NEW ORLEANS | Project/Development Thread - Page 43

DillardAlum · #**841** Posted **Jun 4, 2010, 7:21 PM**

The abandoned Bohn Ford building in Mid-City will become the hub of the burgeoning sustainable industry movement in New Orleans, with a dozen companies already lined up to move into the space.

Green Coast Enterprises, a local real estate services firm, and EcoPark, a social entrepreneurship entity, have the building at 401 N. Carrollton Ave., under contract and plans to develop it into the Building Block, an office complex geared toward housing businesses with interests in minimizing environmental impacts.

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed yet. The sale is expected to close by early fall, and the renovated building plans to open in 2012.

Complete article: http://neworleanscitybusiness.com/bl...-business-hub/

sguil1 · #**842** Posted **Jun 4, 2010, 7:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DillardAlum

Yeah, and I think that I read that it appraised or that they were originally were asking for 7+ million? That was a good deal, and on Canal!

However, the 1000 block need much improvement (particularly, the old Woolworth) and different retail. Nevertheless, I'm encouraged, because once this project is complete and the Saenger Theatre reopened, there will be a much better Canal on the downriver side through to the Bioinnovation Center--excluding the 1000 block and that rental car place between 1201 Canal and the Bio center. Is that still a rental car facility or has it become something else? I cannot recall from my last visit home.

still a rental car place. but your right, we are slowly taking that end of Canal st. back from the post-K blight.

DillardAlum · #**843** Posted **Jun 4, 2010, 8:05 PM**

And Pre-K blight, too! LOL

sguil1 · #**844** Posted **Jun 4, 2010, 11:47 PM**

very true. Saenger was definately a storm casualty. I'm pretty sure the Joy theatre was open up until the storm as well, but not positive.

tennis1400 · #**845** Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 2:34 PM**

The Joys last use was an adult movie theatre. I believe it closed a bit before Katrina. Anyone know whats going on with the Orpheum? Seemed like it was suppose to be reopened ahwile ago but nothing ever happens!

Nolacat157 · #**846** Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 1:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tennis1400

The Joys last use was an adult movie theatre. I believe it closed a bit before Katrina. Anyone know whats going on with the Orpheum? Seemed like it was suppose to be reopened ahwile ago but nothing ever happens!

The below Time Picayune article spells the future of the Orpheum as pretty bleak. Doesn't sound like it will ever be a theater again.

http://www.nola.com/business/index.s...handed_in.html

typo86 · #**847** Posted **Jun 8, 2010, 12:05 AM**

Demolition makes way for new Algiers Regional Library

Quote:

Monday, June 07, 2010
The Times-Picayune

The Algiers library is one of five to be built citywide for more than $27 million. Construction will focus on "maximizing accessibility and reducing operation costs," according to architect Lee Ledbetter. Energy-efficient designs will reduce the amount of water and electricity needed for daily operation.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.s...for_new_a.html

Renderings - Images 10 to 12
http://www.leeledbetter.com/current-...-libraries.swf

NO East Library renderings are images 13 to 15...

dgpatel · #**848** Posted **Jun 10, 2010, 1:02 PM**

Found these on another forum. The mall entrance demolition was started this week.

Before (6/1/10):

After (6/3/10):

dgpatel · #**849** Posted **Jun 10, 2010, 1:06 PM**

Also found these on another forum...Looks like the Poydras side is half done. Soon we will see the gold skin reflecting the sunset as you drive into NOLA from Metaire/Kenner areas.

LouisianaRush · #**850** Posted **Jun 10, 2010, 4:24 PM**

Quote:

Thursday, June 10, 2010
The Times-Picayune

Rouses Markets said this morning that it has acquired the old Sewell Cadillac Building at 701 Baronne Street in downtown New Orleans and will develop a 40,000-square-foot grocery at the site.

The new store will not open for more than a year.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu was among the dignitaries on hand for this morning's announcement.

http://www.nola.com/business/index.s...es_sewell.html

DillardAlum · #**851** Posted **Jun 10, 2010, 10:14 PM**

Here is a little more details and a glimpse of the layout (at the end of the video) of the Rouse's project.

