[N.O.L.A.]

I don't know if I'm beating a dead horse here, but what do yall think is going on with trump? I ask I guess because it has now been two years since the project was put "on hold depending the recovery of the national economy." Since 2/09 there hasn't been a single update/news story about the tower since then. Wouldn't you think that we will hear some kind of update (relatively) soon - whether its good or bad? I wonder if the sales office has even been open since that time...

I guess I'm asking because it came up in conversation between a friend and I today. He was going as far as to say that he believes the completion of this project would signal nola's recovery more than any other, even something more so than large projects like the hospitals....He thinks that although its completion may not have the impact as say the hospitals, but it is more significant as a symbol since it was one of the first projects born after the storm (well technically right before).

[annie himself]

I don't know if I'm beating a dead horse here, but what do yall think is going on with trump? I ask I guess because it has now been two years since the project was put "on hold depending the recovery of the national economy." Since 2/09 there hasn't been a single update/news story about the tower since then. Wouldn't you think that we will hear some kind of update (relatively) soon - whether its good or bad? I wonder if the sales office has even been open since that time...

I guess I'm asking because it came up in conversation between a friend and I today. He was going as far as to say that he believes the completion of this project would signal nola's recovery more than any other, even something more so than large projects like the hospitals....He thinks that although its completion may not have the impact as say the hospitals, but it is more significant as a symbol since it was one of the first projects born after the storm (well technically right before).

The website was updated recently, a month or two ago. And I think I heard something around 6 months ago from one of the other forums. I'm thinking it really is on hold seeing as there is a market for something like that. And from outsiders and people who aren't armchair developers/planners a Trump tower is a huge signal of a recovery after Katrina and BP. Plus, the tower would be BEAUTIFUL in the skyline as a new tallest in the city and not to mention a new tallest in the state. Another thing, we are one of the smallest cities to get one.

[tennis1400]

I personally think it will be along time before large scale developments of condos get off the ground in any city in America besides New York City and possibly Chicago. Now, if the plan is reworked to have a larger hotel element then I think it could happen quite quickly. Rentals seem to be more likely or some sort of subsidized/tax credited building is the likely developments we will see not just in New Orleans but across most of the country as well.

[annie himself]

I personally think it will be along time before large scale developments of condos get off the ground in any city in America besides New York City and possibly Chicago. Now, if the plan is reworked to have a larger hotel element then I think it could happen quite quickly. Rentals seem to be more likely or some sort of subsidized/tax credited building is the likely developments we will see not just in New Orleans but across most of the country as well.
I believe Miami is in a worse financial situation that NO and they experienced a boom in condo towers.

[Uptowner]

I believe Miami is in a worse financial situation that NO and they experienced a boom in condo towers.

Most of them are empty though. They're pretty and shiny, but vacant. Some of them are unfinished if I'm not mistaken, just shells of glass and steel.

[rschin2]

The website was updated recently, a month or two ago. And I think I heard something around 6 months ago from one of the other forums. I'm thinking it really is on hold seeing as there is a market for something like that. And from outsiders and people who aren't armchair developers/planners a Trump tower is a huge signal of a recovery after Katrina and BP. Plus, the tower would be BEAUTIFUL in the skyline as a new tallest in the city and not to mention a new tallest in the state. Another thing, we are one of the smallest cities to get one.

i'm pretty sure the website has been the same for a couple years now. How has it changed? In fact, if you try to look at pictures of the building, it still says "information coming soon"...

[annie himself]

I think the layout changed, I can't remember exactly how it changed and I can't find the link. This is the equivalent of Riverplace Tower in Baton Rouge.

[dgpatel]

i'm pretty sure the website has been the same for a couple years now. How has it changed? In fact, if you try to look at pictures of the building, it still says "information coming soon"...

You can use www.archive.org to view older versions of websites.
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.trumptowerneworleans.com/

Unfortunately, it doesn't save the flash video files or any large graphic files, but you can get a basic idea of the layout.

[Nolacat157]

Has that video been on the Trump website for a while? I don't remember seeing that but I haven't been to the site in months.

[N.O.L.A.]

Has that video been on the Trump website for a while? I don't remember seeing that but I haven't been to the site in months.

I'm pretty sure I remember that video being on there before it was put on hold. I don't think the website has changed since then either...

[urbanwatcher]

Came across this Biodistrict survey.I voted yes for most of the questions,why not make it as nice as possible.It's just interesting to see what they are going for in regards to size and city redevelopment.Also another streetcar line is being put on the table in the survey.If they accomplish everything i will be amazed,but who knows since i never thought the Iberville would be getting redeveloped.

http://biodistrictneworleans.org/info/biodistrict-preliminary-plan-survey/

[sguil1]

Saw that the new Falstaff sign is up. Not sure if it lights up yet, saw it during the day.

[tennis1400]

I believe Miami is in a worse financial situation that NO and they experienced a boom in condo towers.

I think youmisunderstood me, Im talking about in the future.. Miami will definitely not see any new condos for awhile.

[sguil1]

New Student Center & Gymnasium

Looks like this will be built on ASH campus right of of St.Charles. Saw the rendering up as I passed it yesterday.

http://www.ashrosary.org/pg.aspx?p=24&s=100

http://www.ashrosary.org/images/uploaded_images/cc-bridge-render-lg.jpg

[DillardAlum]

Came across this Biodistrict survey.I voted yes for most of the questions,why not make it as nice as possible.It's just interesting to see what they are going for in regards to size and city redevelopment.Also another streetcar line is being put on the table in the survey.If they accomplish everything i will be amazed,but who knows since i never thought the Iberville would be getting redeveloped.

http://biodistrictneworleans.org/info/biodistrict-preliminary-plan-survey/

Very interesting... I don't want to get prematurely excited, but did you notice that the new proposed streetcar is an extension of the new loyola and it continues under Carrollton and I-10, which I know is long awaited dream...

[Blitzen]

Very interesting... I don't want to get prematurely excited, but did you notice that the new proposed streetcar is an extension of the new loyola and it continues under Carrollton and I-10, which I know is long awaited dream...

Another interesting thing is that it takes into account a torn-down I-10 overpass over Claiborne, and replaces it with a smaller interchange, but they ditched the Galvez St. bridge over the Pontchartrain Expressway.

And apparently Banks Street is being cut and won't extend to Galvez St. from this proposal, however there is a traffic island/circle at Broad Street.

Lastly, I don't like the handful of small scattered neighborhood parks around this proposal. I'd rather one or two bigger parks that will be multi-purpose and won't sit neglected and blighted.

Overall, a step in a good direction.

[Uptowner]

http://biodistrictneworleans.org/info/biodistrict-preliminary-plan-survey/

An urban planner would love it, an engineer would hate it. There are some many great ideas in this plan from a planning perspective. On the other hand, there are a lot of feasibility issues to go along with it.

[tennis1400]

All in all I think its pretty good, but I do agree that a Galvez overpass should be created. Also, fewer but larger parks would be better since those seem to be more sustainable and multi-purpose.

[camkazaam]

Since the trendy thing seems to be conceiving streetcar lines that would've been inconceivable 10 years ago, how about Broad Street? I read an urban expert say, "As Freret St. goes, so goes New Orleans." Well that may be true, but I think its even more true for Broad Street. More than any other street in the city, Broad Street has the potential to tie the *entire* city west of the Industrial Canal together. It's a commercial corridor just begging for life. It could be connected via a St. Charles-Napoleon extension, Canal St.,and have stops at Dillard U, the biomed district, and terminate at a future Elysian Fields line. Hell, the other terminus could be Tipitina's!! Come on, agree with me that this is a great idea!

Looking at a map, I think it might make sense to have it go from Napoleon to Broad to Washington, up to Xavier University, cross over I-10 on Jeff Davis, and then come back down Tulane Avenue to Broad St. I say this because the Jeff Davis bridge might be better for a streetcar than the Broad bridge?? Then it would go up Broad all the way to Dillard, and up to Elysian Fields.

