[Blitzen]

Regarding the Market Street development, if the developer were wise he would push for the Convention Center Streetcar line to be constructed as soon as possible. He would even pay the extra to extend it to the plant (there's already the train tracks next to it) and maybe even go further to the Walmart / Jackson Avenue Ferry Landing to increase ridership.

I could actually see tourists and locals shopping and living there if the streetcar went directly to it. And I could see that line being built if a developer demanded it and offered to put up some of the money.

[tennis1400]

The streetcar is a definite must. In fact I always thought the streetcar should go down to at least Jackson and then use Magazine all the way up to to the River by the Zoo.

[ardecila]

I don't think there's enough room on Magazine. I can barely bike down Magazine, where are the streetcar tracks gonna go? The curbside parking is also important for the businesses along the street, so you can't nix that.

I'd much rather that NORTA upgrade the bus service on Magazine to a 15-minute frequency all day (7-10min during rush) and invest in proper bus stops with shelters and next-bus signs. It's just the only form of transit that is compatible with Magazine St.

It's also way cheaper. You could probably do the entire length of Magazine for $40m. The street's already getting resurfaced, which should speed up traffic a bit. Unfortunately they are not reconstructing the road to fix the subgrade and the pipes/sewers beneath.

[DillardAlum]

Random, but...

WTF? Why is this not in New Orleans?

Louis Armstrong House Museum (Queens, NY) (http://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/index.php)

Agreed, but remember, the city razed his New Orleans home and neighborhood to build the "new" City Hall on Loyola--And this was after is worldwide fame. Also, he settled in NYC, and not NOLA, because of the legal racial segregation. Armstrong's opinions of this are well documented. To the city's benefit, he does have a park and airport... :shrug:

Isn't there going to be a new jazz museum in the old mint? I'm sure it will have a significant Armstrong presence... :shrug:

But I concur with your "WTF".

[ardecila]

I'm just pissed that our city keeps squandering opportunities. Jazz music is easily New Orleans' greatest contribution to the world.

Cities are successful when they identify their key assets and strengths, and then pour resources into them to become dominant. Music and dining are New Orleans' biggest strengths, and a lot of the time it seems that city leaders aren't squarely behind these industries.

Hell, we can't even get Armstrong Park fully up and running. The National Park Service washed their hands of the whole thing, and they're moving into the Mint instead.

[tennis1400]

Well I suppose you could have more than one Armstrong House museum either way Jazz and New Orleans are synonymous. So its a bit irrelevant.

Also, Magazine is a tight corridor which is why I think a system that runs buses off of a power line could work. And all the bus would do is go back and forth down the street. Sort of like an express light rail.

[Blitzen]

I don't think there's enough room on Magazine. I can barely bike down Magazine, where are the streetcar tracks gonna go? The curbside parking is also important for the businesses along the street, so you can't nix that.

Just a reminder, the streetcar ran down Magazine Street from 1861 - 1948.

Magazine street is actually pretty wide. I know cars were fewer and narrower back then, but if the street needs to be widened by taking up the space between the curb/sidewalk (as was recently done on Oak St.) and the sidewalk was narrowed in some spaces, I could see it working again.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/MagazineStreetcar1890scarbarn.jpg

[urbanwatcher]

Here are some old street car lines-

http://d.imagehost.org/0143/Picture_11.png

http://b.imagehost.org/0324/Picture_12.png


Glad to see this becoming a topic of conversation in New Orleans.

[SlidellWx]

Concerning the Whitney/Hancock merger...overall looks to be good news for New Orleans. Getting the corporate HQ of a bank that should rank among the 50 largest in the nation in terms of assets will only add to the business clout of the region.

[ardecila]

Yeah, I'm leaning toward Bass Pro Shops now too. The last article mentions a "themed hotel" - something that Bass Pro Shops has now proposed for several of their locations, including the one in Memphis. As far as I know, IKEA is not in the hotel business.

It's a bit of a disappointment, but the Bass Pro Shop planned for the Pyramid is gonna be pretty cool - the sales floor will be in a suspended treehouse atop gigantic artificial trees that sit in a swamp. All of this somehow fits inside the Pyramid.

I guess the only thing to worry about are the inevitable massive parking lots that always go along with a Bass Pro Shop.

[DillardAlum]

Bass Pro Shops is a huge disappointment, but one benefit would be that it would not only encourage nola residents to shop in nola, but for some reason I can imagine it to be a big attraction for the suburban parishes.

[tennis1400]

I would love for it to be both actually, but as I said earlier Ikea doesnt do historic reuse. They like big box store with their name on top so u can see it when u fly over any city. Either way I do see an Ikea coming here, although I will say Im surprised that many Nola residents order from Bass Pro online? Maybe its a Crate and Barrel or something like that?

[tennis1400]

BTW I unforunately got stuck reading a comment on NOLA.com. How in the world does someone see it as a negative for business if Hancock buys Whitney and then locates the much larger companies' headquarters in the city? Man there are some seriously negative people on that board!

New Items on Dodgereport!

New Orleans Speedway Garage (Building 4)
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201000617301 v. 2
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Julia Street Cruise Terminal Renovation/Expansion (RE-BID)
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201000564976 v. 6
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Military Facility Bid Results $9,463,000 LA (Orleans)

[Nolacat157]

BTW I unforunately got stuck reading a comment on NOLA.com. How in the world does someone see it as a negative for business if Hancock buys Whitney and then locates the much larger companies' headquarters in the city? Man there are some seriously negative people on that board!

