[fla_tiger]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/P1010014.jpg

Because of its' inevitably smaller footprint, the future of New Orleans is to build higher. Here are a few announced projects, in varying stages of construction:

Welcome back New Orleans! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J817jJg_kes&feature=PlayList&p=BDAB7748AFDE9540&index=9
Rebirth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxiiHlj_nZo&mode=related&search=
Who Dat? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwXzV86JCRU&search=NFL%20Saints%20New%20Orleans%20Dome%20Superdome%20Deuce%20Bush
The Saints are Coming! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4xfEI_AHxI&search=NFL%20Saints%20New%20Orleans%20Dome%20Superdome%20Deuce%20Bush

Vantage Tower condomiums, 25 floors is to be built in the CBD.
http://www.vantagetower.com/

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/vantagetowernightview9ru.jpg

Harrahs Riverfront Hotel, 28 floors, opened October, 2006.
http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/nor/index.html

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/harrahshotel2hz.jpg

Trump Tower New Orleans, 70 floors, on Poydras midway between the Dome and the river. Groundbreaking set for January, 2007.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/trumpinternationaltower7uf.jpg

L' Ultime Tower, 22 floors in Lake Marina at Westend on Lake Pontchartrain

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/lultimate.gif
http://www.lultime.com/

HRI Condominiums, tower I- 5 floors, tower II- 12 floors, in the Warehouse District

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/icehouseresidence4kz.jpg

Plaza Tower, 45 floors opposite the Hyatt Regency and Union Passenger Terminal on the sw edge of the CBD

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/1.gif

625 St. Charles condominiums, 18 floors, near the Garden District

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/625_st_charles-250.jpg

[fla_tiger]

On the Northshore lie the ever expanding bedroom communities of Covington, Mandeville, Slidell among others. These communities provide easy drive times to both NASA facilities, the Gulf Coast, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Lakeshore Towers, (2) 26 floor buildings on Lake Pontchartrain near Slidell.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-NSHR/lakeshore.jpg

The Northshore Marina Tower, 23 story on Lake Pontchartrain near Slidell

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-NSHR/first_page.jpg

[macmini]

Very cool there is alot going on in LA I really like the Trump Tower and Lakesshore Towers.

[fla_tiger]

To the east along the Gulf Coast are several new projects.

The $500 million 12 acre Bacaran Bay Casino project in Biloxi includes a 21 floor condominium tower, 75,000 square feet casino, 70,000 square feet of convention space, 655 hotel rooms, a 6 screen movie theater, 7 restaurants, a Blues club, Spa, Bowling alley, 2 wedding chapels, a 18 hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer and a Dog hotel-

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/bacaran-bay-main.jpg

Another project that received variance recommendations from the commission is the Villas at Ocean Beach Condominiums just east of a previously approved project by a similar name at the site of the old Hilton Hotel in West Biloxi.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/oceanclub.jpg

A third casino project that received variance recommendations is the Sterling Beach Condominiums, a 16-story development on the south side of U.S. 90 that would go on the former site of the Biloxi Beach Amusement Park and Magic Golf.

[Coldrsx]

wow...impressive some of them

[fla_tiger]

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Expansion
Current Square Feet of Exhibit Space: 1.1 Million
Square Feet of Exhibit Space after Expansion: 1.6 Million

To be one of top 5 in size in US after expansion work to begin this summer.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/mccno44ed.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/mccno17ak.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/EMCCIV_tchoupitoulas.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/EMCCIV_exterior_lg.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/mccno35tx.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/mccno29sy.jpg

[fla_tiger]

The National D-Day Museum Expansion

Status: Under Construction

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/museum_pavilion_night.jpg

The National D-Day Museum is designated by Congress as "America's National World War II Museum". It interprets the American experience during the World War II years and celebrates the American spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who won World War II and promotes the exploration and expression of these values by future generations.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/expansion_front.jpg

The National D-Day Museum unveiled its $282 million expansion and Capital Campaign plan that will quadruple the size of the existing facility over the next five years. The expanded museum will cover all of the theaters and services that played a role in World War II and create a national center for research on the war. When completed in phases between 2005 and 2009, it will be a world-class cultural attraction in New Orleans that will dramatically increase visitation and have a powerful economic impact on the city and state.

Galleries and exhibits will include a U.S. Pavilion, Great Campaigns of the War, Mission and Services gallery, The Victory Pavillion, Liberation - Winning the Peace, and Fruits of Victory. They will also feature macro displays, including tanks, airplanes, jeeps and other vintage vehicles. A 400-seat theater will showcase original documentaries and history-themed films, with a signature film on World War II that will employ advanced format and immersion technologies. A USO-style canteen and restaurant with exhibit space, featuring Music of the War Years, will illustrate the importance of entertainment for the morale of troops and citizens alike. Interactive campaign galleries and virtual reality experiences will help immerse visitors in realistic learning experiences on land, sea and air.

the website: http://www.ddaymuseum.org/

[atx001]

Those designs look really cool.

[skyscraper_1]

WOW! Great buildings!

[BnaBreaker]

These all look like fantastic projects, and it is great to see that the city of New Orleans is slowly getting back up on it's feet....but how many, if any, projects are there in the city geared towards, or at least accomodating, the poor of the city that got hit the hardest by katrina?

[no-la-usa]

Can I ask you what your city is building for the poor. I mean sure they got hard hit here, but so did everyone else on the social hierarchy. Sometimes it sounds like all people are ever concerned with are the poor folks. Trust me everyone down here in New Orleans could use some help. Furthermore, New Orleans didn't invent poor folks. They are in every city in this country. What we need ot do is create enoguh economic oppurtunity here so that those that are poorer can move up the economic ladder. We dont need to build wholesale housing projects in a city already starved for revenue. ANyway enough of my ranting. There is another condo project proposed in the Warehouse District called Tracage. Here is the website:

http://www.tracageliving.com/

[BnaBreaker]

Can I ask you what your city is building for the poor. I mean sure they got hard hit here, but so did everyone else on the social hierarchy. Sometimes it sounds like all people are ever concerned with are the poor folks. Trust me everyone down here in New Orleans could use some help. Furthermore, New Orleans didn't invent poor folks. They are in every city in this country. What we need ot do is create enoguh economic oppurtunity here so that those that are poorer can move up the economic ladder. We dont need to build wholesale housing projects in a city already starved for revenue. ANyway enough of my ranting. There is another condo project proposed in the Warehouse District called Tracage. Here is the website:

http://www.tracageliving.com/

Jesus, where the hell did all that come from? I just asked if there were any more affordable projects going on to go along with these multi-million dollar condos!

[fla_tiger]

These all look like fantastic projects, and it is great to see that the city of New Orleans is slowly getting back up on it's feet....but how many, if any, projects are there in the city geared towards, or at least accomodating, the poor of the city that got hit the hardest by katrina?

While a majority of the new projects are marketed towards the middlle to upper class, new programs are being announced to encourage developers to provide housing to those in the rental market....

Blanco to detail $1.75B rental rebuild in N.O.

CityBusiness staff report
March 14, 2006 10:38 AM

NEW ORLEANS — Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco will introduce a preliminary plan for restoring Louisiana's rental stock damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita at 2:30 p.m. today at River Gardens, 1913 Felcity St., a mixed-income community developed by Crescent City-based HRI.

Blanco wants to spend $1.75 billion in requested federal funds to rebuild rental properties. About 120,000 houses and 70,000 rental units in Louisiana were rendered uninhabitable as a result of the hurricanes. Rental properties make up 53 percent of housing units in New Orleans. Blanco's preliminary rental plan is a complement to her $7.5 billion plan to rebuild Louisiana's owner-occupied housing.

[fla_tiger]

River Garden

River Garden covers 60 acres in one of the most prime locations in New Orleans, convenient to the Central Business District, the Magazine shopping district and the Warehouse & Arts Districts.

Long-range plans call for River Garden to include residential options for every
stage of life, including owner-occupied detached homes and condominiums
overlooking the Mississippi River.
http://www.rivergardenneworleans.com/pages/about.html

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/rvrgdncondos.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/rvrgdn.jpg

[fla_tiger]

American Can

New Orleans' newest renovation project, the American Can Company building has been transformed into apartments and has been renovated as a "certified historic rehabilitation." The project includes soho style apartments as well as one, two, and three bedroom apartment homes containing up to 1,600 square feet.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/amcanpic.gif

[fla_tiger]

The Woodward Historic Riverfront Apartments

preserving architecture and structural historic elements of the 1912 warehouse. The Woodward is located in the midst of the thriving arts district, riverfront casino, French Quarter and Central Business District.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/woodward.jpg

[STR]

Trump Tower looks sweet.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/trumpinternationaltower7uf.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Gabriel, island homes and marina development on Lake Pontchartrain

in west suburban Kenner

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-W/Marina.gif

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-W/overheadjpeg.jpg

http://www.gabrieldevelopment.com/index.html

[fla_tiger]

Federal Fiber Mills

Designed in 1904 by architects Favrot and Livaudals the warehouse was completed in 1907 and used for the production of rope, largely for ships in port. It was used as a pavilion for the 1984 New Orleans World´s Fair. The old rope factory, built of heavy timber, is an interesting study of conversion efficiency.

http://www.neworleanscondos.net/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1182385&NF=1

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/fedfiber.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/fedfiber2.jpg

[fla_tiger]

