$436M INVESTED ON CANAL
Canal Street is currently brimming with over $436M in development projects across the public and private sectors. Audubon invested in a $41M renovation of its aquarium and insectarium, the Regional Transit Authority completed its $43.5M new ferry terminal, and 438 new hotel rooms across four hotels have come online or are in development.
Ruby Slipper returned to its flagship location on Canal St. in February with co-founder Jennifer Weishaupt describing their desire to rebuild after the Hard Rock collapse as “an investment in the heart of our beloved city, a contribution to the revitalization of Canal Street, and a symbol of resilience for the entire community.”
Rubensteins celebrated their centennial this spring and opened Rubenstein Hotel in late 2023, furthering their commitment to Canal Street. Local retailers like French Truck have filled vacancies left by national retailers, and the world-renowned New Orleans restaurant scene continues to expand its offerings on Canal Street with both local favorites and international brands.
With roots as the main shopping district of the South, Canal continues to thrive as a destination for commerce, entertainment, and cultural preservation.
1.5 MILLION VISITORS TO CANAL STREET IN Q1
As most other cities were slowing down after the holidays, New Orleans was amping up for Carnival Season. Downtown has long served as the hub for parades and entertainment throughout the season, and 2024 was no exception. Canal St. welcomes parades with their throngs of revelers, is home to some of the City’s most iconic entertainment venues, and hosts some of the most iconic events of the season, including the annual Spanish Plaza Lundi Gras Celebration.
DDD Economic Specialists’ Placer.ai foot traffic analysis found that the Canal St. Corridor within the DDD’s boundaries saw 1.5 million unique visitors during the first quarter of 2024, resulting in a 5.1% increase in visitation year over year and a 19.5% increase year over two years.
It was no surprise that Fat Tuesday, February 13th, was the peak day in Q1 for foot traffic on Canal St. when thousands of tourists, residents, and workers alike descended upon the famed thoroughfare to join in the festivities. 
Visitors from all 50 states spent time on Canal Street during Q1, with over 60% of those traveling over 250 miles. DDD analysis found that the highest concentration of visitors to the Canal Street Corridor during this time came from the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast (see map). 19% of the 1.5M visitors to Canal St. spent time at the Riverwalk Outlets, and nearly 16% spent time shopping within Canal Place.
While Canal St. has changed since its inception in the early 1800s, it remains a magnet for a multitude of cultures and visitors looking to experience authentic New Orleans.
DPW PROJECTS IMRPOVE DDD STREETS
In February, The City of New Orleans’ Department of Public Works (DPW) tackled major visual improvements to better the aesthetic and function of Canal Street Downtown. 
Their impressive work included a road striping project between Rampart Street and the Mississippi River that refreshed both the roadway lane lines and the crosswalks within this designated area.
DDD strongly advocates for improving the public realm and infrastructure in Downtown New Orleans. President & CEO Davon Barbour points out the importance of upkeep on pedestrian thoroughfares, “Downtown New Orleans enjoys a high walkability score. Preserving this status requires sustained investment in infrastructure.”
We are pleased to see the progress and impact made by this road striping project, and we thank the DPW and RoadworkNOLA for their attention to updates and improvements on Downtown streets as they help move the needle towards a more beautiful and accessible Downtown.
BIODISTRICT UNVEILS STRATEGIC PLAN
In mid March, DDD partnered with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, BioDistrict New Orleans, New Orleans Bioinnovation Center (NOBIC), and the City of New Orleans to present the panel “BioDistrict New Orleans: Cultivating a Life Sciences Innovation Ecosystem” as part of NOEW in Your Neighborhood’s (NIYN) 2024 programming.
Panelists included Andy Kopplin, President & CEO, Greater New Orleans Foundation and Chair, BioDistrict; Blake Stanfill, Founder, Okwata Group and Vice Chair, BioDistrict; Jeff Schwartz, Director of Economic Development, City of New Orleans; Kris Khalil, Executive Director, New Orleans BioInnovation Center; and Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Development District. Together, they discussed the creation of the Strategic Plan for the burgeoning New Orleans BioDistrict.
The Strategic Plan— funded by the Greater New Orleans Foundation, City of New Orleans, and Downtown Development District— was designed by HR&A Advisors to guide and suggest long-term goals to help transform the BioDistrict into a world-class innovation center. Ultimately, its aim is to catalyze private investment, grow the city’s biosciences and health innovation ecosystem, and create jobs and economic opportunities for the people of New Orleans. 
The completion of this Strategic Plan represents an exciting time of growth and potential in Downtown New Orleans. DDD supports the BioDistrict in its goals and objectives and looks forward to witnessing the transformation that will stem from this hugely significant Downtown development.
To read the full draft of the New Orleans BioDistrict Strategic Plan, please visit the link HERE.
RTCC CAMERAS BOOST SECURITY
You may have noticed some new eyes in the sky on Canal Street.
With the help of Senator Royce Duplessis, DDD purchased and installed three new Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) cameras on Canal Street, bolstering the existing security efforts on Downtown’s main thoroughfare.
The cameras—located at the corners of Canal and Roosevelt, Canal and Baronne, and Canal and Royal—have already helped to investigate and apprehend a suspect wanted for multiple robberies and aggravated assaults. Lieutenant Ward of 8th District NOPD also called to express his gratitude for all three cameras, stating that they have all been beneficial in solving crime on the surveyed blocks.
DDD looks forward to how RTCC technology continues to transform, secure, and better our Downtown community, on Canal Street and beyond.