leader of THNOC to come from New Orleans. Can you share a bit about your background? I wasn’t born here, but I did grow up here My mom’s family was from New Orleans going back to the 1840s. My mom’s grandmother left New Orleans in 1918, when she got married , and moved to Chicago My mom grew up coming down to New Orleans all the time to visit family

I was born in Boston, and then when I was 3, we moved to Chicago. And when I was 8, my dad got a job at Tulane medical school, which brought us to New Orleans

I grew up in Lakeview In fact, I grew up across the street from the house I live in now My dad lives right across the street from us. I went to Ben Franklin High School and attended NOCCA for creative writing for a while.

How did you find your way to THNOC? I went to college in Oregon, where I studied German literature After graduation , I went and lived in Germany for a couple of years and worked at the Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany, when it first opened. So that was my introduction to museums as a job, although at the time, I didn’t think that I was doing what would become my career I worked as a gallery attendant , helping people find their way around and answering questions about the exhibits…

I came back to New Orleans in 2003 and worked in a variety of places , including at the Hotel Monteleone , where I did a wonderful managerial training program that ended with me becoming a manager on duty And boy, talk about learning a lot about people . Hotels are just incredible places where everything that happens in society happens on a daily basis I learned so much about customer service and business operations…Eventually, I found my way to The Historic New Orleans Collection because I spoke German and was able to engage with some German language materials in the collection’s holdings and create some inventories for these manuscript materials that were otherwise gathering dust on the shelves, inaccessible

So , you got the job because you spoke another language . How important is multilingualism at THNOC and with your approximately 150 employees? I think multilingualism is important for many reasons . We are investing in developing a multilingual workforce, focusing on French and Spanish, for a couple of reasons One is the importance of tourism in our economy

We share with our friends at New Orleans & Company the vision for bringing benefit to New Orleans by increasing international tourism International tourists are good for the city, and the more we can do to provide them with the experiences that they crave, the better And being able to speak other languages is part of that

And , likewise , we have here in our own population people who speak multiple languages — certainly, Spanish is a growing language here in New Orleans The Hispanic population is the fastest-growing population in our region, particularly in Je erson Parish, but also throughout the region And so , the more that we can do to facilitate Spanish-speaking people’s access to our museum and their ability to find themselves in our collections, the better. The same with French-speaking people

The other part of it is the fact that American history is written in languages other than English, and the more that we can do to contribute to the growth of a population of people who can access that material because they speak those languages, the more that

Did You Know?

Museums Are Economic Engines

726,000 — people in America are employed in museums (2017)

$50 billion — amount museums contribute to the U.S. economy annually Museums Are Good for the Community

$16,495 — the tax revenue created by each job in the museum sector, one-third of which goes to state and local governments More people visit art museums, science centers, historic houses or sites, zoos, or aquariums than attend professional sporting events (2023)

$2 billion — the average amount spent each year by museums on education activities. The typical museum devotes threequarters of its education budget to K-12 students.

In determining America’s Best Cities, Bloomberg placed the greatest weight on “leisure amenities [including density of museums], followed by educational metrics and economic metrics…then crime and air quality.”

(Source: American Alliance of Museums)

we ensure that we will tell fuller stories about our history in the future

As an employer , how are you boosting those language skills? We’re working with partners in the community like Alliance Francaise [de la Nouvelle Orleans] and CODOFIL We offer classes for our staff as a benefit Nothing is mandatory. And, for our frontline sta , we have at least some focus on vocabulary and phrases that can help with engaging French-speaking visitors about the things that they want to know about — where the restrooms are, the elevators, things like that.

Have you seen a growth in international visitors during your tenure at THNOC?

No . We have a lot of work to do to really have success with this There is an incredible interest in New Orleans — New Orleans has 20-million-plus visitors a year, so international visitation is always going to be possible in big numbers. But it can be challenging to get to New Orleans From time to time, we have had direct flights, and I think that that does bring more international tourists . And of course , conventions are a big part of international tourism This past year was a down year for convention business , and I think that had an impact

However, I see great years in the future for conventions, and I fully expect that that’ll bring back more international tourists But what can we do to bring back even more — at least for us in our lane, if you will — starts with making sure that we’re doing everything we can to facilitate a positive experience

Let’s switch over to real estate. THNOC is a surprisingly large holder of French Quarter real estate, and those holdings keep growing. Why is that? THNOC started with our founders, who were an important part of that 20th-century movement to raise interest in the French Quarter and awareness of it as a place of beauty and romance and historic value, as opposed to what it had been known as through the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, which was kind of a downtrodden, derelict old part of the city that didn’t really have any value to the economic future of the city The Williamses were part of this generation of preservationists who really sought to change the narrative about the French Quarter by promoting this idea that it was interesting and beautiful and romantic and historically valuable. And not just promoting it, but by renovating buildings, by living in them, by inviting their friends to come and visit them , and to see it for themselves

When they passed away , they left their assets for the creation of a museum , the purpose of which would be to continue their collection of materials relating to the history and culture of New Orleans in Louisiana , to continue their efforts to conserve and preserve these historic buildings in the French

Quarter, and to do it all for the purpose of benefiting the public. That is the vision we continue today

Our mission is to continue collecting, but there’s only there’s only so much material that you can display at any time , so the acquisition of additional buildings is about enabling the continued development of how we execute our mission

By the 1990s we had really outgrown our original buildings, including two that we added And so, we moved into our buildings on Chartres Street, which we call our Williams Research Center. The Collection purchased the courthouse and police station at 410 Chartres Street, which was originally built by the city of New Orleans in 1915, and converted that into an access point for the public to come and do research in our collections, as well as storage for those growing collections. In 2007, we built an annex adjacent to that building, which is a four-story collection storage facility That allowed us to be able to house most of our collections in the French Quarter Before we built that building, we had a lot of things in o site storage outside of the French Quarter, which made it harder to provide access. The majority of the materials are located in the French Quarter and are available to the public, either through our exhibitions or through the research access that we provide on Chartres Street at the research center.

