DDD Conducts Survey on Mobility and Parking Needs
July 7th, 2008
The Downtown Development District of New Orleans is conducting an online survey to gather information on the mobility and parking needs in and around Downtown New Orleans. Residents, business owners, visitors, employees, and tourists are all encouraged to log on and complete the short survey.
The survey is part of the DDD’s Mobility and Parking Study, which is currently underway. Information gathered from the survey will supplement information gained through a series of focus groups held throughout the summer. The study area includes all of Downtown, including the Warehouse Arts District, the Central Business District, Lafayette Square, and the Medical District. The study area also includes the French Quarter and the Marigny Triangle.
The DDD has undertaken this study as part of its effort to assist Planning District 1 in implementation of the Unified New Orleans Plan. Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates is leading the study team. The team’s work consists of an inventory of currently available parking, utilization of parking, an analysis of pedestrian and bicycle accessibility and conditions, and a series of focus groups with stakeholders. The study is scheduled to be completed in November 2008.
New Orleans’ First Bike Lane Opens on St. Claude Avenue
June 2nd, 2008
The City of New Orleans, Dept. of Transportation and Development, and the Regional Planning Commission announce the completion of a new feature of St. Claude Avenue in New Orleans; the city’s first striped bike lanes.
The 3 mile stretch of lanes that connect the Marigny, Bywater, 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish are part of a $3.7 million Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) project to resurface and improve the St. Claude Avenue corridor. In addition to the bike lanes, improvements have been made to crosswalks and sidewalk ramps at intersections along the corridor.
The bike lanes are 5 feet wide and located between the parking lane and the outside travel lane except across the St. Claude Avenue Bridge where bicyclists and motorists will share the lane due to size constraints on the bridge. The lanes will be identified with both signage and pavement markings to alert both motorists and bicyclists to their presence. Shared-lane markings, like those found on Robert E. Lee Boulevard, will be used on the St. Claude Bridge.
Click here to read coverage of New Orleans’ first bike lane in the International Herald Tribune
Steps Staffer Participates in New Orleans Sustainability Forum
May 28th, 2008
Steps staffer Jennifer Ruley participated in a forum with Rutgers University Professor John Pucher entitled Sustainability and the Recovery of New Orleans: Bicycling as Transportation. Ms. Ruley gave an update on progress toward building a network of premier bicycle facilities throughout New Orleans. She discussed how lessons learned from bicycle-friendly cities in the U.S. and beyond have influenced the New Orleans approach and how New Orleans is capitalizing on the unprecedented opportunity to integrate bicycle facilities into numerous post-Katrina rebuilding projects.
Three New Stores Join the Steps to a Healthier New Orleans Corner Store Initiative
May 28th, 2008
Nikkis Food Store, located on 3900 St. Claude Avenue; Eat-well Food Mart on 2700 Canal St. and Williams Supermarket at 2139 St. Charles Ave have joined the Steps Corner Store Initiative. Look for the Treat U Right logo and new healthy options at these stores in the near future.
New Orleans Receives Honorable Mention as Bicycle Friendly Community
May 28th, 2008
Last month the League of American Bicyclists announced its Bicycle Friendly Community designations, and gave New Orleans one of ten “honorable mentions.” The Bicycle Friendly Community designation is awarded to communities with established records in two or more of the five categories which are known as the Five E’s: Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Encouragement, and Evaluation. Local cyclists, national experts, and League staff review the applications. For the complete list of Bicycle Friendly Communities and more information on the program visit bikeleague.org/programs/
New Program Helps Kids Stay Safe And Fit
May 27th, 2008
Jennifer Ruley of Steps was interviewed by WDSU about a $300,000 grant awarded to Drew Elementary school from the Safe Routes to School initiative. Steps and the Tulane University Prevention Research Center worked with Drew Elementary to secure funds to make changes such as sidewalk improvements, signage and curb ramps that encourage students to bike and/or walk to school.
Steps's Partner Will Post Calories for Menu Items
May 27th, 2008
Steps’s Corner Store Initiative partner, World’s Healthiest Pizza will begin posting nutrient information on all in-store menu boards and take-out menus by May 20, 2008. The information provided will include estimated calorie, fat and fiber content of menu items. Providing this information will enable customers to make informed dietary choices when eating out.
Lakeview Area Bike Path Opens to Public
May 27th, 2008
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on March 7, 2008 to celebrate a new asphalt overlay and designated bike route on Robert E. Lee Boulevard. The nearly 2-mile segment is located in the Lakeview Neighborhood and was inundated with several feet of brackish water for approximately three weeks following Hurricane Katrina. The new “Robert E. Lee Bike Route” serves as a major link for bicyclists traveling east-west and is marked by the City’s new official bike route signs and “bike-and-chevron” pavement markings. A new 10-feet wide asphalt path serves as an optional scenic route though City Park between Marconi Drive and Wisner Boulevard. The off-street path is designed to connect users to the Wisner Path. Construction of the Wisner Path is scheduled to be complete by Summer 2008.
