Biz New Orleans October 2022

(L-R) Saban Sellers, Investment Advisor for Multifamily Sales at Stirling Properties; Trenika Starks, Senior Director of Programs at HousingNOLA; and Shawn M. Barney, Managing Director at CLB Porter Development

OCTOBER

EVERY ISSUE

10 EDITOR’S NOTE

12 PUBLISHER’S NOTE

14 ON THE WEB

FROM THE LENSPERSPECTIVES

56

GREAT WORKSPACES

Christian Shane Properties and Christian Shane Development marry past, present and future in an historic mansion on St. Charles Avenue.

64

NEW ORLEANS 500 Jacquelyn Dadakis, President and CEO at Green Coast Enterprises

HEALTHCARE

IN THE BIZ

20

In order to meet the growing needs of dementia care, Oschsner Health is part of a nationwide program aimed at supporting patients and caregivers.

DINING

Just an hour north of New Orleans, a former financial advisor and his wife are doing something that’s never been done before, and local restaurants have embraced the results.

22

TOURISM

Is balance possible for neighborhoods and short-term rentals?

24

30

EDUCATION

SPORTS

Saints running backs pushing each other toward history; Saints valued at $3.575 billion

26

Amidst decreasing attention spans, how are educators keeping students engaged?

32

LAW

Local insurance attorneys share their top tips for hurricane claimants.

60

ENTREPRENEUR

How to keep meetings from being time suckers, and what to do if you can’t.

38

GUEST

It’s time to own more of where you call home.

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?

This year’s Water Challenge winner is creating outdoor spaces that can lower flood insurance costs and increase property values.

Top Real Estate Influencers

10 of the region’s top professionals share their thoughts on the marketplace

A Celebration of Space

Real estate is such an exciting industry because it’s all about new beginnings — whether that be a family moving into a new home, or a business finding the perfect new space. New is the birthplace of possibilities, of fresh experiences. It’s the hope for better.

On a personal level, my family just cele brated our first year in our own New Orleans home. It started out rough — we moved in the day before Ida hit — but once things calmed down a bit and we were actually able to stay in our home, it’s been fun settling in and making it our own. I can look around and imagine upcoming holidays with family, sleepovers with rambunctious kiddos, and continuing tradi tions like family movie nights and maybe some new game nights on the back porch.

Along with our new home, my daughter’s school, Lycee Francais de la Nouvelle Orleans, welcomed students this fall into its new high school campus — which officially makes New Orleans home to the first, and only, tuition-free Pre-K through 12th grade French immersion program in the nation. Eight years after the school purchased what was once the Alfred C. Priestley Junior High School on Leonidas Street — and more than three decades since the location last welcomed students — this gorgeous new school will be graduating Lycee’s inaugural 12th grade class next year. Our city has yet another incredible feature that no other place in the nation is offering. That’s exciting!

Of course, this one school is just an example of all the exciting things underway all over the Greater New Orleans region. I was excited to pick the brains of 10 of the top professionals in our real estate industry again this year, including two persons, Mike Siegel and Barry Spizer, that will be honored this month by NOMAR-CID for their work on the “2021 Deal of the Year” — the redevelopment of Charity Hospital — at the 12th Annual Economic and Real Estate Forecast Symposium October 13 at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit NOMAR.org.

Here’s to exciting new developments, and here’s to FALL!

Thanks for reading,

KIMBERLEY SINGLETARY

Managing Editor Kimberley@BizNewOrleans.com

Publisher Todd Matherne

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor Kimberley Singletary Art Director Sarah George

Digital Media Editor Kelly Massicot

Associate News Editor Rich Collins

Perspective Writer Drew Hawkins

Contributors Calvin Cooper, Ashley McLellan, Chris Price, Jennifer Gibson Schecter, Melanie Warner Spencer, Poppy Tooker, Keith Twitchell

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Mark Your Calendar

There are two great events coming up you do not want to miss.

The Jefferson Community Foun dation is hosting its annual gala on Oct. 28, at Chateau Golf & Country Club, where it will present the Jefferson First Award. This award will recognize someone who is making a difference in Jefferson Parish through service, compassion and impact to others. The honorary chair for this event is Council Chairman Ricky Templet, and I know he would love your support for this excellent event and foundation.

As the Jefferson Chamber continues to cele brate its 25th anniversary, the organization will host a “Sterling Moments” celebration Nov. 18, at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. This exclusive event celebrates the chamber’s growth over the last quarter of a century and highlights the accomplishments it has made throughout Jefferson Parish to improve busi ness while improving lives.

I would also like to give a shout out to two great organizations.

Just a few months ago, business, nonprofits and civic minded people gathered to see how they could create a safer and more prosperous New Orleans for everyone. From this meeting, the NOLA Coalition was formed and now has over 400 organizations signed on. You can see their efforts beginning to make an impact as government leaders are taking note and making necessary changes to the justice system. We have learned through the years that when concerned citizens in our community gather

together to fight a crisis New Orleans changes for the good of all its citizens.

In August, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust held its “Auctions in August” event to raise dollars for nonprofits. This event uses the silent auction model where hundreds of items are available for bid online. Since 2008, Auctions in August has raised over $1 million for nonprofits. Congratu lations to the entire team at Gulf Coast Bank for their work in support of hundreds of nonprofits.

Finally, on a personal note, this month Malayne and Jake come back to New Orleans for an extended weekend to celebrate their upcoming addition to the family at the end of the year with family and friends. It has been since February when the entire family last gath ered and this long weekend coincides with my birthday, which is the best present I can ask for. Happy fall. Enjoy October.

Sales Manager (504) 830-7252

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Senior Account Executive

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CEO and Publisher Renaissance Publishing

Caitlin Sistrunk

Jessica Jaycox

THE WEB

Lauren Turner, executive director of the Andre Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice, speaking to BizNewOrleans.com weekly blogger Keith Twitchell for the Sept. 8 blog of “Neighborhood Biz.”

Located in the former St. Rose of Lima Church on Bayou Road, the new performing arts center is planning a full grand opening in January. The opening will be followed by a multi-month festival from March through Juneteenth, to include the staging of three new plays by Black southern playwrights and the Black Film Festival of New Orleans. The church now houses a main stage that can seat 125 people, a second performance area and the Sanctuary Bar. The center will also feature a residency program, which will host six performing arts organizations when fully realized. Three will be legacy companies, including Opera Creole, Voices in the Dark Repertory Theater and the Seasons Center Dance Company.

“The most important thing for City Park over the next few years is to have authentic dialogue with the community. We want to know why you love the park. Why you use the park. We even want to hear from those who don’t visit the park.  We are out to ensure that City Park is a ‘park for the people’ and we can’t do it without their input.”

BIZ TALKS PODCAST

EPISODE 118

Warner Thomas, Pete November Talk About Ochsner’s Big Leadership Change

On Sept. 13, Warner Thomas announced he’s leaving his job as CEO at Louisiana’s largest private employer to take the top job at Sutter Health, a Sacramento, California-based healthcare network.

Fittingly, Pete November, executive VP and CFO at Ochsner, will assume the title of CEO on Nov. 1. The two share their thoughts on moving forward and the challenges facing the healthcare industry.

EPISODE 117

Peter Ricchiuti — “We’ve seen peak inflation.”

Tulane business professor Peter Ricchiuti — founder of Burkenroad Reports and host of the weekly show “Out to Lunch” on National Public Radio — shares why there are plenty of reasons to feel good about economic prospects nationwide and in New Orleans.

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS TALKING ON BIZNEWORLEANS.COM

Catch all the latest news, plus original reporting, people on the move, videos, weekly podcast and blogs, digital editions of the magazines and daily Morning Biz and afternoon newsletters. If it’s important to business in southeast Louisiana, it’s at BizNewOrleans.com.

Cara Lambright, CEO of New Orleans City Park

In a city that is so much shaped by Black performing arts and artists, there is no physical space dedicated to them. That is not sustainable.

New Orleans is home to a diverse and active business community, and much of its energy comes from the top, the executives whose actions and decisions move companies forward despite some of the most challenging economic times in history. Biz New Orleans is diving into what drives those decisions and actions with this exclusive section, which asks local executives about how they arrived where they are today and what they believe drives company success.

Senior Solutions

Aging is among one of life’s many inevitable experiences. While getting older often includes some major perks like retirement, grandchildren and a life time of wisdom, the process can also pose obstacles with the most common of which being living situations. Families must assess the aging loved one’s health and social needs, level of independence and desires in order to begin narrowing down the countless senior living options from part-time, in-home aid to residential assisted living facilities. Choosing the right senior living and care plan is not a choice that’s settled on overnight and nor should it be. Browse some of the region’s top senior living solutions to find the perfect fit for you or an aging loved one.

architects to ensure the structural changes will be progressive and rooted in established, aesthetic traditions.