The McGinnis Cotton Mill

Where workers once toiled in a Southern mill, families now enjoy new apartments. The Maginnis Cotton Mill, in New Orleans´ Warehouse District, was built in 1882 and operated until 1944. Although the building went through a number of tenants, nobody rose to the challenge of restoring it. Then Historic Restoration, Inc. came along in 1998 with one of the largest renovation efforts New Orleans has ever seen.

http://www.neworleanscondos.net/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1048296&NF=1

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/cotmil1.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/cotmil2.jpg

[fla_tiger]

The Henderson

The Henderson Condos at 700 Commerce were one of the first apartments in the modern warehouse District. Converted in 1996 from a former warehouse.

http://www.neworleanscondos.net/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1250874&NF=1

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/henderson1.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Gallery Row

Former warehouse conversion with large windows, 14 ft. ceilings, exposed masonery that is so much in demand for the warehouse district.

http://www.neworleanscondos.net/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1009412&NF=1

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/gal1.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/gal2.jpg

[fla_tiger]

The 700 South Peters

The 700 South Peters condos are another warehouse conversion near the CBD.

http://www.neworleanscondos.net/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1185175&NF=1

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/700stp1.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/700stp2.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Tracage

22-story project at Calliope and Annunciation planned as city's housing market heats up. To be dubbed "Tracage," French for "loft," the project will be built on a lot bounded by Calliope, Annunciation and John Churchill Chase streets. The 22-story complex -- 23 stories if a rooftop swimming pool and other amenities are counted -- will sit atop a three-and-a-half-floor garage with 169 parking places. Two metal warehouses now stand on the site.

Construction could begin in six months and be finished for a summer 2008 opening.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/tracage.jpg

[northbay420]

wow, just keep those projects comin...!

[fla_tiger]

Unity of N.O. to offer 5,000 homes for disabled

CityBusiness staff report
March 28, 2006 7:37 AM

NEW ORLEANS — Unity of Greater New Orleans, a group of 60 agencies providing housing and services, will announce a plan at noon Friday to prevent homelessness in New Orleans through development of 5,000 units of permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities. The Unity meeting will be held at the Holy Angels Conference Center, 3500 St. Claude Ave.
Rosanne Haggerty, a national expert on supportive housing, will present the
keynote address, "Preventing and Ending Homelessness in New Orleans."

Haggerty will discuss research demonstrating that affordable rental apartments linked with services is a cost-effective strategy successful in ending homelessness. Haggerty is founder and president of Common Ground, a New York-based nonprofit and the largest U.S. developer of supportive housing. Unity is working with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, the Metropolitan Human Services District, the Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority, and other local, state and national groups to implement this model in the New Orleans area.

Unity will dedicate its meeting to the memory of Charles Johnson, a formerly
homeless person who served as an outreach worker for Volunteers of America and was an integral part of Unity's street outreach team. Johnson died in Hurricane Katrina.

[UrbaniDesDev]

I love New Orleans
Looking great!

[fla_tiger]

the clip from the TP outlining the renovation of the St. Charles Regency Apartment Building on Lee Circle to condominiums...

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/stcharles_1.jpg

[fla_tiger]

more info on the successful River Garden development just west of the CBD...

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/stthomas1.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Venezia Resort

Construction begins this spring for Venezia Resort, a five star luxury condominium with endless views of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Located on more than ten acres.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/amenities2.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/biloxi-resort-condominiums.jpg

http://www.veneziabiloxi.com/home-biloxi-resort.asp

[fla_tiger]

Tradition

Tradition is located in Harrison County north of Biloxi and Gulfport. The 4,600-acre community is located 6-7 minutes north of Interstate 10 on rolling terrain with elevation from 100 to 170 feet above sea level.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/about2.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/center3.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/homes3.jpg

[Marvel 33]

Hey guys, sorry for getting off topic here but I was wondering if anybody would be interested in helping out with putting together a list of all the New Orleans forumers so I can post it on the How many forumers do we have per city? thread I created on Skybar. I also need it so I know exactly how many of you forumers we have.

You can either post it yourself or you can send me a private message with the names and I'll post it.

Here is a link to the thread: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=103189

Thanks!

[fla_tiger]

Huntsville, Houston, Cape Canaveral.....
Many are unaware of the critical role that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast play in the nations space industry, Two large NASA facilities are located there providing thousands of jobs, NASA Michoud in New Orleans East and John Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis/Slidell........the future looks great!

Officials Discuss Future Of New Orleans In Space Exploration
04-19-2006 7:08 AM

(New Orleans, LA) -- NASA and Louisiana economic development officials are gathering in New Orleans today. They are looking to highlight the value to NASA, Louisiana, and the nation, of the NASA Michoud complex in New Orleans. It's where contractors manufacture, assemble, and process the space shuttle's external tank. Officials are also using the event to provide an update progress of NASA's Constellation Systems Launch Vehicles Program. It is slated in the coming decade to build and fly vehicles that will lift future generations of explorers to the moon, Mars and beyond. Elements of the new launch systems will be manufactured and processed at the New Orleans facility.

[fla_tiger]

$30M New Orleans BioInnovation Center

Plans remain in place to build a $30-million, 130,000-square-foot BioInnovation Center at 1441 Canal St. although Hurricane Katrina delayed construction until April.

The projected completion date of the new building is mid-to-late 2007.

The project will be financed by the state through the Louisiana Office for Economic Development. In 2002, the Louisiana Legislature appropriated funds to start three biotech laboratories and business incubators around the state — in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport.

The New Orleans BioInnovation Center, designed by Spartanburg, S.C.-based industrial engineering and construction firm Lockwood Greene, will house a wet lab incubator and a Louisiana Gene Therapy Consortium in a 75,000-square-foot Good Manufacturing Practices Laboratory.

The Gene Therapy Consortium will manufacture adult stem cell lines for experiments while the GMP lab, a laboratory fit to produce materials for human use, will perform phase 1 and 2 testing on clinical trial products.
It will be the only facility dedicated specifically to gene therapy," in the South.

Miscenich said the center is expected to create 200 jobs, mainly in research and lab tech positions.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/center_rendering.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Vue Crescente

Phase One of Vue Crescente is a 30-story tower along with a marina located along Biloxi's Back Bay.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/VueCrescente-resort_pic.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Sea Breeze Condominiums

10 floors with 162 units now under construction in Biloxi.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/sea-brz-rendering.jpg

http://seabreeze.gcid.biz/seabreeze.htm

[fla_tiger]

Crescent City Towers

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/pmain35.jpg

revised rendering with maroon and gold tones

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/1.gif

New condo project launched in CBD

NEW ORLEANS — The Plaza Tower, a city skyscraper notorious for mold
contamination claims, is being reborn. The new cluster of condominiums in the old office space officially went on the market Wednesday.

In the lobby of the 44-story, 1960s-era building at 1001 Howard Ave., people
sipped wine, sampled hors d'oeuvres and listened to a live jazz band while checking out condo floor plans on display. The building is being developed by Edward Giannasca Jr., president and CEO of Giannasca Development Group LLC, which also has offices in New York and Baltimore. Other developers include Giannasca's friend, Michael McCreary, a former defensive end
for the National Football League's Baltimore Ravens, Robert Katz and Glenn
Rushton.

Plans to renovate the the Central Business District building into Crescent City
Towers were under way before Hurricane Katrina. The total number of planned units is 190, slightly more than the 175 planned in August before Katrina. Development costs range from $100 million to $150 million.

[fla_tiger]

Sterling Oaks

This magnificent 380-unit condominium community features upscale architectural details, with an impeccable sprawling landscape. Sterling Oaks is located in the heart of Biloxi with easy access to the beach, shopping, dining, golf, casinos and the coliseum.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/Biloxi-south-view-rend.jpg

this Sterling project has been renamed The Reveley, more details on SST page 5

[fla_tiger]

Breezes of Paradise Bay in Waveland

38 floors, 1000 units on 6.8 acres including world-class golf course , a deep water marina, boutiques, restaurants, spa's,and white sandy beaches.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/breezes.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Savannah Estates

Lushly wooded development on the North side of Biloxi Bay. 7 floors with Boat slips, boat launch and fishing pier, Boardwalk and walking trails

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/savannah-building.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Carribbean Dream

21 floors, 266 Units, nearly 5,000 sf pool, beachfront, unobstructed view of Gulf

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/carib-dream-gulfport-ms.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Oak Shores

The all new gated community will be developed in two phases. The first phase to be offered immediately for purchase will be comprised of 184-units.

Phase two containing 196 new mid-rise units will be announced later this year.

The private residential community centrally located at 1664 Beach Boulevard - east of Rodenburg Avenue, will feature numerous amenities including park-like recreational areas with grills, fitness centers, club houses, two resort style pools and a Highway 90 cross-over walk to the beach.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/GCIDMasterPlan2.jpg

[fla_tiger]

The Crescent City Residences
here are a few more renderings of the exterior and the link to their website. Any increase in height of the building will be because of the addition of the spire rather than additional floors.
http://www.giannasca.com/project35.asp?p=35

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/m_experience_new.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/pmain35h.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/pmain35g.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/pmain35e.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Churchill Technology and Business Park

Jefferson Parish officials envision a bright future for the $4.6-million Churchill Technology and Business Park, which they believe will ignite a West Bank development explosion. It’s in a perfect spot — close to the (Tournament Players Club) Golf Course, the KB (Home)-Shaw (Group) housing development and Northrop Grumman.” New Orleans firm Hebert/Smolkin Associates estimates the park will create 6,923 jobs, $286.9 million in wages and average annual pay of $41,441 during the first five years of operation.

http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=15437

http://www.churchillpark.org

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/parkmap.jpg

[fla_tiger]

RiverSphere

RiverSphere is a Tulane University place for art, science, and technology, about rivers, for river communities, on the New Orleans Mississippi riverfront.
RiverSphere’s central unifying theme is the Mississippi and other great rivers, considered and analyzed from all angles, from the scholarly to the popular.

