Jazz Fest Part 2

We made it through the first wet weekend of Jazz Fest and we are well on our way to the second weekend. The weather has been spotty. Last Friday and Saturday were very wet and stormy; we even had hail at some points. We heard through the Grape Vine that Lionel Richie was shocked that so many festival goers stayed at the fairgrounds through the storms. A little rain doesn’t deter us in this city!

By Saturday morning, we did have some water intrusion into the building. After an inspection of the side of building 7 via the neighboring hotel’s roof, we discovered that there was quite a bit of stucco damage and even shingles stuck into the side of our building that must have been the result of hurricane force winds at some point. By mid-week, we had new metal flashing on the roof line vertex between us and Chateau Dupre. This should keep up dry through the weekend. Contractors will start repairing the stucco, applying an elastomeric waterproofing coating and then 2 coats of paint to the side of the building on Monday, weather permitting. I have posted some "before" pictures and will post the "afters" when the job is complete.

In the mean time, we will welcome our guests through another rainy weekend, supplying extra towels in the lobby for muddy shoes and dripping ponchos. The party will go on and some owners have even said they like the rain because it makes the weekend crazier!
I know some of you may be concerned with how the recent oil spill is affecting us and so far it is business as usual. We will keep you up to date as we receive new information and in the mean time, we recommend the New Orleans Convention and Visitor Bureau website for the most up to date news.

Until next time…Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

April

April is my favorite month of the year in New Orleans. This year is particularly special because it actually feels like spring. The weather has been sunny and pleasant and the blooms are starting to peak through the flower boxes throughout the French Quarter. Azaleas and Camellias are blooming uptown and an afternoon ride on the streetcar feels like a drive across the cover of Southern Living magazine. Festivals are a plenty this month with two weeks of Jazz Fest (my favorite event all year) at the end of the month and French Quarter Festival just behind us. French Quarter Fest was bigger than ever this year. Free music filled the French Quarter from Woldenberg Park on the river, to the US Mint on Esplanade and up and down Royal St. The smell of festival food that you can only get at these types of events filled the air. I indulged in a Cochon du Lait Poboy, Crawfish Pasta and Mango Sherbet. I am saving the one and only Crawfish Bread for my Jazz Fest treat.

Even with a full house and busy streets, the new Maintenance Supervisor has hit the ground running with his team. They have crossed many items off the “To Do” list in just a few short weeks:
-UV film was placed on the 7th floor hall windows to reduce the heat from the sun in the hallway.
-The sink in the guest laundry area was replaced and the sink in the vending area removed.
-Thermostat for Phase 1 common areas was moved to the 3rd floor to provide a more accurate temperature gage in the hallways.
-Ceiling tiles outside of the guest laundry were replaced and walls repainted.
-Balcony lights on the front side of building 7 were fixed; glass was removed and cleaned from the lanterns on the sundeck in this building.
-Additional patio furniture was added to the 7th floor sundeck.
-A new sofa bed was installed in 411.
-Old satellite and cables were removed from the rooftops.
-Many unit doors received new hinges and were planed in preparation for new locks.
-Hallway outside of 401 and 402 was painted; new lighting was added, new crown molding and a new door to the sundeck.
-All electric panels were identified and labeled.

Keep up the good work guys…Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!