For more information on Poydras Home’s services, visit poydrashome.com.

Home Care Solutions

Home Care Solutions is a locally owned and operated company specializing in compassionate in-home sitting services, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Care as well as Aging Life Care Management™ services to help your elderly loved ones extend their independence at home.

Poydras Home

With its ongoing expansion, Poydras Home will soon become Louisiana’s first Green House® Project community—this revolutionary care approach is focused on the fundamental prin ciple that each resident should be the central decision maker in his or her daily life. With this expansion and transformation, Poydras Home will offer two new buildings with three homes each. The Green House model groups a smaller number of residents sharing each house led by

dedicated Care Partners highly trained to make each day meaningful. This smaller community setup within the larger community has the added benefit of limiting COVID exposure.

Homes will feature open floor plans and increased access to Poydras Home’s beautiful grounds. Poydras Home’s Historic House will be rebuilt as the Center for Healthy Living, where all residents will enjoy yoga, a therapy gym, a library, meditative space and more. Poydras Home is pleased to be working with Eskew Dumez Ripple

“Our mission is to help our clients age in place gracefully while maintaining as much independence as possible,” says Rachel Palmer, Business Development Coordinator. “In spite of current staffing shortages affecting the health care industry, we remain well-equipped with a dedicated team of highly-trained caregivers who collaborate closely with families to provide them peace of mind.”

Caregivers are carefully matched to meet your loved one’s needs and personality, and their familiarity with local resources saves you time and often saves you money while their compas sionate understanding of the aging process relieves you of unnecessary distress. For more information, call 504-828-0900 or visit home careneworleans.com.

IN THE BIZ

20 DINING

Foie Gras from Louisiana? Yes, It’s a thing.

22 TOURISM

Is balance possible for neighborhoods and short-term rentals?

24 SPORTS

Saints running backs pushing each other toward history; Saints valued at $3.575 billion

ENTREPRENEUR

How to keep meetings from being time suckers, and what to do if you can’t.

IN THE BIZ DINING

POPPY TOOKER has spent her life devoted to the cultural essence that food brings to Louisiana, a topic she explores weekly on her NPR-affiliated 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.

Foie Gras from Louisiana? Yes, It’s a thing.

Just an hour north of New Orleans, a former financial advisor and his wife are doing something that’s never been done before, and local restaurants have embraced the results.

BY POPPY TOOKER

Louisiana backwater is not the place you would normally hunt for luxury foods, but that is exactly where Ross McKnight and his wife, Dorothy, are producing artisanal foie gras — or as they call it, Backwater Foie Gras.

Far from “high-falutin’ snob’s food,” Ross believes, “Foie gras is really the ultimate product of the peasant kitchen economy. Aside from the beautiful, juicy duck, it also provides all the fat needed for cooking and preserving, along with the culinary crown jewel, the foie gras.”

Just a few years ago, the McKnights were exploring sustainable farming techniques in the backyard of their suburban Covington home, cultivating a large kitchen garden alongside a bustling chicken coop. Ross was supporting his family by working as a financial advisor, but dreamed of a day when he could pursue “mankind’s first vocation” as a full-time farmer.

In 2018, after the couple’s friends, Laurent and Mailys Dias, returned from a visit to her Toulouse home with authentic French foie gras, that first taste lit a spark in Ross’ soul.

“Hey!” he proclaimed, “I think we can do this!”

The Frenchwoman however, had serious doubts.

Now laser focused on a product no one had ever attempted to produce in Louisiana, Ross pressed on, purchasing a flock of ducklings with questionable bloodlines from a farmer outside of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who “said they were Muscovys.” Those first ducks yielded very small golden livers that were not very good, but after finding a reliable source for ducks in Pennsylvania, the McKnights were on their way to success.

For her part, Mailys traveled back to France to learn directly from foie gras farmers there who generously shared their knowledge, along with their own doubts about replicating the process in Louisiana. She also acquired vintage French books on foie gras production.

With almost 90 ducks in the backyard, Ross’ health began to seriously decline due to a lifelong struggle with an autoimmune disease. After expe riencing “mortality at a very visceral level” during a long stay at the Cleveland Clinic that followed multiple surgeries and a complete colectomy, Ross said he realized, “Sometimes you must make friends with death to live your dreams.”

Ross’ parents, Julie and Dan McKnight, trusted their son’s instincts. Together, the multigenerational clan purchased a large homeplace in

Bush, Louisiana, with enough room to produce healthy ducks and, ultimately, foie gras. For the operation to be sustainable, it was necessary to run multiple species on the land to build up the vital pastureland.

Gulf Coast sheep and a milk cow named Patty were added to the mix, along with Pekin ducks, guinea hens, Red Ranger broilers and a Creole derivative of the famous Bresse chicken. With a bright red comb, snow white feathers and deep blue legs, the Bresse is said to resemble the French flag and is as delicious as it is beautiful. Specialty poultry provides an income when it’s too hot for the seasonal production of foie gras.

The addition of a state-approved processing facility built on the property allows everything to be processed, cleaned, butchered and pack aged on site.

Backwater’s greatest achievement by far are its creamy lobes of foie gras.

“The first time we saw Backwater Foie Gras called by name on a menu, it blew us away,” Ross remembered. “To bring something up from a tiny fuzzball and create this beautiful thing that’s honored in the hands of people who devote their lives to cooking … I realized maybe we can do this and do something beautiful. Weave a legacy, leave an impact by making it a gift to our culture and the state we love.”

New Orleans restaurants responded with love and support. Backwater’s products are on menus like Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans’ Miss River, Brennan’s and Commander’s Palace. Dickie Brennan’s Commissary sells fresh ducks and chickens when available. At local farmers markets, Backwater’s offerings often include rillettes, foie gras paté and mousse, duck leg confit and magret séché, along with duck eggs and other primal pieces.

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.

“Backwater is both a farm and working homestead,” said Dorothy. “Our own family eats almost exclusively from the land.”

Luckily, they have plenty to share with the rest of us. T

IN THE BIZ TOURISM

Long-term Fixes for Short-term Rentals

Is balance possible for neighborhoods and STRs?

BY JENNIFER GIBSON SCHECTER

The advent of companies such as Airbnb, Vrbo and Sonder have commercialized spare rooms, duplexes and single-family homes and apartments as travel accommodations that provide more space, more privacy and tout a more authentic cultural experience than hotels can provide. The demand for options like these clearly exists, and to remain competitive, New Orleans needs to offer them, but in a way that works for everyone.

The short-term market is booming. In an August press release, Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky touted the company’s continued success, stating, “Over the last year, we generated $2.9 billion in free cash flow and our Q2 revenue is up more than 70% since Q2-2019.” He reported Airbnb achieved “103 million nights and experiences booked, our largest quarterly number ever.”

What do those numbers translate to in New Orleans? For many, they look like entire blocks

of houses that remain empty Tuesday through Thursday, yet are filled with rambunctious tourists on the weekends. A 2019 study by HR&A Advisors and Urban Focus reported that from 2016 to 2019, the number of short-term rentals (STR) in New Orleans had more than doubled, reducing the availability of housing for New Orleans residents. The report found that in neighborhoods like Treme, Marigny and Bywater, between 10 to 16% of occupied housing units were listed as short-term rentals.

The city has tried various provisions and rules to prevent the complete dismantling of residential neighborhoods, and we are once again in a state of flux. In August, judges in the Federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals found a key 2019 law unconstitutional — ruling that out-of-state, short-term rental owners were being discriminated against and that the law violated the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. The law was meant to prevent whole-home rentals in residential neighbor hoods and required owners to prove they lived on part of the property they listed. The ruling

means that now, that couple in Colorado who wants to “invest in real estate” may do so in New Orleans, and corporations like Sonder can once again buy residential properties for the sole purpose of commercial endeavors.

In response, the New Orleans City Council held a special meeting on Aug. 29 and unan imously passed an Interim Zoning District (IZD), which created a six-month pause on accepting short-term rental applications in resi dential areas. Existing permits and previously submitted applications will be in effect and honored until March 1, 2023.

Councilmember JP Morrell, a longtime critic of short-term rentals, said in a statement, “We are not going to rush through a legislative process that will affect our residents’ quality of life and livelihood for generations to come. Reevaluating the Comprehensive Zoning Ordi nance (CZO) is going to take time, and this IZD will ensure that the City Council has the ability to get the job done right ... The goal is to bring all STRs into the more restrictive regime at the same time.”