Then in 2019, we opened our exhibition facility at 520 Royal Street, which is a group of buildings that were home to WDSU-TV until 1997, when they moved to Howard Avenue That’s now a 38,000-square-foot museum exhibition facility. It’s also where our shop is located and home to our cafe, which we’ve recently brought in-house and are operating now, as well The beautiful courtyard there is really kind of a center of our museum activity.

Tell me about the importance of the newest purchase, 416 Chartres. That’s very exciting We’ll be moving our museum

Besides the Historic New Orleans Collection, the French Quarter’s approximately 1 square mile, is packed with other museum o erings, including:

New Orleans

Pharmacy Museum

Ursuline Convent

Historic BK House & Gardens

Hermann-Grima House

Gallier House

Louisiana State Museum (Includes The Cabildo, The Presbytere, 1850 House Museum and Gardens, Jazz Museum, Madame John’s Legacy)

Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture

Museum of Death

Pitot House Museum

Catholic Cultural Heritage Center

New Orleans

Historic Voodoo Museum

Irish Cultural Museum

Arnaud’s Germaine Wells Mardi Gras Museum

Haunted Museum

preparation department from our original buildings at 533 Royal Street into that building — that’s the folks who build the exhibits , as well as some of our content production , things like that We are renovating our original buildings at 533 Royal Street , so those buildings are currently closed to the public We’re in the process of doing an exhaustive study of the buildings, creating historic structures reports that we’ll be able to use as we go forward with renovating them The goal is to create a museum campus that is all about engaging the public, with our collections in those historic spaces, as well as improved facilities for community use and things like receptions and other activities that people like to do in museums

Having the ability to essentially use the entire group of seven buildings and four courtyards at 533 Royal Street for public engagement is extremely exciting And the addition of the 416 Chartres building is going to allow us to do that

What does the timeline look like for that?

Over the course of 2023, we’ve been in trust, understanding what the buildings are historically and structurally. That work continues into this year. We also have a design team that we’ve engaged — architects and historic specialists By this time next year, I think we’ll have really figured out what we’re going to be able to do , and we should be in the construction document creation phase

What are some of the highlights of THNOC’s collection — maybe some things people might be surprised that you have? There’s some very important documents relating to things like the establishment of Louisiana as a French colony , such as a letter written by Iberville to the King of France , describing the potential for this land known as Louisiana for colonization , kind of a business plan proposal to create a colony here. We have documents related to the Louisiana Purchase, original transfer documents relating to the sale of the transfer of Louisiana from Spain to France, and then subsequently , from France to the United States...

When the president of France , Emmanuel Macron, visited New Orleans on Dec . 2, 2022, you were able to meet with him. Were these some of the things that you showed him? Absolutely We also showed him a wonderful pastel drawing by a Frenchman named Jules Lion , who was an important artist in 19 th-century New Orleans, showing what appears to be a mixed-race father and son in a loving embrace from the 1840s. It’s considered by some art historians to be the only example in American art showing that type of relationship between a white person and a

person of color from that time. There’s a lot of unknowns about it and who the subjects were , but it is related to our Frenchness here, if you will, and our Americanness and the interconnectivity of those two things, so we wanted to show it to the president

How important are museums to the French Quarter , and to New Orleans as a whole? The picture of the French Quarter , and what it is , is the picture of New Orleans for a lot of people Some people think of it as being wonderful and beautiful and historic. Some people think of it as being dangerous , or inaccessible , or dirty And in all cases , it kind of serves as a metaphor for what they think about New Orleans.

Top 5 Cities in the World for Museums and Art Galleries/Exhibits in 2022

(according to popular online review platforms)

*New Orleans also ranked #1 for Highest Rated Paid Tourist Attractions

(Source: 2022 Study by Radical Storage analyzing 22.9 million popular online review platform reviews)

There’s an opportunity to uplift the French Quarter’s role in the city and bring about positive outcomes for the entire city through museums We have some great museums in New Orleans , and some of them have very impressive visitor numbers . The National World War II Museum , of course , is well known to be one of the most visited museums in the United States NOMA also has great visitor numbers , especially with the sculpture garden , and the Louisiana Children’s Museum at City Park does really well And then we have so many great neighborhood museums all around New Orleans as well

The missing piece is the French Quarter If you think about it , 20 million people a year visit the French Quarter . If 5% of those people are coming to the French Quarter to visit museums , that’s a million people a year — more than any museum in New Orleans has in terms of visitors There aren’t many museums in the country that have that many visitors.

Do you think it’s possible that New Orleans could be one of or even the country’s premier museum destination? I think it’s quite conceivable The Collection is really focused on being a leader and making that possible, and it starts with having the facilities to accommodate more people But it also includes being of relevance to more people, being inclusive of all people’s interests and ideas about what a museum should be for them

Fortunately , we’re not doing this alone . We have an organization called the French Quarter Museum Association (FQMA. org) made up of all the nonprofit museums in the French Quarter We’re really focused on creating a message for people to latch on to that the French Quarter is about museums . To be clear, it’s not about eliminating the other things the French Quarter is about It’s about uplifting the museum profile in the French Quarter to create this important opportunity to bring our local population together with our tourist population, and to bring about some more beneficial outcomes.

Why is it so important to bring locals and tourists together? I think that one of the contributing factors to the decline of the perception of the French Quarter in terms of people feeling it is either inaccessible or not of interest to them is related to our failure to find ways to bring tourists and locals together in the same environment If we could find ways to create opportunities for those two populations to see value in the same thing , that would bring a lot of benefit to New Orleans But if we treat the tourism sector as separate from the needs and interests of the locals , then that’s a very challenging situation for us to find benefit

What other support are you receiving to accomplish these goals? New Orleans & Company has been very supportive . I think they like our vision for what we want to achieve in the Quarter We received a grant from the Greater New Orleans Foundation last year to do some initial planning and studying , and we did look around the country for other examples of museum organizations that are doing something similar to what we want to do There are some, but not as many as you might think. In Europe, there are cities that have robust museum collaborative organizations that work together with (municipal) agencies on issues like public transportation , for example , to draw people in to visit museums and create incentives for people to do that That’s the type of thing that we hope to be able to achieve.

