The capital is their oyster: Representatives of Louisiana’s seafood industry are in Washington this week, talking with federal officials about various challenges facing their industry, especially in the aftermath of the BP oil spill. Oyster dealer Mike Voisin says the week’s meetings include talks with the Environmental Protection Agency and a task force on Gulf Coast restoration. Regulations involving the post-harvest storage and transportation of oysters are among issues being discussed.
May be turned into retail, housing: Tipitina’s Foundation co-founder Roland Von Kurnatowski says the owners of three long-vacant buildings in downtown Shreveport have given them to the foundation. The (Shreveport) Times reports the three buildings, which are next to each other, have been empty for decades. Von Kurnatowski estimates that fixing them up will cost $15 million and take three years. He says street-level retail and upstairs residential space are likely uses, but that there’s a lot of preliminary work to do before making any decision about use. The foundation created in 1997 is associated with New Orleans’ famed Tipitina’s music club. It founded a music office co-op in Shreveport several years ago. Co-op members get computer access, professional development seminars and other benefits.