As part of the proceedings, a new ordinance was introduced that would require every shortterm rental property to have signage visible from the street identifying it as such. The purpose is to increase the accountability during the revision process.

Many people question how any new rules will be enforced. Prior to the court ruling, the mayor’s office announced in June that it was increasing its staffing in the short-term rental office from 6 to 23, including more inspectors and administrators who process applications and levy warnings and fines on short-term rental operators. The office also reported investment in a new software data program, Granicus, that makes it easier to identify illegal short-term rentals.

Much remains to be seen about the City Council’s new regulations and how they will be implemented. We can only hope they strike a balance between affordable quality of life for residents and competitive short-term rental inventory for visitors. T

JENNIFER GIBSON SCHECTER was once a tourist in New Orleans herself and is now proud to call NOLA home.

THE BIZ SPORTS

Rushing Race

Saints running backs pushing each other toward history; Saints valued at $3.575 billion

BY CHRIS PRICE

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram II entered the 2022 season as the Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yards (6,267) and touchdowns (51), but he might not hold those records for long. With 4,238 yards and 47 touchdowns on the ground, Alvin Kamara is right on his heels.

The Saints selected the Heisman Trophy-win ning Ingram with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played with the team for seven seasons and became the Saints’ franchise record holder for rushing touchdowns in Week 16 of 2018 against the

Pittsburgh Steelers, when he recorded his 50th touchdown, surpassing Deuce McAllister. Ingram signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 and then the Houston Texans in 2021. The Saints traded a seventh-round pick for Ingram on Oct. 29, and in Week 10 he became the Saints’ all-time rushing leader.

While Ingram, 32, will add to his career totals, the other half of the Saints’ dynamic duo may soon eclipse him in the team’s record books.

Kamara only trails Ingram in career rushing touchdowns by four. Last season, Kamara had four rushing touchdowns — the lowest of his career — and Ingram had one for the Saints. Kamara, 27, has scored double-digit rushing touchdowns every other year in his career. It is conceivable that he will pass Ingram at some point this year to become the franchise’s leader in career rushing touchdowns.

Unless Kamara has one of the greatest seasons for a running back in NFL history, Ingram may be able to hold on to his crown as the team’s all-time rushing leader a bit longer. Ingram leads Kamara by 2,029 yards. Only four players have rushed for more yards in a season — Eric Dickerson had 2,105 in 1984, Adrian Peterson ran for 2,097 in 2012, Jamal Lewis rushed for 2,066 in 2003, and Barry Sanders had 2,053 in 1997. Because Ingram will be adding to his career totals this season, it’s doubtful that Kamara will catch him this season. In truth, Kamara needs 1,858 yards to level up with Deuce McAllister in second place. Because he’s equally dangerous as a runner and pass catcher, which limits his carries, it may take two seasons for him to move past McAllister’s 6,096 career tally, much less move into the top spot. It will, however, be a fun race to watch and give Saints fans a little lagniappe as they pull for the Black & Gold.

CHA-CHING

Last month, this column space featured a report from Sportico, a sports business website launched in June 2020, that released its 2022 NFL franchise valuation in August. While the column has covered Forbes’ NFL franchise valu

ations, they were not published until September, after the magazine went to press.

While Sportico valued the Saints at $3.26 billion, Forbes, the recognized authority, appraised the Saints at $3.575 billion, a 27% increase year-over-year and 26th of the NFL’s 32 teams. That’s an increase of 256% over the last decade when Forbes valued the Saints at $1.004 billion in 2013.

With an $8 billion value, Forbes says the Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable team in all of sports. The Cowboys, who reportedly generated over $1 billion in revenue last year, led the NFL as the highest-valued club for the 14th consecutive year, even though they last played in a Super Bowl in 1996.

Although they played for the league champi onship last season, the Cincinnati Bengals are the least valuable team in the league, according to Forbes. The company valued the franchise at $3 billion, but their Super Bowl appearance helped the club increase 32% in value.

Forbes said team valuations increased this year with the $4.65 billion sale of the Denver Broncos this summer, 24% more than the value Forbes assessed the team at a year ago. The Broncos’ transaction increased the NFL’s average team valuation 28% to $4.47 billion. The Broncos were the first NFL team to be sold since 2018, when the Carolina Panthers sold for $2.28 billion. Prior to that deal, the Buffalo Bills sold for $1.4 billion in 2014. T

RUNNING TO THE TOP

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.

IN THE BIZ ENTREPRENEUR

What’s Time to a Pig?

How to keep meetings from being time suckers, and what to do if you can’t.

BY KEITH TWITCHELL

Meetings are often maligned, lampooned and generally disrespected. Bad meetings can indeed be a nightmare, but good meetings are well springs of creativity, produc tivity and success.

How do you make your meetings the kind people look forward to rather than the kind people schedule root canals to avoid? The following are a few tips for success — plus my secret to surviving the second kind.

RULE NO. 1: KEEP CONTROL.

Just like a ship with no captain quickly ends up on the rocks, a meeting that is not firmly led sinks rapidly.

Successfully maintaining control is largely a function of pre-meeting planning and prepa ration. Most meetings need a clear, sensible agenda, preferably one that allocates a specific amount of time to each topic. This helps an organizer see up front if it is possible to get through an agenda within the meeting time frame. It keeps the discussion focused, gives an organizer an excuse to cut off wandering conversations, and lets participants know that there is structure and intent to the meeting.

RULE NO. 2: ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE, AND RIGHT NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

With the exception of standing gatherings like staff or board meetings, it is important to be thoughtful about who has a seat at the table. The right mix of personalities, expertise and perspectives makes for a productive conversa tion; the wrong mix makes for a mosh pit.

Smaller numbers generally produce better meetings, but if you must convene a larger group, establishing some ground rules adds additional structure. These do not have to be elaborate, and they should be geared toward making the conversation respectful, inclusive and focused.

RULE NO. 3: NO HIJACKERS ALLOWED.

Nothing causes other participants to check out faster than a meeting dominator. Some people are just aggressive personalities and need to be held in check with tight reins. Others are simply incapable of saying anything succinctly and may require a gentler hand, but they still have to be harnessed.

I used to be in a group that met regularly, including several of the lengthy orator types. The person who ran the meetings used the “land the plane” analogy to try to curtail the ramblings, initially with limited success. She finally

made an actual paper plane, and soon had everyone trained that if she picked it up, it was time to wrap up the monologue.

RULE NO. 4: EMBRACE HUMOR.

This touches on another point: Unless the subject matter is dead serious, meetings where people laugh are more productive meetings. Appropriate laughter relieves tension, makes people happy, and builds a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

RULE NO. 5: THINK AHEAD.

If an upcoming meeting topic is sensitive, complicated or controversial, and you believe coming to consensus will be necessary but difficult, talk to the key participants before hand. You know who the influencers are in your group; determine where they stand on the issues. Hearing their concerns and getting them aligned before the meeting can help lead the conversation in the preferred direction.

IF THINGS GO BAD WRONG

But sometimes you are not in charge. And sometimes the person who is in charge has done none of the above, and you regret deeply that you did not bring your invisibility potion with you to the meeting. In those excruciating situations, remember this little story:

A man was out driving and passed a farmer holding a pig up to an apple tree. The sight caused the man to screech to a halt, jump out of his car, and ask the farmer, “Why are you holding that pig up to the tree?”

“My pig likes apples, so I’m feeding him apples,” replied the farmer.

“Wouldn’t you save a lot of time if you knocked the apples off the tree so the pig could eat them off the ground?” asked the man.

The farmer pondered for a moment, then replied, “I guess so. But what’s time to a pig?” Relax. Be the pig, and get what ever apples you can. T

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, nonprofit, micro- and macro-business levels.

BY

Keith Twitchell’s blog, “Neighborhood Biz,” appears every Thursday at BizNewOrleans.com.

PERSPECTIVES

30 EDUCATION

Amidst decreasing attention spans, how are educators keeping students engaged?

32 LAW

Local insurance attorneys share their top tips for hurricane claimants.

38

GUEST

It’s time to own more of where you call home.

HEALTHCARE

In order to meet the growing needs of dementia care, Oschsner Health is part of a nationwide program aimed at supporting patients and caregivers.

Amidst decreasing attention spans, how are educators keeping students engaged?