[urbanwatcher]

I am all for more streetcar lines and a Broad street line doesn't seem like a bad idea at all,but the major hurdle would be crossing over the expressway.I also think that Broad st from Canal to St Bernard will experience a decent amount of reinvestment due to its proximity to the biodistrict.In my mind what creates neighborhood renewal is actually foot and street level traffic.The quicker this happens the quicker New orleans as a whole will prosper.Also as a side note, the Biodistrict plan shows N. Claiborne as a street level boulevard.This goes along with my hunch that the wheels are already in motion for tearing down the interstate.Following the Biodistrict development over the last few years i sorta just recently realized how all of the changes going on within the city are not random coincidences.Not to sound conspiratorial but the unveiling of so many projects within the giving time frame points to more than general correlations.I think its great for the most part,but after talking to paranoid neighbor,i did have to wonder.

[ardecila]

Broad Street has the busiest bus route in the city. Before Katrina, NORTA was going to build BRT features (large bus stops with ticket machines, red light signals on buses).

All in all I think its pretty good, but I do agree that a Galvez overpass should be created. Also, fewer but larger parks would be better since those seem to be more sustainable and multi-purpose.

I disagree. The small neighborhood parks are what make city living appealing. Large parks are tricky to build, since they require massive amounts of land to be assembled. Little squares and pocket parks are usually funded through special assessments charged to the residents that live around it. It doesn't take a whole lot of money to hire a landscaping crew once a week, especially if 300 people are sharing the cost. You are correct, though, that there should be some park spaces geared towards recreation instead of gardens, benches, and fountains. A few tennis courts and soccer/football fields would be great. There aren't many sports fields in this city for kids (and adults) to play.

[ardecila]

New Student Center & Gymnasium

Looks like this will be built on ASH campus right of of St.Charles. Saw the rendering up as I passed it yesterday.

It's almost done already.

[ardecila]

New Martin Wine Cellars
Baronne and General Taylor

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7574/martinperspective2white.jpg


Popp Fountain Pavilion
City Park
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/9128/aeriallatest2small784x0.jpg

[WesternSon]

Where's the lead article about the new Popp Fountain Pavillion? I was in the new Admin office yesterday and this brand new facility is nice. I don't think it will age too bad, should always be some kind of modern. Hope the Pavillion looks just as good.

Man there is a buzz around town. Seems everywhere you look construction is happening that is not of the "recovery" nature. Hope the UMC hospital can really get rolling, and we hear some news about who has the Plaza tower under contract.

Heard that Mitch is committed to tearing I-10 and will soon announce a "grand" name that will head a committee to investigate/be his point person on the issue, and ultimately see it brought down.

In regards to the new Rampart line: I was driving down that street yesterday and it seems that several projects are under way. At least one or two more since I last really noticed in the summer. I think that street will be turned around so quickly. While I would call it sketchy now, with a street car and filling in of businesses it should be much safer and could really expand the "NOLA Tourism Complex"....
If we could clean up that cemetery it could be added to "go to" list of tourism attractions. Right next to it (where the front two houses of the iberville are) I would build a large center/pavillion/hall with displays about Storyville- its influence on jazz and the cities history of vice, explaining the cemeteries and the second line/ "Jazz" funeral tradition to visitors. It could double as a performance space, and would be just down the road from a hopefully completed Armstrong Park and Congo Square.

[camkazaam]

Great news about Martin's Wine Cellar! But that drawing is so strange. I don't see anything familiar to that neighborhood, and it makes it look like Barrone St. has a neutral ground. Incidentally, don't you think that a new Martin's might lead to the revival of the really neat looking old abandoned buildings right down the street? That is, unless the owner is some Chalmette sugar baroness or something.

[dgpatel]

Heard that Mitch is committed to tearing I-10 and will soon announce a "grand" name that will head a committee to investigate/be his point person on the issue, and ultimately see it brought down.

If the I-10 overpass at Claiborne gets torn down, I hope they extend I-510 into the Westbank to give more direct access to N.O. East / Slidell. Even better would be an outer loop connection of I-510 and I-310, as it was part of a canceled plan for I-410 loop several decades ago. Maybe this can become the new I-610 loop as the current I-610 will become I-10. I assume I-49 will then start at the current I-10/610 split at the OP-JP border and continue on through Pontchartrain Expwy and Westbank Expwy then to Lafayette and northward.

Being that the Avondale/Luiling areas are expected to grow in the coming decades with the Huey P Long expansion, it seems that this would be very beneficial. Of course all this will take alot of $, so who knows if the growth can justify such a huge expense. I'm hoping it does.

[annie himself]

If the I-10 overpass at Claiborne gets torn down, I hope they extend I-510 into the Westbank to give more direct access to N.O. East / Slidell. Even better would be an outer loop connection of I-510 and I-310, as it was part of a canceled plan for I-410 loop several decades ago. Maybe this can become the new I-610 loop as the current I-610 will become I-10. I assume I-49 will then start at the current I-10/610 split at the OP-JP border and continue on through Pontchartrain Expwy and Westbank Expwy then to Lafayette and northward.

Being that the Avondale/Luiling areas are expected to grow in the coming decades with the Huey P Long expansion, it seems that this would be very beneficial. Of course all this will take alot of $, so who knows if the growth can justify such a huge expense. I'm hoping it does.
The loop from I-310, should connect to the Westbank Expy, and I-510 should stop at Gen. Degaulle Dr. and the CCC.

I'm not as familiar with New Orleans but I don't think I-49 should enter the city at all, another interstate? I understand it bypasses Baton Rouge but why not have it intersect with I-310 or the I-310/I-10 intersection.

[fla_tiger]

The loop from I-310, should connect to the Westbank Expy, and I-510 should stop at Gen. Degaulle Dr. and the CCC.

I'm not as familiar with New Orleans but I don't think I-49 should enter the city at all, another interstate? I understand it bypasses Baton Rouge but why not have it intersect with I-310 or the I-310/I-10 intersection.

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't I see a "Future I-49" Medallion on Westbank Expwy east of the Harvey Tunnel?

I also read that I-49 will be extended northward from Shreveport-Bossier eventually one will be able to drive all the way from New Orleans to Kansas City.
I wrote the Lt Gov's office once suggesting this be named "The Louisiana Purchase Parkway"...what do you think, make sense? Afterall it follows the historic spine of the original Louisiana Purchase, and if we can name I-12 as West Florida Pkwy, surely we can do the same for I-49.

Lets push it

[Nolacat157]

1501 Canal St. developer KFK going to Bond Commission for $22 mill in bonds to redevelop old Texaco building into apartments.

http://thelensnola.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/02-17-11-Agenda-Preliminary.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1501_Canal_Street.jpg

[tennis1400]

1501 Canal St. developer KFK going to Bond Commission for $22 mill in bonds to redevelop old Texaco building into apartments.

http://thelensnola.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/02-17-11-Agenda-Preliminary.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1501_Canal_Street.jpg

KFK has done a pretty good job with that building they converted on St Charles Avenue not too far from Lee Circle... So looking forward to what they have planned. This building is(will be) in a prime location if all these future proposals come through.

My father is on the LHFA board... so Ill see if I can find any renderings(if there any) for the Texaco building.

[ardecila]

^^ Uh... They did a good job? They slathered the front with cheap plaster and booked the sketchiest retail tenants they possibly could. The only decent part is the parking garage in back, which is somewhat attractive in a modern way.

I'm not a fan of Khoury.

[Nolacat157]

I like what they did with 1201 Canal. The Texaco building is such an eyesore that anything would be an upgrade at this point.

[ardecila]

If the I-10 overpass at Claiborne gets torn down, I hope they extend I-510 into the Westbank to give more direct access to N.O. East / Slidell. Even better would be an outer loop connection of I-510 and I-310, as it was part of a canceled plan for I-410 loop several decades ago. Maybe this can become the new I-610 loop as the current I-610 will become I-10. I assume I-49 will then start at the current I-10/610 split at the OP-JP border and continue on through Pontchartrain Expwy and Westbank Expwy then to Lafayette and northward.

