NEW ORLEANS | Project/Development Thread

[lamsalfl]

Originally Posted by Blitzen

If you’re like me you can spend hours looking at satellite pictures. Google earth updated its satellite image (under historical imagery) of downtown NOLA/FQ/LGD to a photo taken 4/12/20. It’s not super high resolution but you can see lots of progress and new construction along the Lafitte Greenway, Warehouse District, Iberville Projects, and the hotel on Elysian Fields. Four Seasons coming along nicely too. Also, it’s creepy how few cars are on the streets. Check it out.

That imagery is absolutely terrible. They really need to just scrap that until they can get a better shot.

[sguil1]

https://www.nola.com/news/politics/a...f162d9e2c.html

Crews used an excavator to begin tearing apart one of three buildings surrounding the site of the Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans on Friday, the first step in the monthslong process to demolish the wreckage of the partially collapsed building itself.

Contractors working for 1031 Canal Development LLC, the consortium headed by Mohan Kailas behind the Hard Rock, began to knock down 1022 Iberville Street Friday morning, a move that they and city officials said was necessary to clear space for the cranes that will be used to pick apart the rubble of the Hard Rock.

The Hard Rock was still under construction when its upper floors collapsed in October, killing three workers. The bodies of two of the workers are still entombed in the rubble, which has remained virtually untouched since the collapse

[typo86]

Originally Posted by lamsalfl

That imagery is absolutely terrible. They really need to just scrap that until they can get a better shot.

You can access Pictometry through the NOLA tax assessor website. Their imagery is from January 2020 to March 2020. It's very clear and detailed.

[jjslonaker]

The main structure is finally completed.

[York1]

Thanks for the pictures of the Hard Rock. Is there a time table when the city says it has to be finished?

[sguil1]

Originally Posted by York1

Thanks for the pictures of the Hard Rock. Is there a time table when the city says it has to be finished?

Who knows.... Minor miracle that it actually got started.

NOLA.com had some additional pictures today.

https://www.nola.com/multimedia/phot...6aa48b2.html#1

[Alxx611]

Originally Posted by York1

Thanks for the pictures of the Hard Rock. Is there a time table when the city says it has to be finished?

Not sure what the City's timeline is, but the Developer's is as follows:

-Demo 1022 Iberville, and 1019-25, 1027 Canal by late May, then remove tower crane that's still suspended over Canal Street

- Recover bodies of workers by early June.

- Remove upper floors of tower by mid-July

-Remove lower floors of tower through Summer and early Fall, fully cleared by October.


More info at:

https://www.nola.com/news/politics/a...f162d9e2c.html

[sguil1]

UMC outpatient surgery center signage is up.
Work starting on the new parking structure on Tulane ave across from LSUHSC

[sguil1]

https://www.nola.com/news/coronaviru...28eb6496c.html

The Lafayette Square residents association is suing the City and the City Council in a bid to block a controversial housing-and-entertainment project in the Central Business District, and to highlight what they argue are inappropriate tax breaks for the development in the middle of the coronavirus crisis.

The move by the association is the latest in a long-running battle between private residents of the historic neighborhood, who've advocated against several projects in recent years on the grounds that they will turn the area into another raucous tourist destination, and developer Marcel Wisznia, who argues that his proposed development will breath new life into a down-at-heel part of the district.

The City Council initially approved the $44 million "co-living" and entertainment complex in February after Wisznia agreed to provisions that included setting aside 40 of the 218 residential units for lower-income renters.

The project, called "Two Saints", was first proposed more than three years ago and envisions a novel setup where most renters would have private bedrooms but share common areas, like kitchens and living rooms.

The 40 low-income units will be aimed at people making no more than 60%-to-80% of the average New Orleans income and rent for under $1,000 a month, while the other units will be rent-controlled starting at around $1,400 to $1,500 a month.

Wisznia has won the backing of Mayor LaToya Cantrell and affordable housing advocates.

[sguil1]

https://neworleanscitybusiness.com/b...s-renovations/

The Academy of the Sacred Heart has completed a major renovation to its Mater Campus located at 4301 St. Charles Ave.

The project included a redesigned building entrance, including a new vestibule on General Pershing Street; a new courtyard space featuring tiered, grass-topped seating areas and water-retention capabilities; and a complete renovation of the Bob and Jeri Nims Fine Arts Center, which serves multiple functions as the central gathering location for the full school.