CHERIÉ KAY LAROCCA

Vice Chancellor for Education, Training, and Student Success Nunez Community College

TINA M. TINNEY

Chancellor Nunez Community College

With the changing landscape of how people engage, it is critical that educators meet students, both current and prospective, where they are. As people continue to multitask and are pulled by multiple demands and decreasing attention spans, postsecondary education is required to be nimble and agile in delivering messaging, information and instruction in easily accessible and digestible formats. Investing in technologies that condense course content, deliver across multiple platforms, and allow students to engage/ disengage in meaningful ways is evidenced by the integration of learning management platforms, texting software, virtual access and new college apps so our students can remain interested and involved.

Innovative instructional delivery is one method educators can use to keep students engaged. Different course modality allows students to select their best learning environment for their individual learning needs. For example, some students thrive learning face to face while physically present in a classroom; other students enjoy the flexibility of an online learning environment. Educators can also change the delivery of instruction to keep students focused and learning. At Nunez Community College, we offer students hands-on training opportunities, as well as training through virtual reality. Both methods provide students with an engaging learning environment that will expand their skills sets.

Attention spans of children and adults have been challenged by fast-paced, short messaging on social media and smart phones. In response, educators must capture students’ attention or else true learning is limited. Recognizing students’ interests and needs is one step toward increasing student engagement. Educators must also diversify classroom activities to spark interest and keep students intellectually active. Questioning and discussion techniques are important for immersing students in the learning process. Teaching is an art and a science, and developing expertise in doing it right is incredibly important!

Lisa M. Sullivan, PhD, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Professor and Chair of Education, University of Holy Cross

Creative Writing and English Teacher Frederick Douglass High School

Effective teachers are able to capture student engagement by recognizing and adapting their lessons to a very simple fact: Attention spans are shorter than they have ever been. Teachers are breaking their lessons into easily digestible pieces, with small tasks and checks for understanding every four to six minutes. Essentially, students are continuously stimulated by different tasks throughout the lesson, which caters to shortened attention spans and increases the probability of prolonged engagement. Learning is not a linear process, but more of a winding trail to reach the summit of a particular goal.

Keith Perelli

Students remember moments. So, one strategy is to “keep it short.” Break up topics into small concepts, have students work with those concepts, then bring them all together at the end. Students get involved by working on case studies or in group projects, by searching for online content using their cell phones, or by watching videos or movie snippets that might relate to the concept or topic. Short videos, two to four minutes long, are ideal because students can get to pertinent information without having to fast forward or rewind to find it. Also, reviewing content can be more fun and interactive when it is presented on gaming apps like Kahoot!

Visual Art, Drawing and Painting Instructor NOCCA

One of the positive outcomes of working online during the height of the pandemic was sharing our more traditional artforms through digital means. It was a catalyst for expression using other technology, including digital drawings and animations. This cross-disciplinary approach forced us as educators to be inventive with the concepts of projects that centered around visual communication in a digital world.

SAM KANE

DR. LARISSA LITTLETON STEIB

Chancellor Delgado Community College

Shelter from the Storm

Local insurance attorneys share their top tips for hurricane claimants.

BY DREW HAWKINS

Abysmal. Bleak. Challenging. Alarming.

These are some of the words used by insurance attorneys when asked to describe the current state of the insurance industry in Louisiana, which has been pummeled by hurricanes over the past two years.

In the past year, eight insurance companies holding policies in the state have gone into receivership — essentially another term for bankruptcy — causing those who were insured by one of those carriers to have their policies canceled or not renewed. Affected claimants may receive compensation from the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association, but likely at a discount and after an extended additional delay. Even for those seeking compensation from companies that have remained in business, homeowners insurance companies can often underpay hurricane claims. In these situations, a

policyholder’s best move can be to hire an experienced attorney.

The current lack of carriers has left many homeowners scrambling to obtain coverage for future storms at afford able premiums. For many Louisianans, coverage may be split between multiple carriers. Often, the most difficult coverage to obtain — wind and hail — is falling to the state-backed insurer Louisiana Citizens, which remains available to homeowners, but due to higher prices is considered a carrier of last resort.

While circumstances may change and improve in the region, it may take a few years — and no major hurricanes. In the meantime, whether you’re dealing with current or future repairs, there are a few things you can do to make the process of dealing with insurance companies, contractors and adjusters go a little more smoothly. Biz spoke with a few local insur ance attorneys to get their insight, as well as some of their best tips and advice for policyholders. T

Never work with a contractor who says they will “bill the insurance company directly” and refuses to give you a quote. If you do receive money from the insurance company, that is between you and the insurance company. You do not need to tell your contractor how much you received. I also strongly urge my clients to only work with local companies.

After a major loss there are always hundreds, if not thousands, of fly-by-night contractors taking advantage of unsuspecting customers desperate to return home.

PETER J. DIIORIO

New Orleans Legal, LLC

Insureds should promptly submit a claim to their insurer and see what the insurer will pay. If it’s close to what the homeowner believes he or she is entitled to, the homeowner should simply begin repairs with those funds and submit additional invoices if the costs are higher than the amount paid. If there is a sizable dispute, a homeowner should not try to negotiate, as it is simply an unwinnable battle for the underpaid homeowner unless the homeowner obtains professional representation.

JEFFREY BERNIARD

Berniard Law Firm

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don’t be afraid to call daily, ask to speak to the adjuster’s supervisor, file complaints with the Louisiana insurance commissioner, tag the company with your complaints on social media, and do whatever it takes to make sure you receive just compensation. If you do nothing, the insurance company will happily pay you as little as possible.

Justin Chopin, The Chopin Law Firm

The best advice I can give people is to be organized. If you can give the adjuster your claim on a platter with itemized damages, a description of those damages, and attachments of expert invoices and receipts to support your damages, you are more likely to get paid quicker than just sending over a package of receipts without any explanation, which may mean the adjuster has to do a lot more homework on your claim than the next.

MEGAN C. KIEFER Kiefer & Kiefer

PERSPECTIVES HEALTHCARE

STEMMING THE TIDE

In order to meet the growing needs of dementia care, Oschsner Health is part of a nationwide program aimed at supporting patients and caregivers.

BY DREW HAWKINS

DID YOU KNOW? Up to three-quarters of people worldwide with dementia have not received a diagnosis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approxi mately 55 million people across the world have dementia — as many as 7% of adults aged 60 and older. If current trends hold steady, and the proportion of older people in the population continues to increase in nearly every country, the number of people diagnosed with some form of dementia is expected to rise to 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050.

Doctors and healthcare professionals say the rise in dementia numbers is taking a toll on everyone involved: on the quality of life of the person suffering from dementia, on their caregivers — often their spouses or adult chil dren — and on healthcare systems.

“We want to think about this being maybe one of the defining public health crises over the next 20 to 30 years,” said Dr. John Sawyer, a neuropsychologist and the co-director of Ochsner’s Cognitive Disorders and Brain Health Program.

As demand for treatment and care resources for dementia increases, the healthcare industry is struggling to keep up.

“Let’s say there was some sort of ‘magic pill’ that could cure anyone of dementia,” explained Sawyer. “There would still be a huge problem because it takes, on average, about two years to get an assessment.” Currently, there are not enough specialists in the United States to serve those who need treatment and resources for dementia.

The problem is compounded in places like Louisiana, where the population tends to have more chronic health issues. Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and other conditions that dispropor tionately affect Louisianans, can lead to neuro cognitive problems as people age.

“Those are going to make dementia more common because your brain can’t hold up as well as someone without those conditions,” Sawyer said. “So [the lack of specialists] is particularly relevant for our state and our region.”

In an effort to address the deficit of support, doctors and medical researchers are creating a new model of dementia care called the Care Ecosystem program. Developed at the Univer sity of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in 2013, Care Ecosystem is a 12-month program that provides individualized support to both patients and their caregivers across the nation.

“It’s essentially designed to provide a frame work for providing proactive support to fami lies,” said Dr. Emily Brickell, neuropsychologist at Ochsner and a co-investigator on the Care Ecosystem grant. “It’s really personalized to their needs and helps caregivers plan ahead and address issues before they’re emergencies. The hope is that by providing this individualized support, we can improve the caregiver quality of life, the patient’s quality of life, help prevent caregiver burnout, and we can reduce avoid able emergency room visits and other kinds of medical crises.”

The way Care Ecosystem works is that each family is assigned to a care team navigator (CTN) who serves as the main point of contact and is trained to provide support and education over the phone. The CTN calls the caregivers at least once a month to check in, but is available to them whenever they are needed, especially at the beginning of the program, when needs tend to be highest.

Brickell said people often begin Care Ecosystem in the midst of a crisis.

“That’s often how they got referred to us,” she said. “Something happened, you know, mom started wandering or forgetting things, and they realized they had to do something about it, so they ended up with us.”

