As a public servant for most of her life, Sandra Herman has turned her sights on not just the revitalization of historic Canal Street but a “reimagining” that will evolve the once grand thoroughfare into a lavish, family-friendly boulevard for community, business, and tourists from around the world. The Celebrate Canal initiative, which launched last year, has already received widespread acclaim, with eight public events that helped spurn a hundred thousand more visitors to “the Fifth Avenue of the Crescent City.”
“The way I see it, this project is bigger than any one business or concern,” explains Sandra. “Anyone who grew up in New Orleans has memories of Canal Street, of the love and energy that flourished in the not-so-distant past that we hope to recapture. While we cannot bring back the old department stores, and don’t seek to, that same communal vibrancy is at the heart of our future efforts.”
One of the most exciting aspects of the street-wide revitalization is a potential collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering to bring the interactive traveling exhibit “Tiana’s Joyful Celebration” to New Orleans as its permanent home. Other projects are underway with those eager to help transform aging storefronts into modern attractions worthy of such a historic street and city.
Favorite Historical Fact: The Lowe’s Theater is turning 100 years old
Ideal Night Out: Theater, dinner, and a sunset
Reading Right Now: Dream Chasing by Bob Weis, former President of Imagineering at Disney