Being that the Avondale/Luiling areas are expected to grow in the coming decades with the Huey P Long expansion, it seems that this would be very beneficial. Of course all this will take alot of $, so who knows if the growth can justify such a huge expense. I'm hoping it does.

Agreed that there should be a Chalmette-Algiers bridge, exactly where the ferry is now. It doesn't have to be connected to grade-separated expressways though. That can be done at a later stage. Until then, it should just directly connect to surface roads.

It would be great if that opened up English Turn to development. Right now it's just sorta inaccessible. There's a lot of land out there that could be developed to bolster the city's population, and its tax base. Lots of people still want suburban living, so why not provide it within Orleans Parish instead of on the North Shore?

[tennis1400]

^^ Uh... They did a good job? They slathered the front with cheap plaster and booked the sketchiest retail tenants they possibly could. The only decent part is the parking garage in back, which is somewhat attractive in a modern way.

I'm not a fan of Khoury.

Ok, its not award winning architecture but I dont think its horrible. At least its been successful. Retail tenants are the sketchiest they could find, really? Hope your using hyperbole there!

[Uptowner]

If the I-10 overpass at Claiborne gets torn down, I hope they extend I-510 into the Westbank to give more direct access to N.O. East / Slidell. Even better would be an outer loop connection of I-510 and I-310, as it was part of a canceled plan for I-410 loop several decades ago. Maybe this can become the new I-610 loop as the current I-610 will become I-10. I assume I-49 will then start at the current I-10/610 split at the OP-JP border and continue on through Pontchartrain Expwy and Westbank Expwy then to Lafayette and northward.

Being that the Avondale/Luiling areas are expected to grow in the coming decades with the Huey P Long expansion, it seems that this would be very beneficial. Of course all this will take alot of $, so who knows if the growth can justify such a huge expense. I'm hoping it does.

Extremely expensive. I-510 technically can't be extended because the bridge over the ICC doesn't meet federal standards, although I don't see why a non-interstate freeway can't be built over Paris Rd to the river and tie in with the proposed Florida Ave Bridge/Expressway that is written into law and has to built. The only draw back is that the approaches to the river crossing would stretch from the levee to back above Judge Perez so interchanges with St. Bernard Hwy or Judge Perez will take up alot of space, but the Westbank approaches can be swept over to LA-406. That would give people in Lower Algiers and Plaquemines Parish an alternative to I-10 east avoiding most of New Orleans all together taking a load off of the current I-10, thus making it easier to tear it down and replacing it with a surface street.

I-310 is getting a new interchange with the Westbank Expressway if it ever becomes I-49. At the rate the state is moving and Jindal's preference to the Shreveport stretch, we'd be better off if it was tolled and payed for itself as long as it was transparent as to where the revenue was going.

Tearing down the current I-10 itself is going to be much more expensive then the public realizes as well. Everyone seems to have the idea that it just cames down and magic, fireworks, and miracles appear. You still have to build the new street. I-610 is going to have to pick up the slack which will require it to be brought up to current standards at the least if not widened. Gentilly and Lakeview will love this #sarcasm. I-10 between the dome and cemetaries is likely to become an issue as well.

[dgpatel]

The loop from I-310, should connect to the Westbank Expy, and I-510 should stop at Gen. Degaulle Dr. and the CCC.

I'm not as familiar with New Orleans but I don't think I-49 should enter the city at all, another interstate? I understand it bypasses Baton Rouge but why not have it intersect with I-310 or the I-310/I-10 intersection.

That can work too, but I couldn't think of a way for the highway to be routed through Algiers and onto the WB Expwy. Maybe Gen De Gaulle can be brought up to interstate standards and connect to the WB Expwy? Also, I-310 does stop at the WB Expwy (US90 / Future I-49).

I-49 wouldn't be "another interstate", as it will follow the route of US90 from Lafayette through the Westbank and into N.O....The elevated WB Expwy is already to interstate standards, so as far as N.O.-Algiers-Gretna-Harvey-Marrero are concerned, nothing will change except the US90 signs to I-49. The major changes would be at Westwego-Avondale-Luiling, and it will be needed if those areas are expected to boom. I like to think of it is comparable to I-10 for Kenner-Metairie.


Agreed that there should be a Chalmette-Algiers bridge, exactly where the ferry is now. It doesn't have to be connected to grade-separated expressways though. That can be done at a later stage. Until then, it should just directly connect to surface roads.

It would be great if that opened up English Turn to development. Right now it's just sorta inaccessible. There's a lot of land out there that could be developed to bolster the city's population, and its tax base. Lots of people still want suburban living, so why not provide it within Orleans Parish instead of on the North Shore?

Definitely, I agree that the river crossing would be a priority and in the long run extend the interstate.

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't I see a "Future I-49" Medallion on Westbank Expwy east of the Harvey Tunnel?


East of the Havey Tunnel does have "Future I-49" signs. Namely, at the grade level on N.O.-bound WB Expwy after crossing Terry Pkwy and before getting on the up ramp to get to the toll booth.

I like naming I-49 "The Louisiana Purchase Parkway"!


Extremely expensive. I-510 technically can't be extended because the bridge over the ICC doesn't meet federal standards...

...Tearing down the current I-10 itself is going to be much more expensive then the public realizes as well. Everyone seems to have the idea that it just cames down and magic, fireworks, and miracles appear. You still have to build the new street. I-610 is going to have to pick up the slack which will require it to be brought up to current standards at the least if not widened. Gentilly and Lakeview will love this #sarcasm. I-10 between the dome and cemetaries is likely to become an issue as well.

I heard that about the Chalmette Bridge before. I have driven across it once or twice and I can't remember anything different from any other interstate/highway. What is it about the bridge that it doesn't meet federal standards? If it doesn't meet federal standards, can it be expanded to meet the standards such that the Huey P Long Bridge is (I am assuming that HPL Bridge is going to meet federal standards - correct me if I am wrong).

As you said, all of this will be very expensive. But I feel that it will be very necessary for traffic flow if the I-10 over Claiborne were to be torn down. I really hope they take all these other upgrades (expenses) into consideration and make a decision accordingly, instead of jumping to tearing down I-10 as it seems most people seem to be rooting for.

[Uptowner]

I heard that about the Chalmette Bridge before. I have driven across it once or twice and I can't remember anything different from any other interstate/highway. What is it about the bridge that it doesn't meet federal standards? If it doesn't meet federal standards, can it be expanded to meet the standards such that the Huey P Long Bridge is (I am assuming that HPL Bridge is going to meet federal standards - correct me if I am wrong)

A lot of highway mileage in the New Orleans area is below standard because of its age and the fact that a lot of it is elevated which makes keeping them compliant nearly impossible. The feds mandate that any federal highway that is reconstructed or expanded must be brought up to meet current standards.
For example 10' outside shoulders and 4' inside shoulders are required at the minimum and travel lanes must be 12' unless absolutely impossible. The travel lanes on the Huey P. were simply attached to the side of the actual bridge so all they had to do was take the old ones away and add newer wider lanes. The Paris Rd bridge on the other hand is an Arch bridge which would have to either be twinned or replaced.

Like I said though, I don't see why LA-47 just can't be rebuilt into a freeway to the river or at least to where the bring the Florida Avenue highway.

[annie himself]

Holy shit I've been confused through these last few posts.
Here's simply what it should look like: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5435621262_3822c9cda0_b.jpg

[ardecila]

Extremely expensive. I-510 technically can't be extended because the bridge over the ICC doesn't meet federal standards, although I don't see why a non-interstate freeway can't be built over Paris Rd to the river and tie in with the proposed Florida Ave Bridge/Expressway that is written into law and has to built. The only draw back is that the approaches to the river crossing would stretch from the levee to back above Judge Perez so interchanges with St. Bernard Hwy or Judge Perez will take up alot of space, but the Westbank approaches can be swept over to LA-406. That would give people in Lower Algiers and Plaquemines Parish an alternative to I-10 east avoiding most of New Orleans all together taking a load off of the current I-10, thus making it easier to tear it down and replacing it with a surface street.