At RiverSphere, scientists will work side-by-side with artists; historians will interact with anthropologists. Visitors will chat with researchers; schoolchildren will attend seminars; and musicians and dancers will perform on stages. Visitors to RiverSphere will experience action, interaction, diversity, circulation, participation, and transformation. RiverSphere, in essence, is much like the river.

RiverSphere is slated for an eight-acre site on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, USA (90o West, 30o North). The site is located about one mile upriver from the French Quarter and 1-2 miles from Tulane University’s downtown and uptown campuses, respectively.

http://www.riverweb.org/whatis-rsphere.html

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/rsphere_satpic.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/rsphere-concept4.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Textron to expand N.O. presence

NEW ORLEANS - Textron Marine & Land Systems, a Providence, R.I.-based
manufacturer of military vehicles, is relocating administrative and executive offices from 19401 Chef Menteur Highway to 13801 Old Gentilly Road.

The company needs more space to expand, said J. O. Smith, vice president of operations. The Chef Menteur site is not closing, Smith said.
Roughly 150 people will move into the Old Gentilly Road building known as the
Enterprise Center part of New Orleans Regional Business Park. Textron is retrofitting the space, which needs furnishings, carpeting, ceiling tiles and other enhancements.

The company manufactures armored security vehicles for the Army and
amphibious hovercraft for the Navy. Textron employs about 1,200 people in the New Orleans and Slidell area.

[fla_tiger]

Chevron moving New Orleans HQ to north suburban Covington

NEW ORLEANS — Chevron is relocating its Gulf of Mexico Business Unit from the CBD to the suburban North Shore. Plans call for construction of a new office building in North Park Business Center in Covington and to move 500 New Orleans employees as early as summer 2007.

“This location is a result of the company’s decision to remain in the greater
New Orleans area rather than consolidate outside the state,” said Carmichael. This decision positions the company for near and long-term sustained operations in the Gulf of Mexico.”

He said Chevron looked at numerous alternatives, which included consolidating Lafayette and New Orleans locations somewhere out of state. He said a seven-month study determined it was best to remain close to Gulf operations and retain the Lafayette location.

Chevron is under contract for 20 acres in the North Park Business
Center in Covington, which is near the residences of about half the New Orleans office employees, according to Carmichael.

[fla_tiger]

The Shores of Paradise

The Shores of Paradise is now at the contract phase in the preconstruction development, but there is still a great deal of units available. The market for preconstruction in Biloxi, Mississippi is booming and is making for some great opportunities. Prices on the Shores of Paradise are starting in the mid $400k and deposits are about 20%. Completion of this preconstruction condominium is scheduled for late spring early summer of 2008.

The Amenities

This 21 floor condominium, now in preconstruction phase, is directly across from the Gulf of Mexico and Treasure Bay Casino.

463 Units
Multiple Swimming Pools
Lazy River / Floating Pool
Computerized dancing water effects / light extravaganza
Gulf Views
Outdoor Dining and Restaurant Locations

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/Shores-of-Paradise.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Vue Crescente

Phase One of Vue Crescente is a 30-story tower offering 27 residential floors, as well as an impressive arrival lobby, dramatic bar, meeting areas and exercise areas with his and hers steam and sauna. Phase Two consists of a second tower that will include equally elegant residences and amenities.
This new, luxurious planned community on the tranquil shores of Biloxi’s historic Back Bay.

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http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/VueCrescente-resort_pic.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Sienna on the Coast

Sienna will be a 14 floor condo complex with amenities including lush landscaping around an infinity-style pool and fountain, putting green, sauna, excercise room and gated entry. It location is centered on the proposed construction just beginning on the Gulf of Mexico between Biloxi and Pass Christian.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/234029_2774124.jpg

[fla_tiger]

The Bienville

8 floors, 117 condominiums overlooking the Gulf. Now under construction.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/361350_4142543.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Pass Marianne

9 story condomium under construction on West Beach Scenic Drive opposite the Gulf in Pass Christian.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/209253_2530644.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Gulfport Oasis

The former Copa Casino will reopen as the Gulfport Oasis Casino on Sept. 2 on the grounds of the old Grand Casino.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-MS/29990-01.jpg

[fla_tiger]

1201 Canal Condominium

1201 Canal Street was the home of the Krauss Department Store for 94 years. First opened on April 13, 1903, Krauss was once known as "one of the most unique and successful stores in the nation. Located on the widest "Avenue of the Americas" the Krauss building is full of history. Currently, this building which was the largest and most utilized store in New Orleans is undergoing extensive renovations as it is transformed to the upscale 1201 Canal Condominiums community.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/1201.jpg

http://www.1201canal.com/index.htm

[fla_tiger]

Kailas World Class Condominiums

Now under renovation in the stately former First NBC Building ,the Kailas Tower World Class Condominiums are located at 210 Baronne in the heart of downtown New Orleans. Scheduled completion Fall 2006. Prices range from 275K to 790K.

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http://www.kailastower.com/

[fla_tiger]

Demo of hotel clears way for massive new Harrahs Resort

*****VIDEO BELOW*****

The Grand Casino Biloxi said goodbye to the 12 story Island View Hotel Sunday Morning.

Cherry Demolition out of Houston, Texas worked for three weeks to prepare what took seconds to take down. The implosion took place about 6:40 am Sunday.

400 pounds of dynamite were strategically placed in the pilings to make this implosion go off without a hitch.

The Island View Hotel was just East of where the Grand Casino barge used to float and south of Highway 90. The grand opening was April 15, 1995.

Demolition of Grand Casino Hotel in Biloxi clears way for new construction
The $1 billion construction that is planned for the site by its new owner, Harrah's, shows faith that Biloxi is a great casino resort, he said.

It is projected to take at least a couple of years to recreate a full resort casino on the site, but Harrah's plans to have a casino fully operating this year in a building that was part of the complex on the north side of U.S. 90.

http://www.biloxi.ms.us/katrina/grand_implosion.html

[fla_tiger]

200 Carondelet/ National American Bank Building

Tuesday, May 23, 2006
By Greg Thomas
Real estate writer

A large Florida affordable-housing developer is proposing a $60 million project to convert the long-dormant National American Bank building in the heart of the Central Business District -- a national landmark completed in 1929 -- into 202 affordable apartments.

Reliance has a contract to purchase the 23-story Gothic-like building for $14.4 million from a partnership doing business as 200 Carondelet LLC.

the storyin the TP: http://www.nola.com/business/t-p/index.ssf?/base/money-0/1148380369213580.xml

[fla_tiger]

Audubon Nature Institute's Aquarium of the Americas and Entergy IMAX® Theatre reopened today after an 8 month shutdown forced by Katrina.

Louisiana's Number 1 tourist destination

Aquarium of the Americas Located along the banks of the Mississippi River near the historic French Quarter, the Aquarium of the Americas is regarded as the nations best and considered one of the foremost aquariums in the world. It had 10,000 fish representing more than 530 species and featured four enormous exhibits -- Mississippi River gallery featuring catfish, paddlefish and alligators; the Caribbean Reef exhibit featuring a clear, 30-foot-long tunnel surrounded by aquatic creatures; the Amazon Rainforest display featuring piranhas and tropical birds; and the Gulf of Mexico exhibit featuring sharks, sea turtles and stingrays -- in addition to a number of smaller displays.

Entergy IMAX® Theatre is located next door to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, and is one of only six in the world with its spectacular flat screen, single projection, IMAX® 3D and high-definition capabilities.

the link: http://www.auduboninstitute.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage

free aquarium ecard: http://www.auduboninstitute.org/site/R?i=moHy0AMQLZPy-0trRjr5QA..

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/700065-Audubon_Aquarium_of_the_Amer.jpg

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http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NORTA_947-Canal-Riverfront-06-01-11.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Poydras Plaza

New Orleans: 20 ac $700 mil project planned incl. Hyatt, 3 towers, new City Hall
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand plan in works for Poydras Plaza near Dome

Owners of the storm-ravaged Hyatt Regency New Orleans are expected to join Mayor Ray Nagin and Gov. Kathleen Blanco to announce a 20-acre, $700 million redevelopment plan for the hotel and other battered high-rises along Poydras Street near the Superdome as well as a new City Hall complex.

the link in the TP: http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpa...770.xml&coll=1

more info including renderings for this international project when available

[fla_tiger]

National Jazz Center

Sweeping downtown revitalization plan unveiled
10:50 a.m., Tuesday

By Rebecca Mowbray
Business writer TP

In a sweeping downtown revitalization plan being unveiled this morning, the Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel and the New Orleans Shopping Center will be turned into a modern 20-acre multi-use National Jazz Center and park buttressed by public office buildings.