Yeah its best to stay away from the Nola.com comment section. Nothing but angry people post in there. I was worried when I first read that headline because I didnt want to lose the Whitney name but after I read they are keeping the name for the banks in LA and moving thier HDQTS here, its a win-win.

[nolaproud]

I could be reading to much into the story but I dont think its Ikea they are talking about as they said " a national billion dollar retailer" is interested in it. IKEA would generally be referred to as an international retailer. Could just be reading too much into semantics but thought Id point that out nonetheless.

Market street would be a great location for an IKEA and it would generate huge tax revenue for the city. But just a thought...it not an IKEA, how about a COSTCO??!! Now that's a national $billion retailer that would fill the space out nicely...though I don't know how much of an internet presence they have in NOLA. I know this is a pipe dream, but I'd love to see a Trader Joe's in that space (I know the space is too large, but like I said, it's a pipe dream).
I'm not really sold on the Bass Pro Shop. I do think the area has great potential for the Pro Shop (anywhere between the 90 and walmart along Tchoups) but I personally don't think it would work well in the historic entergy building. Anyway, there's my 2 cents

[tennis1400]

The Bass Pro Shop just seems likely because of what they are doing in Memphis. Reusing a very large facility in a downtown area. I think Bass Pro is it because its the only store besides a Costco or Ikea that could eat that space. I suppose a Cabelas could be possible too, but destination retail would indicate either Ikea or Bass Pro. As far as Trader Joes, remember the developers said they will be seeking additional tenants that will compliment the main tenant. Also, if the store is requiring that they be fully open by the 2013 Superbowl I would think that strongly indicates the retailer is Sports related.

[jowens]

No way Cabelas and Bass Pro would do this with them already having a presence in Gonzales and Denham.

Now Costco or Ikea....that would be pretty cool.

[ardecila]

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

I don't think Costco would be able to re-use the Entergy plant - their stores are always very bare-bones, because they generate a very low margin. It doesn't make sense for them to embark on a multi-million-dollar reuse project, unless taxpayers are footing a big part of the bill.

As a side note, Bass Pro Shops, almost uniformly, gets local governments to help pay for their stores. They prey off of depressed communities seeking economic development. Now, that doesn't mean it wouldn't be a good deal in the long run for the city, since there would be a lot of new sales tax revenue flowing in. But I want to see some independent analysis before the city spends its extremely scarce funds to subsidize a retailer. After all, we can't even manage to start on the riverfront park.

[Uptowner]

No way Cabelas and Bass Pro would do this with them already having a presence in Gonzales and Denham.


Houston and Miami both have 2 Bass Pros in their metros. If they don't mind putting 2 in one city, I'm sure they don't have a problem with 2 in one region.

[tennis1400]

Link to a great presentation on everything the city is doing infrastructurewise:

http://www.nola.gov/PRESS/City%20Of%20New%20Orleans/All%20Articles/~/media/AFC8BC5B73EA4D2BB675310CFC7D1FFE.ashx

[annie himself]

We are the sportsmans paradise, we can support another Bass Pro/Cabelas in the region. It will bring more people from far eastern NO.

[rschin2]

http://www.river-chase.com/images/siteplan-bw-sm.jpg

http://www.river-chase.com/images/river-chase-aerial_siteplan-sm_76fv.jpg

WOW. I had no idea how huge this development was going to be. This thing is a monster.

here's the website for the development: www.river-chase.com
The website has PDFs of the site plan, which you can zoom in on.

[Syndic]

That is just regular suburban sprawl. No reason to be excited about that. In fact, you should be outraged. See how all the uses are separated like that? Retail over here, houses over here, apartments over here. It doesn't mix them all together. It's not mixed-use development. It's not dense. It's not amenable to walking. It's not sustainable at all. That's the kind of thing we're going to be tearing down or retrofitting in 20 years. If that was being built here in the Austin area, we'd be pissed.

[Busy Bee]

Agreed. This site plan is a classic suburban disaster. I like how the residential will have a luxurious view across a retention pond to the utilitarian backside of the big box stores. Genius! It's shocking that developments in this absurd and counter-intuitive form are still being proposed and built. Very dissapointing. The frustration I recieve from seeing stuff like this proposed at the hands of business people who could just as easily produce a fanstastic, dense, dynamic and engaging public sphere is beyond words sometimes.

[Uptowner]

That development is a good 30 miles outside of even the immediate suburbs. As terrible as it is the people living out there would loathe the type of development present on this side of the lake. I fail to see how this can have a bright future if the center directly across the I-12 was intended to house stores like Macy's, DSW, LOFT, White House/Black Market, etc. but ended up being reduced to Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, and Texas Roadhouse. I don't want to sound negative, but has anything changed in the last 6 months that now make mid to upper level stores ready to invest in this area outside of Orleans or Jefferson? On that note, what ever became of the one planned for Slidell? Summit Fremeaux I think it was.

[WesternSon]

Apparently the time spent in Houston by Northshore residents has really inspired them.

Developments like this keep the following ringing true- "New Orleans so far behind it is ahead"

[Uptowner]

Apparently the time spent in Houston by Northshore residents has really inspired them.