Tearing down the current I-10 itself is going to be much more expensive then the public realizes as well. Everyone seems to have the idea that it just cames down and magic, fireworks, and miracles appear. You still have to build the new street. I-610 is going to have to pick up the slack which will require it to be brought up to current standards at the least if not widened. Gentilly and Lakeview will love this #sarcasm. I-10 between the dome and cemetaries is likely to become an issue as well.

The approach ramp can be replaced with a loop (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2895155984_405ed59f1c_z.jpg) to save space (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2948165550_b71e211398_b.jpg). It won't meet Interstate standards, but the project can still get Federal dollars. That way the highway can be at or near grade level when it crosses St. Bernard Hwy and Perez Drive, and those communities aren't impacted by 4-6 lanes of traffic whizzing above their heads. It's not likely, but it is possible.



The Florida Avenue "Bridge" does have to be built by law, but not in any particular form. It just has to cross the Industrial Canal and extend into St. Bernard Parish. The state is looking into lower-cost options, thank god. Katrina's devastation was awful, but it opened up a corridor inside the 40 Arpent levee so that the new Florida Avenue can be built as a neighborhood boulevard instead of a long causeway.

Out of these, I like the top one the best... it would allow for people in the Lower 9th and Chalmette to build fishing piers and boardwalks and so forth out into the wetlands. You'd also get the views of an elevated structure without the drawbacks of limited exits and runoff into the wetlands. Driving along it at night would be a pretty surreal experience.

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2145/flave.jpg

[dgpatel]

A lot of highway mileage in the New Orleans area is below standard because of its age and the fact that a lot of it is elevated which makes keeping them compliant nearly impossible. The feds mandate that any federal highway that is reconstructed or expanded must be brought up to meet current standards.
For example 10' outside shoulders and 4' inside shoulders are required at the minimum and travel lanes must be 12' unless absolutely impossible. The travel lanes on the Huey P. were simply attached to the side of the actual bridge so all they had to do was take the old ones away and add newer wider lanes. The Paris Rd bridge on the other hand is an Arch bridge which would have to either be twinned or replaced.

Like I said though, I don't see why LA-47 just can't be rebuilt into a freeway to the river or at least to where the bring the Florida Avenue highway.

What is the location of the Florida Ave bridge that you are talking about?

[Uptowner]

It won't meet Interstate standards, but the project can still get Federal dollars. That way the highway can be at or near grade level when it crosses St. Bernard Hwy and Perez Drive, and those communities aren't impacted by 4-6 lanes of traffic whizzing above their heads. It's not likely, but it is possible.

Crossing the river at that low of a point is going to require a large approach whether it's straight or looped since this bridge would have to be higher than the CCC to let ships through that already can't pass the CCC, but dock just short of it. A loop would actually take up more space because it's going to have a more square-shaped foot print and that's not considering any connections to Judge Perez or St Bernard Hwy. It doesn't help that there's a refinery directly underneath all of this. The CCC approach would roughly stretch from the levee to Judge Perez without being curved. This one would be longer.



The Florida Avenue "Bridge" does have to be built by law, but not in any particular form. It just has to cross the Industrial Canal and extend into St. Bernard Parish. The state is looking into lower-cost options, thank god. Katrina's devastation was awful, but it opened up a corridor inside the 40 Arpent levee so that the new Florida Avenue can be built as a neighborhood boulevard instead of a long causeway. [/quote]

As I was saying, it has to be built. Not saying that it has to be interstate standard. Although it may not necessarily be freeway spec, it'll more than likely be expressway spec which allows for limited at-grade access.


You'd also get the views of an elevated structure without the drawbacks of limited exits and runoff into the wetlands.

It would still run off somewhere and if it's on the levee as in the first picture access will probably still be limited.

[N.O.L.A.]

I assume that yall saw the results of the 2010 census. If not, the population of New Orleans is now close to 344,000. The 343k count is actually down from the 2009 prediction which was at about 354k. Apparently the 2000 census count was off by about 10,000 citizens, so maybe we really are actually at 354,000.....Here's the article from about a week ago.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/new_orleans_officials_2010_pop.html

What are yalls thought's on the recovery of population? Now that its been over 5 years I doubt the remaining 100,000 plan on returning. It looks like New Orleans population growth will now depend on attracting new never-before New Orleanians. Remember right after the storm all of those crazy predictions that it would be 10 yrs+ to break 300,000?! Thank goodness they were wrong!

[N.O.L.A.]

Here's a couple of charts as well...

http://media.nola.com/politics/photo/chart-census2-020411jpg-f61b2b317f9f2469.jpg

http://media.nola.com/politics/photo/map-censuspop-020411jpg-e6a2acfe1108b40c.jpg

[tennis1400]

I assume that yall saw the results of the 2010 census. If not, the population of New Orleans is now close to 344,000. The 343k count is actually down from the 2009 prediction which was at about 354k. Apparently the 2000 census count was off by about 10,000 citizens, so maybe we really are actually at 354,000.....Here's the article from about a week ago.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/new_orleans_officials_2010_pop.html

What are yalls thought's on the recovery of population? Now that its been over 5 years I doubt the remaining 100,000 plan on returning. It looks like New Orleans population growth will now depend on attracting new never-before New Orleanians. Remember right after the storm all of those crazy predictions that it would be 10 yrs+ to break 300,000?! Thank goodness they were wrong!

I think New Orleans will eventually reach 500,000 again but it will be a different place. Remember the city itself was almost 700,000 back at its peak population. Much more diverse city than before and a higher per capita wage. Ultimately, the area will achieve a better economic balance than before the storm. Part out of necessity part out of oppurtunity. For sure New Orleans will be a less african american city and will become more white, hispanic and asian. The key will be observing the metro area population... that is pretty close to where it was... shockingly that article fails to mention that Washington and St James parishes were included in the MSA in 2000.. thats a good bit of people who are there and not counted because of archaic MSA rules..

[urbanwatcher]

I think New Orleans will have a slow population growth in the coming years but i think the overall quality of it's citizens will continue to improve.I hate hearing people talk negatively of non native new comers.We have needed new blood down here for a while and I have no fear of the city changing character or any other rubbish like that.I also know of a number of people who left and and are now returning better skilled giving the city an improved chance of succeeding.Everyone across the country knows that there is no place like New Orleans period.We need to maintain that and promote that fact even more.The main problem is convincing people that left,is that what they read on NOLA.com is an uneven view of the city.People need to know that it's worth moving back and that the city will be viable for them.I for one believe this is true and that the city is out of the mud for once and at least is in second gear.Mitch still has a lot of work ahead of him making the city less archaic for business but so far he is leagues above past mayors.

[camkazaam]

A friend of mine is staying at the Westin. She took a photo of her view. It's the gorgeous turn of the river / French Quarter view. But it would be so much nicer if there weren't enormous parking lots right in front of her, between Decatur and the river. Couldn't we build some 3-story parking garages with retail on the ground floor instead??? I'd suggest apartment buildings, but the fact is that the city needs its public parking. Such a stupid waste to just have parking lots. And yes, obviously there should never be high-rise buildings along the French Quarter riverbank. 3 story buildings max.

By the way, living in Los Angeles has turned me on to the idea of free public garages. How about tucking 1 in somewhere along Magazine, make it free parking for 2 or 4 hours. This is how Magazine can compete better with suburbia?

[FrenchTwins]

A friend of mine is staying at the Westin. She took a photo of her view. It's the gorgeous turn of the river / French Quarter view. But it would be so much nicer if there weren't enormous parking lots right in front of her, between Decatur and the river. Couldn't we build some 3-story parking garages with retail on the ground floor instead??? I'd suggest apartment buildings, but the fact is that the city needs its public parking. Such a stupid waste to just have parking lots. And yes, obviously there should never be high-rise buildings along the French Quarter riverbank. 3 story buildings max.