The $715 million project, spearheaded by Strategic Hotels & Resorts, the Chicago-based owner of the Hyatt, is the first major redevelopment project announced since Hurricane Katrina. Developers say the project would generate construction jobs, taxes and tourism and change the face of the city the way that Millennium Park has transformed Chicago, the Inner Harbor has revitalized Baltimore and the Guggenheim Museum has put Bilbao, Spain, on the international map.
the link in the TP: http://www.nola.com/newslogs/tpupdates/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_tpupdates/archives/2006_05_30.html#145835

[fla_tiger]

National Jazz Center


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The ambitious master plan calls for demolishing City Hall, Orleans Parish Civil District Court, the old Louisiana Supreme Court building and the adjacent state office building. These are the dated governmental buildings located across Poydras Street from the Hyatt. The Hyatt is scheduled to reopen in 2008 after a complete restoration. It is undergoing repairs. The Hyatt’s entranceway will be relocated to the Poydras Street side of the building, new ballroom space will be built, and a new rooftop restaurant will be added. The entire interior of the hotel will be made over and updated. The New Orleans Centre shopping mall will also be razed.

An open-air amphitheater would take the place of the Supreme Court and adjacent state building, and an outdoor jazz park would encompass the City Hall site.

The National Jazz Center, which would occupy the former Macy’s store that is to be torn down. This NJC will be an extension of the Hyatt. The National Jazz Center also would house a 20,000-square-foot dramatic jazz performance center seating more than 1,000 people, a 300-seat theater, a jazz museum, children’s theater, rehearsal studios available to musicians throughout the city, classrooms, a library and offices.

A bridge would connect the Superdome to the park, which would feature statues, fountains and interactive displays. Poydras Street traffic would travel through a tunnel beneath a grassy art park that would double as a tailgating area for the Arena and Superdome. The multilevel six-block park would include a 20,000-square-foot jazz performance center with seating for 1,000 people, a black-box theater with seating for 300 people, a 70,000-square-foot amphitheater with lawn seating, a 60,000-square-foot education center for children, rehearsal studios and an archive for jazz research.

Beneath the park would be two levels of underground parking and a 280,000-square-foot two-level retail center with a multiscreen theater, restaurants and shops selling things that people need for daily living, such as a major national grocery store, pet supplies shop and a bookstore.

The Canal Street streetcar would be extended down Loyola Avenue, connecting the park, sports facilities and public office complexes with the French Quarter and Convention Center. A bus transportation center would be located at the Hyatt, linking downtown New Orleans to the western suburbs.

The result will be a swath of green space leading from Tulane Avenue to the sports complexes of the Superdome and New Orleans Arena surrounded by modern buildings

City Hall would move to the Dominion Tower that faces Poydras next to the Superdome and in front of the Hyatt. A new Civil District Court would be built in the downtown area.

Grounbreaking on the project is expected within a year, starting with the Hyatt restoration. Once the project gets under way, it should be completed in 36 to 40 months.

[fla_tiger]

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

The $235 million Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will be opening in Biloxi in September. The $1.9 million Peavey Guitar-shaped sign for the Biloxi Hard Rock Hotel & Casino shatters the world's record. It was built by Kojis and Sons of Bunkie, La. At 112 feet tall, it rises as high as an 11-story building. It will be the largest guitar sign at any Hard Rock Cafe.

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The a link to the construction cam....
http://www.hardrockbiloxi.com/construction_cam.php

[fla_tiger]

The National World War II and D-Day Museum

Effective Friday, The National D-Day Museum is designated by Congress as "America's National World War II Museum". The 70,500-square-foot Museum interprets the American experience during the World War II years and celebrates the American spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who won World War II and promotes the exploration and expression of these values by future generations. The museum presents their stories to an international audience, preserves material for research and scholarship, and inspires future generations to apply the lessons learned from the most complex military operation ever staged.

Visit the website for America's official National World War II Museum... http://www.ddaymuseum.org/

http://usera.imagecave.com/fla_tiger/nola/ddayfront.jpg

and the link to the 300,000 square foot expansion...
http://www.ddaymuseum.org/about/expansion.html

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[Skyking]

Wow. No offense, New Orleans fans, but that sesspool of a city should never be rebuilt! I say let the sea have it and rebuild inland. Kid yourselves if you want to, but the next "Big One" -- whenever that is -- will leave the Big "Queezy" in another mess, and they will expect everyone to help rebuild it...AGAIN!
What a costly farce! Shame on New Orleans. Shame on Lousiana. And shame on politicians and our government for securing the money to dump into that big, dirty puddle!:slob:

[fla_tiger]

Wow. No offense, New Orleans fans............


mmmmm....sounds pretty offensive to me. how would you feel skyking if it were your home, say Milwaukee, that had a major disaster and some told you that you could not return? I usually do not waste time responding to these sorts of opinions, instead find it better used in promoting the qualities of one of my favorite cities. New Orleans is a very special place and browsing through the large number of projects planned or underway, I'd say that there are many that do not share your opinion, thankfully.

ps..are you by any chance related to Hastert? LOL

[Shasta]

No offense, skyking, but blow it out your a$$.

Did San Fran not rebuild after the big quake?

Did Chicago not come back after the big fire?

Did Galveston cease to exist after the 1900 Hurricane?

What about the Miami area after Andrew?

World Trade Center after 9-11?

Cities rebuild ALL THE TIME.

[no-la-usa]

I think you meant is he related to Dennis Hastert. Really, who cares about what that person from Wisconsin thinks. I mean what a sh**hole that whole state is. Freezing weather with cheeseheads. Only thing to do is leave for Chicago.

Back to important stuff, does anyone know what that 37 story condo proposal by the Vantage Tower is all about yet. I am sure with the redo of the Hyatt area this project will seem more desirable. Cheers. `

[Skyking]

Ok, Ok. Down boys. Perhaps I came down too hard and sounded a bit harsh regarding your hometown. The point I was trying to make (albeit, negatively) is that the footprints of New Orleans were ill-advised to begin with -- considering the unanticipated forces of Mother Nature. To build a major city in an area surrounded by water and below sea level just is asking for trouble. And, unfortunately, you got it.
Not that I'm posing for holy pictures or anything, but my wife and I did send $100 to Red Cross relief efforts to help with Katrina's terrible aftermath. I wouldn't wish what you went through on anyone. I really, really hope I'm wrong, but I just see this as potentially throwing good money after bad. Was there ever any discussion down there about relocating -- as preposterous as that might sound -- say further north?
Maybe the new and improved levies will hold next time. I hope so.
By the way, there were many great stories here about hurricane refugees from New Orleans who landed in Milwaukee and other areas of Wisconsin. They were welcomed with open arms, shelter, etc. -- and many of them have decided to make this area their home because they've found jobs, safety and a new life. Not too bad for a sh**hole, I'd say.
Why not come up and visit Milwaukee sometime? You'd probably be surprised. It is 75 degrees today with low humidity. From early May through October, this area has some of the best weather in the country. And, believe it or not, the winters are actually not that terrible. Give me four distinct seasons anytime - it's very refreshing. Good luck, New Orleans.

[colemonkee]

No offense, skyking, but blow it out your a$$.

Did San Fran not rebuild after the big quake?

Did Chicago not come back after the big fire?

Did Galveston cease to exist after the 1900 Hurricane?

What about the Miami area after Andrew?

World Trade Center after 9-11?

Cities rebuild ALL THE TIME.
Best. Answer. Ever.

I for one can't wait to see New Orleans rebuild, bigger and better. I really like a lot of these new proposals, especially the National Jazz Center.

[fla_tiger]

Today, the keys to the first of the homes were provided to its new owners.

Musicians' Village

Harry Connick, Jr., Branford and Ellis Marsalis Partner with Habitat to Build a Musicians' Village in New Orleans' Upper 9th Ward

link to images and maps of Musicians Village...http://www.habitat-nola.org/files/Musicians_Village_PressKit.pdf

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita forced many musicians to flee New Orleans. Jazz, blues, Dixieland and other genres that are the city's musical score, cannot return until the musicians return, and many have lost their homes.Habitat for Humanity International and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, working with Harry Connick Jr., and Branford Marsalis, honorary chairs of Operation Home Delivery, seek to change this. Plans announced last December allowed for the construction of a "Musicians' Village." Operation Home Delivery is Habitat for Humanity International's hurricane rebuilding program and this Musicians' Village is one of the many projects along the Gulf Coast.

The Musicians' Village, conceived by Connick and Marsalis, will consist of 81 Habitat-constructed homes for displaced New Orleans musicians. Its centerpiece will be the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, dedicated to the education and development of homeowners and others who will live nearby. On January 9, 2006 we acquired eight acres of land in the Upper 9th Ward where the Musicians' Village will be located. In addition to the homes in the tract, plans call for building at least 150 other homes in the surrounding neighborhood. Construction began in March, marking the first large scale rebuilding plans in New Orleans.

[fla_tiger]

Rolls Royce Testing Facility

Major Project To Help Return Jobs To Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast officials today are celebrating a new economic development project. Construction began Thursday on a new $42 million testing facility, which will be used to test engines for the world's largest airliner starting late next year.

It is being built between New Orleans and Gulfport at the NASA Stennis Space Center straddling the Louisiana/Mississippi line. Officials say this is the first Rolls-Royce test facility of its kind outside the UK.Rolls-Royce is relocating its testing facility from the United Kingdom to Stennis to test high-thrust jet engines developed for the Airbus A380, a massive seven-story airliner designed to seat 555 passengers, and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, due out in 2008.

Once complete, it will be used to test developmental and prototype airplane engines for performance, noise, and other factors. Initially, it will test engines being developed for the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The decision to build the facility was made before Katrina. It will be the first major economic development project since the hurricane.

[fla_tiger]

Felicity Crossings

$100 million condo project planned for Central City

Developers want to build 600 units

The KFK Group, paid $7 million for about five acres near Felicity and Carondelet streets. The group plans to build about 600 units with a total value of $100 million. The units will sell for between $180,000 and $280,000.

