February Saw an Increase in Louisiana Jobs As Well as a Drop in Unemployment Rates

 February 2023 saw a good many jobs added in Louisiana as well as a drop in the unemployment rate. According to the Louisiana Workforce Commision there were 13,600 nonfarm jobs added making it 1.94 million nonfarm jobs across the state. This is up from the 1.93 million reported in January 2023 and 1.91 million reported in February 2022. In fact, the state has seen a monthly increase seven out of the eight past months.

In New Orleans there were 5,100 jobs added with 1,900 of those jobs in leisure and hospitality and 1,.600 in private education. Baton Rouge saw an increase of 2,300 with 1,800 of those jobs in civil engineering construction and 600 in health care, social assistance, professional, scientific and technical services. Lafayette saw an increase of 1,200 jobs with 400 in health services and 300 in goods producing. Lake Charles had 700 jobs added with 500 of those jobs being in private service jobs. The remaining areas reported were Houma-Thibodaux with 1,500, Shreveport-Bossier City with 1,000 and Hammond-Monroe-Alexandria with 800.

The civilian labor force in Louisiana was also up from 2.01 million in January 2023 to 2.03 million in February 2023. Along with this, the number of unemployed fell from 75,724 in January to 74,034 in February, making the unemployment rate for the state drip from 3.6% to 3.5%. For the metro areas, New Orleans went from 3.7% to 3.6%, Baton Rouge 3.2% to 3.1%, Lake Charles from 3.5% to 3.3%, Hammond dropped from 4.3% to 4.1% and Lafayette stayed the same.

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City Park Rides Open Once Again

 The rides at Carousel Gardens in New Orleans City Park have now reopened. The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park includes rides, cafes, swings, slides and more which are fun for the whole family.

The most famous of the rides is the carousel which is now running on the weekend from 11am – 6pm and will return to weekday hours Memorial Day. The daily tickets can be purchased on a limited basis starting at $13 per admission and will include unlimited rides and entrance to Storyland. Season passes start at $85 and are good March to November, train tickets can be purchased starting at $5.50 with operation hours Wednesday to Friday 11am – 4:30pm.

“There’s a lot of history here, and our team is honored to be a part of that tradition. Every day we come to work and ask how we can make it a great experience for guests. We get to help make the memories, and we enjoy that opportunity,” says Waymon Morris, director of recreational services.

The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park is home to eighteen rides and two cafes. The area is a great place for the whole family and offers a little something for everyone. The carousel is one of the oldest carousels in the country and is known as the Flying Horses. If you are a Friends of City Park member, you will get a 20% discount on admissions and $10 off individual season passes.

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Developer Has the Go Ahead To Begin New Project on New Orleans Six Flags Property

 New Orleans Six Flags closed in 2005 after being destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and has sat vacant since then. Deals have tried to be reached between developers and New Orleans East in the past but have not gone through. It is finally approved for a private consortium to redevelop the property into a new project that will be put to public use.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration announced Tuesday that Bayou Phoenix, the development group led by Troy Henry, has agreed to partnership terms with the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, which oversees the 227-acre site. Bayou Phoenix was chosen in October 2021 for the project. Cantrell said her administration would “not waver in our commitment to a development project that is transparent, accountable and in the best interest and of the utmost benefit of our community.”

They are hopeful that demolition of the roller coaster will begin as soon as 2023. Residents are elated by the news, but Bayou Phoenix will still hold a public forum. At the forum they will present the master plan to the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority. Once it has been approved by the authority’s board, Bayou Phoenix will sign a lease allowing them onto the site. Once the lease is signed, the 42-month redevelopment period begins. There will be benchmarks throughout the 42-month process.

“Probably the first thing is to drain the place, just to get the pump working there so you can drain the water that’s been on there for years. Probably chase a few alligators away,” said Troy Henry of Bayou Phoenix.

Once it is cleared of water, the engineers and architects can actually go onsite to see how they will clear the remaining structures. Bayou Phoenix is still in the process of securing agreements with operators and financiers.

“We don’t have commitment letters at this point in time, but we’ve got an overwhelming amount of financial interest. Nobody is going to just do this off the top of their heads, says Henry.

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$4 Million Per Year Will Be Dedicated To Teacher Recruitment

 New Orleans (NOLA) Public School board approved for approximately $4 million a year to go to teacher retention and training. This funding is part of the “System Wide Needs Program” and was formed by the state Legislature in 2019. The approved spending plan will go from July 2023 to June 2026.

Hopefully this plan will help with NOLA public schools’ problem with declines in enrollment and teachers. The first part of the funding that is being released will help boost teacher growth. The $7 million released over three years will go to recruiting, training and placing teachers. This will hopefully help the system to reach their goal of 750 hires over the next three years. Without this funding there would be a lot of teacher programs that would go away.

The next part of the funding that will be released will be dedicated to specialized programs for students. Around $10 million over the next three years will go to partnerships that will provide an alternative school for middle school students – currently The Bridge run by Educators for Quality Alternatives – and programs targeting specific student populations. It will also include mental health and attendance support services for students with autism and career and technical training students.