Those early days of the program can involve multiple calls a week, but caregivers eventually learn how to monitor and look after their loved one, all the while knowing Care Ecosystem will be there if and when they need it. This support is crucial as it can take months to get an appoint ment to even see a neurologist or psychiatrist.

CTNs are trained to help families navigate challenging behavioral symptoms like hallucina tions or extreme agitation, and other symptoms of dementia, such as wandering and insomnia. But CTNs do more than just give advice or training over the phone, they also assist with other services, such as accessing resources in the community, like setting up “Meals on Wheels” deliveries for those that have trouble making food for themselves.

Providing care over the phone or by video conference also saves caregivers from having to provide transportation for frequent doctor visits.

Recently, Ochsner Health was awarded a $700,000 grant as part of a network of institu tions that received a total of $7 million from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the effectiveness of Care Ecosystem. While the program has been up and running in New Orleans for a couple of years, it was previously funded through philanthropic donations.

The lack of funding limited access to the program, and the new grant is a formal oppor tunity to expand it. Doctors like Brickell and Sawyer say that the goal is to get Medicare

coverage for Care Ecosystem, which would open it up for thousands of Louisiana’s most vulnerable seniors.

Through the study funded by the grant, they’re hoping to show that the program is both medically and cost-effective, and that it’s worth it for Medicare to consider covering services like it.

“It’s sort of like convincing the healthcare systems themselves that this can be beneficial,” Brickell said. “But more broadly, convincing Medicare, because what Medicare does, the rest of healthcare follows.”

While Medicare coverage is available for many suffering with dementia, programs like Care Ecosystem offer a new approach that could be beneficial to the patient. Regular check-ins provide preventative care that can catch problems before they become too serious and result an emergency room visit.

Medicare already acknowledges that preven tative care and early detection are beneficial through some of the services it offers to seniors.

“Medicare provides an annual wellness visit that typically includes a dementia assessment for early detection,” said Ashlee Zareczny, compliance supervisor at Elite Insurance Part ners, an insurance brokerage whose primary market is Medicare.

Zareczny said that while there are currently a number of public programs geared toward those with dementia — including long-term care services for those who are eligible — dementia presents differently in every person, so it requires a special touch.

“When it comes to dementia, individualized care and support are extremely important.”

While it’s too early to tell what the results of the study funded by the recent grant will say, if the past few years serve as an indicator, the expanded program will show the benefits of Care Ecosystem. Some clinical trials of the program have already shown that it improved quality of life, reduced emergency department visits, and decreased caregiver depression and burden.

Dementia is a broad term for a difficult disease that currently has no cure. Programs like Care Ecosystem offer a new way forward in dementia care, one that provides hope for patients and their loved ones.

For more information on the Care Ecosystem Program through Ochsner Health System, visit ochsner.org/services/cognitive-and-memo ry-disorders. T

“

”

The hope is that by providing this individualized support, we can improve the caregiver quality of life, the patient’s quality of life, help prevent caregiver burnout, and we can reduce avoidable emergency room visits and other kinds of medical crises.

Dr. Emily Brickell, neuropsycholo gist at Ochsner and a co-investigator on the Care Ecosystem grant

PERSPECTIVE

It’s Time to Own More of Where You Call Home

Welcome to the era of community ownership.

BY CALVIN COOPER

Historically, commercial real estate investing has been the exclusive realm of wealthy individuals and institutions. However, as we grapple with rising inflation and a spiraling housing crisis, it’s clear that now is the time to provide access to ownership opportuni ties that help people build wealth within their communities. When cranes go up, everyone should view it as an opportunity to

benefit financially. It’s time for a more inclusive development model—one where no one is excluded from the value of investing in their community. Why shouldn’t people own their apartment complex, the local coffee shop, or even their city’s sports stadium?

It’s already becoming a reality, including right here in New Orleans.

This summer, my company, Rhove — a platform that allows anyone in the United States to invest in individual commercial real estate assets for as little as $1 per share in one minute — announced a new partnership. Alongside Forward Together New Orleans, The Mayor’s Fund (FTNO) and The Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA), Rhove helped promote economic inclusion through real estate investing in local devel opments. The FTNO grant is an expansion of the FTNO Universal Basic Investment Credit (UBIC) program, dedicated to implementing strategies that expand intergenerational wealth creation and alleviate disparities that have contributed to wealth gaps. GNOHA is a collaborative of nonprofit housing builders and community development corporations working to rebuild the local housing stock following Hurricane Katrina.

FTNO provided a grant to fund 2,000 $10 investment credits that local residents could use to invest in commercial real estate through the Rhove app. As a result, 1,000 New Orlea nians were able to claim a $10 investment credit by simply creating a Rhove account. To further expand access and opportunity for New Orleanians, Rhove and FTNO partnered with GNOHA to select 1,000 recipients for the grant, including seniors, veterans, low-wage workers, low-income families, and those with disabili ties. These recipients were invited to invest in commercial real estate with Rhove and received technology assistance from GNOHA.

We know the people of New Orleans want and deserve more dynamic opportunities to

participate in ownership of local real estate developments in their neighborhoods. They shouldn’t be limited to the role of passive observer. By breaking down the social and economic barriers that prevented residents from investing in these kinds of opportuni ties in the past, we’re opening new doors for our community. Rhove is excited to continue working to discover how we can create addi tional opportunities for New Orleanians to invest back into their communities. We’re in conversations with many property owners in New Orleans to create an opportunity for residents to invest in their community. In fact, these conversations are taking place all over the country.

Community ownership initiatives will truly increase access to investing in commercial real estate. This has incredible implications for increasing wealth, especially in communities that need it most. But, make no mistake, this is more than a financial imperative—it’s about citizenship and social responsibility. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to invest directly in their communities, and we’re excited to help pave the way for a new democratized era of real estate investment and development.

Rhove’s mission is to expand access and opportunity for everyone to invest in and own the places they live, work and play. Real estate development without community ownership will soon be viewed as an outdated and inher ently unfair model. The world is going to look a whole lot different due to the transformative power of ownership. In fact, within 10 years, I believe the mortgage as we know it will be dead and the 12-month lease involving no ownership will be a thing of the past.

Anyone who wants to own the places they live, work and play should be able to do so. Thanks to Rhove, now they can, including right here in New Orleans. Welcome to a new era of community ownership with less inequality and economic anxiety.

This is just the beginning.T

CALVIN COOPER is co-founder and CEO of Rhove. Built by Tokr Labs, Rhove was founded with the goal of democratizing real estate investing, empowering everyday people to invest in and own the places in which they live, work, and play for as little as $1 per share. For more information, download the Rhove iOS app or visit rhove.com.

LUXURY REAL ESTATE

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Ace and the Louisiana Open Housing Act, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. For more information, call the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-273-5718.

Top Real Estate Influencers

Portraits by Edmund D. Fountain

WHILE EACH DAY we put a little more distance between the worst effects of both the pandemic and hurricane Ida, their effects can still be felt in continuing supply chain and staffing issues that have increased construction costs and slowed production. As home and flood insurance rates saw dramatic increases locally and interest rates jumped nationally with talks of a possible recession, both the commercial and residential markets have seen buyers become more wary. However, there is still plenty of move ment going on, some of the details of which this year’s class of Real Estate Influencers are happy to share.

Amy Ybarzabal

Executive Officer Northshore Home Builders Association

THE MISSION of the Northshore Home Builders Association (NHBA) is to support legislative, economic and educational initiatives that promote and protect the American dream of homeownership.

Representing members in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes, the NHBA monitors legislation on local, state and national levels to strengthen the homebuilding industry and reduce unnecessary regulation.

As executive officer, she leads the team to execute the vision of the board of directors, accom plishing this by providing continuing education and networking opportunities for our members. NHBA works closely with local government and building officials to advocate for the homebuilding industry.

What are you most excited about in the coming year? We are excited about an upcoming project with the Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC). We consider them a valuable community partner and established an endowed NHBA scholarship for a student in one of the Construction Pathways programs three years ago.

NTCC Building Tech nology students, with instructor supervision, will construct a storage building on the NHBA property in Lacombe. We desperately need a place to store tables,

tents, Parade of Homes signs and flags, and Raffle House equipment. This project will provide handson training for students in heavy equipment operating, HVAC, electrical and carpentry.

We will promote high lights of the build during Careers in Construction month. Each October, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) celebrates Careers in Construction month to raise awareness of the opportunities available in the construction trades.

The homebuilding industry offers more

than just another job. A rewarding career with a great salary is possible without the need for a traditional four-year college degree. Career and technical education institutions like NTCC are developing a skilled work force for the future. The top 25% in most construction trades professions earn at least $60,000 annually.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today? The availability and cost of workers is one of the most significant challenges builders will face in the next year. This translates into higher housing costs, increased home prices and difficulty completing projects on time. Rising home prices, insurance costs, and interest rates are negatively affecting housing affordability, making the American dream of homeownership close to impossible.

