i think they are just confused by the fact it was always planned to still have a bar in the center just completely renovated .

Don’t forget the Biodistrict’s growing footprint which will likely tie into a possible new City Hall/Civic area. The Municipal Auditorium redevelopment is still waiting in the wings, improvements to City Park and hopefully a new or massively renovated arena for the Pelicans.

Gulf Coast passenger rail service from New Orleans secures big federal grant
 

https://www.nola.com/news/politics/n...e=featured-top


But funding denied for New Orleans-Baton Rouge service

The return of passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans moved one step closer to reality Thursday when the Federal Railroad Administration authorized a $178 million grant to improve the tracks and build a new platform in Mobile, Alabama.

The announcement means the service, which has been suspended since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, could resume as early as the first quarter of 2024. At a meeting in New Orleans earlier this year, officials with the Southern Rail Commission, which is spearheading efforts to restore the service, said grant approval was the final hurdle the longstanding project needed to clear.

“It’s a big win,” said John Spain, a Baton Rouge-based commissioner. “The Southern Rail Commission is delighted, as are our partners in Alabama and Mississippi.”

No grant for Baton Rouge
Another local rail project did not fare so well. The federal agency denied a $108 million grant application for the proposed proposed New Orleans-Baton Rouge passenger rail line, U.S. Rep. Garrett Graves, R-Baton Rouge confirmed. That money would have paid to replace the old wooden trestle across part of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, where trains now must slow to 10 mph....

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.town...size=540%2C582
The railroad through Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, could carry passenger trains between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama.

STAFF FILE PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD

very well could be...talked with a friend whos an inspector now, he said last night that they want Emerils new place inside Harrahs open in 2 weeks. we shall see

Of course to get some funding, but very disappointing that the bridge for the BTR service did not get funded.

The agreement Amtrak made with the host railroads was basically that they had to allow service to start as soon as Mobile allowed for a new platform and siding to be built. So the funding will certainly improve the service, but it is still dependent on the Mobile council leasing the land to Amtrak for the station.

On the other hand, the NO-BTR service could be doomed depending on the next governor. I had hopes that if at least a chunk of it was already under construction that it could stand a chance. But unless the feds are planning to fund it under another project, it's not looking good.

Looks like there were two separate grant requests for the NO-BR service. The smaller one was for the Spillway bridge, but there was a 2nd grant request for a larger amount. The latest article doesn't speak to the larger grant request, so maybe there's still hope.

Of course there are more funding rounds to come, they do this every year. Although you're right, a Republican governor could kill it again like Jindal did, or a Republican Congress or president could stop handing out the many billions in rail dollars from BIL.

Last I read, they didn't expect a response on the larger grant until December, so let's hope they were denied for this smaller one because approval for the more all-encompassing one is in the works. I have to believe the state setting aside millions recently will make a big difference in that consideration process.

i would rather we get a Brightline route.. something connecting san antonio, austin , nola, dallas and houston would be amazing. it would be nice if it became better all around to take a high speed train

part of the Canal street interior construction walls coming down as of last night...peeked in, Emerils looked close

https://i.imgur.com/bi1LDFjh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DIbMey0h.jpg

I'm all for Brightline but I think it's kind of a unique circumstance. In Florida they purchased total control of a private freight rail line and after that, the state couldn't stop them from setting up a passenger service. In California the state is extremely rail-supportive so they are allowing Brightline to build new tracks inside the I-15 corridor.

The Gulf Coast states are both hostile to rail (so using the interstates is not an option) and the freight rail lines are controlled by the big Class I railroads who are also very hostile. CPKC cut a deal to support passenger service on the NO-BR corridor so they could get their merger approved, but they will be equally hostile on other sections of track.

I saw those prices for the Orlando-Miami Brightline route, and that amount definitely wouldn't fly on the Gulf Coast, so I highly doubt it would be cost effective for anyone to do other than Amtrak.

