NEW ORLEANS | Project/Development Thread - Page 243

TulaneJeff · #**4841** Posted **May 15, 2012, 11:34 PM**

Great article that supports the city's push for cabbie reform:

3 simple buttons raised tipping by $144M in NYC cabs
http://thenextweb.com/shareables/201...n-in-nyc-cabs/

“During payment, the user is presented with three default buttons for tipping: 20%, 25%, and 30%. When cabs were cash only, the average tip was roughly 10%. After the introduction of this system, the tip percentage jumped to 22%. Those three buttons resulted in $144,146,165 of additional tips. Per year. Those are some very valuable buttons.”

In New York, Taxi Revenue and Tips From Credit Cards Rise
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/ny...taxi.html?_r=1

New York’s cabbies howled when the city began forcing them to take credit cards. Some even went on strike, calling the requirements a kowtow to tourists and a burden on drivers.

But two years later, the back-of-the-cab swipe has emerged as an unlikely savior for New York’s taxi industry, even as other cities’ fleets struggle to find fares in a deep recession.

tennis1400 · #**4842** Posted **May 16, 2012, 4:58 AM**

Thats what I tell all the cabbies that complain. The more consistent and pleasant cabbing not only will people who use cabs use it more but more people will use it. I also generally out of experience tip better when the cab driver and his car is better. Seems obvious to me! Will some cabbied quit? yes and that may not be a bad thing!

BTW I noticed that TAxi Magic is now working here in New Orleans. Its a pretty cool app that lets you book a cab and alerts you to where it is on googlemaps.

WesternSon · #**4843** Posted **May 16, 2012, 1:49 PM**

Looks like work is underway at 1029 OC Haley. The Gambit article mentions it should be done by August- good deal!

IceCream · #**4844** Posted **May 16, 2012, 1:57 PM**

This building at 2727ish S. Broad (across from the old Ford building) is undergoing a major renovation. That's a good pick-me-up to Central City. I think this is one of the public private things in the area, but I thought that was all limited to the Ford building?

This is just a googlemaps shot..didn't have time to stop and take a photo of the current state, but it's been completely gutted, walls have been stripped interior and exterior so its clear something is going on.

Blitzen · #**4845** Posted **May 16, 2012, 3:01 PM**

More details about the FQ/CBD streets/sidewalk repaving job. I'm glad they've also budgeted money for crosswalk signals, new signs, and traffic lights. Also, very pleased to see bike racks in the budget too.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.s...l#incart_river

Source: Times Picayune

TulaneJeff · #**4846** Posted **May 16, 2012, 4:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tennis1400

BTW I noticed that TAxi Magic is now working here in New Orleans. Its a pretty cool app that lets you book a cab and alerts you to where it is on googlemaps.

Taxi Magic is a great app; however it suffers from the same broken system which the new reform legislation will hopefully solve.

I once booked a cab on Taxi Magic and upon arriving at our destination the cabbie refused to accept the fare payment via the app, stating "I don't know where that money goes...!".

Another flaw is that the dispatched cab is usually not the closest. I once looked at the map and saw that my cab was departing the airport in Kenner!

Currently, Carriage Cab is the only service available for digital booking and cab tracking. United is listed, but you're only able to phone their dispatch and unable to track your cab. Despite the flaws, it's cool to see where your transportation is while waiting.

Foley Santamaria · #**4847** Posted **May 16, 2012, 4:59 PM**

Man its killing me how all the new Walgreens/grocery stores are one story affairs without several floors of housing on top. Given these are typically in prime locations (and rents are high and vacancy low), near transit and other services, it seems like a no brainer. Anyone have any ideas how to combat this? Don't these companies want to make more money? I would love to see Mitch speak about this/try to influence it. I know he is pretty smart with urban planning.

Blitzen · #**4848** Posted **May 16, 2012, 8:01 PM**

http://www.wwltv.com/news/Zulu-repor...151750445.html

Wasn't this the building that was supposed to be converted into a neighborhod market a while back? I'm glad it will be used for something at least.

tennis1400 · #**4849** Posted **May 16, 2012, 8:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzen

http://www.wwltv.com/news/Zulu-repor...151750445.html

Wasn't this the building that was supposed to be converted into a neighborhod market a while back? I'm glad it will be used for something at least.

It was supposed to be some sort of grocery tulane hybrid deal they even had plans. Guess the project isnt happening. Hope if Zulu does buy it they upgrade it a bit since its horrendous looking right now. WOuld prefer the grocery concept as I think that would be more catalytic to the neighborhood.

prokowave · #**4850** Posted **May 17, 2012, 2:24 AM**

1. Costco Plans Made Official

http://www.nola.com/business/index.s...l#incart_river

Quote:

After more than a year of behind-the-scenes planning, the Costco Wholesale Corp. has committed to bring a big-box warehouse store to the Carrollton area, marking the retail giant's first venture in Louisiana and filling a commercial void in post-Katrina New Orleans. Although the 148,000-square-foot project still needs design approval from the City Planning Commission and the City Council, officials in Mayor Mitch Landrieu's administration said Wednesday that they are hopeful that those steps will be formalities as all parties work toward a mid-2013 opening.

