What if...?
Although New Orleans was founded on the river, in the last century, we have all but ignored our maritime heritage. Tourists come from all over the world to ride our streetcars, but WHAT IF we were just as famous for our ferries?
WHAT IF Uptowners could take an event boat to French QuarterFest or Mardi Gras allowing them to skip the traffic and avoid the $40 event parking fee?
WHAT IF, on a Saturday morning, YOUR family could ferry off to Westwego for fresh fish for dinner, stop at the Gretna Farmer’s Market for veggies, drop everything home in Algiers Point and then zip over for some afternoon jazz on Frenchman Street?
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WHAT IF Eastbankers - who have never taken the ferry before in their lives - started taking high-speed ferries to work or play - stopping at neighborhoods up and down the river?
WHAT IF at each dock, there was something to do, to see and to buy?
WHAT IF Westwegons could – for the first time - work downtown or in the French Quarter without having to pay for parking? Or even have a car?
WHAT IF our new friends at Federal City could take a high speed ferry across the river for beignets in the morning and then take their kids to the Zoo in the afternoon and stop for one of Gretna’s wonderful sunset concerts before heading home?
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WHAT IF there was a transfer system where one ticket would take folks from the ferry to the streetcar to the bus for a seamless journey?
WHAT IF connecting bike paths encouraged folks to travel more often under their own steam?
WHAT IF shopping, cafes and green spaces sprang up at docks at Algiers, Gretna, Westwego, Uptown and Federal City providing a better quality of life for each community?
WHAT IF Algierines who worked uptown could safely tweet, friend, de-friend, even work billable hours their way to work?
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WHAT IF tourists came to New Orleans to ride the ferries, just like they now come to ride the streetcars?
WHAT IF our visitors discovered new neighborhoods up and down the river, spreading their precious dollars ALL over town?
WHAT IF ferry docks became destinations in themselves? A maritime museum at Canal. A historical exhibit at Algiers Point. A bike rental shop at Canal. A restaurant overlooking the river at Federal City?
WHAT IF this new healthy lifestyle enabled YOU to lose 10 pounds and meet the buff bicyclist of your dreams?
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