LOL... and read the comments at the end, which forced the new Gambit writer to strike out and correct himself. Hilarious, but I love it. Use either CBD or DDD or you'll confuse your downtown readers.

http://blogofneworleans.com/blog/201...n-supermarket/

SlidellWx · #**852** Posted **Jun 11, 2010, 3:49 AM**

Great news for the Warehouse District and surrounding neighborhoods. Wonder if Rouse's will ever open a store in New Orleans East or near the Bywater? There is a dearth of full service groceries in these areas.

sguil1 · #**853** Posted **Jun 12, 2010, 12:24 AM**

Drury Inn seeks $16M in bond backing for expansion

Developers are seeking $16 million in bond backing from the Industrial Development Board to expand the Drury Inn and Suites in the Central Business District. The expansion will include 60 hotel rooms, a 225-space parking lot, meeting space and an enclosed swimming pool.

Representatives of the Missouri-based ownership will present their pitch at Tuesday’s IDB meeting. The expansion of the property at 820 Poydras St. will toward the back corner of Lafayette and Carondelet streets.

Developers have set a project budget of $15.45 million and say the job will employ 120 people during construction with a payroll of $6.18 million. Once completed, the larger hotel will add 12 permanent jobs with a payroll in excess of $422,000.

Construction is expected to begin March 1, 2011, and completed Sept. 1, 2012

DillardAlum · #**854** Posted **Jun 14, 2010, 7:35 PM**

Hopefully, this represents a sign of long-term environmental and economic commitment. We'll see...

http://neworleanscitybusiness.com/bl...-moving-to-no/

greenparrot · #**855** Posted **Jun 14, 2010, 7:45 PM**

probably just for show...maybe logistics, but I wouldn't read much more into it.

sguil1 · #**856** Posted **Jun 15, 2010, 11:54 PM**

Federal City update...

Uptowner · #**857** Posted **Jun 23, 2010, 5:00 PM**

Quote:

Jackson expects high-speed rail to become reality
Rep. Michael Jackson says Louisiana is moving forward with its plan to build a $447 million high-speed rail connecting Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Legislation was passed this session that set up a compact-designating authority to a board of directors who will oversee financing issues. Jackson, a Baton Rouge independent, told the Baton Rouge Press Club today he does not expect Gov. Bobby Jindal to veto his bill and feels the project can survive independent of state financing. Louisiana was overlooked last year when other states were receiving federal stimulus grants to fund similar projects because a solid plan was not in order. Jackson says the compact board will position Louisiana well to receive the next round of stimulus money. New stimulus money will come with the caveat that states provide matching funds.

After the bill goes into law on July 1, Jackson says Mayor Kip Holden and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will be asked to formally support the rails with resolutions. Then five directors will be chosen for the board of directors, one from each of the parishes that the rail line is designed to go through. Jackson called the board a "quasi-governmental entity" and says the members will not be paid. He claims the rail could be an important tool to evacuating New Orleans in the event of another Hurricane Katrina-like catastrophe. "It could be a bridge to a whole new world of south Louisiana, and we're going to make sure we do everything in our power to bring it forward," he says.—Rebekah Allen

http://www.businessreport.com/archiv...0/jun/21/1689/

-------------------------------------------

Sunday T-P article concerning Rouses and growth in the CBD
http://shop.rouses.com/images/site/15/TP_Money.pdf

prokowave · #**858** Posted **Jun 23, 2010, 7:00 PM**

According to this article, Carnival will be expanding its capacity to pre-Katrina levels with two new ships that will be home-ported in New Orleans starting in fall 2011.

http://neworleanscitybusiness.com/bl...leans-in-2011/

This comes not long after Royal Caribbean announced that it will bring the Voyager of the Seas to New Orleans, also in 2011. This will be the largest cruise-liner ever to be home-ported in NOLA.

http://www.nola.com/business/index.s...meport_li.html

Norwegian Cruise Lines also announced earlier this year that it will expand the Norwegian Spirit from five month to year-round service, also beginning in 2011.

http://www.nola.com/business/index.s..._will_kee.html

This is a huge vote of confidence in the city and bodes well for the future!

johnme · #**859** Posted **Jun 23, 2010, 8:08 PM**

I had a chance to go home for a few days this week and here are a few updates. The city is looking good with all of these projects; especially The Superdome.

The Superdome looks brand new from this angle.

The Benson tower.

I am not sure what this project is, but it is located directly south of I-10 in front of the CBD.

In New Orleans East on the service road between Crowder and Read. Condos?

sguil1 · #**860** Posted **Jun 23, 2010, 9:36 PM**

Nice pics johnme. The highrise off I-10 in CBD is the LA Cancer Research Center. Also found this update of the New Orleans Center. The entire mall atrium area now demolished.