The project, tentatively called Felicity Crossings, also will have 765 ground-floor townhouses and some service-oriented retail space for small businesses like neighborhood groceries.

The project will consist of three buildings:

-- A 4 1/2-story building of about 51,000 square feet will be constructed in the space bounded by Felicity, Carondelet and Polymnia streets. It will contain 37 units and retail space.

-- A five-story building stretching along Felicity between Baronne and Carondelet will consist of two-story townhouses on the bottom floor with single-story units on the upper floors.

-- The largest building -- at 361,000 square feet -- will be five [edit rendering appears to be 12] stories and will be bounded by Felicity, Carondelet, Euterpe and Baronne. It will have townhouses and condominiums. A 12-story tower containing 10 condos will be built on the center of this building.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/Condo1.jpg
image credit to alon504

the link in the TP...http://www.nola.com/business/t-p/index.ssf?/base/money-0/1149573718298360.xml

[fla_tiger]

bump

[fla_tiger]

Mills Row

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/icehouseresidence4kz.jpg

$7.5M Mills Row condos near ready for market

Deon Roberts Staff Writer
June 9, 2006 2:53 PM

NEW ORLEANS - Mills Row, a $7.5-million new condominium project in the historic Warehouse District, is near completion with plans to begin selling units in July.

Officials with developer HRI Properties of New Orleans said it is the first new
condominium project to come online since Hurricane Katrina. It's significant from a historical standpoint. It is the first condo project in city history built from scratch in the historic Warehouse District, which runs from St. Charles Avenue to Convention Center Boulevard, all the others have been renovation of existing buildings into condos.

Construction on the 31-unit project at 450 John Churchill Chase St. began in
November 2004 and was supposed to be completed in October 2005 but was delayed by Katrina, said Eddie Boettner, HRI chief administrative officer.
The five-story project will be complete in August, Boettner said. Units will range from 655 square feet to roughly 2,400 square feet and sell for between $200,000 and $800,000,. HRI wanted the Mills Row building to fit into the surrounding neighborhood, which consists of warehouses and former mills more than 100 years old. HRI is known for converting city buildings into residential properties such as the Federal Fibre Mills, which is next to Mills Row, and the Cotton Mill, a block away from Mills Row.

The company has been involved in other new construction such as the Hilton
Garden Inn, which opened in October 2002, and River Garden, an mixed-use
redevelopment of the former St. Thomas Housing Project site, Boettner said.

[fla_tiger]

AFL-CIO plans to invest $700 million in New Orleans projects

This is only the beginning of what promises to be the hottest building boom in the nation over the next 7 to 10 years. So far, in the last three months 70,000 building permits issued by the city totaling billions of dollars.

By MICHELLE ROBERTS
Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The AFL-CIO plans to invest $700 million in housing and other projects to help rebuild this city left staggered by housing shortages and other infrastructure problems after Hurricane Katrina.

The money will come from the union federation's pension fund and its lenders - investments that should make money for the fund while aiding a city left hobbled by the enormous disaster, said AFL-CIO president John Sweeney in an interview Tuesday. It also will create union jobs in a region with an enormous number of construction projects.

The union planned to officially announce the investment at a news conference Wednesday. "I was horrified that so little has been done," said Sweeney, who last visited New Orleans about a month ago and saw tracts of housing left in ruin since Katrina struck Aug. 29. "It feels like it's the city that America forgot." The investment plan includes $250 million in financing for housing construction over the next seven years, with more than 5,000 rental units expected to be built. Another $100 million will be equity investments for commercial real estate and revitalization projects.

The AFL-CIO already has applied to get title on 200 properties controlled by the city because owners failed to pay taxes on them. Most are in the Treme neighborhood, a predominantly black working-class neighborhood adjoining the French Quarter.

Another $250 million has been set aside for home mortgages for city employees, union members and residents of neighborhoods where AFL-CIO projects will be located.

Up to $100 million will be used to finance hospitals or nursing homes, using federally insured loans. "Hopefully, it will jump-start some investment" from other private entities, Sweeney said.

The investment plans are similar to ones the union has executed in Chicago and New York. The AFL-CIO created a $750 million investment program in Chicago last year, mainly targeting affordable housing, and one in New York after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Such real estate investments have done well in the past, said Stephen Coyle, chief executive of the AFL-CIO's Housing Investment Trust. They attract other investors into neighborhoods and have turned once-blighted areas into desirable real estate, he said. The fund's primary duty is to make money for retirees and future retirees, but Coyle said the fund has a socially responsible bent and has been able to merge financial goals with social ones. "It's a double bottom line for us," he said. "You can invest in communities and build these communities and still bring your investors good returns."

The AFL-CIO, a federation of labor unions, has 10 million members, including retirees. Two pension funds bear the union name; both are real estate funds and combined hold roughly $5.6 billion in investments. Larry Hass, a New York lawyer who specializes in pension fund law and previously worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission, said pension funds have been investing in real estate for more than 40 years and are the biggest real estate investors in the country. They've had a lot of success in real estate deals involving urban developments, where their initial investments have made properties more attractive sooner than they might otherwise have been. "The pension funds that have been successful at this see opportunity," Hass said.

Coyle said private investors talking about developing in New Orleans after Katrina have stayed mostly on the sidelines so far. But after successes in other cities - including the Mexican border community of Laredo, Texas, and Hoboken, N.J. - Coyle believes the fund can get similar results in New Orleans.

"We look at New Orleans the same way and say, 'Look, the levees will be repaired. The insurance issues will be resolved,'" he said. "This is the beginning of ending the talking and starting the rebuilding."

On the Net: AFL-CIO: http://www.aflcio.org

[fla_tiger]

The Fairmont New Orleans Hotel

Baton-Rouge-based commercial construction company Arrighi Simoneaux LLC has been hired to manage the $80 million redesign and reconstruction of the historic Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans. President David Arrighi said the reconstruction is the 15th-largest construction project in a-five state region, based on contract cost, according to South Central Construction magazine.

This historic grand hotel built was in 1893.It has 700 rooms, 85 suites. 3 restaurants, 2 tennis courts, pool, gym, hair salon, 2 bars, parking.

The project is being completed in phases, with construction continuing into next year. The firm, which has experience in historical renovations, plans to rebuild the hotel’s mechanical and electrical systems and completely upgrade the nearly 1 million-square-foot interior space. Arrighi Simoneaux LLC was founded in 2002 and is a subsidiary of Group Industries LLC, a multi-million dollar industrial and commercial construction company headquartered in Baton Rouge.

http://www.fairmont.com/neworleans/

[BTinSF]

Can I ask you what your city is building for the poor. I mean sure they got hard hit here, but so did everyone else on the social hierarchy. Sometimes it sounds like all people are ever concerned with are the poor folks. Trust me everyone down here in New Orleans could use some help. Furthermore, New Orleans didn't invent poor folks. They are in every city in this country. What we need ot do is create enoguh economic oppurtunity here so that those that are poorer can move up the economic ladder. We dont need to build wholesale housing projects in a city already starved for revenue.
http://www.tracageliving.com/

In San Francisco, a substantial portion of every development is reserved for "affordable" housing. People who qualify for such housing aren't poor enough to qualify for actual public housing. In general, they are the working poor--the service workers priced out of the sort of fancy condo projects we talk a lot about. I'm not sure what the current percentage is but there are proposals that it be as high as 20% of future projects. The law also allows the developer, in lieu of putting the "affordable" units on -site, to use the money to build a separate project at another site. Frequently, they team up with non-profit developers to build entirely "affordable" (and often quite attractive) units elsewhere.

All this said, I am impressed and happy about the development in NO. If all this gets done it will constitute an impressive recovery from Katrina.

It is also my impression that there are substantial changes in the works for a lot of the Gulf Coast. I saw the casino project posted above but it doesn't say who is the owner. I know that Harrah's Entertainment has traded their properties in Lake Charles and Gulfport to other casino owners in order to concentrate their Gulf assets in Biloxi. Now that they can build on land, I believe their intention is to build a mega-resort and that, combined with what other companies do, may well turn Biloxi into a 3rd major center of US casino gambling after Las Vegas and Atlantic City. My guess is this could be very successful. Most of my family lives in Florida and I know that people from their area of the Florida East Coast used to drive to Biloxi even when the casinos there were just the boats. When there are large hotels, shopping, shows and the things the other two gambling meccas have, I think plenty of folks would drive from all over Florida, Atlanta and other places throughout the middle and deep south.

[fla_tiger]

$200 Million Federal City complex

NEW ORLEANS - The Algiers Development District Board has awarded Apogen TTechnologies Inc. of McLean, Va., a $46,000-consulting contract for the conversion of the Naval Support Activity base on the westbank area of Algiers in to a high-tech campus of military and federal tenants. David Mize, a retired Marine major general who works for Apogen's New Orleans office, will oversee the $200-million project known as Federal City. The U.S. Department of Defense recommended May 13, 2005, that NSA be shuttered. Mize led a successful fight to take the base off the list by promoting the idea of converting the base into a Federal City complex that could be leased to government tenants at low rents.

Federal City will consist of state-of-the-art buildings in Algiers for military
and other federal tenants with homeland security responsibilities, according to Apogen. The buildings will also have tight perimiter security and be built to
current hurricane standards. Because multiple tenants can split the overhead expenses of running the base, office space will be leased at low rents, Apogen said.

