The hearts and the prayers of the entire DDD team, commissioners and staff alike, go out to those most acutely impacted by the Hard Rock construction site collapse, especially those who have lost loved ones. The DDD team responded immediately, contacting businesses and property owners in the impacted area on Saturday, and has continued to work with various City agencies to help, including the Fire & Police Departments and especially the City’s Economic Development Team and the Health Department, which has been tasked with addressing the housing and other needs of those who have been forced to evacuate their homes.
In my own conversations with our stakeholders, I have been struck by the strength and the resolve demonstrated by those impacted. Business owners are concerned for their employees first and foremost.
We continue to ask your help in reflecting this same level of concern back to the businesses and individuals who have served us for years and stand ready to serve us even now, despite street closures. Consider taking a walk to Canal Street and the surrounding areas to support our Downtown and French Quarter businesses impacted by street closures. Even businesses many blocks into the CBD have been impacted. Most areas – even those just a block away from the Hard Rock – are accessible by foot. Let’s show how New Orleans always supports its own through tragedy & every challenge that comes our way.
Kurt Weigle
President & CEO
Downtown Development District