NEW ORLEANS | Project/Development Thread

[C.]

Anyone know when the Higgin's Hotel opens for business?

(I'll be visiting in December and would love to stay there if open)

[sguil1]

City Hall in New Orleans is decrepit, and there are two costly options to fix that problem

https://www.nola.com/news/politics/a...ba39fef8d.html

Like at least two New Orleans mayors before her, Mayor LaToya Cantrell is contemplating the future of City Hall, with an eye toward leaving the 1950s building on Perdido Street for updated and less broken-down environs.

Cantrell’s desire for a new City Hall is no secret. She endorsed the idea more than a year ago and pitched Municipal Auditorium in Armstrong Park, vacant since Hurricane Katrina, as a suitable site for the city's government.

But efforts to put a plan into action could gain new steam from a report, commissioned by the city and completed last month, that says something needs to be done about the decrepit seat of New Orleans government. That means one of two costly options: a full renovation or a new building.

The report makes no formal recommendations, and Ramsey Green, who oversees infrastructure for the Cantrell administration, said no final decisions are imminent. However, the administration is still seriously contemplating a move, and Municipal Auditorium remains a top contender to house a new government complex.

“I don’t know that the public really misses Municipal Auditorium for events, but it's a historic building in a park system that is underused,” said Green, noting the proliferation of other event spaces in the area.

Moving City Hall to the site is a “really compelling idea, and the next step would be to analyze that space," he said....

...
The report leans heavily toward building a new, 12-story, 445,000-square-foot City Hall.

Among the benefits would be brand new infrastructure and better internal planning and design, according to the report. There is also the possibility of offsetting at least part of the cost by redeveloping the existing site and also spurring commercial development at the new location, according to the report...

[jjslonaker]

[/QUOTE]

I don't actually hate the idea of city hall moving to the auditorium, hopefully they would take down the damn fence around the park.

I do hope if city hall moves someone redevelops the current building, because (in good shape) I do think its a beautiful building. Or I'm fine with them renovating it and having an appropriate addition if thats what's needed.

[socigradstudent]

Will the new airport have a CC's coffee?

[prokowave]

I personally don't want to see the city getting into the development business any more than absolutely necessary. The problem could be solved very simply:
Put the existing building on the market for redevelopment
While that process is moving, sign long-term leases for office space in existing buildings. The city already leases some space in various buildings and it won't be hard to find 450 k sf. Things may need to be divided throughout multiple buildings, but it would allow the city to begin the move quickly and in phases if necessary.
Then use revenue from the leased city hall building and savings on maintenance to cover the rent.

Along the same lines, if the deal with Tulane leasing a big chunk of Charity falls through, the city could put most of its functions there with the rest in the old VA hospital or an office building like 1010 Common.

[tennis1400]

Residence Inn St Charles Ave (Opens December 9th):
















Gallier Hall:






Virgin Hotel Crane:




Canopy Hilton:





Sonesta Suites:

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by C.

Anyone know when the Higgin's Hotel opens for business?

(I'll be visiting in December and would love to stay there if open)

Lucky you , you are in Luck! it opens this month!


The Higgins Hotel :

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by prokowave

I personally don't want to see the city getting into the development business any more than absolutely necessary. The problem could be solved very simply:
Put the existing building on the market for redevelopment
While that process is moving, sign long-term leases for office space in existing buildings. The city already leases some space in various buildings and it won't be hard to find 450 k sf. Things may need to be divided throughout multiple buildings, but it would allow the city to begin the move quickly and in phases if necessary.
Then use revenue from the leased city hall building and savings on maintenance to cover the rent.

Along the same lines, if the deal with Tulane leasing a big chunk of Charity falls through, the city could put most of its functions there with the rest in the old VA hospital or an office building like 1010 Common.

the deal with Tulane for Charity is basically a done deal.. i dont mind the idea of building anew city hallnext to municipal auditorium because they have all those surface parking lots over there as well as a park that allows for protest and demonstrations etc... also i think the auditorium itself could serve as a nice city council chambers and offices for the leadership and everything else in the new tower including new multilevel parking garage


Also Im assuming this new city hall is just city hall and civil court would still need to find a new home which is fine with me

[tennis1400]

1227 Poydras St, 1229 Poydras St, 1429 Poydras St, 1300 Perdido St, 13·Text Amendment · Project #ZD133-19 · Ref Code:YJTBUU
Download (1) Print Summary Submit Add to Watch List
Type:
Text Amendment
Applicant:
City Council
Status:
Public Hearing Notice
Date Filed:
10/3/2019
Closed:
No
Description:
ZONING DOCKET 133/19 – Request by City Council Motion No. M-19-388 for a text amendment to Article 24 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to establish new signage regulations for high-rise buildings in the Central Business District. The proposed language is: “CBD High-Rise Boulding, Additional Signage. In addition to all other permitted signage, any building above thirty (30) stories in a CBD zoning district shall be permitted one (1) additional wall sign per blockface, with a maximum of one-thousand (1,000) square feet per wall sign, to be located at or near the top of the building. Wall signs erected pursuant to this section may project beyond the top of the building by a maximum of twenty percent (20%) of the overall height of the sign.”