[fla_tiger]

LSU-VA hospital to replace Charity by 2011

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Charity Hospital, the 270-year-old institution that for generations was the medical epicenter of this city's uninsured, will be replaced by a $1.2 billion medical center that marries two agencies, officials announced Monday.

Charity, which sustained significant damage during last year's hurricane, has been under lock and key since the storm, its fate a matter of intense debate. Although officials have no immediate plans for the old hospital's Art Deco building, they announced plans to combine two of the city's medical powerhouses under one roof: Louisiana State University, which ran Charity, will join with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which ran the former U.S. Veterans Administration hospital.

The VA hospital also was flooded.

The shared medical complex will be comprised of two hospitals — LSU to build a 10- to 12-story tower and the VA to build an eight- to 10-story tower, which would be connected by a common "linking corridor" building that would house shared functions such as a physical plant, an emergency room and certain labs and testing equipment.

The hospital is scheduled to open in 2011 in downtown New Orleans.
http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/assets/may17/LSUVAhandout051606.pdf

[fla_tiger]

LSU/VA Medical Complex

here is a locator map of the LSU/VA Medical complex from the TP...........
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/062006_medicalcomplex.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Falstaff Brewery

Falstaff Brewery complex sold for $1.1 million

Developers plan to build 150 apartments

Developer Theodore "Tad" Mondale, nephew of former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale, closed with a business partner on the purchase of the old Falstaff Brewery building last week for $1.1 million and plans to build 150 affordable apartments in the complex.

the link in the TP: http://www.nola.com/business/t-p/index.ssf?/base/money-0/115104320273020.xml&coll=1

Falstaff Beer was brewed here up until the 70's

a few glimpses of the grand old brewery now slated for new life as apartments

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/plt7lar.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/plant5_00c.jpg

roof top Beer Garden

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/1.jpg

King Gambrinus still toasts the City and Dixie Beer too from his corner perch

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/falstaff-dixie.jpg

the "weather ball" atop the famous vertical sign changed colors depending on rain, sun or clouds

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/newo2002b.jpg

the large smokestack

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/2.jpg

an old linen tapestry of the brewery in its heyday

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/IMG_1143.jpg

[fla_tiger]

credit to Alon504.........

South Shore Harbor

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-LK/scan0001.jpg

Developer floats hotel, condo plan
Project puts focus on water
Saturday, June 24, 2006
By Frank Donze
Staff writer

A company based in Nevada has proposed a hotel and condominium development for a waterfront tract on Orleans Levee Board property, a project costing more than $200 million that would represent the most significant post-Katrina investment in flood-ravaged eastern New Orleans.

Representatives of Atlantis Internet Group Corp. offered few details about their plans Friday to levee board commissioners, but promised to return next month with more information.

Donald Bailey, the firm's president, said the corporation has long-standing relationships with several deep-pocketed partners, some of whom he hopes to bring with him to the board's July meeting. A publicly traded corporation, Atlantis has interests in Internet gambling sites, gambling developments and commercial and residential real estate.

Bailey said that although his company wants to pursue all available tax incentives, it is prepared to use private money to build a 95-room hotel atop a barge inside the levee board's South Shore Harbor marina and 60 waterfront town homes and other amenities along the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline that fronts Hayne Boulevard.

Noting that the devastated area his company is targeting remains largely uninhabited nearly 10 months after the storm, Bailey, a former New Orleans resident, said the potential investors he has lined up believe the "tremendous challenge" is worth the risk.

"We believe we can overcome these hurdles," he said. "We are willing to take the lead in the redevelopment of New Orleans."

Until August, when Katrina laid waste to the marina, South Shore Harbor was home to the Belle of Orleans gambling boat. The casino, which was badly damaged by the storm, has been moved to Mobile, Ala., where it is undergoing repairs.

The casino's new owner, Kentucky hotel operator Columbia Sussex Corp., has ceased lease payments to the levee board, which has taken the company to court.

If the legal issues cannot be resolved and the Belle of Orleans does not return, Bailey said, his company would be interested in seeking state approval to take over the boat's gaming license and reopening its own casino as part of the proposed development.

Bailey said Atlantis Internet has three main divisions that specialize in electronic game development; slots development and distribution; and a casino development arm that concentrates on real estate.

The barge-based hotel Atlantis is proposing would sit inside the harbor, but Bailey said the bulk of the development would be built outside the marina, stretching three miles east along the lake to Bullard Avenue.

Bailey said he and other investors are "amazed that New Orleans lacks the waterfront development so many other waterside cities focus on."

He said his prospective partners include investors in a major Detroit hotel and casino, Motor City Casino in Detroit; the St. Regis Hotel in Detroit; and several residential communities.

If voters approve a proposal this fall to merge local levee boards into a regional authority, Bailey and other developers eyeing Lakefront property likely will deal directly with state government in the near term.

Under the merger initiative, the Orleans Levee Board's myriad assets that are unrelated to flood control, such as the Lakefront Airport and South Shore Harbor, would be moved to the state's Division of Administration while local and state officials decide what to do with them.

In the meantime, Levee Board President Michael McCrossen said, the agency will launch negotiations with Atlantis. McCrossen said Michael Olivier, the state's secretary of economic development, has been briefed on the proposal and will be involved in future discussions.

The ambitious proposal is Bailey's second attempt to do business with the levee board.

In 1993, Bailey's Atlantis Resorts International Inc. was granted an option to lease space at South Shore Harbor for a $25 million floating hotel similar to the one he is proposing.

That project, which never got off the ground, included plans for 100 upscale one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and 5,000 square feet of commercial space that could accommodate conventions, retail shops, a restaurant, a jazz supper club and a movie theater.

The plan that Bailey outlined at the time called for the five-story hotel to be built on a 330-foot by 95-foot barge that could be moved if threatened by a hurricane. He said then that the barge would be anchored by ballast and temporary pilings, similar to an offshore oil rig.

. . . . . . .

Frank Donze can be reached at fdonze@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3328. Business writer Greg Thomas contributed to this report.

[no-la-usa]

Condo tower near bridge endorsed

Neighbors criticize plan as out of scale

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

By Bruce Eggler

Despite objections from many nearby residents, the New Orleans City Planning Commission voted Tuesday to endorse plans for a high-rise condominium building near the upriver end of the Warehouse District, next to the Crescent City Connection approaches.

The 24-story, 288-foot-high building, to be known as the Tracage, would have 133 condo units and 207 parking spaces. It would be built at 1100 Annunciation St., at the corner of John Churchill Chase Street.

The final decision on the $50 million project is up to the City Council. The site is in Councilwoman Stacy Head's district.


Objections to the project centered on the height of the proposed tower, which opponents said would be totally out of scale in a neighborhood where most buildings are from two to four stories high.

The site is just outside the historic part of the Warehouse District, in a section where the city's zoning law imposes no height limit, so the height of the building's central tower was technically not an issue before the Planning Commission. However, the developers were seeking waivers to other zoning provisions, including one for the height of the building's garage and another for the project's overall FAR, or floor-area ratio, a measure of the building's mass.

Another waiver would allow the building to have 57 more parking spaces than the 150 authorized by the zoning law. Proponents said the extra spaces would alleviate parking problems in the neighborhood. Opponents said that adding 133 condos would worsen traffic and parking congestion.

Architect Peter Trapolin said that if he had designed a building that needed no waivers, it would have to be 395 feet high to include the same floor area as the 288-foot building proposed. The taller building would not require approval from either the Planning Commission or the council, he said.

The project would require demolition of a warehouse on the site, but the staff of the Historic District Landmarks Commission said the warehouse has no architectural significance.

Much of the opposition to the project comes from residents of the Lengsfield Lofts condo building at 610 John Churchill Chase St.

Keith Perrin, president of the Lengsfield Lofts owners association, said the new building would be just 20 feet from his low-rise building and would obstruct the views and block the light to several units in his building. Besides the proposed building's excessive height, he said, its design would clash with the character of the neighborhood, which consists primarily of masonry buildings.



Page 2 of 2
Perrin said the building should be redesigned to bring it under 100 feet, the height limit in much of the Warehouse District.

Gary Elkins, an attorney for the developers, said the Tracage would not block the light to any neighbors. He said the only views that would be blocked are of ramps to the bridge.

Rob Tatum, one of the owners of Tracage Development LLC, said the developers bought the property because they knew it had no height limitation. He said the project would be "an excellent example of the New Urbanism" school of urban planning, and Jason Voyles, another of the developers, said it would be consistent with the Urban Land Institute's call for redeveloping post-Katrina New Orleans with "higher density on higher ground."


Joshua Rubenstein, another Lengsfield Lofts resident, said the Tracage would violate a legal covenant prohibiting construction of a new building within 20 feet of the Lengsfield Lofts. Elkins said that covenant no longer is in effect, but Rubenstein warned the opponents would go to court over it.

The Tracage project already has been the subject of litigation. After the city's Board of Zoning Adjustments voted in January to approve basically the same zoning waivers that were before the Planning Commission on Tuesday, prominent local lawyer Russ Herman, a Lengsfield Lofts resident, challenged the action in court, saying the board had not followed proper procedures. The developers then agreed to shift their application to the Planning Commission.

The commission's staff recommended approval of the project, saying it would "bring a higher degree of residential activity in an area on the fringe of the Warehouse District and adjacent to the high-rise bridge," and would create needed post-Katrina housing in the part of the city that was least affected by the storm.

The commission approved the proposal 4-0, with little discussion. Voting in favor were Chairman Tim Jackson, Sandra Duckworth, Ed Robinson and Lou Volz. Three members were absent. The normally nine-member commission has two vacancies.