:tup: Baton Rouge too. Everytime I'm on the southern side of B.R. I think of Sugar Land and Stafford. Totally unsustainable.

[IceCream]

:slob: I have an ex-girlfriend whose family lives in Sugarland. I was out there about three years ago and was literally shocked at how bad the suburban sprawl was. We went into downtown for dinner one night at "The Strip House" (which was really cool) BUT IT TOOK ALMOST AN HOUR TO DRIVE THERE. I believe I made the comment "i thought Sugarland was a suburb...."

I'm afraid everything from Slidell to Mandeville to Baton Rouge (I-12 corridor) is going to be the exact same way: one gigantic suburban area with only one real downtown area (being NOLA).

[rschin2]

Syndic,
I wasn't suggesting that I like this development. I was just commenting on how huge it is. I had no idea it was going to get that big.
I think the most hilarious part about it is the two planned "office towers". Um, exactly who do they think are going to be the tenants for these towers?

And yes, these types of developments should mix retail and residential together and create a dense, walkable environment.

Just another developer who's raping the northshore's natural environment just so he can walk away with his money...

[ardecila]

I'm not thrilled about the site planning, but it's a exurban area in the South. :shrug:

Summit Fremeaux was to be a pretty nice lifestyle center, with the atmosphere capable of attracting nicer retailers. It's in a holding pattern due to the credit crunch. There were also several substantial New Urbanist developments planned on the North Shore, but these have died off.

Um, exactly who do they think are going to be the tenants for these towers?

Have you forgotten the great exodus of the oil companies to the North Shore, both before and after Katrina? These huge companies, and many smaller companies that do business with them, have pitched their tent on the other side of the lake, and left scores of vacant office towers in downtown NO.

The geography of the North Shore is problematic, since it is completely and totally severed from New Orleans and Jefferson/St. Bernard. Louisiana has moved heaven and earth to try and connect the two areas, building five tremendously long bridges, but they remain isolated economically.

Strong cities can't exist without strong suburbs, at least in America, but I'm not sure I can even call the North Shore a suburban area - that's how weak the connection is.

Ultimately, I think St. Charles Parish will need to open up to development to prevent the lion's share of suburban growth from going to the North Shore. It already has the interstate access and a river crossing, unlike the outer reaches of St. Bernard Parish or the West Bank, and the state can't afford to build new highways to those areas.

[dgpatel]

It already has the interstate access and a river crossing, unlike the outer reaches of St. Bernard Parish or the West Bank, and the state can't afford to build new highways to those areas.

The Huey P Long Bridge expansion is supposed to help the Avondale and Luiling (JP and St. Charles Parish) areas to grow (the only part of JP with room for major growth). It seems nearly impossible to expand Clearview Pkwy from the Huey to I-10 to interstate standards, but a proposed (and possibly canceled) interchange at Earhart Expwy and Causeway would give a descent North-South connection between the Westbank-Metairie-Northshore. Even though direct interstate/expwy route between the heart of Metairie (Causeway/Clearview area) to the Westbank would be more beneficial, it still beats a 24mi (plus weather and accident delay) commute across the Causeway to get the the Northshore.

One major development in Avondale is the proposed Churchill Technology and Business Park. I'm not sure of the status on this development - Maybe someone else can provide some more info on it? Here is the site: http://www.churchillpark.org/

[tennis1400]

Suburban sprawl I believe is in its last stages. Energy cost will see too it that people live closer to where they live work and play. I never understood the appeal of the Northshore at all, not to mention Baton Rouge. However, I do agree with the statement that a city needs a strong metropolitan area to be successful. So it is nescessary to have these places for people that want that kind of lifestyle. I guess the best thing one can say is that New Orleans offers all different types. If you want to be a fat ass suburbanite we have it too!:)

[ardecila]

I don't necessarily have a problem with suburban sprawl so long as it doesn't suck the life out of the central city. North Shore development has the potential to do that, since it's so disconnected physically. Even if it maintains its cultural and economic ties, it still encourages massive 35-40 mile commutes and all the pollution created. Suburbs on the West or East Banks don't have that problem.

The Huey P bridge expansion is welcome, but I'm not sure if it will encourage much new development. There's been a bridge there since the 1930s, after all, but the Westbank end has never seen much development except for some industrial properties. Having to sit in traffic on Clearview and Causeway, Jefferson and Airline is miserable.

[midcity]

Everytime I've read an article on the Market Street Power Plant development the developers have always stated that they have a major retailer interested that needs to be open by the Super Bowl (which I think is 2013). Are the retailers that you all are suggesting the type of retailers that would benefit greatly from a major event or Super Bowl? Or do you think the Super Bowl is just an excuse to push things forward quickly since they were involved in that lawsuit and then need to get the necessary approval and permits from the city. I've just always found the Super Bowl an odd thing as I don't see Target, IKEA, Trader Joe's, etc. having some huge success off the Super Bowl.

Nola.com has some good news concerning a major retailer locating in the Market Street Power Plant property. Glad to see that construction is planned to begin in the spring!

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/major_retailer_has_expessed_in.html

[WesternSon]

I am sure the excuse of the superbowl is to gain political favor. The DDD, and the mayors office see the next superbowl as an opportunity to highlight the city in a new light and show off the new post-k development like the Loyola street car line, Champions square, new hyatt....