The construction process began last June as part of the school’s five-year strategic plan. The renovations offer ample space within which to conduct summer camp and school activities in accordance with national, state and local guidelines and enhanced technology to effectively support a variety of learning modalities, school officials said.

“These renovations were thoughtfully planned to fulfill the long-term goals of our strategic plan, to enhance the pedagogical environment in which we educate our students to become leaders of their time,” said Headmistress Sr. Melanie A. Guste, RSCJ. “In addition to fulfilling these goals, the timing of this project is extremely supportive to the immediate needs of our school community. With these spaces, we have even more capability and flexibility to configure activities on campus well within mandated occupancy and safety guidelines, and those plans are well underway. We are incredibly fortunate that the unique attributes of our campus and the ingenuity of our faculty and staff have enabled our readiness to re-open our gates.”

The 112,760-square-foot campus occupies a full block on St. Charles Avenue between Napoleon Avenue and General Pershing Street and features educational spaces tailored to the needs of students ranging from age one to grade four. The Rosary Campus, located two blocks away on St. Charles Avenue between Jena and Cadiz Streets, is home to the middle and upper school divisions.

[ardecila]

^ That's really nice. Manages to evoke the 1960s and the 2010s at the same time. Kinda reminds me of Ed Durell Stone.

Gotta say, the Catholic Church has a strong architecture game... but they always have.

[FenderOz]

Originally Posted by sguil1

https://www.nola.com/news/coronaviru...28eb6496c.html

The Lafayette Square residents association is suing the City and the City Council in a bid to block a controversial housing-and-entertainment project in the Central Business District, and to highlight what they argue are inappropriate tax breaks for the development in the middle of the coronavirus crisis.

The move by the association is the latest in a long-running battle between private residents of the historic neighborhood, who've advocated against several projects in recent years on the grounds that they will turn the area into another raucous tourist destination, and developer Marcel Wisznia, who argues that his proposed development will breath new life into a down-at-heel part of the district.

The City Council initially approved the $44 million "co-living" and entertainment complex in February after Wisznia agreed to provisions that included setting aside 40 of the 218 residential units for lower-income renters.

The project, called "Two Saints", was first proposed more than three years ago and envisions a novel setup where most renters would have private bedrooms but share common areas, like kitchens and living rooms.

The 40 low-income units will be aimed at people making no more than 60%-to-80% of the average New Orleans income and rent for under $1,000 a month, while the other units will be rent-controlled starting at around $1,400 to $1,500 a month.

Wisznia has won the backing of Mayor LaToya Cantrell and affordable housing advocates.

Does anyone know big the Lafayette Square RA is? Are we talking a legitimate neighborhood dispute or less than a dozen NIMBYs + special interests against the new commercial development?

[Gee32]

Here is an article about New Orleans covid-19 tech environment.
https://www.protocol.com/tech-hubs-c...r-philadelphia

[Nickapedia]

Originally Posted by FenderOz

Does anyone know big the Lafayette Square RA is? Are we talking a legitimate neighborhood dispute or less than a dozen NIMBYs + special interests against the new commercial development?

I could not find out online, but willing to venture a guess that its less than a dozen NIMBYs.

[sguil1]

Originally Posted by Gee32

Here is an article about New Orleans covid-19 tech environment.
https://www.protocol.com/tech-hubs-c...r-philadelphia

Good article. Thanks

[jjslonaker]

They put up the new spire on the WTC/Four Seasons today and it really does bring back some great balance to the building. Can't wait to see it done.

[Blitzen]

Beginning next year all new parking lanes and sidewalks must be permeable paving:
https://www.nola.com/news/politics/a...f267d28bf.html

[sguil1]

Originally Posted by jjslonaker

They put up the new spire on the WTC/Four Seasons today and it really does bring back some great balance to the building. Can't wait to see it done.

Thanks. Was able to get a picture. Also looks like brick is going up on the Virgin Hotel.

[Alxx611]

Virgin Hotel, via photo from Broadmoor, LLC:

[Gee32]

Any updates on when the convention center will be meeting to select the finalist for the riverfront development?

I really hope RDNI proposal is selected.