Is New Orleans Still Depressed?
The Lakeview area and the Ninth Ward, not usually on the tourist route, are coming back vigorously. The Lakeview area is filled with determined residents who have worked hard to reopen schools and businesses, and many have returned to their homes. Many have also relocated to the Lakeview area, as there have been opportunities to obtain great homes at bargain prices. The lower Ninth Ward has returned thanks to Brad Pitt and his love of New Orleans. Brad started the Make it Right Foundation to build new, green affordable home in this area. Some mansions have sprung up where ruins used to languish. While there is a long way to go, these neighborhoods are being renewed daily. The East is coming back, still slowly to be sure, as more residents return and are able to rebuild. It is still difficult for the locals to visit these parts of town, at least it is for this local.
Is it Safe to Visit New Orleans?
Despite the determination of the media to portray the city as dangerous, the truth is, you are no more nor less safe here than you are in any major metropolitan area. The real fact is that efforts to reduce crime in New Orleans are showing results. In 2008 crime was down in all categories except auto theft. The murder rate dropped by 15%, rape by 44% and armed robbery decreased by about 5%. Total crime dropped by 6.76% in 2008 over 2007 and the downward trend in the crime rate is continuing through 2010. We have a new mayor and a new police chief, both of whom are committed to making New Orleans the best she can be.
In every city, there are parts of town you need to stay away from, and the same is unfortunately true here. Tourists have always been advised not to go into the cemeteries except with tours (with the exception of St. Louis Number 3 and Lafayette Cemetery.) Central City is not the best place to be, but frankly, the tourist or visitor is not likely to need or want to go there. Common sense is the rule in New Orleans, as it is in New York, or San Francisco, or anywhere these days.
Ongoing Sports
If you are a sports fan, there is much to keep you happy. The Saints' contract has been renewed through 2025. We have been awarded our 10th Super Bowl, for 2013, an NFL record. And, of course, our New Orleans Saints are now the world champions after winningSuper Bowl XLIV. The Who Dat Nation is alive and well. To quote Saints' owner Tom Benson, "From every perspective, this shows that our city is on the rise, viable and thriving, and I have great faith in what we can accomplish and the impact it will have, starting today. This is my hometown, and maybe we don't need to talk about New Orleans being on the way back anymore. New Orleans is back…" The Superdome has undergone a major renovation, to the tune of $80 million dollars-is this a sign of normalcy, or what? The New Orleans Centre Shopping Mall that was across the street from the dome was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. It has been removed and a new sports venue "Champions Square" has taken its place. The parties before the Saints home games are now much better than ever.
With college football, it's always about the Sugar Bowl, and more recently, the New Orleans Bowl.
The Hornets came back in 2007, and the team is thriving here. In a short time, the fan base has mushroomed into a favorite for fans all around the area. In 2008, we hosted the NBA All-Star game when many said the city wasn't ready. It was a smash! The men's college basketball Final Four will be played here in 2012, and the women's in 2013.
Baseball fans enjoy the Zephyrs, a triple A farm team for the Florida Marlins. The Zephyrs always have a good record and they play in a wonderful stadium.
The Entertainment Industry
New Orleans has been a favorite site for movie production for some time now, and things have never looked better. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is probably the most well known recent production, but over 20 movies were filmed here in 2007-2008. On television, Disney presents "The Imagination Movers" and HBO will present "Treme.", a series about the Treme area famous for its rich population of musicians and artists.
You Can Help New Orleans Most With Your Tourism Dollars:
You can see we are not all about Mardi Gras beads and Bourbon Street, although we thoroughly enjoy both. Perhaps a lot of people don't understand the concept of living in the moment as much as we do here. If you don't get it, come on down and give it a try. Visit the WWOZ tent at Jazz Fest; peel boiled crawfish at an outdoor cafe; take a riverboat cruise. It's all good.
