RS 797 - Findings; declaration of necessity; and purpose
A. The legislature finds that:
(1) Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to the cornerstone of the state's tourism industry, the French Quarter.
(2) Even though Louisiana's most historic district and iconic treasure was spared from extensive flooding and looting during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the French Quarter did not survive the storm unscathed. The French Quarter not only sustained wind and infrastructure damage, but its damage is continuing to occur due to a tourism drought.
(3) The prolonged loss of tourists and visitors has pushed the French Quarter's world renowned restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, museums, specialty shops, and hotels to the brink of closure. The loss of these businesses would create a void in Louisiana's hospitality industry and further tarnish the tourism appeal of New Orleans and of the state.
(4) It is in the best interest and common good of the people of the state, the city of New Orleans, and the French Quarter, for the French Quarter's tarnished world image to be repaired by improving the safety and quality of life of its visitors and residents, restoring its damaged or missing infrastructure, addressing its parking and mobility concerns, beautifying its appearance, and making it more appealing and inviting for its patrons.
(5) Although the city of New Orleans increased its funding of sanitation and public safety services in the French Quarter post-Katrina, the city's resources are limited and must be divided city-wide among its many neighborhoods destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Therefore, to protect and improve Louisiana's tourism industry and economy and to preserve public health, safety, and welfare, it is necessary and essential for the state to assist in revitalizing New Orleans' flagging tourism industry by creating and funding, subject to appropriations, an historic area management district to respond to post-Katrina dynamics that is composed of the state's most historic district, the French Quarter.
B. Purpose. The purpose of the district shall be to strengthen the district as a National Historic Landmark, a historic residential district, and a vital component of Louisiana's tourism industry by investing and reinvesting public funds in the district to aid in the preservation of the district's architecture, quaint charm, and tout ensemble, to beautify its appearance, to improve public safety, to foster quality experiences and quality of life within its boundaries, and to improve commercial and residential vitality; thereby vastly increasing the quantity of the district's local, national, and international visitors and full-time residents, as well as to protect and improve the tourism industry and to promote economic development throughout the state.
Acts 2007, No. 280, §1, eff. July 6, 2007; Acts 2011, No. 304, §1.