The first thing that we need to do , though , is understand what the message needs to be , so this year we’re going to be doing some deeper market analysis to understand how we put this message out there — that the French Quarter is about museums , in an effective way that will resonate with people…

One thing that I think New Orleans should be is complex and diverse… When you think about tourism , and what tourists want , the word authenticity comes up a lot . They want authentic experiences , so it’s very important that the French Quarter maintain its quality as a living part of the city that has a diverse array of things going on in it…

The goal that we have is to lead the way in creating in the French Quarter a focus on museum activity that can uplift the experience of the French Quarter for our visitors as well as for the people who live in New Orleans and call it home.

BEST LAWYERS

BEST LAWYERS

METHODOLOGY FOR THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA® AND BEST LAWYERS: ONES TO WATCH™ IN AMERICA

TThis list is excerpted from the 2023 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, the pre-eminent referral guides to the legal profession in the United States Published since 1983, Best Lawyers® lists attorneys in 148 specialties, representing all 50 states, who have been chosen through an exhaustive survey in which thousands of the nation’s top lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers The 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America is based on more than 13 million evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers

The method used to compile Best Lawyers remains unchanged since the first edition was compiled more than 40 years ago Lawyers are chosen for inclusion based solely on the vote of their peers. Listings cannot be bought, and no purchase is required to be included. In this regard, Best Lawyers remains the gold standard of reliability and integrity in lawyer ratings

The nomination pool for the 2023 edition consisted of all lawyers whose names appeared in the previous edition of Best Lawyers, lawyers who were nominated since the previous survey and new nominees solicited from listed attorneys In general, lawyers were asked to vote only on nominees in their own specialty in their own jurisdiction. Lawyers in closely related specialties were asked to vote across specialties, as were lawyers in smaller jurisdictions Where specialties are national or international in nature, lawyers were asked to vote nationally as well as locally. Voting lawyers were also given an opportunity to offer more detailed comments on nominees Each year, half of the voting pool receives fax or email ballots; the other half is polled by phone

Voting lawyers were provided this general guideline for determining if a nominee should be listed among “the best”: “If you had a close friend or relative who needed a real estate lawyer (for example), and you could not handle the case yourself, to whom would you refer them?” All votes and comments were solicited with a guarantee of confidentiality a critical factor in the viability and validity of Best Lawyers’ surveys To ensure the rigor of the selection process, lawyers were urged to use only their highest standards when voting and to evaluate each nominee based only on his or her individual merits The additional comments were used to make more accurate comparisons between voting patterns and weight votes accordingly. Best Lawyers uses various methodological tools to identify and correct for anomalies in both the nomination and voting process

Recognition in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America is based entirely on peer review and employs the same methodology that has made Best Lawyers the gold standard for legal rankings worldwide These awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States Our “Ones to Watch” recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years

Ultimately, of course, a lawyer’s inclusion is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow attorneys While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, the breadth of the survey, the candor of the respondents and the sophistication of the polling methodology largely correct for any biases

For all these reasons, Best Lawyers lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and useful guide to the best lawyers in the United States available anywhere.

LAWYERS OF THE YEAR

ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW

Noel J Darce

ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME LAW

Paul M Sterbcow

ANTITRUST LAW

Mark A Cunningham

APPELLATE

PRACTICE

Thomas M Flanagan

ARBITRATION

Ronald J Sholes

BANKING AND FINANCE LAW

William T Finn

BANKRUPTCY AND CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY AND REORGANIZATION LAW

Elizabeth J Futrell

BET-THECOMPANY LITIGATION

Judy Y Barrasso

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING LLCS AND PARTNERSHIPS)

Steven I Klein

CLOSELY HELD COMPANIES AND FAMILY BUSINESSES LAW

Laura Walker

Plunkett

COMMERCIAL FINANCE LAW

Chad P Morrow

COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS / UCC LAW

Marion Welborn Weinstock

CONSTRUCTION LAW

H Bruce Shreves

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE LAW

Michael W Magner

CORPORATE LAW

Scott T Whittaker

CRIMINAL DEFENSE:

GENERAL PRACTICE

Richard T Simmons, Jr

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITECOLLAR

Richard T Simmons, Jr

ELDER LAW

John F Shreves EMPLOYEE

BENEFITS (ERISA) LAW

Katherine Conklin

EMPLOYMENT LAWINDIVIDUALS

David M Whitaker EMPLOYMENT LAWMANAGEMENT

Greg Guidry ENERGY LAW

Ewell E Eagan, Jr ENERGY REGULATORY LAW

Loulan J Pitre, Jr ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Robert B McNeal

EQUIPMENT FINANCE LAW

James A Stuckey ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW

Bryan C Reuter FAMILY LAW

Frank P Tranchina, Jr

FINANCIAL SERVICES

REGULATION LAW

Leopold Z Sher HEALTH CARE LAW

Jack M Stolier

INSURANCE LAW

Wayne J Lee

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCE LAW

J Marshall Page III

LABOR LAWMANAGEMENT

Ernest R Malone, Jr

LAND USE AND ZONING LAW

Michael R Schneider LEGAL

MALPRACTICE

LAWDEFENDANTS

Richard C Stanley

LITIGATIONANTITRUST

Mark A Cunningham LITIGATIONBANKING AND FINANCE

Robert B Bieck, Jr

LITIGATIONBANKRUPTCY

Elizabeth J Futrell

LITIGATIONCONSTRUCTION

H Bruce Shreves LITIGATIONENVIRONMENTAL

Robert B McNeal

LITIGATIONERISA

Robert W Rachal

LITIGATION - FIRST AMENDMENT

Mary Ellen Roy LITIGATIONINSURANCE

Robert I Siegel LITIGATIONINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Raymond G Areaux LITIGATION - LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Thomas J McGoey II LITIGATION - REAL ESTATE

