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Tulane Avenue: Is it Ready for Revitalization?

Tulane Avenue was once known as a bustling part of New Orleans for tourists and locals, and a transit area to Mid-City and the airport. That was more than 50 years ago though. A lot can happen in half a century – especially in a city as deep in roots, but as transient as the Crescent City.  Apparently, there were boutique hotels lining up along the thoroughfare as tourists used it as a means outside of the French Quarter and to the airport.

The Downfall of Tulane Avenue

They say construction of I-10 and the downtown hotels killed the area, and started turning it into a ghost-town. Businesses had to shut down. The boutique hotels lost their tourists and withered away. In other words, Tulane Ave. became a blossoming area of crime. As it turns out, Tulane Avenue is still bustling….or rather, hustling…with prostitutes. This is no secret, as indicated by NOLA.com’s reporting shown here (warning: adult content):

Is There Hope for the Future?

In 2013, New Orleans is gearing up for two large hospitals and a medical corridor to open. In the heart of Tulane Avenue. But, are we ready for a revitalization of this once-booming neighborhood? The hospitals are supposed to employ more than 17,000 people. That’s fantastic news for New Orleans – and hopefully great news for the Avenue as well.  Will this be the new “Medical District?” Or, will the hospital open with no interest in working there, going there, and officials having a hard time completing the project? Will the proximity of the Medical District to this illegal criminal activity have a conflict? Will the prostitutes be pushed out of the neighborhood and into another neighborhood – say, Central City, Treme, or Downtown? Or, will they end up starving and moving out? Prostitution is the oldest profession, they say and generally, where you find prostitutes, you can also find drug crimes and theft. Due to its wide, six-lane roadway, it lacks the charm needed for pedestrian traffic. Could a couple hospitals create a gentrification of a neighborhood? Or, do we need landscaping, large sidewalks with working lamp posts and a reason to walk from Mid-City to Downtown? Oh, and don’t forget they’re opening a Whole Foods at Broad and Bienville!

Commercial Real Estate Slow to Start

NOLA.com points out that with the hospital contracts signed, the commercial real estate market was expected to boom. Not so much. There are a few businesses taking risks, buying or renting buildings, clearing them out and re-building. But, it isn’t as quickly as some city officials and business owners have hoped. And, for those that have already opened their doors – they are seeing the downside. Avery’s Po-Boys, for one, does not even know if they can keep their doors open until the first hospital is set to open in 2015. What do you think about the revitalization or gentrification of Tulane Avenue? Is New Orleans ready to prosper in this once-flourishing area? I’d love to hear from you.

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