Senator Landrieu Visits St. Claude / St. Roch Revitalization Project

New Orleans Healing Center Previews Programs at Open House
 

WHAT:

Senator Mary Landrieu joins James Carville and State and local officials to listen and learn about The St. Claude / St. Roch Revitalization Project as it contributes to the reestablishment of St. Claude Ave. as a thriving commercial corridor and builds healthy community by bridging “lakeside” and “riverside” neighborhoods. Senator Landrieu, James Carville alongside local officials will make remarks in a presentation of the St. Claude / St. Roch Revitalization Project, hosted by Developer and Civic Leader Pres Kabacoff, at the New Orleans Healing Center Open House.  At the event, the public is invited to preview programs and products to be offered by the Center, and enjoy free music and brunch.  

 

WHO:

U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu

Louisiana State Senator JP Morrell

Louisiana State Legislator Juan LaFonta

James Carville, Democratic Political Strategist

Murray Nelson, District Director, U.S. Representative Anh “Joseph” Cao

Cynthia Sylvain Lear, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (representing Mayor Ray Nagin)

Pres Kabacoff, St. Claude / St. Roch Revitalization Project

Sallie Ann Glassman, The New Orleans Healing Center

Greta Gladney, Executive Director, The Renaissance Project, Community Leader

Leaders of New Orleans Healing Center programs

 

WHEN:  

Saturday, June 13th from 10am until 1pm

Senator Landrieu and other speakers arrive promptly at 10:30am with presentation to follow

WHERE:  

The Healing Center

2372 St. Claude Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70117

 

WHY:

The St. Claude / St. Roch Revitalization Project is working to rejuvenate the economy and unite neighborhoods surrounding St. Claude and St. Roch Avenues.  Guided by the principals of New Urbanism, the Project is advocating for sustainable public transit for residents and tourists via the proposed French Quarter/Elysian Fields Avenue/Press St. streetcar loop; eliminating blight by restoring the former Universal Furniture building; the largest privately-owned historic building along the corridor, which now houses the New Orleans Healing Center, and by supporting healthy individuals, families, and community through programs and products to be offered by the Center.  These programs, services and products will be made available through the approximately 40 community-oriented, local start-up businesses the Healing Center will incubate, boosting cultural tourism and supplying an estimated 200 permanent jobs.  

 

Economic impact from the Project is expected on both local and city-wide scales.  The immediate area, which includes the Healing Center, the proposed streetcar line, and St. Roch Market defines a key node in the revitalization of the corridor according to MIT’s recent analysis of the area, and comprises one of the most advanced “ready-to-go” of Blakely’s 17 Target Zones in the City. A Feasibility and Economic Analysis by Henry and Associates showed a five-year economic impact projected at $70mm to $125mm, with an expanded local tax base by $61mm to $110mm.  The same study showed a $60 to $1 return on every Federal Dollar invested.

 

“We are leading a Downtown Renaissance”, says Pres Kabacoff, a civic leader of the St. Claude / St. Roch Revitalization Project. “We’re creating a vibrant community center that supports culture and community, and we’re making it accessible to locals and tourists alike by bringing back the old Desire Streetcar line running down the Rampart/St. Claude corridor. The impact will radiate health, strength, and economic vibrancy through the seven surrounding downtown neighborhoods covering a 3.5 mile stretch of the Mississippi River.”

 

 

 

New Orleans Healing Center Previews

Educational, Community, Wellness Programming at Open House Event

 

The New Orleans Healing Center invites families and neighbors from across the city to preview the programs being developed for the New Orleans Healing Center.  Highlights of the Open House event will include a presentation of the St. Claude / St. Roch Revitalization Project, a crafts bazaar, yoga class and kirtan, free Healing Arts sessions of acupuncture, massage, Reiki, Qi Gong, and Akido, children’s activities, parenting classes, and live music and free catered brunch for visitors to enjoy.  

 

Housed in a renovation of the former Universal Furniture building on St. Claude Avenue at the intersection of St. Roch Avenue, the Healing Center is a multi-use space that will provide community-oriented services, products, and programs including an organic grocery store, sustainable food garden, internet café and juice bar, alternative healing offices, street university, retail bazaar, art therapy and galleries, community center and theater, child care, Woman’s Infants and Children program, environmental office, woman’s center and spiritual space.

 

 One of several projects by a group of professionals who convened at “Sunday Salons” shortly following Hurricane Katrina to draft their version of New Orleans’ ideal recovery, the Healing Center is founded on principals that embrace openness to all cultures and spiritualities, and that seek to unify communities from across neighborhoods by fostering health and well-being in individuals and families.

 

“We can create from these polarized neighborhoods, one cohesive and balanced community, says Sallie Ann Glassman, a founder of the New Orleans Healing Center, “Diversity is strength wherever it is encountered”.

 

 

###