[tennis1400]

I am sure the excuse of the superbowl is to gain political favor. The DDD, and the mayors office see the next superbowl as an opportunity to highlight the city in a new light and show off the new post-k development like the Loyola street car line, Champions square, new hyatt....

Bass Pro= Sports Related Store that may find a high profile event like the Superbowl something they would want to have a flagship like store open for.

[ardecila]

Bingo. Bass Pro is from southern Missouri. They're just as crazy for football as Louisianians, and they envision their New Orleans store being a big tourist destination, much more so than the usual Bass Pro location.

[tennis1400]

Bingo. Bass Pro is from southern Missouri. They're just as crazy for football as Louisianians, and they envision their New Orleans store being a big tourist destination, much more so than the usual Bass Pro location.

Its a big amount of exposure for that brand and not to mention many people forget how close the Superdome is to all the activities in New Orleans. Other cities wont afford Bass Pro this opportunity as their stadiums are usually in the middle of nowhere. Its one of the reason I always thought New Orleans should be a permanent home for the Superbowl or at least it should be held only in warm cities where the arena is in the center of everything. Last year when I was in Miami it took us three hours on a chartered bus to get from the interstate exit to actually park. Then another hour of walking! The experience in New Orleans is just so much better!

[tennis1400]

Good to see they are finally moving on the rebuild of the original location. Will be a big boost for that neighborhood for sure!



Martin Wine Cellar - Baronne Street Store
Dodge Report #201000721264 v. 2

Location: LA (Orleans) See More Like This
Valuation: $3,500,000
Bid Date: Dec 29, 2010

[annie himself]

Its a big amount of exposure for that brand and not to mention many people forget how close the Superdome is to all the activities in New Orleans. Other cities wont afford Bass Pro this opportunity as their stadiums are usually in the middle of nowhere. Its one of the reason I always thought New Orleans should be a permanent home for the Superbowl or at least it should be held only in warm cities where the arena is in the center of everything. Last year when I was in Miami it took us three hours on a chartered bus to get from the interstate exit to actually park. Then another hour of walking! The experience in New Orleans is just so much better!
I have always thought the same thing. Dallas's new stadium is in Arlington right? How much sense does that make? The Reliant is no where near walking distance of downtown. The Superdome is in great proximity to everything tourists would want/need.

[LouisianaRush]

I never understood why the superbowl loves to come to Miami. I have lived here for over five years now I agree there is a lot to do, but the location is horrible to host events. The stadium is in the middle of suburban slum and parking lots which is half way between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. NOLA has a much better set up. I guess white sandy beaches can go a long way when attracting events.

[annie himself]

Imagine how upset other cities would be if the Superbowl were permanently held in NO.

[ardecila]

I never understood why the superbowl loves to come to Miami. I have lived here for over five years now I agree there is a lot to do, but the location is horrible to host events. The stadium is in the middle of suburban slum and parking lots which is half way between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. NOLA has a much better set up. I guess white sandy beaches can go a long way when attracting events.

Miami is sexy. New Orleans, in the minds of visitors, is sleazy. Just look at how many "fashion" hotels we have (maybe 2 or 3) compared to the tons of slick, classy, new or renovated places in Miami Beach.

I wonder if Miami/NOLA/LA's combined dominance (26 Super Bowls) will erode now that many, more populous Northern cities have domed stadiums. Detroit, New York, Indy, St. Louis, and Minneapolis all have domes now.

[rschin2]

new york's new stadium does not have a dome

[ardecila]

You're right, I was thinking of Phoenix. New Meadowlands is open-air.

[LouisianaRush]

Miami is sexy. New Orleans, in the minds of visitors, is sleazy. Just look at how many "fashion" hotels we have (maybe 2 or 3) compared to the tons of slick, classy, new or renovated places in Miami Beach.

I wonder if Miami/NOLA/LA's combined dominance (26 Super Bowls) will erode now that many, more populous Northern cities have domed stadiums. Detroit, New York, Indy, St. Louis, and Minneapolis all have domes now.

Oh I agree Miami is sexier, but everything is so spread out. When we held it last year the events were spread out from Miami to Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach. I hope one day we build a new stadium closer to downtown like the new Marlins stadium, but that is not going to happen any time soon because Sun Life is too new (built in the 80's).

[sguil1]

Saw that work has started on the old St.Charles Hospital renovation near touro. Was able to find a rendering.

http://www.touro.com/content/pressreleases.htm?page_id=219&inCtx9pg=0&inCtx9view=14&inCtx9news=9&inCtx9news_id=141&site_id=1&minor=0&major=1

http://jackieclarkson.com/blog/page/6/

http://jackieclarkson.com/wp-content/gallery/groundbreaking-for-lsu-faculty-practice-clinical-offices/renderingcloseup_0.jpg

[tennis1400]

Someone should put a restaurant on top of that thing. Views would be pretty great Id imagine.

A little off topic but does anyone have any suggestions on a great site to host pictures from. id like to post pictures Im taking for use on the forum and wanted to get recommendations for a site. Was thinking Flickr but curious if there is anything else.


Thanks

[sguil1]

Don't know a lot of them but I think imageshack is pretty good. Would love to see the pics.