Randy Opotowsky LITIGATIONREGULATORY ENFORCEMENT (SEC, TELECOM, ENERGY)

Nancy Scott Degan

LITIGATIONSECURITIES

George C Freeman III

LITIGATIONTRUSTS AND ESTATES

Edward Dirk Wegmann LITIGATION AND CONTROVERSY - TAX

Cheryl M Kornick MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONSDEFENDANTS

Susan B Kohn MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONSPLAINTIFFS

Stephen J Herman MEDIATION E Phelps Gay MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWDEFENDANTS C Wm Bradley, Jr MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

LAW - PLAINTIFFS

Michael J Ecuyer

The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America are published by BL Rankings, LLC, Augusta, GA. and can be ordered directly from the publisher For information call 803-648-0300; write 801 Broad Street Suite 950, Augusta GA 30901; email info@bestlawyers.com; or visit bestlawyers com An online subscription to Best Lawyers® is available at bestlawyers com

Disclaimer and Copyright BL Rankings, LLC has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

LAW

Leon J Reymond III MORTGAGE BANKING FORECLOSURE LAW

John T Balhoff II NATURAL RESOURCES LAW

John Y Pearce NONPROFIT / CHARITIES LAW

Leon H Rittenberg III OIL AND GAS LAW

M Taylor Darden PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATIONDEFENDANTS

Deborah B Rouen PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATIONPLAINTIFFS

Gerald E Meunier

PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATIONDEFENDANTS

Deborah B Rouen

PRODUCT LIABILITY

LITIGATIONPLAINTIFFS

Rodney P Vincent

PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LAWDEFENDANTS

Gus A Fritchie III

PROJECT FINANCE LAW

Leopold Z Sher RAILROAD LAW

Patrick A Talley, Jr REAL ESTATE LAW

Lillian E Eyrich

SECURITIES / CAPITAL MARKETS

LAW

Curtis R Hearn

SECURITIES REGULATION

Kenneth J Najder

SECURITIZATION AND STRUCTURED FINANCE LAW

Marion Welborn Weinstock

TAX LAW

Robert S Angelico

TRANSPORTATION

LAW

Benjamin Slater III

TRUSTS AND ESTATES

Carole Cukell Neff

UTILITIES LAW

Daniel T Pancamo

VENTURE CAPITAL LAW

Curtis R Hearn

BEST LAWYERS

ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW

W. Raley Alford III Stanley, Reuter, Ross, Thornton & Alford 504-523-1580

Mark A Cunningham

Jones Walker 504-582-8000

Noel J Darce Stone Pigman

Walther Wittmann 504-581-3200

Victor J. Franckiewicz, Jr Butler Snow

504-299-7700

C Peck Hayne, Jr Gordon, Arata, Montgomery, Barnett, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan 504-582-1111

David A Marcello

Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert

504-299-2100

Kerry J. Miller Fishman Haygood

504-586-5252

Dana Shelton Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann

504-581-3200

Leopold Z Sher

Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert

504-299-2100

ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME LAW

Donald R Abaunza

Liskow & Lewis

504-581-7979

Michael H Bagot, Jr

Wagner, Bagot & Rayer

504-525-2141

L Etienne Balart

Jones Walker

504-582-8000

William Baldwin

Jones Walker

504-582-8000

the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause All listed attorneys have been verified as being members in good standing with their respective state bar associations as of July 1, 2022, where that information is publicly available Consumers should contact their state bar association for verification and additional information prior to securing legal services of any attorney

E Gregg Barrios

Adams and Reese

504-581-3234

Francis J Barry, Jr

Deutsch Kerrigan

504-581-5141

T Patrick Baynham

Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Jack C. Benjamin, Jr

Perrier & Lacoste

504-212-8820

James D Bercaw

King & Jurgens

504-582-3800

Richard D. Bertram Jones Walker

504-582-8000

David S. Bland

Bland & Partners

281-900-8545

Wilton E Bland III Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett

504-595-3000

David A. Bowling

The Bowling Law

Firm (866) 416-3889

Alan G Brackett Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett

504-595-3000

Philip S Brooks, Jr

Brooks Gelpi Haasé

504-224-6723

Michael M

Butterworth

Phelps Dunbar

504-566-1311

Colin Cambre

Phelps Dunbar

504-566-1311

Bertrand M

Cass, Jr

Deutsch Kerrigan

504-581-5141

Charles A. Cerise, Jr

Adams and Reese

504-581-3234

Kathleen K Charvet

Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith

504-525-6802

Richard A Chopin

Chopin Law Firm

504-475-2429

Miles P Clements

Phelps Dunbar

504-566-1311

Katharine R.

Colletta

Phelps Dunbar

504-566-1311

Richard Cozad SBSB Eastham

504-561-0323

Allan Crane Miller Hahn

504-684-5044

Adam Davis

Adam Davis Law Firm

504-553-1435

Alan R. Davis

Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard

504-568-1990

Christopher O. Davis Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

504-566-5200

Laurence R

DeBuys IV Patrick Miller

504-527-5400

Sidney W Degan III Degan, Blanchard & Nash

504-529-3333

Scott E Delacroix

Delacroix Law Firm

985-630-8040

Tiffany Delery Davis

Ron Austin Law 504-227-8100

Lawrence R DeMarcay III Miller, Sullivan & DeMarcay

504-708-1323

Laurent Demosthenidy

Flanagan Partners

504-569-0235

Timothy DePaula

Murphy Rogers Sloss Gambel & Tompkins

504-523-0400

Thomas P Diaz

Liskow & Lewis

504-581-7979

Lara N DiCristina Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Johnny L. Domiano, Jr Adams and Reese

504-581-3234

J Kelly Duncan Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Michael J Ecuyer Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer

504-522-2304

John F. Fay, Jr. Fay Nelson & Fay

504-354-8360

Copyright 2022 by BL Rankings, LLC, Augusta, GA All rights reserved

This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of this list may be made without permission of BL Rankings, LLC No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of this list without permission.

