Downtown Development District of New Orleans

Downtown Development District of New Orleans The DDD's mission is to drive the development of Downtown New Orleans. Tag your photos to showcase the heart of the Crescent City!

The DDD was created by the Louisiana Legislature in 1974 as the nation's first assessment-based business improvement district (BID) to provide enhanced services in economic development, cleaning and safety. The DDD services the area bounded by Iberville Street, the Pontchartrain Expressway, Claiborne Avenue and the Mississippi River. The DDD is governed by an 11-member Board of Commissioners who r

epresent a cross section of the diverse Downtown community. Appointed by local elected officials, our commissioners help guide the policies and programs of the DDD.

Earlier this week, DDD President and CEO Seth Knudsen spoke at the ULI Leadership Retreat in New Orleans, highlighting t...
06/18/2026

Earlier this week, DDD President and CEO Seth Knudsen spoke at the ULI Leadership Retreat in New Orleans, highlighting the transformative investments underway and opportunities available in Downtown New Orleans to an audience of local and national leaders.

Summer Starts Downtown is now underway, featuring 50+ Downtown New Orleans businesses offering exclusive deals, promotio...
06/17/2026

Summer Starts Downtown is now underway, featuring 50+ Downtown New Orleans businesses offering exclusive deals, promotions, events, and experiences all summer long.

Whether you’re planning a night out, a weekend staycation, a family fun day, or just looking for a reason to head Downtown, there’s something new waiting each time you visit.

📅 Offers run through August 31
🌞 Explore participating businesses here: https://downtownnola.com/summer-starts-downtown/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Summer_WDSU_boosted

Today, Tulane University President Michael Fitts presented Tulane's vision for Downtown, outlining plans to expand the u...
06/17/2026

Today, Tulane University President Michael Fitts presented Tulane's vision for Downtown, outlining plans to expand the university's downtown campus into a world-class destination for innovation and research. President Fitts shared a timeline for the redevelopment of Charity Hospital and the surrounding area, highlighting the transformative potential of these investments.

Following the presentation, DDD President & CEO Seth Knudsen joined President Fitts for a fireside chat, exploring the future of higher education, downtown investment, and the critical role anchor institutions play in shaping New Orleans' growth. The event opened with remarks from Angela Cain, Global CEO of Urban Land Institute.

Downtown New Orleans continues to be where education, innovation, and investment converge to create opportunities that benefit our entire region.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special thank you to AOS Interiors for graciously providing the space for today's conversation.

One week away! Join us for an engaging conversation on the future of higher education, downtown investment, and the role...
06/11/2026

One week away! Join us for an engaging conversation on the future of higher education, downtown investment, and the role institutions like Tulane University play in shaping New Orleans’ growth.

DDD President & CEO Seth Knudsen will join Tulane University President Michael Fitts for a fireside chat exploring leadership, development, and the evolving future of Downtown New Orleans. The discussion will be preceded by opening remarks from Angela Cain, Global CEO of Urban Land Institute.

We look forward to discussing how Downtown continues to serve as a hub for innovation, education, and investment that benefits the entire region.

Register Here: https://louisiana.uli.org/events-2/detail/12915C6B-2A6D-4FE1-B59B-89A926595F2A/

Canal Street is more than Downtown New Orleans' main thoroughfare; it's a place where ordinary people took extraordinary...
06/10/2026

Canal Street is more than Downtown New Orleans' main thoroughfare; it's a place where ordinary people took extraordinary action to advance civil rights. From the lunch counter sit-ins of the CORE Four to the 737-day Canal Street Boycotts that successfully pushed for desegregation and expanded economic opportunity, this corridor played a pivotal role in shaping a more equitable New Orleans.

Recognizing the significance of these events, the Louisiana Office of Tourism included Canal Street on the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail, installing a marker that honors the activists whose courage helped change the course of history.

Downtown has long been a place where progress takes shape. By preserving and highlighting these stories, we not only honor those who fought for equality but also reinforce Downtown's enduring role as a place where people come together to create positive change for future generations.