[tennis1400]

Don't know a lot of them but I think imageshack is pretty good. Would love to see the pics.

Dont get too excited lol but I would like to post pics of some of the things I have on my iphone.

[ardecila]

Not the most attractive renovation (why do doctors offices need balconies?) but I'm glad to get that creepy abandoned thing back in business.

[Blitzen]

Dont get too excited lol but I would like to post pics of some of the things I have on my iphone.

http://imageshack.us/ is the website I use to upload photos from my computer or iphone to put on this website.

[dgpatel]

A little off topic but does anyone have any suggestions on a great site to host pictures from. id like to post pictures Im taking for use on the forum and wanted to get recommendations for a site. Was thinking Flickr but curious if there is anything else.

Panoramio (http://www.panoramio.com) is pretty cool. You can tag your pictures with its location so it'll pop up on a google map as people zoom into the area.

[tennis1400]

Panoramio (http://www.panoramio.com) is pretty cool. You can tag your pictures with its location so it'll pop up on a google map as people zoom into the area.


Thanks I never knew that may have to try that one...

Also, ardecila I could be wrong but I think that building has balconies already....

[ardecila]

It does have balconies already. But they're already gutting the building to its concrete skeleton, so they could remove the balconies easily by cutting back the floor slabs. They're odd for a medical building.

I guess they're okay. I can't really tell from the rendering what the railing is made of, but it looks kinda like the chunky wooden balustrade that's up there now. It looks awful. They should put in something a bit more modern.

I just noticed the entrance canopy on the ground level. That's pretty neat, and it reminds me of the modernist one at St. Charles and Jackson.

[blueingreen]

It does have balconies already. But they're already gutting the building to its concrete skeleton, so they could remove the balconies easily by cutting back the floor slabs. They're odd for a medical building.

I guess they're okay. I can't really tell from the rendering what the railing is made of, but it looks kinda like the chunky wooden balustrade that's up there now. It looks awful. They should put in something a bit more modern.

I just noticed the entrance canopy on the ground level. That's pretty neat, and it reminds me of the modernist one at St. Charles and Jackson.

This may be a historic district thing (not sure if this section of St. Charles falls into it). Lots of new buildings get built with awkward balconies and columns and end up horribly faux historic. (see also the hideous First NBC branch at St. Charles and Louisiana)

[blueingreen]

I found this blog which is pretty good for keeping up with the clearing of the VA and LSU footprints. The guy pretty much hates the project (given his circumstances, this is understandable) but he does bring up many of the same points others have brought up. Hopefully he keeps this level of documentation up during construction (not sure if he has to move or lives near by. Anyway the site is (not sure if it's going to censor me here) : http://insidethefootprint.blogspot.com/2010/11/veterans-day-in-va-hospital-footprint.html

I was going to take some pictures for the forum, but this site pretty well somes it up.

[tennis1400]

This may be a historic district thing (not sure if this section of St. Charles falls into it). Lots of new buildings get built with awkward balconies and columns and end up horribly faux historic. (see also the hideous First NBC branch at St. Charles and Louisiana)

First NBC should fire whoever is designing their banks. Must be the ugliest things Ive seen built in a long time.

BTW, I wonder when we are going to get updated design info for the University Medical Center?

[ardecila]

I don't have a huge problem with the First NBC building. It's tacky and faux-historic, but it's exactly the right size and shape for its corner location. The building comes right up to the corner, and the drive-thru curb cuts are kept small. Too bad the city couldn't coordinate the curb cuts with the McDonalds next door.

In contrast, the Capital One at Napoleon is very well-designed for a traditional building, but it's underscaled (much shorter than the mansions around it) and it sits on a sea of pavement because the drivethru is a massive six-lane monstrosity.

Good site planning is just as important as good architecture - maybe even more so, because it controls how the city functions, not just how it looks.

[tennis1400]

I don't have a huge problem with the First NBC building. It's tacky and faux-historic, but it's exactly the right size and shape for its corner location. The building comes right up to the corner, and the drive-thru curb cuts are kept small. Too bad the city couldn't coordinate the curb cuts with the McDonalds next door.

In contrast, the Capital One at Napoleon is very well-designed for a traditional building, but it's underscaled (much shorter than the mansions around it) and it sits on a sea of pavement because the drivethru is a massive six-lane monstrosity.

Good site planning is just as important as good architecture - maybe even more so, because it controls how the city functions, not just how it looks.

We will just have to agree to disagree on that one. I can understand your scaling thoughts, but at the end of the day that First NBC will age horribly and is going to look worse than the Rite Aid on Lousiana and St Charles. The other branches they have built around the metro area are even uglier too.

[midcity]

This may be a historic district thing (not sure if this section of St. Charles falls into it). Lots of new buildings get built with awkward balconies and columns and end up horribly faux historic. (see also the hideous First NBC branch at St. Charles and Louisiana)

Wasn't a bank proposed or announced for the vacant lot on the opposite corner of the new First NBC? In fact, I think it was announced before the First NBC. I don't remember which bank was building the branch, but I wonder why it hasn't been built.

[sguil1]

It was a First Bank and Trust. I think it is now a no-go.

[tennis1400]

Yeah I dont see a sign for the bank anymore. However, the site isnt for sale either. So who knows but thank god that Exxon was torn down. Now all we have to demolish is that disgusting gas station next door!

