NEW ORLEANS | Project/Development Thread

[prokowave]

There is definitely a lot to be done to improve the pedestrian experience, especially with so many people using uber/lyft rather than rental cars. A lot of the area doesn't even have proper continuous sidewalks. Another big thing is the lack of landscaping - it's a sea of concrete. What would be great is if they could find a way to build a level above the parking garage and put in some grassy/shaded areas for tailgating.

Seems also that the area could use more apartment buildings and hotels with ground floor restaurants and bars. Apart from the Hyatt there is very little going on at night. That would also be a boost with DXC ramping up.

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by prokowave

There is definitely a lot to be done to improve the pedestrian experience, especially with so many people using uber/lyft rather than rental cars. A lot of the area doesn't even have proper continuous sidewalks. Another big thing is the lack of landscaping - it's a sea of concrete. What would be great is if they could find a way to build a level above the parking garage and put in some grassy/shaded areas for tailgating.

Seems also that the area could use more apartment buildings and hotels with ground floor restaurants and bars. Apart from the Hyatt there is very little going on at night. That would also be a boost with DXC ramping up.

There was a big survey thing for parking and loading zones in CBD at the International house hotel tonight the city is conducting.. i def think more loading zones is needed since many people are using lyft and Uber and eventually self driving vehicles.

[CheeburgerCheeburger]

Originally Posted by tennis1400

that things huge!!! how many floors?

Should be 5, so I believe it is topped out.

[broadmoor]

Originally Posted by prokowave

There is definitely a lot to be done to improve the pedestrian experience, especially with so many people using uber/lyft rather than rental cars. A lot of the area doesn't even have proper continuous sidewalks. Another big thing is the lack of landscaping - it's a sea of concrete. What would be great is if they could find a way to build a level above the parking garage and put in some grassy/shaded areas for tailgating.

Seems also that the area could use more apartment buildings and hotels with ground floor restaurants and bars. Apart from the Hyatt there is very little going on at night. That would also be a boost with DXC ramping up.

That's a really cool idea! Like a rooftop park on the garage. Fans would definitely pay a premium to get to tailgate there for Saints games, but it could be used for plenty of other purposes. And that sort of thing could also be made to manage water during storms. Hmm...

[jjslonaker]

Noticed today the WWII museum hotel is finally erecting a tower crane!

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by jjslonaker

Noticed today the WWII museum hotel is finally erecting a tower crane!

I really would like to know more about the construction process on that one..

[lamsalfl]

Andrew Higgins Blvd is now sealed off in front of the hotel construction. I guess it will be closed until the project is finished.

[lamsalfl]

Are we at 7 tower cranes downtown with the new one today?


Also, is the Hard Rock Hotel project stopped? Seems to be moving slowly.

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by lamsalfl

Are we at 7 tower cranes downtown with the new one today?


Also, is the Hard Rock Hotel project stopped? Seems to be moving slowly.

That hard rock site is much larger than the others... it took canal crossing awhile to get the first floor done

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by lamsalfl

Andrew Higgins Blvd is now sealed off in front of the hotel construction. I guess it will be closed until the project is finished.

At least until the crane comes down but probably until it’s finished like the Cambria hotel did with commerce street

[sguil1]

Originally Posted by tennis1400

That hard rock site is much larger than the others... it took canal crossing awhile to get the first floor done

Passed by today and it appears to be going full speed ahead. Starting to top out the first floor.

[tennis1400]

[tennis1400]

[tennis1400]

You can sort of make out the Higgins Hotel crane in the right side of the pic





Canal Crossing Pics:

[tennis1400]

They added some massive new lights to the exterior .. so im sure will be very pretty at night once they are turned on!

[tennis1400]

54 Canal St·New Construction · Ref Code: FAR332
Print Summary Submit Add to Watch List
Type:
New Construction
Applicant:
William Manning
Status:
Application Submitted
Date Filed:
5/23/2018
Closed:
No
Description
New construction of a new wharf infill (approx. 13,000 sf) and new ferry terminal (approx. 3600 sf) are to be constructed. In addition, the ferry boarding barge will be refurbished and two new gangways will be installed for boarding access. During construction, ferry service will remain active via a temporary boarding structure and gangway in front of the Bienville Wharf.

Applicant:
William Manning
Contractors:
Expires:
11/23/2018 3:12:07 PM
Division:
SP
Subdivision:
Central Business District
Council District:
C
Area:
3600
Next Status:
Application Review
Next Status Date:
5/28/2018 3:12:08 PM
Next Inspection:
Inspection Date:
Next Inspector:
Total Fees:
90060.00
Unpaid Fees:
90060.00
Final Date:
Days Open:
1
Days Issued:
0
Filing Date:
5/23/2018 3:12:08 PM
Lead Staff:

[thalia]

I guess if we keep saying it, it will eventually come true...

https://neworleanscitybusiness.com/b...ons-add-hotel/

[tennis1400]

1 Canal St·Renovation (Non-Structural) · Ref Code: K18FFM
Print Summary Submit Add to Watch List
Type:
Renovation (Non-Structural)
Applicant:
David Hankins
Status:
Application Submitted
Date Filed:
5/25/2018
Closed:
No
Description
The purpose of the project is to create a shark touch experience including a fiberglass pool and associated animal support. The work will involve the renovation of approximately 3,750 square feet on the second floor of the existing Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

[Chris from N.O.]

Another article on the convention center hotel:

http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orlea...a6007c9ee.html

Am I missing something here? It seems that the Convention Center will kick in a bunch of money, the developers will get hotel and sales tax rebates and property tax breaks, and in return, the Convention Center will have control of the property- 40 years from now. Other than an increase in hotel capacity, where's the benefit to the convention center and the city? We just denied Harrah's a hotel permit because we couldn't agree on how much they would pay in return, but now we're kicking in money on a project led by one of the loudest critics of the Harrah's deal?

It just seems that people are falling over each other to build hotels here, so I'm confused as to why anybody would think we need to pay someone to build one. I get that it's New Orleans politics but it seems like they're giving away the farm here.

[prokowave]

Yeah, that seems excessive to me. I could see either the payment from the CC or the tax breaks, but not both. And honestly, the city and state could use the money, a hotel shouldn't be classified as a non-profit. What they need to do is invest in the area - street grid, riverfront park, amphitheater. Lease portions of it to apartment developers to bring some life to the area, including ground floor commercial space. And then you make the area much more attractive for conventions. Paying a developer to build a huge hotel next to a bunch of empty lots is a waste.