Modern Social Club Common House to Open in New Orleans in 2024

https://wpcdn.us-midwest-1.vip.tn-cl...-drinks-28.jpg

The 20,000 square-foot “modern social club” will feature a social hall, restaurant, rooftop pool, fitness center, courtyard, open co-working space and conference rooms. In addition, there will be multiple spaces for private events that can accommodate weddings, cocktail receptions, and corporate events of up to 300 guests. In addition to the club’s amenities, members will also have access to Common House’s weekly programming, including live music, wellness classes, wine tastings, speaker series, and connection opportunities with other members.

https://www.bizneworleans.com/modern...leans-in-2024/

https://www.commonhouse.com/nola




This taco restaurant has Michelin recognition in Denver and opens today in New Orleans

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.town...size=990%2C707

https://www.nola.com/entertainment_l...01a8f2425.html



Louisiana Civil Rights Museum to Debut at Convention Center

https://wpcdn.us-midwest-1.vip.tn-cl...l-image003.jpg


https://www.bizneworleans.com/louisi...ention-center/



The NOW Massage to Open in the Warehouse District This Fall

https://wpcdn.us-midwest-1.vip.tn-cl...n/image001.jpg


https://www.bizneworleans.com/the-no...ict-this-fall/



Emeril’s Plans Oct. 24 Reopening

https://wpcdn.us-midwest-1.vip.tn-cl...is-granger.jpg


https://www.bizneworleans.com/emeril...-24-reopening/



STHS, Ochsner Health Announce New Family Medicine Residency Program

https://www.bizneworleans.com/conten...ncy-clinic.jpg

Dr. Lisa Casey, program director for the newly ACGME-accredited residency program, will oversee 24 residents and physicians from both St. Tammany Health System and Ochsner Health. Construction on the 18,000-square-foot clinic, located near the intersection of U.S. 190 and Louisiana 25, is underway. It is expected to be complete in early 2024.

https://www.bizneworleans.com/sths-o...dency-program/



Entergy New Orleans to Pilot Vehicle-to-Grid Chargers in N.O. East

https://wpcdn.us-midwest-1.vip.tn-cl...2g-vehicle.jpg

https://www.bizneworleans.com/enterg...s-in-n-o-east/

They fenced the entire perimeter around the former Rite Aid at St. Charles Avenue and Louisiana Avenue. Do we know if that project is going forward?

they did issue a demo permit for it earlier this month so id think so

2242 Saint Claude Ave·New Construction · Ref Code:5J0WPN
View Download (4) Print Summary Submit Add to Watch List
Type:
New Construction
Applicant:
Lynnette Gordon
Status:
Application Submitted
Date Filed:
9/25/2023
Closed:
No
Description:
New construction of 3 story commercial building, 7267 sq. ft. restaurant bar, 0 bed/6/bathrooms, for HDLC submission only

https://64.media.tumblr.com/0c50d354...9c0b3f0be7.pnj

https://64.media.tumblr.com/12745d7f...ecfefdd61c.pnj

https://64.media.tumblr.com/f8c7bcba...20702fb44f.pnj

https://64.media.tumblr.com/f5ae223d...2e5275e99a.pnj

https://64.media.tumblr.com/90fabaa8...6643ac1736.pnj

One of the new airport flyover ramps opens Friday! The ramp from the airport toward New Orleans should open in a few weeks, and then the surface streets will be finished a few weeks after that. So the whole thing should be finished by the end of the year, which is much earlier than the the last timeline they had provided.

https://www.nola.com/news/traffic/he...df7120e0b.html

At least some good things are coming from this drought weather lol

Proposed expansion to MSY Main Terminal
 

https://louisianapublicnotice.com/notices/340869

9-28-23

The New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB) proposes to improve the East Concourse at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which consists of the expansion of the Main Terminal building, the customs baggage inspection system (CBIS), the adjacent terminal apron, as well as the construction of a new Taxiway H (Proposed Project).

Plaza Tower Under contract
 

I'll believe it when I see it, but...

https://www.nola.com/news/business/p...a18ab469f747e0

I wouldn’t trust a word Jaeger says.But maybe he’s finally ready to hand over the keys. Also I was in town today and noticed quite a bit of clean up to the exterior of Charity Hospital (unless my eyes were playing tricks on me). Also what’s that building in front of the SPHTM ? Seems like it was newly constructed.