Trenika Starks

Senior Director of Programs  HousingNOLA

ESTABLISHED IN 2014, HousingNOLA is a 10-year plan and partnership between community leaders and public, private and nonprofit organizations working to solve the affordable housing crisis in the city of New Orleans. The plan offers a data framework that informs future housing policy centered around more considerate and scalable housing developments affordable for all income levels.

The organization’s mission is to provide a road map to maximize the effectiveness of scarce government funding, increase non-traditional resources and assist private sector investors in making strategic choices that support affordable housing.

What are you most excited about in the coming year?

Currently, we are striving to secure additional partnerships as well as funding to relaunch Housing NOLA’s Own the Crescent, a housing program that will build wealth among native New Orleanians by providing the capital resources to borrowers of color who need financial support to purchase their first home or maintain investment property.

Through Own the Crescent we’d like to: expand opportunities for low- and middle-class families; revi talize underserved communities through real estate development, putting vacant properties back into commerce; reduce develop mental costs; and preserve culture, place and people.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today? One of the biggest challenges is the fact that the New Orleans region is still struggling to address many of the economic struggles produced by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hurricane Ida crises. Both disasters alike have tested the resilience of our city by exposing ongoing issues with our economy and housing stock.

Currently, there is a severe shortage of housing priced to meet the needs of the average New Orleanian. Half of the city’s residents are renters, and most are cost burdened, having to spend more than a third of their income on housing. Sadly, wages have not come close to mirroring the dramatic rise in housing costs. Combining these expenses, with the mounting rates for essentials such as utilities, food and fuel — as well as dominating low living wages — has made it increasingly more difficult for residents to obtain housing that is actually affordable.

Dan Mills

CEO Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans

THE HOME BUILDERS Associa tion of Greater New Orleans (HBAGNO) has been the voice of the residential housing industry for 80 years, repre senting nearly 1,000 members serving seven parishes in Southeast Louisiana. Quality, afford able housing is at the core of its mission. The organization’s New Orleans Home and Garden Show turned 65 this year and its Parade of Homes set outreach records in 2022. HBAG NO’s subsidiary, the New Orleans Education League of the Construction Industry (NOEL), provided over $500,000 in repairs at no cost to elderly and disabled residents in 2021. The HBA federation works hard to bring the American dream home.

What are you most excited about in the coming year? I like to say, “We don’t just build homes, we build communities.” While most nonprofits struggled with membership during the pandemic, our builder membership increased! I’m proud to say our builders demon strate the best craftsmanship available in the industry today. We have special challenges in Southeast Louisiana, and resilience is the name of the game in our community. Today we have great new technologies that provide the safest homes ever built. Fortified homes are coming and will also bring relief to soaring insurance prices. This is critical to preserve our neighbor

hoods. Whether you shuck oysters, perform on the 88s, braid king cakes, or navigate Ol’ Man River, the Crescent City is at the center of what we call home. I’m excited to be a part of creating that community.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today?  Affordable housing is at the core of our mission at every local association, state association, and at the National Asso ciation of Home Builders, which represents 140,000 members. The American dream of homeownership has never been more chal

lenged than today. Prices are soaring due to unpredictable supply chains costs, a critical labor shortage, soaring insurance rates and a decline in capital availability. Housing accounts for up to 20% of GDP, so action is needed today. Fortunately, all these issues have legislative solutions if we have the political will to see them through. Our members join to support our mission to bring quality, affordable housing to every American. We are fighting for that change in every parish and county, in every state, and in Washington, D.C.

David Favret

Historic District North Office Manager Latter & Blum

President New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors

LATTER & BLUM was founded in 1916 and remains locally family owned. Over the last century, we have built a trusted brand dedicated to providing our agents with knowledge, training and cutting-edge tools to deliver successful results and ensure that our clients achieve their dreams. We are honored to be the No. 1 ranked real estate company in the Gulf South in volume and units sold, and 19th in the nation. I have the pleasure of supporting nearly 100 agents in our Historic offices, a segment of our market that I am particularly passionate about.

What are you most excited about in the coming year?

This year, I have the privilege of serving as the president of the New Orleans Metropol itan Association of Realtors. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to the trade association’s more than 7,000 members, my colleagues in the Greater New Orleans real estate community, while l continue to serve our agents as they build successful careers with Latter & Blum.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today?

Rising interest rates, difficulty securing affordable insurance and predicting the shifting market are the biggest chal lenges facing our industry right now. I strive to successfully interpret these shifts, to assist our agents in understanding market trends, while adapting to these changes in order to expertly advise our clients.

Facts & Figures

Area Overviews — 2021

TOTAL CHANGE

NEW DAYS ON INVENTORY

MONTHS PRECENT OF PARISHES CLOSED FROM 2020 LISTINGS MARKET OF HOMES INVENTORY LIST PRICE

Jefferson 4,333 +3.3% 5,074 30 359 1.0 98.4%

Orleans 4,362 +9.1% 5,616 51 764 2.1 98.0%

Plaquemines 192 +5.5% 239 49 30 1.7 98.1%

St. Bernard 610 +15.3% 695 41 81 1.6 98.2%

St. Charles 430 -4.9% 471 33 30 0.9 98.9% St. James 52 +44.4% 51 55 6 1.4 96.9% St. John 377 -4.3% 440 35 39 1.3 98.5% St. Tammany 5,006 +1.6% 5,516 31 359 0.9 98.9% Tangipahoa 1,634 -5.9% 1,750 32 120 0.9 98.7% Washington 238 +1.3% 312 60 57 2.9 95.9%

Residential Median Prices

CHANGE CHANGE

PARISHES 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 FROM 2020 FROM 2O17

Jefferson 4,333 +3.3% 5,074 30 359 1.0 98.4%

Orleans 4,362 +9.1% 5,616 51 764 2.1 98.0%

Plaquemines 192 +5.5% 239 49 30 1.7 98.1%

St. Bernard 610 +15.3% 695 41 81 1.6 98.2%

St. Charles 430 -4.9% 471 33 30 0.9 98.9%

St. James 52 +44.4% 51 55 6 1.4 96.9% St. John 377 -4.3% 440 35 39 1.3 98.5% St. Tammany 5,006 +1.6% 5,516 31 359 0.9 98.9% Tangipahoa 1,634 -5.9% 1,750 32 120 0.9 98.7% Washington 238 +1.3% 312 60 57 2.9 95.9%

SRSA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE is one of the largest commercial real estate brokerage, leasing and property management companies in the Gulf South. In addition to his role as managing partner, Spizer is the managing member of a family investment group that owns and has developed most of Northpark Business Park in Covington. His main focus is on office and retail leasing, as well as investment property sales. Spizer’s most notable project this past year was his representation of the developers in leasing 350,000 square feet to Tulane University to anchor the redevelopment of the former Charity Hospital in New Orleans, which was recognized by NOMAR-CID as the “Deal of the Year” for 2021.

What are you most excited about in the coming year? I am most excited about seeing construction begin on the redevelopment of Charity Hospital. This property will be the centerpiece for Tulane’s Downtown campus and will further extend the medical district into this area. SRSA has begun our leasing efforts on the ground floor retail space, and it will be exciting to create a vibrant center for the neighborhood by activating this property with restaurants, shops and entertainment, both inside the building and in its courtyards.

I am also excited about the prospects for continued growth on the Northshore in North park Business Park. We have a beautiful, newly

renovated Marriott Courtyard hotel in the park and a planned renovation of the Residence Inn in 2023. We also have shovel-ready sites for additional office and retail development in Northpark, which we hope to get started on in the year to come.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today? It is economic uncer tainty. Companies are unsure how inflation, rising construction and fuel costs, and higher interest rates will affect their businesses. These

concerns could delay decisions and put some projects and expansions on hold. But many companies are still operating profitably, and we continue to experience historically low interest rates. This will allow real estate developers and investors to adapt and find ways to remain successful. The economy will certainly affect some segments of the commercial real estate industry, but I believe we will see opportunities for continued growth and positive investment in real estate in the year to come.

Barry Spizer, CCIM

Managing Partner

SRSA Commercial Real Estate

Melissa Burns McClendon

Associate Broker/Co-Owner NOLA Home Realty Group

NOLA HOME REALTY GROUP is a boutique real estate brokerage established in 2019.

