Mid City to the Rescue
I’ve read and dealt out plenty of bellyaching about the lack of progress being made in the city these days, but I think I can safely say this week I’m starting to feel optimistic about things. Little things seem to be falling back into place, the traffic light at Jefferson and Magazine has finally stopped flashing yellow, the curfew is being lifted, Frankie & Johnny’s is open… But by far the most hopeful sign for me is the progress being made in my own neighborhood. Mid City has made some significant strides in the recent past, among them:
- Parkway Bakery & Tavern now open and serving the best damned roast beef poboy in the city
- Liuzza’s by the Track open - had a beer there yesterday
- Two families on my block now living in their homes– not in trailers– one of these homes having been flooded
- Plans for traditional New Years Eve bonfire in the works
- Finn McCools (my corner bar) rumored to be selling beer out of a cooler when they’re around. They plan to re-open with full kitchen serving traditional Irish pub grub - I’m so psyched about that.
- Banks St. Bar open
- Rock ‘N Bowl open
- Juan’s Flying Burrito opening soon
- Sign on Mandina’s to assure people they’re coming back
- Sav-A-Center on Carrollton scheduled to re-open Feb. 9
- New grocery store in old Whole Foods building to open soon
- Terranova’s market, Lola’s, Cafe Degas open
- Cork ‘n Bottle wine store open
- Italian Pie on Bienville open
- Electricity seems to be restored to 95% of the area - not many houses have it yet, but the street lights and some traffic lights are working
This may not seem like much, but it’s a whole lot better than what we had even a month ago. Keep in mind that many of these businesses aren’t making a shred of profit due to a severe lack of customers– they’re open because they want to bring this neighborhood back, and I can’t commend them enough for that.
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This is the area where we used to live (behind Mandina’s) and where my business remains, such as it is. It’s indeed great to see all the progress.
I’m now wondering how long until the brake tag place is open at Jeff Davis and Lafitte. Mine’s up in January. I don’t wanna have to drive out to St. Claude.
woo hoo! mid-city in the house!! it sure is good to hear about all the progress - i love my/our neighborhood. 70119 is back! i can’t wait to get back there…
(i’m an artist/dj/writer from mid-city - iberville street, to be more specific - check out my mid-city tshirt at http://www.cafepress.com/artbymags!)
PARKWAY BAKERY! Thank you, Jebus!
My parents are the only house on their street with electricity (the same side street as Mona’s is on) - but the house on Carrollton near Banks has their white Christmas lights up on the ancient oak tree only three blocks away (near Palmyra). I went to Parkway for the Benny Grunch and Bunch show and I’m so happy to have seen so many people in the area - it was a great concert. Has anyone heard about whether the Mona’s is rebuilding (it’ll be the second rebuilding for that location, after the fire not too many years ago), and ESPECIALLY whether the Angelo Brocato’s is coming back (I went to their hundred year party!).
So very happy to hear the bonfire will happen.
It’s so over-the-top nuts. It’s one of my most favorite NO events! Now I must find fireworks !
Hooray Mid-City !
Thanks SO MUCH for posting this! A friend of mine is visiting there next month and is fearful of what she might find. We both love the city so much and pray for it’s return to normalcy very, very soon. Blessings!!
Merry Christmas, Mid-City!
Thanks for the update. Mid-City was desolate when I was down there Thanksgiving weekend and it was easy to see the struggle ahead.
I’d like to encourage NOLA Metrobloggers to do more posting about what’s open and what’s lost (the fate of Hubig’s?) in the city. The media is doing an almost-decent job of reminding people that despite tourists in the Quarter, things aren’t normal in New Orleans, but we still get things like CNN’s report this morning that basically said Celebration in the Oaks is just like last year, when I believe it’s very much scaled down.
Bloggers on the ground can be a force to really communicate what’s happening in the city. Remember that CNN has specific reporters who surf blogs looking for stories. The first-hand accounts of life in the new New Orleans are invaluable bits of news, so keep it up and do more of it.
Jesuit’s open, too. Latest report is that of 1450 students only a 42 have told the school that they won’t be returning. Expected attendance for the second semester of this year (beginning Jan. 23rd 2006) is 1,275 students. Damages not covered by insurance, grants, and reimbursements: approximately $5 million.