[elwin514]

Theres Good news about Chevron Tower

Downtown Landmark Building to Be Renamed “The New Orleans Exchange Centre” after the Parent Company of The Receivables Exchange

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110107006219/en/Downtown-Landmark-Building-Renamed-“The-Orleans-Exchange

[SlidellWx]

Excellent news about the Receivables Exchange. Looks like a rapidly growing company that will probably continue to expand. Also glad to see the former Chevron building is officially back in use. Hopefully the building will fill up quickly.

[ardecila]

I think the Receivables Exchange is showing great promise. I have no doubt they'll be very successful if their bidding process can really lower the cost of capital by 30% as they claim.

Hopefully they can avoid being snapped up by the NY/Chicago juggernauts and keep their success in New Orleans.

[tennis1400]

Ardecila I dont think we have to worry about Chicago at least since they just voted to increase income taxes a whopping 75%.... Other states please continue economic suicide!!!

[ardecila]

Illinois income taxes are currently at a low flat rate 3%, though. That's lower than the income taxes in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama (although these taxes are graduated instead of flat). It's MUCH less than surrounding Midwest states like Wisconsin, Iowa, and Ohio.

Most of Illinois' budget currently comes from corporate taxes, which aren't changing, and those are the ones that would affect the banks and exchanges. Property taxes are also pretty steep, with the exception of the City of Chicago which has maintained low property tax rates but high sales tax.

Guide to State Tax Rates (http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/check-taxes-in-your-state.aspx)

I'm not a huge fan of heavy government spending and entitlements, but even if you want small government, it's exceedingly cruel to suddenly cut millions of people off from important medical care and housing subsidies without any time to adjust. Since Illinois needs to balance the budget, a tax hike is inevitable. It has a sunset provision after 3 years anyway, so legislators will have to vote to renew it.

Low taxes matter when there's plenty of growth, and economic success depends on keeping people and businesses in your state, and attracting as many new ones as possible. When there's no growth, having a functional government is more important.

[sguil1]

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/former_chevron_building_will_b.html

Another article on the Exchange Center. Good quotes about the companies intent to stay in N.O.

[dgpatel]

If you think something is missing as you pass the old Falstaff brewery, you're right. One by one, the giant steel letters are coming down, but the work in no way signals the end of the familiar icon on the city's skyline.

"All the letters you see are being rebuilt ... and then they'll go back up," said David Miller, developer of the Falstaff Apartments, which now occupies the site.

The towering Falstaff sign, visible from Interstate 10, consists of 10-foot-tall metal letters spelling out the former brewery's name. In the brewery's heyday, neon was used to light the letters, which would be illuminated in various patterns to forecast changes in temperature. If the temperature was expected to rise, the letters would light from the bottom to the top. If it was expected to drop, the letters would light from top to bottom.

Full Article (http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/falstaff_brewery_sign_will_shi.html)

http://media.nola.com/business_impact/photo/9178405-large.jpg

http://blog.nola.com/news_impact/2009/01/TULANE011309.jpg

[IceCream]

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/pilates_map.html

I'm all for progress but I have a feeling this will stick out like a sore thumb if it goes up to three stories.

[tennis1400]

I dont have a problem with it. Have you seen the piece of crap strip mall right next to it? People cant talk about neighborhood preservation etc and neighborhood context when there is a damn strip mall with a Chicos! Makes no sense. BTW why werent these issues brought up when the building permit was issued? Why now when it creates unnescessary financial hardship on the business owner.

[SlidellWx]

:previous:

Agree 100%. If the neighbors didn't want it...there were planning commission and city council meetings they could have addressed concerns at. Now that the building is well into construction...it's far too late to complain about it.

[WesternSon]

Amen to the shout out to the tragedy that is that chicos and pinkberry.

[tennis1400]

It sounds to me like someone has a personal vendetta against the business owner. The city is opening itself up to lawsuits from her as well since the building permits were issued.

[sguil1]

Rouses breaks ground at former Sewell site

Downtown New Orleans will have its first major new supermarket by the fall according to plans Rouses Markets announced today before the groundbreaking of its renovation of the former Sewell Cadillac building at Baronne and Girod streets.

Gibbs Construction will build out the 40,000-square-foot shopping space in addition to first- and second-floor parking and an outdoor seating area. John C. Williams Architects is the designer for the project.

The downtown store will be the 39th Rouses Market location. According to the company, it’s the ninth largest independent grocer in America. The Thibodaux-based grocer became the market share leader in the New Orleans region after buying 17 Sav-A-Center locations from the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. in 2007.

The Domain Cos. is pointing to the Rouses project as the anchor for their proposed adjacent development,
href="http://neworleanscitybusiness.com/blog/2010/12/14/cbd-apartment-proposal-faces-oversaturation-question/">South Market District. Their $185 million plans call for 450 apartments and 125,000 square feet of shops and restaurants along Loyola Avenue.

“”When we took over the Sav-A-Center’s after Katrina, Leah Chase said something I’ll never forget, ‘You can build a great neighborhood around a great grocery,” owner Donald Rouse said at today’s groundbreaking. “There has been so much residential development around this new store in recent years, and now there is even more on the horizon,” “The people who live here deserve a great grocery.”