Another high-rise condo project recently proposed for the Warehouse District, developer Tom Bauer's planned 367-foot tower in the block bounded by South Peters, Lafayette, Commerce and Girod streets, is in the section where the zoning sets a 100-foot height limit.

. . . . . . .

[fla_tiger]

Tracage

the location in the warehouse district

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/locations.jpg
A. Central Business District (CBD)
B. W Hotel/Restaurant/Bar
C. Harrah’s Casino Hotel / Gordon Biersch
D. Loews Hotel/Café Adelaide
E. Lafayette Square
F. Lucy’s Surfer Bar & Grill
G. La Cote Brasserie
H. Rasputin Restaurant & Bar
I. Rue de la CourseJ. Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
K. Tommy’s Cuisine
L. Rock-N-Sake Bar & Sushi
M. Emeril’s Restaurant
N. Starbucks Coffee
O. Sylvia Schmidt Studio’s
P. Louisiana Children’s Museum
Q. Herbsaint Restaurant
R. Tchoup-n-Joe’sS. Diamond Street Market
T. PJ’s Coffee
U. Sun Ray Grill
V. Residential Buildings
W. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art
X. The National D-Day Museum New Orleans
Y. Eleven 79


Here a the newest renderings of the condo tower......

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/ATR.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/ATR2.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/ATR4.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/ATR3.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/Landing_hero.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-GD/Amenities_hero.jpg

a video link.......

http://www.wwltv.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/videoPlayer.php?vidId=73040&catId=53

the weblink......
http://www.tracageliving.com/html/index.php

[fla_tiger]

Trump plans Diamondhead casino

Diamondhead resort community is off I-10 between New Orleans and Biloxi

By TOM WILEMON
SUN HERALD
BILOXI - Trump Entertainment Resorts and Diamondhead Casino Corp. announced today that the two publicly traded companies have signed a letter of intent to develop a casino resort in Hancock County near Interstate 10.

The joint venture would cover a minimum of 40 acres on the north shore of the Bay of St. Louis near Diamondhead.

Deborah A. Vitale, the chief executive officer of Diamondhead Casino Corp., said the Trump name will bring attention to the Mississippi Coast as a premier tourism destination. She said she called Gov. Haley Barbour and state legislators this morning to inform them of the agreement. Last year, the Legislature at the governor's request changed state law to allow casinos to come ashore within 800 feet of where gambling barges are allowed.

"Your governor and legislators have done a great job," Vitale said. "The outside world does not view Mississippi as a land-based casino market. It just thinks of boats and barges. This changes everything. It's a dramatic change in the way your state will be viewed. Therefore, you will become a destination resort. You have fantastic golf. You have golf courses all over the place. You have the weather, the water and golf. You have it all."

Trump Entertainment Resorts owns and operates three properties in Atlantic City. The company is separate and distinct from Donald Trump's real estate and other holdings.

"As we renovate and re-brand our Atlantic City properties, we are also focused on our corporate development initiatives and expanding the Trump brand into new markets," said James B. Perry, chief executive officer of Trump Entertainment. "We are excited about the prospect of bringing the Trump brand to the Gulf Coast, and we hope to join private and public entities in redeveloping the region. We believe that this is a great opportunity to create value for our company, our shareholders and the citizens of Mississippi."

Diamondhead Casino Corp. owns about 404 acres of land near Diamondhead.

Renderings will be posted when available

[fla_tiger]

Turchin Stadium/Tulane University

Work on Turchin Stadium resumes

Advocate news services
Published: Jul 1, 2006

NEW ORLEANS — In another sign of New Orleans’ recovery from Hurricane Katrina, Tulane announced Friday the resumption of a major expansion and renovation of Turchin Stadium, home of the Green Wave baseball team.

The $7.5 million project will feature a grandstand design of structural steel, a new playing surface and an increase in seating from 3,000 to a maximum 5,000 seats.

The project will also increase the number of chair-back seats in the stadium from 900 to 2,600 and add private suites, a covered club seating area and a new press box.

the link: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/3263466.html

green wave link: http://tulanegreenwave.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/012403aaa.html

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/turchinentrance.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/turchinaerial.jpg

[kenc]

Trump Tower looks sweet.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/trumpinternationaltower7uf.jpg
Really beautiful...I have heard rumors of a Trump Tower Dallas in the plans, I hope it looks like Trump N.O.

[Puddinhead4]

Jesus, where the hell did all that come from? I just asked if there were any more affordable projects going on to go along with these multi-million dollar condos!
LOL......touchy subject down here. There's already so much pressure from some quarters, both in New Orleans and from without, to funnel most if not all recovery monies towards the "poor"...as that will undo years of various influences that have created the situation of New Orleans having such a large percentage of it's population living in poverty. Unfortunately, the "advocates" that are the loudest seem to be clamoring for the same approaches that haven't worked over the last forty years or so. Reopen all public housing projects pretty much as they were before the storm, for example.

[fla_tiger]

The Audubon French Quarter

Situated on the corner of Canal and Burgundy, the luxury Audubon French Quarter condos are adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton.

Renovations are now underway.

kudos to alon504 for photos and link
http://www.auduboncondos.com/index.html

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-CBD1/homepage_rendering.jpg

[fla_tiger]

Boomtown New Orleans

Boomtown New Orleans, located on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, survived the ravages of Hurricane Katrina. Our dockside riverboat complex reopened in October. To reflect the area's rebirth, we are expanding the casino and plan to build a $30 million, 200-guestroom hotel adjacent to the casino on our 54-acre site. We expect the new hotel tower to open late 2007.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-W/85B93709-1143-3174-FDD0D85E48E294A0.jpg

http://www.boomtownneworleans.com/?CFID=4159706&CFTOKEN=19263016

[fla_tiger]

I-10 Twin Spans

$800 million Six-lane wide project will repace heavily traveled bridges linking New Orleans with its Northshore and Gulf Coast suburbs
07-13-2006 7:07 AM

(Slidell, LA) -- Officials are holding a ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on the I-10 bridge over Lake Pontchartrain today. The new bridge will replace the Katrina damaged Twin Spans between Slidell and New Orleans. Local, state and federal officials are participating in the groundbreaking. The new bridge will be taller and wider than the one heavily damaged by Katrina's storm surge. It will take three-years to complete the westbound span and another two-years to finish the eastbound bridge.

http://www.twinspanbridge.com

[no-la-usa]

Work to begin in 2007 on Trump's $400M project
By Deon Roberts Staff Writer

2006-07-18 2:59 PM CST

NEW ORLEANS — Construction will begin on Poydras Street in the first quarter of 2007 on the $400-million condo/hotel/retail project by real estate mogul Donald Trump.

Project applications are expected to be filed with the city within a couple of weeks, said Ed Suffern, attorney for Dwyer & Cambre, the New Orleans-area firm representing Poydras LLC. Clifford Mowe is the lead developer for Poydras LLC, the company developing the project, Suffern said.

The developers remain committed to New Orleans, Suffern said. Before construction can begin, applications for approval will be filed with the City Planning Commission and the Historic District Landmarks Commission, he said. HDLC approval is needed because the project is slated for a historic area, he said.

Developers are waiting for architects to finish plans, he said.



Cheers,
Derek

[fla_tiger]

Woolworth Tower
30 floors of sheer beauty

100 North Rampart

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/woolwoothtowerni0.png

Bordering street #1 Canal Street
Bordering street #2 North Rampart Street
Neighborhood Central Business District
District French Quarter/CBD
City New Orleans
Country U.S.A.

Technical Data
Height (struct.) 96 m 316 ft
Floors (OG) 30

Building in General
Type of construction high-rise building
Status approved

Facts
- This is the first major high-rise project to be announced within New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina.
- The tower would consist of 16,000 square feet of ground level retail, 9 floors of parking and 20 floors of condominium units.
- Would be constructed atop a site currently occupied by a 1940s-era Woolworth's drug store that was the site of lunch counter sit-ins during the early years of the American Civil Rights Movement in 1960.
- Due to its close proximity to the historic Vieux Carre, its height of 316 feet in an area currently zoned for only 85 feet may prevent it from being constructed as proposed.
- The tower portion of the condominium will be setback from the 10 floor street-level, mid-rise portion. This keeps the tower from appearing out of place along the historic Canal Street corridor.

[no-la-usa]

That building looks gorgeous. I hope it gets built as proposed.

[no-la-usa]

Rezoning sought for condo plan
900 units near Quarter proposed
Saturday, July 22, 2006

Apparently not content with the 28-story, 150-unit condominium tower he is hoping to build in the Warehouse District, New Orleans developer Tom Bauer is looking to build a far larger condo complex just outside the French Quarter.

The complex would occupy the site of a Winn-Dixie supermarket that Bauer built five years ago near the Municipal Auditorium but that has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina and is not expected to reopen. It would have as many as 900 condos, 2,500 parking spaces, space for several stores and businesses, and a museum or theater.

Bauer has asked the City Planning Commission to rezone a 15.7-acre tract stretching five blocks from Interstate 10 to Crozat Street, just across Basin Street from the auditorium. Bauer wants to change the zoning from LI, light-industrial, to C-2, general commercial, which would restrict the types of uses permitted but would allow new construction of unlimited height.


The commission will hold a public hearing on the request Tuesday and is likely to approve rezoning the land, although to more restrictive categories than Bauer has requested. The final decision will be up to the City Council. The site is in Councilman James Carter's district.