By the way, living in Los Angeles has turned me on to the idea of free public garages. How about tucking 1 in somewhere along Magazine, make it free parking for 2 or 4 hours. This is how Magazine can compete better with suburbia?

I can't even imagine how much money that parking lot makes. I would love to see some residential development there. It seems like there is enough available space around that area for most types and sizes of retail. I think if someone were to present a clean, new, well maintained residential development right in the heart of the french quarter with nearby street car lines and riverfront access, people would jump on it.

I agree that any development should be max 3-5 stories. You could put a parking garage in the middle and line the outer edges with the residences similar to how many parcels in the quarter have interior courtyards with parking.

[N.O.L.A.]

I hate hearing people talk negatively of non native new comers.We have needed new blood down here for a while and I have no fear of the city changing character or any other rubbish like that.I also know of a number of people who left and and are now returning better skilled giving the city an improved chance of succeeding.Everyone across the country knows that there is no place like New Orleans period.We need to maintain that and promote that fact even more.The main problem is convincing people that left,is that what they read on NOLA.com is an uneven view of the city.People need to know that it's worth moving back and that the city will be viable for them.I for one believe this is true and that the city is out of the mud for once and at least is in second gear.Mitch still has a lot of work ahead of him making the city less archaic for business but so far he is leagues above past mayors.

When I said that we would now depend on attracting never-before New Orleanians I didn't mean to imply that in a negative way. I agree that it is something that we would benefit from.

[ardecila]

I can't even imagine how much money that parking lot makes. I would love to see some residential development there. It seems like there is enough available space around that area for most types and sizes of retail. I think if someone were to present a clean, new, well maintained residential development right in the heart of the french quarter with nearby street car lines and riverfront access, people would jump on it.

I agree that any development should be max 3-5 stories. You could put a parking garage in the middle and line the outer edges with the residences similar to how many parcels in the quarter have interior courtyards with parking.

The sites are already zoned for development, but the zoning prohibits new garages.

I'm not sure who owns the site - I think it may be Canizaro.

[camkazaam]

The sites are already zoned for development, but the zoning prohibits new garages.

I'm not sure who owns the site - I think it may be Canizaro.

I can see how this would play out. It's like Abbott and Costello.

X: "We can't get rid of the lots. We need the parking."
Y: "So how bout this. I build a giant parking garage."
X: "It's not zoned for parking."

[Blitzen]

I agree that any development should be max 3-5 stories. You could put a parking garage in the middle and line the outer edges with the residences similar to how many parcels in the quarter have interior courtyards with parking.

Those 3-4 blocks are tricky because you have to make a lot of people happy in order to be allowed to develop that space. These are the general options:

1. Make it look historic which might upset some, since there was never a lot of buildings there besides warehouses and wharfs, and it would be faux-historic.

2. Make it look super modern, so as not to be confused with the actual historic buildings - like Canal Place. That will certainly upset the VCC.

3. Make it look old/traditional circa 1930s, which is a happy medium, and not faux at all -using brick/stone facades that do not match the Spanish/French architecture of the rest of the FQ, but do not stand out as tacky either.

I would choose the 3rd option. I would also attempt to place the parking underground, and before you tell me it's impossible, I remind you that the Royal Sonesta, Supreme Courthouse, and Harrah's Casino all have it already.

[DillardAlum]

. It looks like New Orleans population growth will now depend on attracting new never-before New Orleanians. Remember right after the storm all of those crazy predictions that it would be 10 yrs+ to break 300,000?! Thank goodness they were wrong!

And let us not forget the New Orleanians who left for opportunities before the storm, and are seeing progress and are longing to return. You can count me in that number!! I'm in Chicago for grad school at the moment, but the first opportunity to move back I'll be on it like red beans on rice! I truly believe when Mayor Landrieu exclaimed "Come Home!" in his inaugural speech that he wasn't just referring to Katrina's displaced, but to all who left before (and even to all the Tulane, Xavier, Loyola, Dillard, UNO grads who considered Nola their second home). On that note, we would do much better if we could just retain a majority of our college grads!

[SlidellWx]

I was very pleased with the census numbers when they came out. The numbers were closely in line with previous estimates, and showed a fairly impressive recovery considering the level of complete devastation we all saw 5 years ago.

I was most impressed with the fact that New Orleans East has 67% of the pre-Katrina population back. This part of the city didn't even have power until January 2006 since Entergy had to replace most of the underground power lines. After looking at the numbers on a neighborhood level...the old housing projects along with the Lower 9 saw the largest decreases in population. The vast majority of the other severely impacted neighobrhoods are at least 60% of the previous population with many closer to 75% or even higher.

The city is definitely on the upswing, and I would not be surprised to see the population approach 400,000 residents by the middle of the decade. In fact, I'd venture to guess that the current population is probably closer to 350,000 given the continued rebuilding of homes and the number of new projects recently completed. The biggest caveat will be how the medical corridor proceeds and if any of the many new startup companies become wildly successful.

[DillardAlum]

Statistics from 2007 to 2009 show a brain gain pattern across the Nola metro. Hopefully, this pace can be sustained!

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002044-americas-biggest-brain-magnets

[ardecila]

I would choose the 3rd option. I would also attempt to place the parking underground, and before you tell me it's impossible, I remind you that the Royal Sonesta, Supreme Courthouse, and Harrah's Casino all have it already.

It's not impossible - at least not at that site, which sits on some of the highest land in the city.

It's just expensive, and tricky from both an engineering and archaeological standpoint.

Statistics from 2007 to 2009 show a brain gain pattern across the Nola metro. Hopefully, this pace can be sustained!

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002044-americas-biggest-brain-magnets

Bear in mind that the article was written by Joel Kotkin, with data provided by Wendell Cox. That's an unholy alliance of two men with axes to grind against traditional dense Northern cities. So... take it with a grain of salt.

[Blitzen]

The renderings get an A+ from me. I was pleasantly surprised to see the addition of the vine wall along the grand staircase and the ramps on both sides, as well as the ability to sit/eat/enjoy the show while sitting in the middle of the staircase itself. And the vine walls, trees, and other landscaping ought to help keep things slightly cooler and shadier.

http://www.superdome.com/site.php?pageID=45

http://www.superdome.com/piclib/269.jpg
A permanent Grand Staircase will be installed and will feature brick pavers. The top of Gate C will be widened to allow for easy access and accommodate patron flow to the Exterior Plaza Level of the Superdome.

http://www.superdome.com/piclib/268.jpg
The center portion of the Grand Stair Case will provide an area for patrons to sit and enjoy food and drinks with a fantastic view of the entertainment on the main stage in Champions Square.

http://www.superdome.com/piclib/266.jpg
A natural, green vine wall will cover the ramps and sides of the Grand Staircase leading up to Gate C of the Superdome. On La Salle Street, under the green vine wall will be benches for patrons to relax and enjoy the Square. As well, numerous trees will be planted along La Salle Street.

http://www.superdome.com/piclib/267.jpg
Breaks along the green vine wall will allow access to permanent restroom facilities under the ramps on each side of the Grand Staircase. La Salle Street and Champions Square will be paved with brick pavers, giving it the look and feel of a pedestrian mall.

[ardecila]

I like it!

What are they doing with the square itself? This is just the staircase... I guess the square itself is a later phase. They can rip down the roof over Hyatt's car court and open up the back wall of the plaza to a new S. Liberty Street.

I'm hoping for something like Nokia Plaza (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&q=nokia+plaza&ie=UTF8&hq=Nokia+Theatre+LA+Live&hnear=Nokia+Theatre+LA+Live,+777+Chick+Hearn+Ct,+Los+Angeles,+California+90015&ll=34.043817,-118.265826&spn=0.005618,0.011362&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=34.043817,-118.265826&panoid=Ujq9svJ5KvqCpoq7z592HQ&cbp=12,350,,0,-14.97) in LA...

[Blitzen]

Looking at the BioDistrict's master plan, it shows the new Loyola Streetcar line turning down Tulane Avenue for a block to connect with Rampart Street, instead of going down Loyola Avenue until Canal, then turning from Canal Street to Rampart Street and continuing down Rampart Street for the second phase.