Melissa Burns McClendon serves as the associate broker and co-owner alongside partners Liz Tardo and Nick Underwood. Since September 2014, McClendon has sold over $68 million in real estate. Her accolades include being named 2020 CityBusiness Woman of the Year, 2022 Women’s Council of Realtors Louisiana State President and 2022 No. 1 Realtor on Social Media in New Orleans by Property Spark. Nola Home Realty Group — which includes 24 top producing Realtors in the market — takes pride in donating regularly to many local charities and sponsoring a local school.

What are you most excited about in the coming year? I am most excited about the growth of our brokerage. Although we are smaller, we have been able to make a big impact in the industry and our community. Our reputation has attracted many high-quality Realtors. We recently purchased a new office to accommodate our growth and anticipate that growth to continue.

On a personal note, I’ve been able to help with some exciting home sales recently, including the purchase of a beautiful mansion on St. Charles Avenue that I rode by many times throughout my life. It has been very exciting to serve as the 2022 Louisiana state president of the Women’s Council of Realtors. I’ve enjoyed motivating and supporting other Realtors in the Louisiana area.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today? Our industry has been challenged recently due to the rising mortgage interest rates and concern for the state of our economy. This has made it difficult for some homebuyers and is creating a shift in the market, but we expect this to create a more balanced market. We are seeing fewer properties going under contract with fewer multiple offers. Despite these challenges, we continue to work hard and focus on being the information source for our clients and the community.

P.

Shawn M. Barney

Managing Director  CLB Porter Development

CLB PORTER DEVELOPMENT is a real estate development and public finance advisory firm focused on mixed-finance, mixedincome development projects, as well as helping municipalities structure transactions to access capital for their projects through municipal bonds, public private partnerships, short-term borrowings and other instruments.

CLB Porter has structured or developed over $1 billion in projects and is one of the partners working on the massive planned development upriver from the Morial Convention Center, River District. The firm is also involved in the mixed-use redevelopment of the Naval Support Activity (NSA) complex in Bywater.

What are you most excited about in the coming year? I am over the moon to have the opportunity to work on two riverfront developments — NSA and River District — at the same time and shape such an iconic part of our city. Both projects, while complex, sizable and catalytic, also have affordability at their core.

River District also has the unique opportunity to educate and elevate history as an amenity given that the land was formerly the cotton press district of the 1800s.

It represents a new possibility for equitable development in terms of ownership, procurement, uses and access. It will also be fun.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today?

Construction costs and a rising interest rate environment are

headwinds we’re all facing. The pandemic also continues to impact the sector in unforeseen ways. A more structural challenge that also represents an opportunity is promoting racial equity in real estate. Earlier this year, ULI released “10 Principles for Embedding Racial Equity in Real Estate Development,” which I helped craft. It is intended to equip real estate professionals with fundamentals to deliver financial and social value to all stakeholders. Historically racist policies and practices such as

redlining, racial covenants, and the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 — which routed some highways directly, and sometimes purposefully, through Black and brown communities — have shaped land use with many of the effects still being felt today. Undoing that injustice will take time and intentionality.

Saban Sellers

Investment Advisor for Multifamily Sales Stirling Properties

STIRLING PROPERTIES is a full-service commercial real estate company, specializing in commercial brokerage, development and redevelopment, investments, and asset and property management with a focus in the Gulf South Region. Saban Sellers is part of the Stirling Investment Advisors division, specializing in multifamily investment sales in the company’s primary markets of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Since 2019, the multifamily team — including Sellers and his partner, Chad Rigby — has sold over 5,600 units across 16 cities and five states.

What are you most excited about in the coming year? Continuing our growth and building off our recent successes with the Stirling Investment Advisors team. Since our team formed in late 2018, we have continually outperformed our previous year’s production and look to continue that trend by providing excellent service to our clients, combining our national network in the multifamily space with our attention to detail and extensive knowledge of our local markets.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today? There are certainly a handful of new challenges coming into the real estate industry that were not as prevalent in previous years. First and foremost is rising interest rates on most fixed-rate loans. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates 225 basis points in less than six months in 2022, which has impacted interest rates on loans for multifamily deals and, as a byproduct, is impacting the value of multifamily properties. Alongside this issue, insurance for multifamily properties has gone up significantly, mainly due to historic jumps in occurrence and magnitude of natural catastrophes, which has forced carriers to pay larger settlements more frequently, therefore increasing premiums. Both of these recent issues, coupled with a potential economic recession, has created some uncertainty and new challenges in our industry.

STIRLING PROPERTIES is one of the most comprehensive full-service commercial real estate companies in the country specializing in commercial advisory services, brokerage, asset and property manage ment, development and redevelopment and investments over a wide array of property types, including retail, office, industrial, healthcare and multifamily sectors.

As senior advisor for Stirling Properties, Melissa Warren is most proud of the industrial

maritime work she has done along the Gulf Coast and providing medical-retail site-se lection services for JenCare’s Senior Medical Centers’ expansion.

What are you most excited about in the coming year?  Working in the New Orleans post-pandemic economic recovery and repre senting clients during significant increase in commercial investment activity. Opportunities abound in the industrial market with the devel

opment of last-mile distribution and manufac turing facilities. The precipitous transactions supporting these developments are plentiful, and working on these assignments is an exciting opportunity.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast has a robust real estate market with a pipeline full of develop ment permits. It’s nice to see the coast is going strong and becoming a field of investment opportunities for Louisiana investors.

Melissa Warren, CCIM

Senior Advisor Stirling Properties

President

New Orleans Metropolitan Asso ciation of Realtors — Commercial Investment Division

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today? I think the biggest concerns facing us are the skyrocketing cost of insurance and construction and their impact on the real estate industry. The ability for businesses and real estate investors to affordably insure their assets is critical to attracting investors and furthering economic development. The current insurance crisis needs to be addressed honestly by our state leadership so consumers can get the coverage they deserve for the money they pay without having to deal with the stressful hurdles thrown at them when a disaster strikes. Inflation and supply chain issues have had a big impact on the cost of construction and tenant build-out. The cost of construction is playing a large role in lease negotiations and develop ment costs, which ultimately impact lease rates and what developers are willing to pay for land.

SPONSORED

FROM THE LENS

56 GREAT WORKSPACES

Christian Shane Properties and Christian Shane Development marry past, present and future in an historic mansion on St. Charles Avenue.

64 NEW ORLEANS 500 Jacquelyn Dadakis, president and CEO at Green Coast Enterprises

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?

This year’s Water Challenge winner is creating outdoor spaces that can lower flood insurance costs and increase property values.

FROM THE LENS GREAT WORKSPACES

MANAGING MOMENTUM

Christian Shane Properties and Christian Shane Development marry past, present and future in an historic mansion on St. Charles Avenue.

BY MELANIE WARNER SPENCER PHOTOS BY SARA ESSEX BRADLEY

CHRISTIAN SHANE PROPERTIES AND CHRISTIAN SHANE DEVELOPMENT

2125 St. Charles Ave. // christianshaneluxury.com

Facebook: facebook.com/christianshaneproperties

Instagram: @christianshaneproperties

Chances are you’ve seen, and perhaps even admired, the circa 1885 Greek revival mansion at 2125 St. Charles Avenue. The home was designed by notable New Orleans builder Thomas Sully, who also lent his design talents to other stately homes on St. Charles Avenue, including the Francis Johnson House and the Picard House, as well as hotels like The Columns, and many public buildings in New Orleans and other cities. Perhaps fittingly, in 2021 this particular Sully creation became the home of Christian Shane Properties and Christian Shane Development, a luxury real estate agency and developer. I recently caught up with Christian Galvin, owner and chief strategist at Christian Shane Proper ties, to learn more about the company’s histor ically significant digs on the Avenue, as well as their goals, strategies and plans for the future.

The circa 1885 Greek revival mansion at 2125 St. Charles Avenue — which is home to Christian Shane Properties and Christian Shane Development — was designed by notable New Orleans builder Thomas Sully.

Christian Galvin, owner and chief strategist at Christian Shane Properties, set out to create a collaborative environment that balances the work and home life experience.

What were your goals for the design and why?

Christian Galvin: To create a collaborative environment that balances the work and home life experience.

What was the biggest design challenge and how was it overcome?

The design challenge was knowing we wanted to implement modern design concepts while restoring and maintaining the original histor ical features of the property. We committed to staying true to both aesthetic and design styles, and balanced historic features with modern design concepts.

What is the standout feature of the design?

[The] original moldings with soaring high ceil ings throughout the entire mansion. It stands out because they’re still intact in their original form, which is rare.

How would you describe Christian Shane Properties and Christian Shane Develop ment and its core clientele or audience?

