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French Quarter Citizens Mission Statement:

"To preserve the quality of life in the Vieux Carré neighborhood, to preserve its historical character and architecture, and to work with other organizations to focus attention on the problems confronting our neighborhood."

French Quarter Citizens Organization History:

by Fran Flurry, Founding Member

As with most "grass roots" organizations, we were the result of threats to our neighborhood's quality of life. Our organization was founded in 1994 as "Upper Quarter Citizens for Residential Quality." Some of us residents who lived in the Upper Quarter (Rue Conti to Rue St. Ann, Rue Bourbon to Rampart) felt that our problems were being ignored not only by the city politicians, but also by the major preservation organizations. Rampant problems of spot zoning for commercial uses, excessive noise, heavy buses, and a total lack of law enforcement were present in this residential area.

The group was drawn together in a successful attempt to convince City Councilpersons not to re-zone a legal residential property to an unnecessary and offensive commercial use. Eleven neighbors met that Spring and within a few months we had 60 members. We soon found that our group was truly a Neighborhood Action Group. From the very beginning of the organization, we understood that our problems were the problems of the whole Quarter and put into our mission statement a resolution to "work with other organizations." In 1997, to emphasize that that our organization represents all of the residents of the Vieux Carré, we changed the name of the organization to the present title. Our goal was to involve the whole Quarter in facing the problems of every corner and block of the Vieux Carré. Our membership of 250 is dedicated to our mission of preserving the French Quarter.

Our early forefathers struggled against nature in this 6 x 13 block city of Nouvelle Orleans. In the past, hurricanes, fires and floods destroyed the historic old city area. Today, the Vieux Carré is being destroyed by man, not nature. Political and entrepreneurial greed is doing irreparable damage to the historic architecture and ambience that has made the French Quarter famous for several centuries. Although some politicians and many New Orleanians give lip service to the need for preservation, most of the action is directed toward making the historic French Quarter into a facsimile of itself. Zoning ordinances, put into effect to protect the architecture and historic authenticity of the area, are regularly overruled by politicians, who are eager to make the area as much like any other tourist trap as possible, and by entrepreneurs, who plead that they can't make a fortune if they obey the zoning rules.

Hence, large chain stores fill massive floor spaces far exceeding the legal square footage; towering hotels are being built way above the legal height limit; balconies appear on buildings that never traditionally had such; additional floors and penthouses appear on top of historical buildings; and what once were single family homes are being chopped up into tiny condominiums which serve as week-end vacation spots or illegal short-term rooms for non-residents. Many of these changes can never be reversed. Others that could be reversed only serve as precedents, allowing the damage to be done over and over again on different buildings. The desire to bring more and more tourists into this small 6 x 13 block area is destroying the very thing for which the tourists have always come.

The French Quarter has been on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of most endangered historical treasures almost every year in the past ten years. John Hildreth, Director of the Southern Office, goes so far as to say that the historical Vieux Carré is not just a National Treasure, but a World Treasure.

Unfortunately, it is primarily the present residents who are struggling to maintain the old city, and the preservation challenge is constant for these dedicated persons. French Quarter Citizens for Preservation welcomes support from people who feel that this national treasure called the Vieux Carré is worth saving.

Letter from the President of French Quarter Citizens, October 2009:

By CoCo Paddison, President

Dear French Quarter Citizens,

With summer officially just barely over, the calendar tells us that it is time to focus on our last quarter of activities with FQC. Hopefully most of you had a nice reprieve from the hustle and bustle of your typical work schedule and were able to regroup and enjoy a few relaxing days to stave off the heat. I enjoyed my time away from the City, but am always very glad to return and get back in touch with my friends, like you!

The good news is that our concerns about the location of the New Orleans Cold Storage are finally resolved. The Port has announced its relocation to Henry Clay and Senator Mary Landrieu is going to try and secure funding to "bridge the gap" for them in this new location. Certainly we will all support that! Thanks to all of you who responded to our call for comments on this very controversial issue. We heard you, we voted and it is time to move on.

Your Board has been busy reviewing our Bylaws which needed an update in an effort to build a better platform to strengthen FQC's ability to take on the challenges we face as an organization and as a neighborhood. This feat is no small endeavor and our special thanks go to Brian Furness, Chair of the Bylaws Committee and to Catherine Hill and Jeff Collins for their input. Many others, too numerous to name, have also made contributions and for that, we are grateful. We will be posting the new and improved version after Board review and approval.

As most of the "old timers" know, the primary fund raiser for FQC is the Progressive Dinner. The PD Committee, chaired by Leslie Perrin, is well on its way in planning this enjoyable evening. Several have already asked about the date and it is set for Friday, November 6th, so mark your calendars! All of the Board members work to help with this event and we are soliciting assistance from any of you who are so inclined. It is a great way to meet new people and we could really use a few extra people to lighten the load. If you have a little free time, please contact Leslie at leslie@frenchquartercitizens.com or call her at 722.5820. I am sure she would love to hear from you!

Our Nominating Committee, chaired by Marlene Jaffe, has submitted its slate for the 2010 Board. The current Board unanimously accepted this new and talented group and we will ask for your approval at our next General Meeting, October 15th, to be held at the Cornstalk Fence Hotel.

I think most of us are in shock at the recent decision by the VCC to "endorse an exception to the height limit" on a building here in the French Quarter (See Bruce Eggler's article in the Times-Picayune). Not only did they go against their own self-imposed guidelines, they went against their own staff's recommendations and the views of both FQC and VCPORA which opposed the height waiver. Commission Chairman, Dr. Ralph Lupin, warned that approving the height waiver for one building would probably prompt the owners of other French Quarter buildings to make the same request. Already we have heard from many of you agreeing that this was the wrong decision. We plan to oppose the height waiver as it goes to the BZA for final approval. Let your voice be heard: email the BZA at ywrodriguez@cityofno.com and cc Councilman Carter. Justifying this variance to spur development creates a potential precedent undermining the Quarter's residential values and quality of life. We can still all enjoy life in the French Quarter in spite of a few minor inconveniences; including the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine in air conditioned comfort!

The scrutiny of the Master Plan continues and you should plan to be a part of it. Many of us have attended meetings in the preliminary stages, but now it is in print for all to see. Reading the entire Plan would make us all Rip Van Winkles, but selecting chapters of particular importance to your neighborhood would be a wise use of your time. Remember this plan will be our "bible", so to speak, and we need to know what we are endorsing before it has the force of law.

Voodoo Fest is looming over us, October 30th - November 1st. Ghosts & Goblins in the air. Thanksgiving won't be far behind - gobblers beware!

Warmest Regards,

CoCo Paddison