The historic Pirates’ Alley in the French Quarter reopened Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony, following two months and $75,000 worth of repairs.

According to the city’s Public Works Department, resetting the old flagstones correctly turned into a major project.

“Some of those stones weighed as much as 500 pounds,” said Robert Mendoza, Public Works Director, “so getting them all back exactly in the order they were was important to maintain the historic nature of this alley.”

An Action Report that aired last week focused on getting city officials to patch up the potholes in French Quarter streets before visitors arrived for the BCS Championship. Some folks wanted Jackson Square repaired as well. Mendoza agreed the work was needed, but said temporary repairs would fail.

“If we just tried to reset the stones, and kind of tile them back together, they’re just going to break again,” he said, “because the reason they broke is because what is underneath them is bad.”

French Quarter vendor Terri Antholzner said she’s seen the problems caused for tourists by missing and loose flagstones in the streets surrounding the square. The missing stones next to her cart can trip customers.

“I've seen many people actually fall, so I think it would be great to have them all fixed,” Antholzner said.

During the break between the BCS Championship and Mardi Gras, contractors plan to repair broken and missing stones in Jackson Square, a $70,000 job.

“So we really need to pick the stones up, restore the base underneath them by pouring concrete or something that is solid,” Mendoza said.

From Jackson Square, crews will move to Pere Antoine and Cabildo alleys, and Exchange Place, repairing the damage there.

"There's a lot of little shops along those alleys, so we're hoping that we really can kind of encourage people to walk up and down those alleys,” Mendoza said.

City leaders said they would try to work with French Quarter property owners who’ve been unable to repair broken sidewalks in front of their property.

“It is important that we have quality sidewalks, quality infrastructure in this particular area to continue to attract the sort of folks that we want to come down here, and continue the recovery of the city,” said City Councilman James Carter (District C).

The Sidewalk Repair Project will then expand to other parts of the French Quarter, including sidewalks in front of public buildings, making sure street corners have wheelchair ramps, and completing utility company repairs.

"It's about time. I mean, we moved here 10 years ago, and anybody just walking knows the sidewalks have been in deplorable condition," said Don Kern, French Quarter resident.

However, Mendoza said sidewalks in front of privately owned buildings would remain the responsibility of the owner.