The two work in unison to provide resources to individuals and investors to create value for their home or commercial property. Christian Shane Properties provides the bookend experi ences of the buy and sell, while Christian Shane Development bridges the clients through the renovation or construction process, resulting in a seamless and turnkey solution.

How do you set yourselves apart from companies doing similar work?

Our ecosystem is our point of differentiation. We work with our clients in every aspect of their life — from home to events, from travel to improvements and design.

How do you promote a positive work atmo sphere for the staff?

By enabling the team members to be part of the solution. By trusting their vast experience, innate skills and expertise, and by always giving the team members the latitude to succeed.

What are your biggest challenges? Momentum is an exciting propeller, but managing the opportunities that momentum brings to the company requires a strategic plan.

What goals are you looking to meet in the next 12 months?

To continue expanding throughout the South east as we add to our service areas: South Carolina and Tennessee in 2023. To continue our agent growth and expand our resort experi ences and continue our trajectory toward $100 million in development projects.

Is there a question you wished I had asked?

“What took you so long to open your company? Where have you been all our lives?” Preparing for the right moment to bring the best product and the best team to market. The time is now. We provide solutions. Ask us your questions and let us find the answers. T

The interior of the building retains its original moldings, and high ceilings add drama throughout the mansion.

The art and accessories used throughout the interior are from Christian Shane Lifestyle, a curated luxury collection of furniture, art and accessories from around the world.

QUICK LOOK

Number of Years in Operation 10 Square footage 6,624

Person in Charge Christian Galvin, chief strategist  Builder Thomas Sully, 1885 Developer Christian Shane Development, 2021 Interior Design Christian Shane Development  Furnishings and art Christian Shane Lifestyle

IN THE GREEN

This year’s Water Challenge winner is creating outdoor spaces that can lower flood insurance costs and increase property values.

BY ASHLEY MCLELLAN PHOTOS BY EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN

Fabian Harper created Flourish NOLA with an eye, and an ear, to best eco-practices across the board. The company’s lawn care equipment is 100% battery operated, which is great for both the environment and for reducing noise pollution in neighborhoods.

When Fabian Harper — licensed horticulturist, landscape contractor and owner of local landscaping business Flourish NOLA — learned he had won both the grand prize and “Audi ence Favorite” title at this year’s Water Challenge, presented by Propeller and Thrive New Orleans, it was the culmination and recognition of many years of work in landscaping and promoting eco-practices, and a growing reflection of the dedication of local professionals working to make changes right here at home.

“It meant a lot to win the challenge and audi ence favorite,” he said. “For me it validated that I have a saleable service.”

With more people spending time at home since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many homeowners are investing more time and money into their home’s exterior living spaces and landscaping. Couple that with the reality of climate change presented with each passing hurricane and rainy season, and eco-friendly landscaping practices have increased in popu larity as homeowners look to maximize their investments, preserve their land, prevent runoff, incorporate native plants and include water management solutions at home.

This is where Propeller and Thrive New Orleans’ annual Water Challenge, now in its 11th year, comes into the picture. The compe tition is a call to local businesses to pitch their solutions to “improve our region’s water economy.” The grand prize includes not only publicity and accolades, but a $10,000 award. Harper also took home this year’s $1,250 award as the “Audience Favorite.”

Although Flourish Horticulture is rela tively new on the scene — the certified DBE, bio-friendly and environmentally conscious lawn, garden and landscape construction company launched in 2018 — Harper has more than 28 years of experience in landscaping and using “green” practices. His connection with a supportive ex-employer and a nonprofit called LaunchNola — whose mission is to provide small business support to entrepreneurs of color — proved to be a pivotal spark in getting his business going and growing in an eco-con scious way.

“When I worked for a green company called Fleurish Ecoscapes, led by Mr. Matthew Allen, he encouraged me to start my own business,” said Harper. “He introduced me to LaunchNOLA’s Green Business Academy. It was at LaunchNOLA that I begin to seriously think about the green industry and how I can contribute to water-related challenges facing New Orleans.”

LaunchNOLA connects businesses with professionals that are trained in New Orle ans-specific stormwater management skills, but also trains new landscape contract profes sionals and entrepreneurs through a 12-session, once a week program that focuses on both increasing participants’ business skills and tech nical stormwater skills.

For Harper, his training has been a key part of his business, the practice of which is reflected in how he works and the tools he uses. Flourish NOLA uses only battery-powered equipment and offers landscape design and services that are “in balance with the local climate and require minimal fertilizer, time or water.” The company also provides solutions to rain and stormwater management, with the promise to “lower your flood insurance and increase your property value with rain gardens and French drains.”

What type of return on investment can site owners expect from converting to a sustain able landscape? According to a 2018 report from Assisted Housing Management Insider, “Depending on your geographic location, the estimates range from 35% to more than 100%. Case studies have shown savings in water

Harper is passionate about bringing good water management and green landscaping practices to his everyday business operations. “I believe that we are called to be stewards of the earth.”

DID YOU KNOW? Want to be more eco-friendly in your landscaping? Aim to do some, or better yet all, of these things:

Harvest rainwater (for instance by using rainwater barrels like those installed by local nonprofit Green Light New Orleans).

Use eco-friendly, natural mulch (like newspapers, straw, pine bark, peanut shells, eucalyptus and rubber).

Choose native plants, including natural ground cover. (For more information on what those are, visit LSUAgcenter.com.)

Start composting (Check out Schmelly’s Dirt Farm and Compost NOW. org).

Avoid chemicals

costs can range from 40% to 75% per year... When other savings, such as decreased costs of fertilizer and pesticides, are factored in, the complete ROI can be amazingly quick, as short as three years.”

Flourish NOLA currently includes one fulltime employee, one part-time employee and a growing client list of nearly 50 to date.

“Bringing water conservation practices to New Orleans is wonderful for me. I believe that we are called to be stewards of the earth,” said Harper. “I am contributing to something signif icant. It gives me the opportunity to not only help individuals but to make my small contribu tion to environmental health.”

Harper said he entered the Water Chal lenge to introduce an overlooked aspect to managing water.

“So much is said about rain gardens, bioswales, French drains, but rarely is there a mention of soil health,” he said. “Without healthy soil, none of those mentioned systems can work effectively...The core thing that sets my busi ness apart from others is my intentional focus on soil health and the environment. Science informs all our services. That said, our mission is to offer science-guided, environmental-con scious landscape construction and lawn and garden maintenance that improves soil health and ecosystems to reduce flooding, improve air quality, water quality, lower carbon emissions, eliminate noise pollution, health risk, and cool the atmosphere while adding aesthetic appeal and value to properties.” T

Flourish NOLA Owner Fabian Harper uses the skills he learned on the job over nearly three decades — along with new ways of doing business through LaunchNOLA’s Green Business Academy — to create sustainable, self-sufficient lawns and gardens across the city.

MORE ABOUT THE WATER CHALLENGE

The June 1 Water Challenge — sponsored by JPMorgan Chase AdvancingCities, New Orleans Business Alliance, Entergy and the City of New Orleans — featured a judges panel of industry leaders and experts, growth stage venture panel, a virtual address from Mitch Landrieu, 61st mayor of New Orleans, and a total of $17,500 awarded to finalists.

“’We need to cultivate and empower the unseen Black and Brown Indigenous people who are truly invested and committed to the future of New Orleans and its disproportionately affected communities. We have a solid foundation of local commitment that needs to be built up through education, funding, and resources. This is the philosophy behind the mutual efforts of Thrive New Orleans and Propeller,” said Bernadette Carriere of Thrive New Orleans.

FROM THE LENS NEW ORLEANS 500

Jacquelyn Dadakis

President and CEO of Green Coast Enterprises

DID YOU KNOW? Dadakis took over as CEO of Green Coast Enterprises in 2020. The company has developed or co-developed a number of New Orleans properties, including the Greenway Apartments, the BonVi Apartments and the Pythian. Led by Dadakis, GCE has secured contracts with numerous nonprofits and has become the energy auditing firm for more than 100 city owned properties. Dadakis joined the company in 2013 to launch GCE Services, a consulting firm that provides services to property owners, municipalities and utilities seeking to be more energy efficient.

Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Master of City Planning); Claremont McKenna College (BA in Economics)

Fave New Orleans restaurant? The Franklin

Fave festival? Blackpot Festival, which celebrates Cajun culture and cooking in Vermilionville

Fave hidden gem? Meals from the Heart in the French Market

What’s something exciting on the horizon for your company/organization? The opening of the New Orleans Homeownership Center on Freret Street

What advice would you give to others? Be nice to everyone you meet.

PHOTO BY ADRIENNE BATTISTELLA