I hope that's an error, because I liked the original plan better. Does anyone have an inside scoop?

http://biodistrictneworleans.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Integrated_BioDistrict_Map_lg_02-04-11.jpg

[urbanwatcher]

I really don't care that much about superdome stuff outside of the saints but wow they are really making the dome look great.I think those extended street car lines are just a proposal.It's more than likely that it will take a while before any changes are put into effect.By the way does anyone know what CNI Target neighborhood means?

[DillardAlum]

.By the way does anyone know what CNI Target neighborhood means?

CNI are initials for Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, and I believe that it has something to do with the potential HUD grant associated with the redevelopment of the Iberville.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/ph/cn/

[DillardAlum]

"Iberville Renaissance"

http://www.hano.org/index.php?q=node/106

[ardecila]

Looking at the BioDistrict's master plan, it shows the new Loyola Streetcar line turning down Tulane Avenue for a block to connect with Rampart Street, instead of going down Loyola Avenue until Canal, then turning from Canal Street to Rampart Street and continuing down Rampart Street for the second phase.

I hope that's an error, because I liked the original plan better. Does anyone have an inside scoop?

http://biodistrictneworleans.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Integrated_BioDistrict_Map_lg_02-04-11.jpg

No, the alignment hasn't changed. The BioDistrict's illustrator was just trying to simplify the plan for representation, I'm guessing; the current plan is kinda complex, splitting downriver traffic to the left of upriver traffic on a different street.

I like the alignment on the map better, actually... It keeps service in both directions on Rampart, so it's less confusing for people, and the two turns onto Tulane are easier to make than two turns onto Canal.

[Blitzen]

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/saga_of_rebuilt_mcdonogh_no_11.html

I really hope this building can be saved, moved, or otherwise incorporated into the new hospital somehow. I know I've seen bigger buildings than this one moved before, so the only thing I fear is that the cost would be too great.

P.S. - Wouldn't it make a great new Civil Courthouse?

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/9285972-standard.jpg

[Chris from N.O.]

Hi all, name should explain...

Anyway, am I the only one who gets the feeling that we're entering a second phase of rebuilding now? Except that this time the plans seem more realistic...

I have been reading these forums for 9 years, just finally registered.

Also, I feel like this post should probably have some substance, so let me point out two things; 1. When they compare census 2010 #'s to those of 2000, they take out St. John the Baptist... hence the 1.32 2000 # so often quoted, when our official pop for that one was 1.37.... and 2. I am moving to Mid-City based on an expected rise in value as of the date of completion of the hospital, so I may be a bit biased, but from my experience with the CDC, McDonogh 11 is way too small.

Anyway, I'm kind of a stats (census especially) geek, but I also have a great deal of interest in public transport, urban planning, etc... so I guess that's why I'm here.

[tennis1400]

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/saga_of_rebuilt_mcdonogh_no_11.html

I really hope this building can be saved, moved, or otherwise incorporated into the new hospital somehow. I know I've seen bigger buildings than this one moved before, so the only thing I fear is that the cost would be too great.

P.S. - Wouldn't it make a great new Civil Courthouse?

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/9285972-standard.jpg

I know this is long shot but I always thought that Building should be either mover or incorporated into the current master plan somehow and then given to the Deustch Hauss...

[ardecila]

I don't see why they can't move it to one of the sites planned for a parking lot.

Obviously the first phase requires the moving or demolition of McDonogh 11, but there's no reason that later phases can't be designed around the historic building if it were moved closer to Claiborne. I'm don't think it can be moved to the the BioDistrict's preferred school site at Tulane/Richardson, because the building can't fit under the I-10 viaduct.

Other than elsewhere on the LSU site, I'm not sure they can move it anywhere else. Individual homes are easy to move because there's a decent supply of vacant lots in the area. But a school requires at least half a block, or a full block if they can't leverage a nearby park for the recreational facilities.

[sguil1]

Hi all, name should explain...

Anyway, am I the only one who gets the feeling that we're entering a second phase of rebuilding now? Except that this time the plans seem more realistic...

I have been reading these forums for 9 years, just finally registered.

Also, I feel like this post should probably have some substance, so let me point out two things; 1. When they compare census 2010 #'s to those of 2000, they take out St. John the Baptist... hence the 1.32 2000 # so often quoted, when our official pop for that one was 1.37.... and 2. I am moving to Mid-City based on an expected rise in value as of the date of completion of the hospital, so I may be a bit biased, but from my experience with the CDC, McDonogh 11 is way too small.

Anyway, I'm kind of a stats (census especially) geek, but I also have a great deal of interest in public transport, urban planning, etc... so I guess that's why I'm here.

welcome aboard...

[Nolacat157]

After reading the story on The Lens about all the houses they have moved being essentially destroyed, I'm not sure moving the building would even be worth it.

http://thelensnola.org/2011/02/11/hospital-houses-moved/

[ardecila]

I'm sure many of the houses eventually will be renovated. The lots where they now stand are owned by the city, not by absentee slumlords, and the city has every incentive to sell them for pennies to developers who can fix them up for far less than the cost of building new. I'm personally interested in doing this kind of thing as soon as I graduate. It's just too good of an opportunity.

Take a typical shotgun double. I pick it up from the city for $1. It probably needs, say, $60000 of work (a new roof, new foundation, utility connections, fixing the damage from transport). If I can rent each side for $500 a month, then I get my investment back in only 5 years.

The loss of things like camelbacks and tall roofs is sad, but the city is full of structures that have had massive, unsympathetic modifications done to them. Camelbacks themselves are usually a later addition onto an even older house, so it's not some historical travesty if they get lost.

[midcity]

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/saga_of_rebuilt_mcdonogh_no_11.html

I really hope this building can be saved, moved, or otherwise incorporated into the new hospital somehow. I know I've seen bigger buildings than this one moved before, so the only thing I fear is that the cost would be too great.

P.S. - Wouldn't it make a great new Civil Courthouse?

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/9285972-standard.jpg

I have always thought that the Historic Trust and other Preservationist were a little misplaced in their fight against the VA and LSU hospitals. I usually tend to side with them due to my love of history and New Orleans architecture, but the importance of the hospitals, and considering the general condition of lower Mid-City and the city as a whole, justified the general demolition. But wouldn't a better fight for the National Historic Trust and other preservationist organizations from the start be to fight for the movement of some buildings and incorporation of other buildings or houses into the design rather than filing all those lawsuits trying to stop the construction of the hospital.

This school, along with the dixie brewery, the Green Mansion, some shotgun houses, and others are a good example of specific buildings that should be saved. And movement of those structures that can be moved to adjoining neighborhoods adds to the density of surrounding neighborhoods and would intensify the recovery of the neighborhood as the hospitals develop. Instead, the National Historic Trust and some others were fighting the State and LSU against the recovery of the city and medical services only for preservation of a few structures.

I think McDounough 11 should be saved no matter what. It is a great building that would add character to the hospitals. Be it incorporated into the design or raised to another site, but I'm afraid it is too late. These issues should have been raised a few years ago in order to make the design possible or to figure out a way to move it. If these organizations lended their support to the hospitals while requiring the preservation of some of the structures in the area, then they might have been able to provide more money and effort toward saving some structures and gaining support to save them by the VA, the State, and the City. Instead, huge fights and lawsuits just delayed the process.

I want to save as many structures as possible. But I'm afraid that the condition of the city, the future of the city, and the condition of medical services in the city warrant the construction of the hospitals at the expense of some of these structures. More shotgun houses will be saved all across town by saving the condition of the city and its economic status than by saving a few particular structures or a part of a neighborhood. Most shotgun houses in the neighborhood bit the dust because of several decades of economic downturn.

If we can push to save these structures, then lets do it. Is there money somewhere to do it? Can we force the VA or LSU to use it? I'm all for it, as long as it doesn't jeopordize the oportunity to build the VA or LSU. I am surprised that this school was not an issue before now. Why wasn't it a priority? It looks like a type of building that could easily be incorporated into the complex if time was taken to do it and if more people cared in the beginning.

