ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
for some time before the green light was given,
so many businesses on Bourbon Street were
aware it was going to occur. However, many were
underprepared for the length of the disruption.
When the budget was allocated, the team began
engaging with business owners and communicating
project timelines, expectations and how the
construction would likely impact the business
etc. The team had less than a month before the
construction would begin to prepare businesses
owners.
Public consultation meetings were held in both
the mornings, and evenings, to capture as
many businesses as possible. A database was
established to update business owners throughout
the stages of the project. Businesses were provided
with fact sheets with key contact numbers and
resources available to support them.
Unfortunately, when the
fencing, which was
wrapped in a black
material, was erected to
stop the leakage of dust,
it was not well received.
The material used, meant
the area became darker
at night, this caused a
perception of an unsafe
area to walk.
Fact sheets provided to
business owners prior to the
project commencing.
The construction zone made it difficult for visitors
to get to their hotels as the road was closed off
to vehicles and taxis arriving from the airport.
Pedestrian access had also been significantly
reduced. Delivery drivers were unable to deliver
stock to business owners, and waste needed to be
coordinated at an agreed location. Something that
could have easily been coordinated and planned if
sufficient timing was allowed.
Delays on the project occurred almost daily, either
due to the conditions of the underground utilities or
bad weather. New Orleans also experienced severe
flooding during the project which caused more
delays to the project causing further disruption to
business owners.
Despite the many delays, business owners were
updated weekly via a status email and the project
team also coordinated conversations on the corner,
a face to face update by the contractors.
'Conversations on the Corner'
were implemented through the
project, allowing business owners
to be updated weekly, direct
from the project team on what
disruptions would occur and how
the business could be impacted.
Radio and marketing campaigns were held across
the region encouraging locals to continue to support
business owners. The campaigns included the
following context:
VOL.11 NO.2 2018 | 24