“The Best Lawyers in America,”

“Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” and “Best Lawyers” are registered trademarks of BL Rankings, LLC

Kyle Wallace Siegel

Barrasso Usdin

Kupperman Freeman & Sarver

504-589-9700

Howard E. Sinor, Jr.

Gordon, Arata, Montgomery, Barnett, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan

504-582-1111

Benjamin Slater III Chaffe McCall

504-585-7000

Randall A Smith Smith & Fawer

504-525-2200

Richard C Stanley

Stanley, Reuter, Ross, Thornton & Alford

504-523-1580

Robert S. Stassi

Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux

504-585-3800

Charles L Stern, Jr Steeg Law Firm

504-582-1199

Mark C Surprenant Adams and Reese

504-581-3234

James R Swanson Fishman Haygood

504-586-5252

Lynn E Swanson

Jones Swanson Huddell

504-523-2500

Lauren L Tafaro Adams and Reese

504-581-3234

Brent A Talbot

Chaffe McCall

504-585-7000

Christopher R Teske

Pipes Miles Beckman

504-322-7070

Jennifer L

Thornton

Stanley, Reuter, Ross, Thornton & Alford

504-523-1580

Tyler Trew Liskow & Lewis

504-581-7979

Steven W Usdin

Barrasso Usdin

Kupperman Freeman & Sarver

504-589-9700

R Patrick Vance Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Brett S Venn

Jones Walker

504-582-8000

David F

Waguespack

Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux

504-585-3800

Michael Q Walshe, Jr

Stone Pigman

Walther Wittmann

504-581-3200

Kevin J. Webb Litchfield Cavo

985-869-8715

Edward Dirk Wegmann Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Nicholas Wehlen

Stone Pigman

Walther Wittmann

504-581-3200

Jill S Willhoft Liskow & Lewis

504-581-7979

James M Williams

Chehardy Sherman Williams Recile & Hayes

504-977-2698

Charles B. Wilmore Liskow & Lewis

504-581-7979

John M Wilson

Liskow & Lewis

504-581-7979

Rachel Wendt

Wisdom

Stone Pigman

Walther Wittmann

504-581-3200

Anne Derbes Wittmann

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

504-566-5200

Phillip A. Wittmann

Stone Pigman

Walther Wittmann

504-581-3200

Matthew A Woolf Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

504-566-5200

William E Wright, Jr Deutsch Kerrigan

504-581-5141

Laurie Briggs Young Adams and Reese

504-581-3234

Adam Zuckerman Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

504-566-5200

COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS / UCC LAW

Edward H. Arnold III Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

504-566-5200

Susanne Cambre Dwyer, Cambre & Suffern

504-838-9090

E Howell Crosby Chaffe McCall

504-585-7000

Anthony Dunbar

Chaffe McCall

504-585-7000

M. Claire Durio

Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn

504-569-2030

Stephen I Dwyer Dwyer, Cambre & Suffern

504-838-9090

Michael L Eckstein Eckstein Law Firm

504-527-0701

William H Langenstein III

Chaffe McCall

504-585-7000

Jon F Leyens, Jr Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

504-566-5200

Richard B

Montgomery III

Deutsch Kerrigan

504-581-5141

Randy Opotowsky Steeg Law Firm

504-582-1199

Robert M Steeg

Steeg Law Firm

504-582-1199

Edward T Suffern Jr Dwyer, Cambre & Suffern

504-838-9090

Marion Welborn Weinstock Gordon, Arata, Montgomery, Barnett, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan 504-582-1111

CONSTRUCTION

LAW

Keith J. Bergeron

Deutsch Kerrigan

504-581-5141

Michael S Blackwell

Riess LeMieux

504-581-3300

Michael E Botnick

Gordon, Arata, Montgomery, Barnett, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan

504-582-1111

Sean P Brady

Flanagan Partners

504-569-0235

Terrence L. Brennan

Deutsch Kerrigan

504-581-5141

Robert J Burvant

King & Jurgens

504-582-3800

Jimmy A. Castex, Jr. Castex Esnard

504-262-9880

Adrian A D’Arcy

D’Arcy Vicknair

504-636-8648

Victoria Davies Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Jessica R

Derenbecker Krebs Farley 504-299-3570

John M. Dubreuil

Daigle Fisse & Kessenich 985-871-0800

Richard G.

Duplantier, Jr Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith

504-525-6802

Matt Emmons

Crescent Title 985-269-7700

John B Esnard III

Castex Esnard

504-262-9880

Jonathan Forester

Riess LeMieux

504-581-3300

Mark W. Frilot Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz 985-819-8400

James M Garner

Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert

504-299-2100

Elizabeth L Gordon

Irwin Fritchie

Urquhart Moore & Daniels

504-310-2100

Benjamin R Grau

Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn

504-569-2030

Matthew C. Guy Adams and Reese

504-581-3234

Benjamin Janke Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

504-566-5200

Jay H. Kern

Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn

504-569-2030

David Kurtz Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

504-566-5200

Michael D Lane Lane Law

504-534-3434

Luke LaRocca

Christopher K. LeMieux

Riess LeMieux

504-581-3300

Jeffrey Scott Loeb

Loeb Law Firm

985-778-0220

Daniel Lund III

Phelps Dunbar

504-566-1311

Gerald A. Melchiode

Melchiode Marks King

504-336-2880

Mark W Mercante

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

985-819-8400

Paul L Peyronnin

Paul L Peyronnin

504-895-3143

James A Prather Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith

985-674-6680

Jeffrey K. Prattini

Prattini Law Firm

504-754-6600

Denise C Puente

Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn

504-569-2030

Stuart Richeson

Phelps Dunbar

504-566-1311

Richard P. Richter

Sher Garner Cahill

Richter Klein & Hilbert

504-299-2100

Michael R C Riess

Riess LeMieux

504-581-3300

Gary J Rouse

Couhig Partners

504-588-1288

Michael R Schneider

Stone Pigman

Walther Wittmann

504-581-3200

Charles F Seemann, Jr.