They are also looking into using some of the funding to train a handful of teachers in the areas of English learner instruction, social-work services, crisis supports and trauma-informed practices. This process is already taking shape, as New School for New Orleans reported that 430 new teachers were hired in the system due to the current funding.

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Hungry Eyes A New New Orleans Restaurant and Bar

 Hungry Eyes, named after the term “hungry eyes” in the famous 80’s movie, “Dirty Dancing” will be opening in Uptown on Magazine Street. The space at 4206 Magazine Street will be a place locals can go for just a cocktail or a full dinner.

The restaurant’s co-founder, chef Mason Hereford wants the vibe to be 80’s style with a wide range of different food, appetizers and cocktails. ” It’s punchy flavors, big fun, a lot that are meant to be shared,” Hereford says.

The plans are to open Hungry Eyes later this spring. The space will be a 40-seat restaurant that also includes a back patio and will have a dedicated bar and full table service. This is different from Hereford’s other two spots, Turkey and the Wolf and Molly’s Rise and Shine. There are several employees that will move from the other locations to work at Hungry Eyes.

“There’s way too much talent working in those two buildings, so it’s time to provide and opportunity to grow together,” said Hereford

The menu is still in the works but will be guided by the same concept as Turkey and the Wolf and Molly’s Rise and Shine. The new restaurant will be a bit more refined with mid-range prices. Patrons will enjoy a comfortable atmosphere that is welcoming to parties or solo guests.

“We want everyone that comes in here to feel welcome and cool and sexy in this space,” he says.

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Interior Design Trends For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

There are trends out there that are popular one day and then gone the next so what makes a trend long lasting? Today’s interior designers are using timeless designs and pieces for the current look in today’s home. If you start with ageless finishes then you will have a space that will be more flexible when it comes to updating.

A popular trend that fits the bill is using layers of neutral finishes, especially those made out of organic materials. Areas such as kitchen countertops, cabinetry and flooring are harder to change out, so using a neutral finish gives the space more of a neutral canvas to recreate a new look. A good way to do this is to go in and change out the rugs and furnishings, leaving the flooring, counters and cabinets the same. Not only are neutrals good for timeless looks but using grays, taupes and creamy colors also gives the space a calm, cool neutral environment.

Going green will never be out of style, so using natural materials will always be a popular choice. Natural stone can be used in so many places in a home from the countertops to a whole accent wall. Tongue and groove wood ceilings or accents on walls, also gives a warmth to a room. This trend can be used in both modern and traditional designs.

“The beauty of a trend is to provide knowledge and inspiration, but the beauty of design is being able to take that trend and create something unique to each space,” says Kristin Hazen of Kristin Hazen Design out of Arizona.

A great way to make a space stand out is to use artistic lighting. Adding pendants and chandeliers give a room a wonderful artistic focal point as well as being functional. Hanging a chandelier closer to the ceiling will also give a room more depth making it look bigger than it actually is.

During the pandemic a trend that has been around became even more popular due to the at home restrictions. This is the indoor-outdoor crossover space with retracting glass doors. This is especially popular in areas that have a milder winter climate because they can be used year round. Add an outdoor fireplace and it can be the perfect spot for even a cooler winter’s night.

Trendy designs that come and go can be added to a design, but should be mixed with timeless pieces. If you are looking to purchase a home, contact a local real estate agent in your area who can help with the home buying process.

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A New Development on St. Charles Avenue

 The former Rite Aid on St. Charles Avenue will become a new live, work and play development.

The Besthoff family has owned the property ever since the original K & B drugstore was there over sixty years ago. The family is excited to get construction going on the project.

The plans call for redeveloping close to the entire city block of St. Charles and Louisiana Avenues, and Carondelet and Delachaise Streets. The new 200,000 square feet development will have two apartment buildings, and 18,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The development is one of the many new projects that are along St. Charles Avenue.

So far, 3401 St. Charles, LLC, the name of the Besthoff’s company, has approval from the Historic Districts Landmarks Commission and the city Board of Zoning Adjustments. They have also settled a lawsuit with the Garden District Association over the height of one of the apartment buildings. The next step will be to obtain permits from the city and finalize financing for the more than $55 million project. The company hopes to break ground later this year.

“We are lining everything up and are optimistic we will be ready once we get our permits, which we know will take some time,” the statement said.

They have purchased the land that was once Ochsner Health Center and will demolish the center along with the drugstore to make way for the two apartment buildings. One of the buildings will be U-shaped in design and house one, two and three bedroom units. The complex will have a swimming pool, dog park and enclosed parking garage that will all be for residents only. Retail space will fill the ground-floor area that will hopefully house retail, a local restaurant and a local coffee shop.

The other apartment complex will have 20 units on three stories and will be permanent housing with no short term rentals. Along with the buildings and amenities they will add new street lights, landscaping, outdoor seating and protected bike lanes.

“Everyone wanted something on that corner, other than a vacant old Rite Aide. So, we are hopeful they will do a quality development that will benefit not only them but the neighborhood,” comments Garden District Association President Allain Hardin.

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