New Bicycle Racks Installed in New Orleans
May 27th, 2008
The City of New Orleans recently completed the installation of twelve bicycle racks that were donated by Saris Cycling Group. These racks were graciously donated to the City following Hurricane Katrina to help with rebuilding and improving the bicycling infrastructure throughout the city. Installation locations include several high-profile sites that have experienced dramatic post-Katrina increases in bicycle parking demand; these sites include New Orleans City Hall and the downtown main library. A local bicycle shop, Bicycle Michael’s volunteered installation labor and tools.
New Store Joins the Steps to a Healthier New Orleans Corner Store Initiative
May 27th, 2008
Jimmys Grocery, located on 4201 Dauphine street has joined the Steps Corner Store Initiative. Jimmys will provide residents of the Bywater/Upper 9th ward neighborhoods with much needed access to healthy foods.
STEPS initiative partner bans high-fructose corn syrup
May 27th, 2008
On January 1, STEPS Corner Store Initiative partner World’s Healthiest Pizza banned all products containing high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This includes all soft drinks, such as Coke, and any pizza ingredients that contain the additive.
Friends of Lafitte Corridor thanks Steps
May 27th, 2008
The Friends of Lafitte Corridor (FOLC) have recognized Steps to a Healthier New Orleans for their efforts in support of the Lafitte Greenway project. Visit the FOLC Web site for more.
St. Roch Walking Path Opens
May 27th, 2008
A new walking path has opened in the St. Roch Avenue community, thanks in part to Steps to a Healthier New Orleans, the Partnership for an Active Community Environment, the New Orleans Department of Public Works, and the Office of Recovery Management. The new, 8-foot-wide, winding concrete walking path extends approximately six blocks and connects the St. Roch Market to St. Roch Cemetery and Independence Square. Find out more in this New Orleans CityBusiness article.
Steps Launches Healthy Food Promotion Initiative With Local Corner Store, Produce Stand Partners
May 27th, 2008
As part of Steps mission to help New Orleanians reduce their risk of diabetes and obesity by adopting healthier eating habits, the Steps program has partnered with 13 local corner stores and two produce stands to stock and promote the purchase of healthy food choices including fresh fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy and/or whole grain products.
Kansas City Star Quotes Steps Staffer
May 27th, 2008
The Kansas City Star recently printed an article about work on the Lafitte Corridor greenway project. Jennifer Ruley, Urban Planning Specialist with Steps, has been actively involved with the project and is quoted in the article. Read the story.
Kansas City Star Quotes Steps Staffer
August 29th, 2007
The Kansas City Star recently printed an article about work on the Lafitte Corridor greenway project. Jennifer Ruley, Urban Planning Specialist with Steps, has been actively involved with the project and is quoted in the article. Read the story here
New Steps Media Campaign launches
August 23rd, 2007
A new media campaign targeting African-American women began airing this month. The goal of the campaign is to encourage women to make healthier food choices and avoid unhealthy snack foods and soft drinks. On Steps television and radio advertisements, New Orleans “spoken word” artists deliver the message that a healthy diet is the first step to a better life.
Steps helps New Orleans school select vendor for healthier lunches
August 22nd, 2007
Steps staffer, Alison Heston, has successfully guided New Orleans Science and Math Charter High School through a bidding process to select a vendor to serve healthy school lunches. The Healthy Food Service Request for Proposals was written by Steps and the Tulane Prevention Research center to ensure that school lunches that meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Steps Staffer Featured in Article about Lafitte Corridor
May 28th, 2007
Jennifer Ruley, Urban Planning Specialist with Steps, was recently featured in ‘Rails to Trails’ magazine about her work regarding pedestrian and bicycling projects. Special emphais is given to the work she has done to bring a biking trail to the Lafitte Corridor.
Bike Route Map for New Orleans
May 23rd, 2007
A new bike route status map for New Orleans has been developed to provide alook at progress toward the creation of a citywide bicycle route network. Steps is collaborating with the City to implement the bicycle route network and this map can serve as a tool for citizens, advocates, and local officials to track progress on the project. Themap will be updated on a quarterly basis.
Removing Schools' Soda Is Sticky Point
April 2nd, 2007
Less than a year after the nation’s largest beverage companies pledged to remove high-calorie drinks and limit sugary beverages in all schools, districts across the country are finding that they may not be able to afford the switch because of contracts they signed several years ago with bottlers for the companies.
W. Va. To Use 'Dance Dance Revolution' To Slim Kids
February 5th, 2007
West Virginia, which has the worst childhood obesity problem in the United States, is stepping up plans to use Konami Corp.’s "Dance Dance Revolution" to battle the bulge in its schools.The state, which plans to put the popular dancing video game in every one of its public schools, said on Wednesday research suggested that it helped put a halt to weight gain.
Diet, exercise take off equal pounds, study finds
January 29th, 2007
Eating less and exercising more are equally good at helping take off the pounds, U.S. researchers said on Friday in a study that challenges many of the popular tenets of the multibillion dollar diet and fitness industry.