Deutsch Kerrigan

504-581-5141

Lloyd N Shields

Irwin Fritchie

Urquhart Moore & Daniels

504-310-2100

H Bruce Shreves

Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn

504-569-2030

Howard E Sinor, Jr Gordon, Arata, Montgomery, Barnett, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan

504-582-1111

John Stewart, Jr

Pugh Accardo

504-799-4500

Kelly E. Theard

Deutsch Kerrigan

504-581-5141

Paul C. Thibodeaux

Fishman Haygood

504-586-5252

Richard J Tyler Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Andrew G Vicknair

D’Arcy Vicknair

504-636-8648

CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW

Allan Kanner

Kanner & Whiteley

504-524-5777

Conlee S Whiteley

Kanner & Whiteley

504-524-5777

COPYRIGHT LAW

Bernard F Meroney

Intellectual Property Consulting

504-322-7166

Bryan C Reuter

Stanley, Reuter, Ross, Thornton & Alford

504-523-1580

Devin Ricci

Kean Miller

504-585-3050

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE LAW

Walter F Becker, Jr

Chaffe McCall

504-585-7000

Peter J Butler, Jr Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson

504-619-1800

F Rivers Lelong, Jr

Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Michael W Magner

Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Leopold Z. Sher Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert

504-299-2100

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE LAW

F Rivers Lelong, Jr Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Leopold Z. Sher

Sher Garner Cahill

Richter Klein & Hilbert

504-299-2100

CORPORATE LAW

Raymond G. Areaux Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux

504-585-3800

William R. Bishop

Phelps Dunbar

504-566-1311

Joseph L Caverly

Stone Pigman

Walther Wittmann

504-581-3200

E Howell Crosby

Chaffe McCall

504-585-7000

Anthony M DiLeo

Anthony M DiLeo

504-274-0087

Matthew J Fantaci

Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux

504-585-3800

Louis Y Fishman

Fishman Haygood

504-586-5252

Asher J Friend

Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Mark A Fullmer

Phelps Dunbar

504-566-1311

Edward N George

Chaffe McCall

504-585-7000

Douglass Wynne Jr

Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn

504-569-2030

CONSUMER LAW

W. Raley Alford III

Maureen Gershanik

Fishman Haygood

504-586-5252

Curtis R Hearn

Jones Walker

504-582-8000

Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn

504-569-2030

Stanley, Reuter, Ross, Thornton & Alford

504-523-1580

William H. Hines

Jones Walker

504-582-8000

FROM THE LENS

54

Even

reenhouse Workspace , which opened in February 2023 along the Lafitte Greenway , is a new co - working and event space designed to connect occupants to the natural environment

“Using the principles of biophilic design , the Greenhouse provides extensive interior and exterior landscaping to bring in a direct connection to nature, creating a healthier and more productive environment for members and guests , ” said Community Manager Carolyn Freeman.

The founders of Greenhouse Workspace — Mike Bertel , owner of Inhab Group ; David Hecht , founder and principal of Formwork Development; and Peter Aamodt, president of Elysium Development — wanted to create an innovative space that goes beyond the traditional office environment By selecting the Lafitte Greenway as the location , the developers also wanted to provide a distinctive space that not only meets the practical needs of its members but also contributes to the cultural, environmental and economic vitality of the surrounding community

“They envisioned Greenhouse Workspace as being a valuable addition to New Orleans by providing a modern, flexible work and event space that aligns with the city’s evolving business

Opened in February 2023 along the Laftte Greenway, the approximately 10,000-squarefoot Greenhouse Workspace is a coworking and event space that connects occupants to the environment.

landscape and office market trends,” Freeman said “The location allows for visitors to easily bike to work from many areas of the city It’s also adjacent to Carrollton Market, which includes restaurants, two grocery stores and additional retail offerings. The Greenway has always been a vibrant community hub and is known for fostering a collaborative and innovative atmosphere. ” Greenhouse Workspace now occupies more than 10,000 square feet in a renovated warehouse and a new adjacent building. The open concept offers flexible office and co-working options, including private offices in various sizes (able to accommodate one to 20 occupants), as well as two conference rooms with audio-visual capabilities, a lounge area, a community kitchen, a courtyard and restroom facilities with a shower

In addition to being a hub for co - working, Greenhouse Workspace is also available for events of 150 to 200 guests, such as weddings

and receptions, cocktail parties, art markets and exhibits, pop-up shops, business retreats, professional workshops or corporate socials

According to James Catalano , partner, co-founder and architectural designer at Cicada (lead designers and architect of record for the project), the development team specified ideal office sizes and a desired number of occupants, and , from there , the team at Cicada worked through multiple design iterations to ensure the space was comfortable and code-compliant and attracted the ideal occupancy numbers.

“Our process is highly iterative and collaborative, helping clients make quick and informed decisions,” Catalano said “We also illustrate every space with materials , colors , furniture and plantings, rendering interior details early in the schematic design phase so our clients can experience the space wholly before we execute refined construction documents ”

Catalano’s team was initially brought on to laser scan existing structures and create digital twins for quantification and accurate designing.

“Our services began with a feasibility study and concept drawings, then eventually led into full construction documents and life - safety drawings , permitting , etc ., ” he said “Dyani Robarge and Adrienne Catalano both assisted with interior and exterior detailing throughout the design and construction process We coordinated with all the consultants and design collaborators, handled permitting and were in charge of overseeing construction Luna Botanicals and Batture Engineering were key players in the success of this project Their technical

input and creative problem - solving allowed us to juggle the zoning, life safety, stormwater retention , and landscaping efficiently and purposefully ”

Catalano said the warehouse was an ideal starting point for this project, as it was essentially a blank slate

“[It] was a mostly empty box with solid walls, which featured large openings for windows and garage doors on the street and courtyard sides,” he said “We kept the original wood roof trusses, the large steel windows and the garage door openings, though the solid garage doors were replaced with units [mostly] made of glass for more natural lighting. ”

The front fence and gate were custom designed and fabricated using a thin steel profle and vertical wood slats.