CityBusiness first reported on plans for a downtown Rouses Market in May, and the company confirmed reports when it announced the Sewell property purchase in June.•

http://neworleanscitybusiness.com/blog/2011/01/10/rouses-breaks-ground-at-former-sewell-site/

Hopefully the South Market District is soon to follow.

[ardecila]

I dont have a problem with it. Have you seen the piece of crap strip mall right next to it? People cant talk about neighborhood preservation etc and neighborhood context when there is a damn strip mall with a Chicos! Makes no sense. BTW why werent these issues brought up when the building permit was issued? Why now when it creates unnescessary financial hardship on the business owner.

That entire block is a clusterf*ck, between that awful building that just went up on the corner with a weird little garden and handicap elevator, and the strip mall. I give Pinkberry credit for reclaiming some of the parking lot to use as outdoor seating.

[WesternSon]

I am all for giving credit where credit is due. But imagine the Pinkberry in an vintage small shotgun house. Would look better, fit in more and be more of an experience. They made one out of a former entrance way (not sure really what that odd space was for that hotel...) of the hotel on canal, why couldnt the uptown franchisees be more creative!

[ardecila]

The franchisees are one and the same, actually. Nice people - I've met them.

I think the Uptown location was a bit of a trial balloon. They weren't entirely sure if the concept would work in New Orleans, so they had to pick a plum of a location to draw people in (across from the Whole Foods, easy parking, right on Magazine).

The Canal St location serves the tourist market, which is mostly on foot walking up and down Canal. The one time I ate there, the guy behind the counter was surprised that I lived here and was not a tourist - they don't get too many locals.

I think they're working on a Lakeview location next.

[tennis1400]

The franchisees are one and the same, actually. Nice people - I've met them.

I think the Uptown location was a bit of a trial balloon. They weren't entirely sure if the concept would work in New Orleans, so they had to pick a plum of a location to draw people in (across from the Whole Foods, easy parking, right on Magazine).

The Canal St location serves the tourist market, which is mostly on foot walking up and down Canal. The one time I ate there, the guy behind the counter was surprised that I lived here and was not a tourist - they don't get too many locals.

I think they're working on a Lakeview location next.


Makes sense. Because the downtown location is much more in line with what I would expect of Pinkberry stores. Id Imagined the one Uptown to be more like Sucre and Divina Gelateria stores. Perhaps they will move. The location isnt bad its just the damn strip mall. A store on Harrisson in Lakeview would be great though!

[Busy Bee]

The bit about the Falstaff sign is totally cool. That's the kind of stuff just makes me happy on a cold wintry day.

[Nolacat157]

A store on Harrisson in Lakeview would be great though!

Yes it would! Harrison is really coming along these days. A Snap Fitness is about to open next to St. Dominic. The open lot next to Starbucks has a Sale Pending sign and they are finally building on the corner of Argonne. I've heard thats going to be a Mexican restaruant but never seen that substantiated.

[tennis1400]

Yeah I lost out on buying that empty parcel on Harrison. Its a great piece, pissed I didnt get it! But yeah the street is great and will only get better. Manages to be car and pedestrian friendly at the same time. The school at the end by City Park is going to be enormous, too!!

[ardecila]

The bit about the Falstaff sign is totally cool. That's the kind of stuff just makes me happy on a cold wintry day.

Tulane Avenue is really becoming a nexus for this sort of thing.

Recently, the Domain Cos. ripped down a former hot sauce factory for a new apartment complex. However, they built a replica of the neon sign that the hot sauce company had on the roof:

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2075/8761154.jpg


Also, as part of the new VA hospital, the Dixie Brewery will have a facadectomy, which includes tuckpointing the old bricks and restoring the neon sign on the tower's mansard roof.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5499/dixieexterior.jpg

[sguil1]

Landrieu administration agrees to buy out World Trade Center organization's lease on landmark building

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/landrieu_administration_agrees.html

Sounds promising. I wouldn't be opposed to tearing it down but only if something awesome was for sure going to be built.

[ardecila]

I used to be in favor of preserving the WTC, since it is a pretty unique and interesting building. Now I just want the site cleared. Edward Durell Stone can't get any respect, but maybe that's because his buildings are in such boneheaded locations. I'd love it if they left it as open space, creating a great park, the 21st century's Jackson Square. They'd have to deck over the railroad or something, but it would be worth it.

They could pay for it by building a large tower at the end of Poydras, similar to how the Board of Trade caps LaSalle St in Chicago, or how the PanAm Building caps Park Avenue in NY.

While they're at it, clear the damn bars and kiosks out of Spanish Plaza. It's a public space - there are already enough places to drink in New Orleans. I suppose a pair of well-designed concessions might work, though.

[WesternSon]

So what falls first: WTC, Iberville, or I-10?

I say there is no hope for the WTC. It would be neat to redo, but there is no demand to warrant the expense. Also, if it is taken down it increases the chances of something working for the Plaza tower. I wouldn't mind if nothing huge replaces it either. I want that area to be more about the river than skyscrapers, that development has a place more inland in the CBD. An iconic park would be nice.

