Report from the French Quarter Marigny
Historic Area Management District
 

By Carol Greve
FQC Board Representative

Legislation was passed in the 2009 regular session of the state legislature to authorize a vote on a security taxing district in the French Quarter and a part of Marigny. Sen. Ed Murray authored the legislation and Kim Rosenberg, Vice Chair of FQMHAMD, worked with Sen. Murray to secure approval. Our thanks to Billy Guste, IV, for providing a valuable resource and for all his diligent work to pass this bill.
At "Night Out Against Crime," August 4, 2009, FQMHAMD dispensed information regarding an election on November 14 and talked to citizens about the need for a security district. Reception was mixed but became more hospitable when details were provided as to the cost per property. Plans were being made to produce a detailed Business Plan on the use of the tax funds generated.
On August 12, 2009, Chairman Darryl Berger sent out a memorandum explaining why a decision was made to delay the pursuit of a special taxing district. It was felt that there was insufficient time to inform, educate and receive input from various groups along with technical requirements that we could not meet.

On July 3, 2009, Chairman Darryl Berger received a letter from the State Treasurer advising that FQMHAMD had received a line item appropriation contained in Act 122 of the 2009 Regular Session, in the amount of $90,000. Our latest information had been the gubernatorial veto of a $90,000 appropriation after the end of the June session. The legislature had appropriated $180,000 but Governor Jindal vetoed $90,000. Kudos to Senator Murray for his foresight and his help for the French Quarter.
The Board has met to begin creating a budget for the $90,000. The State Treasurer will not release the funds to the FQMHAMD until the FQMHAMD enters into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Treasurer's Office that designates how every dollar will be spent and which entities will be the ultimate recipients of the funds. All of those entities must be approved by the Treasurer's Office and be in good standing with the State. After the District receives the $90,000, contracts must be signed with each of the entities. Quarterly Reports will also have to be filed with the State Treasurer's Office.

Note: The above information regarding the appropriation was received from Kim Rosenberg.

Are Rickshaws in Our Future?

By Brian Furness

Just imagine your arrival at the Mahalia Jackson, stepping down from your rickshaw in white tie and tails with your partner at your side. Or showing up at Galatoire's for Friday lunch in your own bike taxi. More prosaically, schlepping your groceries home from Matassa's by pedicab instead of hefting bags for couple of blocks. Like the idea?
It might happen. An FQC representative recently met with P. J. Lynch, an entrepreneur seeking to launch a bike taxi (aka rickshaw, pedicab) service in the French Quarter (and also uptown). New Orleans Bike Taxi (NOBT), Mr. Lynch's company, proposes to provide bike-based taxi services to residents - his primary target audience - and visitors to the French Quarter, the CBD, Faubourg Marigny and nearby Bywater. He's a veteran of similar operations in Charleston, SC, and he's enthusiastic about the possibilities here in New Orleans.
Mr. Lynch, currently making the rounds of New Orleans's politicians and community organizations, emphasizes his desire to fit right in. Instead of just launching his service (there are no current laws against it), he wants to operate in the context of a new ordinance that would address operating rules (including failing to obey traffic laws), licensing, numbers of bike taxis on the street, congestion, and other issues that could raise citizen hackles or lead to complaints. For instance, he disclaims any interest in competing with our mule-drawn carriages.
Can we look for bike taxis soon? It's unlikely. Drafting an ordinance - even one modeled on Charleston and Austin - will take time. The FQC Board voted to participate in the process, and there will need be time for citizen comment and technical review before it goes before the City Council. So keep the white tie and tails in the closet for now.

Check out the Charleston Bike Taxi website: www.biketaxi.net