The warehouse’s original elements also became central features that contribute to the aesthetic appeal and uniqueness of the space

“The Greenhouse celebrates the industrial heritage of the warehouse , while layering in elements such as sustainable materials, living plants and creative features that enhance natural light and reflect its modern, sustainable and community-oriented vision,” Freeman said

The biophilic design included the use of transparent wall systems to welcome natural light into the building and the addition of lush plantings inside and out

Challenges during the design process came in many forms, especially when it came to egress requirements and standard base flood elevation requirements.

“The long, narrow lot created an egress quandary for our design team, as we needed to meet exit distance requirements , ” said Catalano . “The shared courtyard and elevated walkway are a result of this solution, which also allowed for a green space and stormwater retention opportunity

“We also had to be creative about bringing light deep into the space , ” Catalano added “This was the driving factor behind the transparent wall systems We strategically placed them at high and low points to bring in natural light, while retaining privacy for the separate workspaces The new floor slab had to be at a specific height above the base flood elevation, and the new structure was required to be even higher For the project’s simple shape and layout, the programming and circulation were complex design problems, allowing for creative design solutions. ”

For the interior and exterior design, Inhab Millworks fabricated live-edge wood conference tables from fallen pecan and live oak trees, as well as cabinets and a rear- mechanical structural rack.

“Inhab Millworks and Luna Botanicals [also] collaborated to execute the unique exterior curved planters,” Catalano added “The front fence and gate were also custom designed and fabricated; a thin steel profile and vertical wood slats allowed for privacy and style in a tight footprint ”

The architectural and interior design elements come together to provide a calming, inspiring place for co-working

“In its identity as a shared workspace for sprouting businesses , ” Catalano said “The intent was to keep the interior space simple, and let the natural light and lush plantings shine.”

The biophilic design included the use of transparent wall systems to welcome natural light into the building and the addition of lush plantings inside and out.

QUICK LOOK

Number of years in operation

1

Style of architecture

Adaptive reuse of an existing storage warehouse into a modern workspace

Square footage

10,000

Number of Employees

1

Persons in Charge

Carolyn Freeman

Architect Cicada

Interior Decor

The Inhab Group

Initial Brand Development

Thought Partner

Art and furnishings

The Inhab Group (furnishings) & Zack Smith Photography (art)

While an old advertising campaign once insisted that “a diamond is forever,” a new jewelry trend is challenging that statement with a fashionable way to express togetherness without breaking the bank.

The idea is a piece of jewelry that cannot easily be removed. A bracelet, anklet or necklace that has no clasp and is instead welded on. The company is Love Weld.

The premium 14- karat permanent jewelry boutique opened its doors on Magazine Street last fall , providing a unique and lasting experience for jewelry lovers and fashion-forward friends and family

Originally launched in 2020 in Austin, Texas, the Uptown location is the first of the boutique brand’s New Orleans locations. Founder Sarah Sides knew the brand would be the perfect fit for New Orleans from day one.

“We have 14 locations across the company,” Sides said. “They are all owned by my family and have been launched and operated by women who are passionate about the Brand’s mission It’s also a lot of fun ”

Sides , who grew up with a background in both jewelry making and in family - owned retail , hit upon the permanent jewelry trend after researching international trends and was immediately hooked on the idea

“The Love Weld magic all began with a spark of inspiration when I was conducting trend

research for a jewelry brand I designed for,” she said . “At the time, there were two stores in Paris and New York, where clasp-free jewelry was an ancillary service to a traditional jewelry store. I found the concept fascinating, became a bit obsessed, and quickly decided that the concept needed to be its own brand ”

According to a September 2023 report by Time Magazine, permanent jewelry appeals to a wide range of ages and backgrounds It is seen as a fun alternative to , say, more permanent body enhancements such as tattoos as a way to mark special occasions, celebrate with friends and family, or simply as a new adornment that can stay put through daily wear and activities

Love Weld is a new permanent jewelry boutique that features claspfree necklaces, bracelets, anklets and rings Jewelry is custom welded to the wearer.

“If you’re the type of person who tends to wear the same bracelet and earrings every day, a piece of permanent jewelry can save you the hassle of putting it on each morning and taking it off each night , ” explained the report. “It’s also an excellent way to mark a special occasion, milestone, or a relationship, sort of like a grown-up friendship bracelet ”

Love Weld fits right in with the trend, offering a variety of experiences for individual customers and parties , from mother- daughter days to bridesmaids, spouses, friend groups and more

“We host all types of celebrations in our studio,” said Sides “We recommend booking an appointment or party on our site This gives you the opportunity for the best experience We host the clients and help them build their personal Love Weld styles ”

“Made popular on TikTok ,  permanent jewelry has a high search volume , with 32 k average weekly searches , ” said a January 2023 report by TrendAnalytics .  “Permanent bracelets , more specifically, have  322 million views on the app , increasing social buzz by  3,200 % . This safe bet jewelry trend [has increased] 400% from last year. ”

Love Weld boutiques aim to provide a very specific kind of setting for individuals , partners , friends , families or parties to gather and celebrate with a special piece of jewelry

The Uptown location embraces its retail surrounding and Magazine Street tradition

“It’s a beautiful space , I love the neighborhood , and I loved that our predecessor was Dirty Coast,” she said “I look for spaces that architecturally capture the heart of the city, and we keep that identity in how we inhabit our spaces They might not always be the most obvious choice , but if it’s a sterile box and doesn’t have some sort of roots, it’s not right for us. Our spaces aren’t your normal jewelry store setup, they’re much more inviting and are centered around living rooms. We regularly host parties for those in the community. Additionally, each studio showcases local creatives’ work in the design, product and team. ”

Customers can choose between a variety of styles of 14-karat yellow, white and rose gold rings, bracelets, necklaces and anklets Prices range from $58 for a ring to $1,800 for a neck-

The spa-like boutique ofers space for bridesmaids’ parties, dates, birthdays or other special occasions with family and friends. Customers can choose between a range of chain sizes and custom charms.

lace , depending on the design and weight of each chain. Each piece is custom-fitted to the wearer’s measurements and charms may be added for customization. Charms start at $40 each and include personalized initials, hearts, stones, shapes and more

For Sides and her team, Love Weld is more than a jewelry brand, it’s a celebration, one they intend to continue to grow in community and in the spirit of its name

“Along with my husband , we came up with the Love Weld name,” she said “We wanted the

FAQS FROM LOVEWELD.COM

What is permanent jewelry?