My wife is currently 8 months pregnant yet there is only one hospital in the City of New Orleans that delivers babies. This is completely rediculous of a major metro area. I shouldn't have to leave my city of 350K people to have a baby. We need more hospital services, more groceries, better public transportation, and more basic services.

[Chris from N.O.]

This question is a technical one: how do you go about moving a structure that large, with that type of construction?

Also, could somebody give me even one example of a project where the surrounding buildings have been incorporated into the final build? I think there may have been a 15-story built downtown a few years ago, I'm just not sure... I fail to see how the facade of the Dixie Brewery can be saved without making the whole thing look cartoonish.

[Chris from N.O.]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're losing both of our Borders:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/binary-data/ARTICLE_ATTACHMENT/file/000/000/242-1.pdf

Metairie is on second page; St Charles is second-to-last

[SlidellWx]

I suspect Borders will cease to exist as a company in the very near future. They have not kept up with the change over to e-books.

[N.O.L.A.]

This question is a technical one: how do you go about moving a structure that large, with that type of construction?

Also, could somebody give me even one example of a project where the surrounding buildings have been incorporated into the final build? I think there may have been a 15-story built downtown a few years ago, I'm just not sure... I fail to see how the facade of the Dixie Brewery can be saved without making the whole thing look cartoonish.

Here is a rendering of how they plan to incorporate the old Dixie Brewery into the design. Now ideally I would prefer that the brewery be renovated and reopened as I really enjoy their beer, but this is a good "plan b" to me. And in reference to the new borders info, I would not be too surprised if Barnes and Nobles came into the louisiana location...

http://www.neworleans.va.gov/NEWORLEANS/images/DixieResearch_i.jpg

[camkazaam]

I suspect Borders will cease to exist as a company in the very near future. They have not kept up with the change over to e-books.

I watched the first 20 years of Mardi Gras in my life standing in front of that building, so I think I'm qualified to comment here. I thank Borders for rescuing that building's facade for use in modern commerce. I wish they could've saved the interior, too, but whatever. That being said, I'm not all that sad to see Borders go, since I didn't find much use for it. Maybe something better will take its place. Any ideas? Instead of another chain bookstore teetering on bankruptcy (Barnes and Noble), how about a Banana Republic? Or a Gap? Yeah!!

[camkazaam]

I suspect Borders will cease to exist as a company in the very near future. They have not kept up with the change over to e-books.

Just say no to e-books.

[ardecila]

I thought it was great having a bookstore uptown. I always preferred Borders' selection... the St. Charles location was great at finding interesting books to feature.

Regardless, I get paid on Friday and I expect to spend a bundle at their clearance sale.

Instead of another chain bookstore teetering on bankruptcy (Barnes and Noble), how about a Banana Republic? Or a Gap? Yeah!!

Stores like Banana Republic and Gap never locate by themselves... they either go to a mall or, in a city, they go to an established retail street with other chains. Even Magazine would be a bit of a gamble for them, since Magazine is almost entirely local businesses.

I don't know what I want to open up there. Hopefully Barnes & Noble will pick it up... they're not as good, but I can't think of another kind of store that can do alright in the middle of a residential neighborhood. It's too bad they already started renovating the Latter Library... that building is really tiny for the number of people who live Uptown, and the funeral home would allow for a MAJOR expansion.

Unfortunately, I'm guessing we'll end up with another version of that thing at Washington/Prytania... lots of little knick-knack shops that close by 4pm.

[ardecila]

Canal Street building to be converted into apartment complex (http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/02/canal_street_building_to_be_co.html)
Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 3:54 PM

BATON ROUGE -- The State Bond Commission cleared the way Thursday for the old Texaco Oil Building at 1501 Canal Street to get a new lease on life as an apartment complex for the elderly.

With little debate, the commission approved a request from the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency to sell up to $22 million in bonds to refurbish and convert the former office building near Interstate 10 and Canal Street to apartments.

Wayne Neveu, the attorney who handled the request before the commission, said that the building cannot be torn down because it has been protected as architecturally significant as an example of the building styles of the 1950s and 1960s.

Work on the building should begin in the next month or two, Neveu said.

The project must be "placed in service by the end of 2011" in order to take advantage of low-income housing tax credits, commission analyst Cassie Berthelot said.

Something isn't right here. I'm glad the building is being revived, but $22 million seems awfully low for the amount of damage that building sustained.

Given Khoury's track record, I have a feeling the completed renovation won't be any less of an eyesore.

[prokowave]

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/02/canal_street_building_to_be_co.html

Canal Street building to be converted into apartment complex
The projects has received bond approval. To qualify for tax credits, the building will need to be finished before the end of the year.

Edit: It seems you beat me to it.
It certainly is not a beautiful building, but as long as it's not full of broken windows and vandalism, it will be an improvement in my book. This timeline does seem very ambitious, but I really hope they can make it. Has the building been gutted already? It sure seems like it has.

We've already got the BioInnovation Center, Saenger Theater, and Hotel Indigo projects rolling. If this plus Iberville redevelopment and Kailas' tower go through, this area will be tremendously improved.

[ardecila]

Street improvements, new restaurants, expanded festival all coming soon for Freret (http://uptownmessenger.com/2011/02/freret-neighbors-united-to-discuss-streetscape-other-projects/)
Posted by Robert Morris at 6:02 pm

A rebuilt streetscape, a host of new restaurants opening and a reinvigorated street party all slated for the coming months are accelerating the excitement and sense of renewal along the Freret corridor, residents said Tuesday night.

Ensslen, who said he receives calls from every developer with an idea for Freret, shared a long list of restaurants planned for the corridor in the coming months. The first, Dat Dog, a gourmet hot dog stand, is slated to open any day. In a building near the Napoleon Avenue side of Freret, two restaurants are planned, a traditional sit-down restaurant serving family fare, and a deli with a wood-fired pizza oven.

Farther up Freret, a gourmet hamburger restaurant and a deep-dish pizza restaurant are also in the works, Ensslen said. Since Friar Tuck’s closed, there has been a tremendous amount of interest in that building, though no firm plans have been shared, Ensslen said. Two other new live-music venues have been proposed, one with a more family-oriented style on the top floor of the bright blue Neighborhood Housing Services building, and a traditional jazz lounge geared toward older audiences between Sarita’s and the Freret Boxing Gym.

Went down Freret today... Dat Dogs looks open or at least very close to it. Nice, inviting NOLA-style place. The other proposed new restaurants sound great... Adolfo Garcia of A Mano and Rio Mar wants to open a Southern-style restaurant and a Neapolitan pizza joint.

The article mentions a Chicago-style deep dish pizza place, too. I'm kind of a purist, but I'm really hoping for the best. Chicago pizza entrepreneurs tend to fall in love with other cities and open satellite locations. Hopefully that's the case again - even though deep dish pizza has limited appeal outside of Chicago. (It really only works near concentrations of retired Chicagoans, like in Scottsdale or Naples.)

[prokowave]

I accidentally double-posted, but while I'm on here...

Has anyone heard anything regarding the Plaza Tower? The last I heard, it was being gutted in anticipation of a major renovation.

That plus the WTC Building are two downtown landmarks that need to be put back into commerce. I can definitely see the WTC Building as a hotel - it's got perhaps the best location in the city. Any thoughts?

[WesternSon]

Plaza tower was mentioned as possibly being under contract when the news broke about the South Market District. Yes, the tower has been asbestos abated, but it was not done for a specific project or at least not publicly, more like flipped for a hopeful new developer.

The Texaco tower is good news. Not gonna help the neighborhood really, but not gonna harm it either, definite "place holder" of a project. If it is ran anything like the building on St. Charles at Lee Circle should be a good way to rehab that the blighted tower.

:jester: :cheers: Great news just in time for Carnival season!

[Chris from N.O.]

