News and Updates

January 23, 2015

Get to Know Your Neighbor: Spotlight on Derrick Floyd from Faubourg St. Roch

by NoraAnn Winbush, Senior Liaison
Filed under: neighborhood spotlight

We in the Neighborhood Engagement Office are proud to present 2015's first Get-to-Know-Your-Neighbor spotlight, Derrick Floyd, President of Faubourg St. Roch Improvement Association!  Mr. Floyd's passion and dedication to his community are inspiring, as you will see in our interview with him below.  

How long have you been a resident of Faubourg St. Roch?

I have lived in Faubourg St. Roch for 3 years. I'm a transplant from Carrollton, and I enjoy the diverse cultural presence of downtown.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

I love Faubourg St. Roch for its rich legacy. It's a neighborhood where New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson and renowned musician Deacon John grew up. A neighborhood for world travelers on bike tours come to get off the beaten paths of normalcy. And, the easy access to all of the amenities of living here: Interstate 610 and I-10, Sampson playground/St. Roch park, historic homes, St. Roch Cemetery, dynamic places of worship, art galleries, pop-up shops and restaurants.

What successes have you had in your association?

  • Elected two service and fiscal responsible boards in 2014 and 2015; with plans of expanding our board
  • FSRIA received multiple grants from the Foundation For Louisiana, Neighborhood Building Capacity Initiative and Caulfield Consulting Group to empower our capacity building efforts and to compact crime
  • ROCH FOR LIFE - A Summer challenge to spruce up the neighborhood
  • Hosted Crime Prevention Forum that yielded over 150 attendees

Do you have any upcoming events or projects?

We are revamping our website. Excitingly, the neighborhood is looking forward to the KaBoom! build at Sampson playground/St. Roch park and the opening of the St. Roch Market in March 2015.

What challenges does your neighborhood face?

The challenges we face are rampant throughout the city. We have blighted houses and lots; however, we have noticed an increased number of renovations and developments of land since Section 66 was implemented with assistance from FSRIA's Blight and Land Use committee. Other hurdles we must tackle are the distribution of drugs and lack of jobs.  There are businesses that are making an assertive effort to reach men and women challenged by the ills of society. Restoration Thrift, a product of the St. Roch CDC, is helping to make all things new; restoring confidence and hope in the most vulnerable.  I believe with their aid and others like them, the criminal elements we are experiencing will dwindle. These are challenges for my jewel, Faubourg St. Roch, and for all downriver communities.

Do you have any advice for other neighborhood leaders? 

The work is challenging; therefore, leaders must consider their "WHY", and collaborate with sister associations across the avenues and canals to have their purposes fulfilled.

 

If you'd like to nominate a neighborhood leader to be spotlighted in our monthly post, email Laura Mellem or call 504-658-4982.