[urbanwatcher]

My guess is that the Iberville will be the first of those three.Seeing how there is funding and a public and private push for it to be redeveloped, i guess it will be coming down in 2012.The WTC will more than likely stay and be used as is.I don't think the city has the money for it to be torn down and turned into anything public.The I-10 has two years of planning/study before anything will happen.From doing speculative research i am willing to bet that it will happen,especially once the new hospitals get closer to being finished.The language and rhetoric from officials is that they know it will happen but they can't publicly let on until the funding is approved as well as the official study backing it is done.It may come down around 2015.I think you will see streetcars on N Rampart a year after the Iberville is done and 2 years before N Claiborne gets a major facelift.I wish all this could happen before the superbowl but i think the city will be looking pretty good by the time it comes to town.

[Uptowner]

I see the Iberville coming down first with the WTC likely staying put. I can't see any state engineer in his right mind signing off on the I-10 coming down unless it's going to be replaced, or he's getting something out of the deal, and if it does come down it more than likely goes from being state funded to city funded. :sly:

I could be wrong though.

[ardecila]

Anyway, everyone on here should take a minute or two to send in a email to the councilmember and possibly CC it to other councilmembers especially the two at large seats.

Just a reminder, the City Council will vote on the 20th on whether to approve Kailas' 1031 Canal. That's only a week away.

It's Kristin Palmer's district, so she can influence the way the rest of the Council votes. Remember to email her, if you haven't already - or even if you have, email again. It can't hurt. Neither can emailing the other councilmembers (http://www.nolacitycouncil.com/meet/meet.asp?id=45).

kgpalmer@nola.gov

[IceCream]

Since I know the wonderful people at A-1 Signs....I just have to throw out there that they were the ones who built the new Crystal Preserves sign from scratch. You would never know that it is a brand new sign and not the original.

Check out their site. They've done some pretty cool stuff:

http://www.a-1signsinc.com/

[sguil1]

Just a reminder, the City Council will vote on the 20th on whether to approve Kailas' 1201 Canal. That's only a week away.

It's Kristin Palmer's district, so she can influence the way the rest of the Council votes. Remember to email her, if you haven't already - or even if you have, email again. It can't hurt. Neither can emailing the other councilmembers (http://www.nolacitycouncil.com/meet/meet.asp?id=45).

kgpalmer@nola.gov

Its actually 1031 canal. I saw that the website had taken out an add on nola.com today. Can also go to their website http://1031canal.com/ to email the mayor and councilmembers.

[sguil1]

Woodward Design+Build Headquarters

This much needed facility is under way! As Woodward Design+Build has continued to grow, a new headquarters has become a necessity. The site of the facility is that of the former Goodwill Industries Building Building on the corner of South Jefferson Davis Parkway and Euphrosene Street. The Goodwill Building was demolished and construction is underway.

http://www.woodwarddesignbuild.com/projects/woodward-designbuild-headquarters/

http://www.woodwarddesignbuild.com/images/sized/images/projects/slides/woodwardnewbuilding1-600x0.jpg

http://www.woodwarddesignbuild.com/images/sized/images/projects/slides/woodwardnewbuilding5-600x0.jpg

[SlidellWx]

This looks like a great building! Good to see a local company doing well.

[elwin514]

anyword or status of Tracage???

[N.O.L.A.]

I've pretty much assumed that Tracage (and Trump for that matter) have unfortunately been dead for a while...they just announced it yet. Hopefully I am wrong!

[tennis1400]

I've pretty much assumed that Tracage (and Trump for that matter) have unfortunately been dead for a while...they just announced it yet. Hopefully I am wrong!

The projects may not be dead, but they are certainly dead in their current iterations. If when something gets built im sure it will go through a redesign!

[ardecila]

Too bad. Tracage would have been the most attractive highrise in the city, bar none.

[tennis1400]

Too bad. Tracage would have been the most attractive highrise in the city, bar none.


If it wasnt for the lawsuit from that lawyer at Lengsfield Lofts this one would have been built. Once the lawsuit settled the national economy crashed.

New Listings on Bidclerk

1458597 New Orleans, LA Medical 01/14/2011
Description Renovation of a medical facility in New Orleans. Completed working drawings call for the renovation of a 237,500-square-foot medical office which will include office space and exam rooms. The owner has determined a list of select general contract.

1198608 New Orleans, LA Office, Restaurant, Retail, Other, Theaters / Auditoriu 01/13/2011

Site work and new construction of a commercial mixed-use development in New Orleans. Design development plans call for the construction of three separate buildings that will total 83,000 square feet and include retail suites, two restaurants, a coffee

1401861 New Orleans, LA Elderly Care / Assisted Living, Multi-Residential, Reta 01/13/2011
Description Site work and new construction of a mixed-use development in New Orleans. Design development plans call for the construction of a 125-unit housing development for senior citizens built over retail space with a grocery anchor. This project is curr

1056719 New Orleans, LA Educational, Medical 01/13/2011
Description Site work and new construction of a medical facility in New Orleans. Working plans call for the construction of a teaching hospital that will include health care facilities, offices, meeting rooms and associated parking. Construction is anticipat.


On a side note, 823 Julia street now has a sign up saying only two units left in the building... Clear evidence of how a grocery store completely changes the dynamics of a neighborhood.

[SlidellWx]

I know this is a minor thing...but saw that the Hyatt sign is now lit up. Noticed it while grabbing dinner at Grand Isle tonight. It's the first time I've seen the sign lit up since 8/28/05.