2. There seems to be quite a bit of work going on at the Elks Building downtown. Does anyone have info on this?

This is the last I've heard about it:http://neworleanscitybusiness.com/th...has-new-owner/

3. There's been a lot of progress on the Saenger Theater. I may post pictures later. I was also wondering about the Civic Theater. I've seen work going there but I've heard very little about it.

rschin2 · #**4851** Posted **May 17, 2012, 2:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzen

More details about the FQ/CBD streets/sidewalk repaving job. I'm glad they've also budgeted money for crosswalk signals, new signs, and traffic lights. Also, very pleased to see bike racks in the budget too.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.s...l#incart_river

Source: Times Picayune

When is this work set to begin? It'd be great if they could get it done before the superbowl

ardecila · #**4852** Posted **May 17, 2012, 3:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foley Santamaria

Man its killing me how all the new Walgreens/grocery stores are one story affairs without several floors of housing on top. Given these are typically in prime locations (and rents are high and vacancy low), near transit and other services, it seems like a no brainer. Anyone have any ideas how to combat this? Don't these companies want to make more money? I would love to see Mitch speak about this/try to influence it. I know he is pretty smart with urban planning.

Walgreens doesn't build housing. Even in big cities like Chicago and DC, Walgreens builds standalone stores with small parking lots. Sometimes a developer will build a housing project with a large retail space on a bottom, and he will approach Walgreens or other retailers about opening a location.

Now: here's the problem I see. New Orleans is overwhelmingly a city of 1-3 story woodframe buildings, singles or doubles. True multifamily buildings are rare, and the most desirable neighborhoods Uptown will oppose anything denser than a handful of doubles.

There are only a few places where this kind of multi-story building with retail would be feasible. The Power Plant area is eventually planned to become a dense mixed-use retail district, the Warehouse District would work, or somewhere along Tulane Ave. You've also got a few sites on Elysian Fields in the Marigny.

SlidellWx · #**4853** Posted **May 17, 2012, 4:49 AM**

The Costco store is official. Great news for the Mid-City area. Not sure where the story went on nola.com...it was up for a while, and now it's gone.

Also...the final list of food vendors and locations is out at the airport. A great improvement overall. It now relies on a city council vote. Hopefully, our district D & E councilmembers will show up.

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

ardecila · #**4854** Posted **May 17, 2012, 7:15 AM**

WOW Wingery?

Oh well, Olde College Inn is a huge upgrade (and Dooky Chase!) Unfortunately there are no connections between the concourses behind security, so you can only visit these establishments if they are by your gate.

What is Le Petit Bistro? Is that an outgrowth of La Petite Grocery or the planned restaurant in Le Petit Theatre?

NOLADevelopmentFan · #**4855** Posted **May 17, 2012, 3:01 PM**

Le Petit Bistro is a national chain with restaurants in lots of airports.

Foley Santamaria · #**4856** Posted **May 17, 2012, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

Now: here's the problem I see. New Orleans is overwhelmingly a city of 1-3 story woodframe buildings, singles or doubles. True multifamily buildings are rare, and the most desirable neighborhoods Uptown will oppose anything denser than a handful of doubles.

Fair enough, I guess. Since almost everything is built now on top a level of parking, I don't see why that wouldn't satisfy the NIMBYs. They are short sighted - all the most valuable places in the US don't have easily accessible parking.

Foley Santamaria · #**4857** Posted **May 17, 2012, 5:05 PM**

Good video on the Claiborne corridor, also.

What is the next step for bringing down the overpass?

Blitzen · #**4858** Posted **May 17, 2012, 6:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foley Santamaria

Good video on the Claiborne corridor, also.

What is the next step for bringing down the overpass?

There is a study being conducted which will conclude Fall 2013. Based on the attitude of the politicians who found the funding, I suspect the study will overwhelmingly support tearing down the structure. Next the City will wholeheartedly endorse the plan and it will go to the state.

Depending on who is in office, the state will either:
1. agree with the plan and budget its share of the cost, with the feds picking up 75% or so;
2. disagree with the plan and budget for repairs to the existing structure;
3. apply for and win a grant from the feds to remove/redevelop the whole thing;
4. ignore the NOLA delegation of legislators and do nothing, and the overpass will continue to decay. If you don't think this option is possible, look at the Claiborne and Florida Avenue Bridge replacement projects which have sat idle for years.

Supposing the state gets the money and votes to go ahead with the plan, there will need to be a formal environmental study conducted, and then a few years of construction.

BEST possible scenario, this is completed by the City's 300th anniversary in 2017.
Likely? Definitely not.

ardecila · #**4859** Posted **May 17, 2012, 8:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzen

If you don't think this option is possible, look at the Claiborne and Florida Avenue Bridge replacement projects which have sat idle for years.

St. Claude, not Claiborne. The Claiborne bridge is in good shape, it just needs a bigger budget for repainting.

The St. Claude project is tied up in the Industrial Canal lock replacement project... the Army Corps pledged to replace the bridge as part of the project, but the neighborhood keeps fighting the lock tooth and nail. IMO the lock project should be scaled down... there's no need for deep-draft anymore, but the current lock is on its last legs and needs replacement badly. Same goes for the bridge.

Besides, I'm tired of Jefferson Parish getting all the funding. The Causeway interchange cost nearly $100 million. The I-10 widenings have cost twice that much. The Twin Spans project was technically in Orleans Parish, but that was a storm-recovery project primarily, and the extra lane was gravy.

cameron70115 · #**4860** Posted **May 18, 2012, 5:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

There are only a few places where this kind of multi-story building with retail would be feasible. The Power Plant area is eventually planned to become a dense mixed-use retail district, the Warehouse District would work, or somewhere along Tulane Ave. You've also got a few sites on Elysian Fields in the Marigny.

I think the real blown opportunity was Carrollton at Canal. That's a massive intersection by New Orleans standards, and really prime centrally located real estate. The fact that a cookie cutter Walgreens took over that huge lot is extremely piss poor. The lot could've handled a six-story apartment building, or offices, or a hotel. It could've been a catalyst to make that stretch of businesses even bigger and better. Instead of being an exclamation point of progress for a busy corner, it's a reminder that we aren't as big time as we like to think we are. It may as well be a Dollar General store, heh.