Because his request is only for a zoning change, not yet for construction, Bauer has not had to submit actual development plans to the Planning Commission. He did not return a call Friday seeking information on his plans.

But based on preliminary designs he has shown unofficially to the commission and to some nearby property owners and residents, Bauer is planning a 900-unit condo project, to be called either St. Louis Place or the Nouveau Carre, and featuring two or three towers as tall as 30 stories and 361 feet each. The address would be 1501 St. Louis St., across the street from the Iberville public housing development.

The project also would comprise one or more garages with 2,500 parking spaces, including 1,500 spaces for the condos; 240,000 square feet of commercial space for businesses such as a drugstore, restaurant, bakery or coffee shop, dress shop and dry cleaner's; and a 10,000-square-foot museum or theater that the city would be able to use to promote the French Quarter and other attractions.

Bauer, whose previous projects include the 12-story luxury condo building at 625 St. Charles Ave., reportedly has told some neighbors the entire project would cost about $150 million. The condos, as many as 14 to a floor in each tower, would sell for $220,000 to $600,000.

Bauer has told neighbors the development would help revitalize North Rampart Street, a longtime goal of many city planners and officials.

Some nearby residents have expressed enthusiasm about the project but concern about the height of the proposed buildings. "Mr. Bauer's willingness to invest millions to develop this site is gratifying to French Quarter residents in my organization," said Carol Greve, president of French Quarter Citizens Inc. "We do think, however, that heights should be limited."

Opposition also could come from community activists who fear Bauer's project would threaten the future of the Iberville housing complex, which has reopened partially since Katrina but which activists fear various developers want to demolish.

Besides the closed Winn-Dixie, the site Bauer wants to rezone also includes a recreational vehicle park next to the interstate and a fish-processing plant on the upriver side of St. Louis Street. The site once was part of a Norfolk Southern railroad corridor. Most of it was used as a parking lot for the casino that operated at the Municipal Auditorium for seven months in 1995.

Instead of the C-2 zoning Bauer is seeking, the Planning Commission staff is recommending that the third of the site closest to the French Quarter should be rezoned to C-1A, the same as along lower St. Charles Avenue and parts of Canal Street, which would provide greater control over the height and mass of any new buildings. The rear two-thirds of the site would be rezoned C-1, which is less restrictive than C-1A but more restrictive than C-2.

In general, the staff's analysis says, "the staff generally believes that height can be accommodated on this site" but "is concerned with the potential for unlimited height on the entire site, given the proximity to such sensitive areas as the Vieux Carre and Treme." Its recommendations are designed to "balance the request of the applicant with the potential concerns of the adjacent neighborhoods."

[LouisianaRush]

credit to Alon504.........

South Shore Harbor

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-LK/scan0001.jpg

Developer floats hotel, condo plan
Project puts focus on water
Saturday, June 24, 2006
By Frank Donze
Staff writer

A company based in Nevada has proposed a hotel and condominium development for a waterfront tract on Orleans Levee Board property, a project costing more than $200 million that would represent the most significant post-Katrina investment in flood-ravaged eastern New Orleans.

Representatives of Atlantis Internet Group Corp. offered few details about their plans Friday to levee board commissioners, but promised to return next month with more information.

Donald Bailey, the firm's president, said the corporation has long-standing relationships with several deep-pocketed partners, some of whom he hopes to bring with him to the board's July meeting. A publicly traded corporation, Atlantis has interests in Internet gambling sites, gambling developments and commercial and residential real estate.

Bailey said that although his company wants to pursue all available tax incentives, it is prepared to use private money to build a 95-room hotel atop a barge inside the levee board's South Shore Harbor marina and 60 waterfront town homes and other amenities along the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline that fronts Hayne Boulevard.

Noting that the devastated area his company is targeting remains largely uninhabited nearly 10 months after the storm, Bailey, a former New Orleans resident, said the potential investors he has lined up believe the "tremendous challenge" is worth the risk.

"We believe we can overcome these hurdles," he said. "We are willing to take the lead in the redevelopment of New Orleans."

Until August, when Katrina laid waste to the marina, South Shore Harbor was home to the Belle of Orleans gambling boat. The casino, which was badly damaged by the storm, has been moved to Mobile, Ala., where it is undergoing repairs.

The casino's new owner, Kentucky hotel operator Columbia Sussex Corp., has ceased lease payments to the levee board, which has taken the company to court.

If the legal issues cannot be resolved and the Belle of Orleans does not return, Bailey said, his company would be interested in seeking state approval to take over the boat's gaming license and reopening its own casino as part of the proposed development.

Bailey said Atlantis Internet has three main divisions that specialize in electronic game development; slots development and distribution; and a casino development arm that concentrates on real estate.

The barge-based hotel Atlantis is proposing would sit inside the harbor, but Bailey said the bulk of the development would be built outside the marina, stretching three miles east along the lake to Bullard Avenue.

Bailey said he and other investors are "amazed that New Orleans lacks the waterfront development so many other waterside cities focus on."

He said his prospective partners include investors in a major Detroit hotel and casino, Motor City Casino in Detroit; the St. Regis Hotel in Detroit; and several residential communities.

If voters approve a proposal this fall to merge local levee boards into a regional authority, Bailey and other developers eyeing Lakefront property likely will deal directly with state government in the near term.

Under the merger initiative, the Orleans Levee Board's myriad assets that are unrelated to flood control, such as the Lakefront Airport and South Shore Harbor, would be moved to the state's Division of Administration while local and state officials decide what to do with them.

In the meantime, Levee Board President Michael McCrossen said, the agency will launch negotiations with Atlantis. McCrossen said Michael Olivier, the state's secretary of economic development, has been briefed on the proposal and will be involved in future discussions.

The ambitious proposal is Bailey's second attempt to do business with the levee board.

In 1993, Bailey's Atlantis Resorts International Inc. was granted an option to lease space at South Shore Harbor for a $25 million floating hotel similar to the one he is proposing.

That project, which never got off the ground, included plans for 100 upscale one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and 5,000 square feet of commercial space that could accommodate conventions, retail shops, a restaurant, a jazz supper club and a movie theater.

The plan that Bailey outlined at the time called for the five-story hotel to be built on a 330-foot by 95-foot barge that could be moved if threatened by a hurricane. He said then that the barge would be anchored by ballast and temporary pilings, similar to an offshore oil rig.

. . . . . . .

Frank Donze can be reached at fdonze@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3328. Business writer Greg Thomas contributed to this report.

This is fantastic news!

[LouisianaRush]

LSU-VA hospital to replace Charity by 2011

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Charity Hospital, the 270-year-old institution that for generations was the medical epicenter of this city's uninsured, will be replaced by a $1.2 billion medical center that marries two agencies, officials announced Monday.

Charity, which sustained significant damage during last year's hurricane, has been under lock and key since the storm, its fate a matter of intense debate. Although officials have no immediate plans for the old hospital's Art Deco building, they announced plans to combine two of the city's medical powerhouses under one roof: Louisiana State University, which ran Charity, will join with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which ran the former U.S. Veterans Administration hospital.

The VA hospital also was flooded.

The shared medical complex will be comprised of two hospitals — LSU to build a 10- to 12-story tower and the VA to build an eight- to 10-story tower, which would be connected by a common "linking corridor" building that would house shared functions such as a physical plant, an emergency room and certain labs and testing equipment.

The hospital is scheduled to open in 2011 in downtown New Orleans.
http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/assets/may17/LSUVAhandout051606.pdf

What will happen to our charity system? Will the uninsured be welcomed in the new building?

[fla_tiger]

St Louis Place/ Nouveau Carre

Bauer is planning a 900-unit condo project, to be called either St. Louis Place or the Nouveau Carre, and featuring two or three towers as tall as 30 stories and 361 feet each.
Rezoning sought for condo plan
900 units near Quarter proposed

Apparently not content with the 28-story, 150-unit condominium tower he is hoping to build in the Warehouse District, New Orleans developer Tom Bauer is looking to build a far larger condo complex just outside the French Quarter.

The complex would occupy the site of a Winn-Dixie supermarket that Bauer built five years ago near the Municipal Auditorium but that has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina and is not expected to reopen. It would have as many as 900 condos, 2,500 parking spaces, space for several stores and businesses, and a museum or theater.

the link in the TP- http://www.nola.com/business/t-p/index.ssf?/base/money-1/115354776083610.xml&coll=1

[fla_tiger]

Another sign that the nations top 5 convention host is back on track

20,000 Shriners coming to N.O. Aug. 18-25
CityBusiness staff report
August 1, 2006 9:59 AM

NEW ORLEANS -- More than 31,000 conventioneers will occupy nearly 14,000 hotel rooms from Aug. 6-20, according to the New Orleans Metropolitant Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine will bring the most people with an estimated 20,000 attendees Aug. 18-25.

The schedule is as follows:
— Aug. 15-19, American Trucking Association, 2,000 attendees and 5,000 peak hotel rooms;
— Aug. 18-25, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
20,000 attendees and 5,000 peak hotel rooms; and
— Aug. 9-13, American Psychological Association, 9,000 attendees and 3,867 peak hotel rooms.•

[fla_tiger]

Algiers Riverview Condominiums

on the New Orleans Westbank

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/NO-W/f05b2a3af8.gif

Classic architecture borrowing from the traditions of the French Quarter and Warehouse District.

Featuring fantastic views of the Mississippi River and New Orleans Skyline, deep eight-foot galleries, high ceilings, and authentic detailing.