Rebrew Orleans Crowdsourcing a green cafe for OC Haley

The Rebrew Project is now closed.  Click here for the latest Beta Community Project.

Updated June 4, 2008

Point totals for contributions to this project as of January 31, 2008. All points are tracked and explained here. If your points aren't accounted for (and actually, only half of them are) let your group leader know, as they should have an assigned Scorekeeper keeping track of this.

Letter from the building owner:

An introductory message from Lee Stafford, of 1618 O.C Haley:

”Mission statement for Rebrew, New Orleans, Open the first for – profit business in economically challenged area in the Central City neighborhood in post Katrina New Orleans. The neighborhood is mostly home to nonprofits. One of best ways to teach the virtues of self-sustainability is by practicing it. This coffee shop will do that by introducing this for profit entity into the neighborhood while maintaining a strong sensitivity to community concerns. To increase sales and visibility the 5000 sq. ft. coffeeshop space can host a wide variety of events including poetry readings, movies, art gallery, lectures, music venues, public speaking forums, performance art shows, fashion shows, crafts and food markets and possibly a used book exchange.

This will be a socially progressive as well as environmentally and economically progressive project. Being environmentally sustainable is going to be one of the main focuses of the coffee shop. Recyclable materials will be collected. Literature and information on eco-related events in the city will be promoted. The majority of the electricity used in the building will be supplied by the sun. Only fair-trade coffee will be served. Bicycle racks out front will promote exercise and a better quality of life.

Oretha Castle Haley, formerly known as Dryades Street was a booming commercial district from the late 1800’s to the 1960’s. By helping to revitalize this area it will improve the quality of life of this neighborhood and of the City as a whole.”

Lee Stafford

Based on estimates and the fact that the building needs minimal work, Lee is looking at a Spring 2008 opening date.

Coffeehouse Progress Map - As we complete each phase, the path (arrows) will turn green. The scale icon represents a stable, readjusting loop, while the snowball symbolizes a growing, reinforcing loop.