Downtown New Orleans is seeing the ripple effects of major industrial growth across Louisiana, and one of the clearest e...
06/09/2026

Downtown New Orleans is seeing the ripple effects of major industrial growth across Louisiana, and one of the clearest examples is Saronic Technologies’ new lease at Place St. Charles.

The defense-tech company recently leased 14,500 square feet Downtown to support its shipyard operations in Franklin, showing how industrial expansion is translating into real office demand in the urban core. This highlights a broader shift: industries like defense, energy, aerospace, and international trade don’t just create jobs at shipyards, ports, and manufacturing sites. They also create demand for engineers, designers, researchers, software developers, and professional services firms that often choose to locate in Downtown office space.

New Orleans’ office market remains stable, with vacancy below 8%, but future growth may increasingly come from these “multiplier effects” tied to industrial investment. Projects tied to NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, commercial space development, and the future Louisiana International Terminal are all expected to generate both industrial activity and secondary office demand.

For Downtown, that means more than just occupied office space. It means strengthening New Orleans’ position as a hub for innovation, logistics, and advanced industry. And it reinforces the importance of a vibrant, connected Downtown to the region’s long-term economic future.

Read More: https://www.costar.com/article/1848413562/ripple-effects-from-industrial-expansions-may-soon-reshape-office-demand-in-new-orleans

The Downtown Development District is currently pruning the iconic palm trees along Canal Street as part of ongoing effor...
06/05/2026

The Downtown Development District is currently pruning the iconic palm trees along Canal Street as part of ongoing efforts to maintain a safe, attractive, and welcoming public realm.

Regular pruning promotes healthy tree growth, improves visibility, and helps preserve one of Downtown’s most recognizable streets. This work is part of DDD’s continued investment in keeping Canal Street vibrant and well-maintained for residents, workers, and visitors.

Downtown New Orleans saw a significant surge in visitation during Sail 250 weekend, according to Placer.ai data analyzed...
06/04/2026

Downtown New Orleans saw a significant surge in visitation during Sail 250 weekend, according to Placer.ai data analyzed by DDD.

From May 29th–31st, Downtown recorded approximately 439,200 visits, a 31.5% increase compared to the same weekend in 2025. The data also show approximately 130,000 local visits over the weekend, representing a 45% year-over-year increase.

Sail 250 brought tall ships, public programming, fireworks, and riverfront activation to New Orleans as part of the national celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, drawing visitors to the heart of the city’s waterfront.

This milestone weekend was made possible through the collaboration of New Orleans & Company, City of New Orleans, and the Port of New Orleans, along with many dedicated community partners.

Read More: https://downtownnola.com/downtown-new-orleans-sees-significant-visitation-gains-during-sail-250-weekend/

New Orleans was just ranked the #2 most supportive mid-sized city in the nation for small businesses.Downtown New Orlea...
06/02/2026

New Orleans was just ranked the #2 most supportive mid-sized city in the nation for small businesses.

Downtown New Orleans is home to more than 1,200 businesses—roughly 10% of the city's estimated 11,000 small businesses. From local retailers and restaurants to hotels and service providers, these businesses help power our economy and contribute to the energy and character that make New Orleans unique.

We're proud to support the businesses that make Downtown thrive.

Read More: https://bizneworleans.com/new-orleans-2nd-in-national-small-business-ranking/

Yesterday, DDD celebrated the opening of The Shop Workspace’s new South Market location with a ribbon cutting, open hous...
05/28/2026

Yesterday, DDD celebrated the opening of The Shop Workspace’s new South Market location with a ribbon cutting, open house, and happy hour alongside local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community partners.

The expansion of The Shop and the continued growth of local tech company TrayAway highlight the increasing demand for flexible workspaces and the strength of Downtown New Orleans’ growing entrepreneurship ecosystem.

As a New Orleans-founded hospitality and healthcare technology company serving clients in more than 50 countries, TrayAway’s expansion into The Shop at South Market is another example of local companies continuing to grow and invest Downtown.

Read More: https://downtownnola.com/ddd-celebrates-opening-of-the-shops-south-market-location-and-expansion-of-trayaway/

Address

201 Saint Charles Avenue, Suite 3912
New Orleans, LA
70170

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+15046209295

Website

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