Mayor Landrieu released the following press release yesterday with information on rules and regulations to be followed throughout Mardi Gras. Have a safe weekend.
MAYOR LANDRIEU & CITY OFFICIALS PREPARE FOR MARDI GRAS WEEKEND
City Releases Permitting Fact Sheets for Special Events & Cultural Businesses
NEW ORLEANS, LA— March 2, 2011 – Today, Mayor Landrieu and City officials outlined the many preparations underway to ensure that the final weekend of 2011 Mardi Gras goes off without a hitch. City officials discussed security measures, parking and neutral ground restrictions, revenue and permit enforcement, and sanitation plans.
“Our first weekend went smoothly but we know the real test lies ahead,” said Mayor Landrieu. “We are committed to a safe and coordinated Mardi Gras. A lot of hard work goes into making this event happen so that residents and tourists alike can enjoy what we know is the greatest free show on earth.”
Below is a recap of enforcements and preparations on being taken by the City.
PARKING ENFORCEMENT
Parking enforcement policies remain the same as in previous years.
- Two hours prior to the scheduled start of each Mardi Gras parade, any unauthorized vehicle on any part of the published parade route will be ticketed and towed. This will ensure public safety and facilitate the flow of the Carnival Krewes ($75 fine and seizure);
- Two hours after a Mardi Gras parade ends, any unauthorized vehicle on any part of the published parade route will be ticketed and towed. This is done to clear the route for the City’s Department of Sanitation ($25 fine and seizure);
- Beginning the Friday before Mardi Gras, at 12:01 a.m., until the Wednesday after Mardi Gras, at 6:00 p.m., no vehicles, except those issued permits, are allowed into the French Quarter between Iberville, N. Rampart, Dumaine, and Decatur ($50 fine and seizure);
- Parking of vehicles equipped with living accommodations is prohibited during certain hours. It is strictly enforced during the Mardi Gras season, particularly in the Central Business District, Warehouse and Garden District;
- Before, during and after the parades, the City will extend enforcement efforts into the neighborhoods adjacent to the published parade routes. This will minimize non-residential intrusion. Parking Officers will primarily enforce the following:
- Valid Residential Parking Permits ($40 fine),
- Safety violations which include:
- Blocking hydrants,
- Parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, intersection, or stop sign,
- Parking in the wrong direction (vehicles must park in the direction of travel on one way streets, and with the right wheel to the curb on two way streets),
- Vehicles blocking sidewalks,
- Vehicles blocking driveways,
- Parking in Handicap zone ($500 fine),
- Scofflaw vehicles that have unpaid parking tickets shall be immobilized.
- Vehicles parked on the neutral ground are subject to a parking violation and seizure ($75 fine).
For more information on parking enforcement, citizens may call:
- Department of Public Works (Parking enforcement and information), (504) 658-8100 (answered 24 hours)
- Information related to Residential Parking Permits, (504) 658-8200
- Pay and release of boot, (504) 658-8083.
- Information on Ticket/Tow Appeals Hearings: (504) 658-8250
PARKS & PARKWAYS NEUTRAL GROUND ENFORCEMENT
The city’s neutral grounds are the direct responsibility of the Department of Parks and Parkways; therefore, any prohibited items that are placed on the neutral grounds will be removed and disposed of immediately.
The following rules are being enforced:
- No Port-A-Lets can be placed on neutral grounds.
- No bulky furniture can be placed on neutral grounds.
- No structures can be erected (i.e. viewing stands, bleachers). The only allowed structures are those that are provided by the City Of New Orleans in city designated areas or those on privately owned properties that have been granted permission and issued permits by the City’s Department of Safety and Permits.
- No roping off or placement of cones or other materials for designation of viewing areas as neutral grounds are public green spaces.
- No cooking appliances can be placed on neutral grounds.
REVENUE AND PERMIT ENFORCEMENT
City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue field agents and collectors will be canvassing neighborhoods in and around parade routes to ensure businesses (including ABOs) and vendors are properly permitted. Additionally, residents or businesses charging for parking at commercial properties must be properly permitted. 501c3 organizations may apply for an exemption for a portion of the fees associated with the appropriate permits.
To assist cultural events with the permitting, the City has created fact sheets to help residents navigate the process. Those fact sheets are attached.
SANITATION
The Department of Sanitation is responsible for cleaning the streets, neutral grounds and sidewalks after parades held on both sides of the Mississippi River in the City of New Orleans.
Over 300 city workers, temporary workers, and contractor employees are utilized per day in clean up efforts. City departments and agencies involved in the clean up effort include NOPD, Public Works, Parks and Parkways, the Equipment Maintenance Division, NORD, Health, Sewerage and Water Board, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Downtown Development District.
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Ryan Berni
Press Secretary
Office of Mayor Mitch Landrieu
City of New Orleans
504-658-4992 (direct)
504-621-9504 (cell)
