Mamie Gasperecz
Chair
Vieux Carre Commission (VCC)
VP
Gulf Coast Bank
Mamie Gasperecz is proud to continue her tenure as the first female chair of the Vieux Carre Commission, an 85-year-old agency responsible for oversight of the historic preservation of the French Quarter. The VCC was written into the Louisiana State Constitution in 1936 and charged with preserving and protecting the invaluable historic architectural heritage of the French Quarter. The commission advises and guides the process to ensure that the historic fabric of the Quarter is maintained to the highest standards of the National Historic Landmarks District. She is also the current president of the VCC Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded to specifically support and further the preservation efforts of the VCC.
What are you most excited about for the coming year? In recent years, the foundation has taken on big projects like the Design Guidelines and the Vieux Carre Virtual Library (digitizing all the VCC’s paper files to save them from natural disasters and make them more accessible to the public.) This resource was one of the only city websites that was unaffected by the cyber attack and Hurricane Ida. The foundation also works directly with engagement and education of residents, property owners and caretakers. Since the VCC is a city agency that ensures the permitting of new building projects, outreach and education is important work.
What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today? The 2019 cyber attack on City Hall and COVID protocols drastically changed the manner in which the VCC conducts its public meetings — literally propelling us into the 21st century. Our virtual meetings have ensured the continued engagement of residents, property owners (local and out-of-town), and those who work in the French Quarter, and have allowed us to continue our important work.