I too spent many Mardi Gras nights in front of Bultman...I was thinking it would be great for an Urban Outfitters or something like that... might be a little too big, but they have plenty of parking, the building could turn into its own mini-mall.

[midcity]

I noticed work is going on at the Blue Plate Mayonnaisse building. I haven't heard anything about that in a while. Seems like it was suppose to be mixed income and maybe geared toward artists, or is something else planned there?

[LouisianaRush]

United Airlines resumes nonstop service between New Orleans, San Francisco
Friday, February 18, 2011
New Orleans Times Picayune

United Airlines resumed service between New Orleans and San Francisco Thursday evening.

The new daily nonstop departs Louis Armstrong International Airport at 6:55 a.m. and arrives in San Francisco at 9:40 a.m. The return flight leaves San Francisco at 4:15 p.m. and arrives in New Orleans at 10:21 p.m.

San Francisco was the top destination that New Orleans did not previously have non-stop service to.

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/02/united_airlines_resumes_nonsto.html

[SlidellWx]

Great news that the old Texaco building will finally begin renovations. I was hoping for a more mixed income property, but this proposal is better than nothing.

[dgpatel]

I like "Rebirth Park", as the park is very much a part of the rebirth of NOLA (not merely a symbol of the rebirth) as well as the fact that it implies the name of the project, "Reinventing the Crescent", which would be a crappy name for the park as the article mentions.

Link (http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/new_orleans_seeking_a_name_for.html)

http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-1-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-2-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-3-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-4-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-5-946x284.jpg

Renderings of other parts of the project:
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-1-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-2-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-3-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-4-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-5-946x284.jpg

[sgray]

for what it's worth, saw this on Bidclerk, must be the LSU medical complex

1494203 New Orleans, LA Medical, Multi-Residential, Retail 02/18/2011
Description Site work and new construction of a mixed-use development in New Orleans. Schematic design plans call for the construction of several new buildings on the site of a former high school campus, including high-rise condos, boutiques, a medical facility ...Click here for complete Project Details

:cool:

[tennis1400]

for what it's worth, saw this on Bidclerk, must be the LSU medical complex

1494203 New Orleans, LA Medical, Multi-Residential, Retail 02/18/2011
Description Site work and new construction of a mixed-use development in New Orleans. Schematic design plans call for the construction of several new buildings on the site of a former high school campus, including high-rise condos, boutiques, a medical facility ...Click here for complete Project Details

:cool:

Hmm been inn London for awhile so havent been as caught up on NOLA developments but this doesn't seem like the LSU hospital. Unless there are other elements that have been added to the plan we don't know about... does the site take the place of a former high school?

[IceCream]

Hmm been inn London for awhile so havent been as caught up on NOLA developments but this doesn't seem like the LSU hospital. Unless there are other elements that have been added to the plan we don't know about... does the site take the place of a former high school?

Yeah...there are no plans to put high rise condos anywhere on the LSU/VA site....not sure what this is. There is a school that is part of the LSU/VA that they want to demolish, but there's somewhat of a fight about saving it (look back a few posts you 'll see it on here). It is just one building though, not a sprawling high school like some are.

[Blitzen]

Yeah...there are no plans to put high rise condos anywhere on the LSU/VA site....not sure what this is. There is a school that is part of the LSU/VA that they want to demolish, but there's somewhat of a fight about saving it (look back a few posts you 'll see it on here). It is just one building though, not a sprawling high school like some are.

This is wishful thinking, but could it be on the former site of JFK high school in City Park? It's been sitting abandoned since Katrina.

Other options could be:

-The undeveloped half of the block on Esplanade Avenue and Rampart where St. Aloysius used to be;
-McDonogh #16 at 1815 St. Claude Ave. (which makes sense because of the new streetcar line);
-The old NOCCA building on 6048 Perrier St. (unlikely that the uptowners would allow high-rise condos in such a dense neighborhood with narrow streets)
-Holy Cross's old campus in the 9th ward (very unlikely that anyone would invest a lot of money in that neighborhood at this time).

[Nolacat157]

They are supposed to demolish JFK in March but that plan doesnt really fit right there.

[skyscraperfan23]

I like "Rebirth Park", as the park is very much a part of the rebirth of NOLA (not merely a symbol of the rebirth) as well as the fact that it implies the name of the project, "Reinventing the Crescent", which would be a crappy name for the park as the article mentions.

Link (http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/02/new_orleans_seeking_a_name_for.html)

http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-1-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-2-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-3-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-4-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/phases/billboards/rtc-phase1-billboard-5-946x284.jpg

Renderings of other parts of the project:
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-1-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-2-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-3-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-4-946x284.jpg
http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/images/sized/images/about/billboards/rtc-project-billboard-5-946x284.jpg

This is why new orleans needs to come back and donald trump needs to build his big building.

[tennis1400]

I think we are done coming back, now its about going forward.! lets hope we make the best of it... Still curious where that proposal is located, JFK is in the park so doubt that is it... The description makes it seem like its quite a large site so anything uptown seems unlikely as well

[ardecila]

-Holy Cross's old campus in the 9th ward (very unlikely that anyone would invest a lot of money in that neighborhood at this time).

I really have no idea. At first I thought of Holy Cross... the riverfront location and likely lack of neighborhood opposition would make a highrise proposal feasible. Highrises, if designed accordingly, can be pretty isolated from the surrounding neighborhood. The project would be marketed for its great views of downtown, I'm guessing. But I can't imagine boutique shopping even entering the discussion... so I think Holy Cross out of the question.

[annie himself]

I don't understand the park, looks like an empty warehouse with pictures hung up. Is that the expansion of the cruise dock, that was shot down last time I remember? And what are those 4 towers?

[Uptowner]

I don't understand the park, looks like an empty warehouse with pictures hung up. Is that the expansion of the cruise dock, that was shot down last time I remember? And what are those 4 towers?

http://www.reinventingthecrescent.org/

[WesternSon]

What are the four towers? a long shot.

I don't want to be a debbie downer, but it is an ambitious plan that isn't really needed up river. I'd rather see that money committed to the Lafitte Corridor to make sure that project gets realized.

I am all for the Bywater RITC project (which I also agree should be called Rebirth Park). But I don't really see it being more than a smaller modern version of The Fly. Cept smaller and with loud trains passing closely by...that's ok though! I also wish they would strip down the project. Minimalism would help the design in my eyes, and we all can see how many of these installations while eventually be turned into through abuse. While the Piety warf thing is neat on paper imagine it full of gutter punks and homeless...mmm welcoming!

But all new projects and green space are appreciated. This and the new streetcar line will continue to support the Bywater and its revitalization. But has the construction firm even broken ground on phase 1 yet?! The website says groundbreaking should have started Jan 2010...

[Nolacat157]

I noticed work is going on at the Blue Plate Mayonnaisse building. I haven't heard anything about that in a while. Seems like it was suppose to be mixed income and maybe geared toward artists, or is something else planned there?

Woodward added Blue Plate Lofts to their In Progress section so it looks like this project is finally off the ground.

http://www.woodwarddesignbuild.com/projects/blue-plate-lofts/in-progress/

[ardecila]

The towers are totally do-able. The area around the power plant is one of the few areas outside the CBD where towers might work. It's right off the highway, and there's good road access via Tchoupitoulas. There aren't any neighbors close by. Plus, it has good views of the skyline and the river.

I agree about Piety Wharf. It's a far too intricate/delicate design for a city where a well-maintained maintenance public space is the exception to the rule. David Adjaye's and Michael Maltzan's bridges are pretty cool, though, and the Mandeville Wharf is just a covered basketball court on a big scale. Other than that, the rest of the park is pretty standard flowerbeds, plantings, benches, and a playground.

What I'm pissed about is the fact that the new park won't be connected to the Moonwalk because the Port of New Orleans won't move out of the Governor Nicholls/Esplanade Wharves. People going down the Moonwalk will have to exit at St. Philip Street and walk down Peters or through the parking lot to get to the new park entrance at Elysian Fields.