Permanent jewelry is a necklace, anklet or a bracelet that doesn’t have a typical clasp. Instead, the ends are welded or “zapped” together. Why do you only use 14-karat solid gold? The main reason is we weld truly #foreverbound jewelry. 14-karat solid gold is heirloom quality, sustainable, durable, will not tarnish and is hypoallergenic. Does it hurt?

Our welding technology ensures a seamless, painfree experience, letting love do all the talking.

Can it be removed? You can simply give a gentle snip at the welded ring with scissors.  We’ll be here to re-weld for a $20 service fee to rekindle that eternal sparkle.

name to be timeless, simple and all about the customer. Ultimately, it’s in the name ‘Love’ to me. It needed to be a ceremony to celebrate the connections and bonds we make in this world I wanted to create a brand that was hyper-focused on this idea We need safe havens to gather and celebrate the good in this world , especially today We are very excited about the team and communities we have had the honor of being a part of these last couple years We are looking forward to getting to enjoy those who have partnered with us , and now we want to deepen our roots ”

GEM

Come. Sit. Stay.

Even dogs like neighborhood businesses like MidCity Animal House

BY KEITH TWITCHELL

After receiving her MBA at University of New Orleans, Cali Burk got a job in insurance She quickly decided the corporate world was not a fit for her

Fortunately, Burk, who still liked the challenges of business and management, quickly found a Plan B.

“I grew up having dogs all my life,” she continued . “I noticed that there weren’t many doggie day - care facilities around , and none at all in Mid-City. ”

That was more than 12 years ago, and while the competition has grown , Burk’s Mid - City Animal House has a full house most of the time Some of her clients have been with her since she opened

The business has grown to require a staff of six The facility, located at 4001 Toulouse Street, is a converted shotgun house in a mixed- use neighborhood

“It helps the pets feel like they’re at home,” Burk said, contrasting her smaller location with some of the large pet-sitting operations “We have three separate gated playrooms, and we divide the dogs by size and temperament We give them that socializing, that feeling of home. ”

Mid-City Animal House offers both boarding and day care , but Burk noted that even the boarding dogs are in the playrooms or outside in the side yard during the day. She typically has around 25 pooches boarding at any given time and hosts another 15 for day care on a typical weekday. These numbers increase for

holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and — this being New Orleans — Jazz Fest

Burk estimates that around 90 % of her clients are from the Mid-City area, as evidenced by the fact that she is completely full during Endymion parade day

“I think we have every dog in the neighborhood here that day,” she said with a laugh

When someone wants to bring a new dog in for boarding, Mid-City first has the animal participate in day care, to ensure that there is a good personality fit. Pups that can’t play nicely with others are asked to find other options.

“We explain to them this is what’s best for your pet,” said Burk. “Another place might have a run for an individual dog. I’m not going to just stick your dog in a kennel for a week. ”

Personalities matter for the staff as well.

“Not all people that like dogs like humans,” Burk noted “Our staff has to be good with both types of customers ”

While fun , working at a doggie day - care center is not typically a long-term career, which means staff turnover is her biggest challenge College students , including some from the veterinary technician program at Delgado Community College, fill many of the positions Word of mouth is her primary source of recruitment. Burk also helped start the New Orleans Bulldog Rescue organization, and referrals from within this and similar groups help with hiring.

Burk sees being a locally owned , neighborhood-based business as key to her success.

“Being smaller means we can provide more specialized attention,” she said, “and for many people, their pets are their babies.”

New Orleans 500 Influential, Involved and Inspiring Executives

The New Orleans 500, an annual publication from Biz New Orleans maga ine, profles the business leaders who are driving the greater New Orleans economy today and making decisions that will shape the region’s future. The book is over owing with details about regional CEOs, presidents, managing partners, entrepreneurs and other executives who are as devoted to their professions as they are to civic afairs. It’s a diverse group that includes fourth- and ffth-generation owners of family businesses as well as young, social media-savvy entrepreneurs building their brands one like or follow at a time.

Scott Whittaker

Member, Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann LLC

PHOTO BY MIKE LIRETTE

DID YOU KNOW?

Whittaker concentrates his practice on real estate development and fnancing, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate and business law. With more than 35 years of experience, he has counseled companies with operations across the world, including international restaurant chains and global commodity trading companies. Locally, he has worked on many publicprivate partnerships, including the conversion of the former World Trade Center building into the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences, and the redevelopment of the historic Saenger Theatre and Harrah’s New Orleans Casino.

Education: Tulane University (JD, BA)

Go-to Restaurant: The Steak Knife. My wife Wendy and I have been going since we were dating back in high school.

On the Horizon: This year will mark the 95th anniversary of Stone Pigman’s founding. Not many law frms can boast a track record like ours, so I’m looking forward to a wellearned year of celebrating!

Hidden Gem: Café Minh is hidden in plain sight on Canal Street.

Best Part of the Job: I love the intellectual challenge of my legal practice, but I really love that it allows me to work with and get to know many amazing and inspiring people.

Advice: Know your purpose in life and try to achieve it. I like a quote from Viktor Frankl that says, ‘Success, like happiness, is the unexpected side efect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself.’