March 2026 Meeting Minutes

Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA)

General Meeting Minutes (Potluck)

Location: The Nest

Date: March 5, 2026

Time: 6:00–7:00 PM

Call to Order & Introductions

• Meeting called to order; introductions made.

• Quorum: Met with 13+ participants.

Committee Reports

Executive Committee

• Membership Update: 52 paying members; 8 new since last meeting.

• Finances:

  • Treasurer’s report: Monthly balance $1,876.57

  • $50 spent to support volunteers at the 9th Street cleanup.

• 2026 Budget (Adoption):

  • July 4 allocation: $500 (The Empress hosting)

  • Motion: Lindsay Boerner; Second: Gail Choate

  • Status: Approved

  • Link to view budget

• Officer Updates:

  • McArthur Park 5K mile marker proposed

• Downtown Master Plan Implementation Group:

  • Entergy Loop (energy-saving grid) recommended by Sustainability Commission

  • Discussion to align DNA boundaries with Master Plan (include east side)

  • West 9th Street: containers being installed for revitalization

• Downtown LR Partnership Board:

  • No additional updates recorded

Historic Preservation Committee

• No major updates recorded

Safe & Clean Streets Committee

• Met in February; next meeting March 18 at 6:30 PM

• Continued focus on 9th Street improvements

• 311 handout available

• Strategy: use Facebook Events to engage interested residents

Outreach Committee

• Discussion of future budget and defined outputs

By-Laws Review Committee (Ad hoc)

• No updates recorded

Old Business

• Paris Towers Follow-up (Residential Safety Concerns):

  • Mayor indicated belief that conditions had improved; concerns remain

• 4th of July DNA Breakfast & Children’s Parade:

  • Location: The Empress

  • Includes children’s parade to Governor’s Mansion

  • Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets

  • Fire station participation discussed

  • Planning Committee: Kathy, Beverly, Rip, Lindsey, Peter, Patti

New Business

• Love Your Block Grant 2026:

  • Funding now up to $5,000 (agenda noted $2,000)

  • Deadline: March 30

  • Potential focus: Pettaway–Dunbar area

  • Target completion: August 31

  • Ideas for grant:

    • Dunbar / Pettaway:

      • Potential Love Your Block project area

    • MacArthur:

      • Beautification idea for pedestrian bridge over I-630 (similar to LaHarpe overpass)

  • Additional Ideas:

    • Permanent infrastructure for 9th Street improvements

    • VR project to visualize 9th Street history

    • Plexiglass signage concept

    • Collaboration across downtown neighborhood associations

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• Public Announcements & Upcoming Events:

  • Recycling Day (this weekend)

  • Tree Streets planting (Saturday)

  • Citywide Cleanup Day: March 14

  • Main Library tours: first Wednesday monthly (next: April 1, 10:00–11:45 AM)

• Neighborhood Announcements:

  • SoMa:

    • Math on Main launched with Pi Day; traffic slowed 1–5 PM at Bernice Garden

    • SoMa beautification initiative underway

    • Upcoming: Aug 8 Mass Wedding & Vow Renewal; Nov 23 Friendsgiving

Adjourn to Potluck

• Meeting adjourned; potluck followed

Upcoming Meetings

• April 2: Williams Library Meeting Room

• May 7: Curran Hall

• June 4: Curran Hall (Potluck)