May 2008 HTNA Meeting Minutes

Agenda: Rhodes Community Art Collaboration, Community Extravaganza, NORA update, Rally update

Rhodes Community Art Collaboration (Michelle Jean-Pierre)

The current focus is on reopening and renovating the funeral home. They are also developing an art project, and want people in the community to get involved. Feel free Volunteer, Teresa Guerra will serve as artist and point person for project. The project will run July 7- August 2, 2008. They are still looking for a location, but the requirements include: access to water, air conditioning. 1000 sq. feet would be ideal. Maybe held at art studio in Dillard and Xavier, but TBD.

Looking for youth volunteers (any age; age 6 is fine) to come paint over a 4 week period. They may be able to pay $100 a week.

The future plan is to develop a center, or museum in building so people can learn about pumping station, and incorporate things about pumping into the design. Broad and Washington avenue sides will be completed first. Façade should be completed by the end of July. In time, the building will be renovated and they are trying to create a commercial corridor in that region.

The extravaganza will be June 7, at Taylor playground. There will be booths to provide resources, food, venders, general information. The Association needs volunteers to: decorate playground, pick up trash, register people for event, food, flier/advertising event, games, and security.

NORA is excited about the Hoffman neighborhood. They are working on a revitalization project for the neighborhood. The team has put together an outline of plans, which incorporates ideas of community, and NORA wants to get houses refurbished so people can move on.

NORA-John Marshall (project manager) 658-4414 direct line. jtmarshall@cityofno.com.

Coming back to follow up on April meeting, request for proposals (RFP) so they can get the ball rolling, so you can see what possibilities are. Irish Channel RFP to give an idea of what that looks like.

NORA RFP: need to adopt a format for receiving proposals so people can see what is going on, and understand what kind of proposals may be put forward. There is a 30 day time window for the current RFP. Towards the end of June NORA will get back together with Rajita and share responses.

Concerns about lack of supermarkets. Residential RFP is out, and it's important to get community feedback on the current residential RFP so that a Commercial RFP would be more credible.

Goal is to get this out within the next few days so you can see what potential is out there.

If you have questions about formatting, or anything confusing in the document feel free to call and NORA is available for questioning.

This process is trying to be as transparent as possible. NORA wants as much community input as possible. City ordinance does not allow commercial establishments to purchase the lot next door, but this is something that may be addressed in the RFP. Community is guaranteed to be in the loop.

Brigida: NORA should have a booth at the extravaganza to answer questions.

Drivers travelling down Washington ave. drive 30-40 miles per hour. One child has already been hurt. She has called to report, but encountered a lot of bureaucracy. Traffic cops have not acted on it. Brigida will email Stacy Head and Police Captain for 6^th Ward to address the problem. Need to get a petition signed for people in the area to slow down traffic on Washington to protect the community. Petition needs to be specific, to address issue.

Rally has put a list together of all of the areas that are missing traffic signs (i.e. stop signs/lights)

Dumping issue: Call the numbers if you see someone dumping illegally. Call 3-1-1 or 504-658-3800

The number issue is the need for a Supermarket. But feel free to add your concerns to the list.

Rally: Hoffman is getting a website. If anyone has pictures of the area, pre-Katrina or in general, or if you want anything included on the website call Adam Papendieck at Rally.

One concern is about the business on the corner of Toledano. Where is the stuff coming from? Concern that things are being stolen. Not accusing them, but gathering information about them.

Concern: All blighted property has been sold, but what are renters supposed to do? Affordable rent is needed for adequately sized family friendly dwellings.

Association's long term goal is to make as many renters as home owners as possible.

Sat. May 17^th there will be a job fair at the Dryades YMCA at 2220 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

Rally is looking for someone to help out distribute fliers, etc. Two job descriptions. One more long-term (20 hours a week).

Kim will talked about the articles of corporation: sent to the Sec. Of state, which is the first step towards getting a 501c3.

Need more volunteers for the Extravaganza. Safety and permits will be at next meeting. 858-6573 call Brigida with any concerns that you may have.