North Rampart Main Street

Dear Friends & Supporters of North Rampart Main Street:

North Rampart Main Street, Inc. (NRMSI) was established as a proven economic development model to revitalize the North Rampart corridor as “The Gateway to the Historic Neighborhoods of the French Quarter and Treme.” North Rampart is uniquely positioned to serve businesses, residents and visitors and to provide an easily accessible historic setting for an authentic exchange of goods, services, and experiences. Our goal is to strengthen existing businesses and attract new businesses to make the street safe and walk-able for residents and visitors.

Much has been accomplished, but there is so much more to do. As with most non-profits, funding is a major challenge. Our State funding has been significantly reduced due to the State’s revenue shortfall, and several of our key contributors have not been able to provide their usual funding due to the economy.

We need your support to continue this critical work in 2010.

Major progress has been made on North Rampart in the last three years:

Several businesses have located on or re-located to N. Rampart: Discoveries Furniture & Finds, Bar Tonique, Key’s Fuel Mart, Decadence Shoppe, French Quarter Citizens, Vieux Carre Property Owners, Residents, and Associates, and the New Orleans Athletic Club’s new parking area.

New Residences: Three condominium developments – one in the 200 block, the Colonial Condos in the 1300 block, and the Krauss Condos nearby on Basin Street have added many new residents to the neighborhood.

Façade Improvements: NRMSI has awarded five facade grants, which when combined with owner matching funds, have produced substantial facade improvements to: St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Meauxbar Bistro, Wolfe’s Restaurant, Dr. Mike’s Animal House, and 710 N. Rampart (previously Funky Butt). And with your help we will be able to provide more façade grants and stimulate our economy!

Neutral Ground Improvements: We are working with the City to repair the street lights, and in March 2010 you will see new landscaping along the neutral grounds, with Covenant House maintaining the plantings.

Festivals: NRMSI inaugurated the annual “RampART” festival in Armstrong Park to promote the creative arts, local music and of course, our great food. This year we celebrated our 3rd annual event. We are also the official sponsor of the Satchmo SummerFest birthday celebration for Louis Armstrong held in Armstrong Park.

Armstrong Park Improvements: We worked with the City in the re-opening of Armstrong Park and the Mahalia Jackson Theatre.

Cultural Products Designation: NRMSI was instrumental in obtaining this designation, which provides tax credits for historic preservation and state sales tax relief for art.

Still, much more remains to be done. Please help us by making a contribution to the revitalization of North Rampart. All donations to our non-profit organization are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to: NRMSI, 632 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70112.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Laurie Toups, Executive Director, at 504-256-4848 or manager@northrampartmainstreet.org.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!
David Speights and Susan Klein, Co-Chairs

North Rampart Main Street, Inc.
632 North Rampart Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
504.256.4848 (O)