803 Baronne St·Renovation (Non-Structural) · Ref Code:LVAVX5
Print Summary Submit Add to Watch List
Type:
Renovation (Non-Structural)
Applicant:
Kerrigan Wendy
Status:
Application Submitted
Date Filed:
10/31/2019
Closed:
No
Description:
Renovation of third floor apartment at 803 Baronne Street.




801 Baronne St·HDLC COA

· Ref Code:JQ8R1D

Print Summary
Add to Watch List
Type:HDLC COAApplicant:Kerrigan WendyStatus:Completeness ReviewDate Filed:11/1/2019Closed:NoDescription:

Addition of exterior signage, flagpoles, lighting, and security devices for HDLC approval.

[nolaghost]

I've always thought auditorium would make a great city hall. It's a beautiful building that can be make a great impression for conducting business in New Orleans, not to mention I-10 access near by and all the parking available around it. Any small detail to make it easier to do business here and have fewer frustrations dealing with local government would be a great plus!

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by nolaghost

I've always thought auditorium would make a great city hall. It's a beautiful building that can be make a great impression for conducting business in New Orleans, not to mention I-10 access near by and all the parking available around it. Any small detail to make it easier to do business here and have fewer frustrations dealing with local government would be a great plus!

IMHO the lots around Armstrong park should be developed into residential, park space, tennis courts, etc, and the Auditorium be used for schools and other public events. And restore the street grid!

The City Hall block is horribly inefficiently used. There’s space on the existing block for garage expansions and new wings, but are sitting underutilized. I’m afraid costs at a new site would balloon out of control, and putting it in the Treme will alter the character of the neighborhood detrimentally.

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by Blitzen

IMHO the lots around Armstrong park should be developed into residential, park space, tennis courts, etc, and the Auditorium be used for schools and other public events. And restore the street grid!

The City Hall block is horribly inefficiently used. There’s space on the existing block for garage expansions and new wings, but are sitting underutilized. I’m afraid costs at a new site would balloon out of control, and putting it in the Treme will alter the character of the neighborhood detrimentally.

Thats the problem with reusing the current city hall, it is horribly inefficient and to fix that wont be cheap at all. hard to see how new construction wouldnt be cheaper as well as all the efficiencies that could be gained. Not sure how city hall would detrimentally effect treme since the location is kind of isolated from most of the neighborhood to begin with .. certainly i think its a solution to consider.

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by socigradstudent

Will the new airport have a CC's coffee?

yes inside one of the news and gift stores

[sguil1]

First Horizon, Iberiabank in year's second-biggest bank merger

Headquartered in Memphis. Reportedly New Orleans would have a regional banking headquarter

First Horizon in Memphis, Tenn., and Iberiabank in Lafayette, La., announced Monday they are merging in the second-biggest bank deal of 2019.
The $43.7 billion-asset First Horizon said in a press release that it will pay stock for the $31.7 billion-asset Iberiabank. The deal would be valued at $3.9 billion, based on the exchange ratio, First Horizon's closing stock price on Friday and shares of Iberiabank stock outstanding on July 31. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.


...The company will be based in Memphis, with a regional banking headquarters in New Orleans...

https://www.americanbanker.com/news/...t-bank-mergers

https://neworleanscitybusiness.com/b...r-name-change/

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by sguil1

First Horizon, Iberiabank in year's second-biggest bank merger

Headquartered in Memphis. Reportedly New Orleans would have a regional banking headquarter

First Horizon in Memphis, Tenn., and Iberiabank in Lafayette, La., announced Monday they are merging in the second-biggest bank deal of 2019.
The $43.7 billion-asset First Horizon said in a press release that it will pay stock for the $31.7 billion-asset Iberiabank. The deal would be valued at $3.9 billion, based on the exchange ratio, First Horizon's closing stock price on Friday and shares of Iberiabank stock outstanding on July 31. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.


...The company will be based in Memphis, with a regional banking headquarters in New Orleans...

https://www.americanbanker.com/news/...t-bank-mergers

https://neworleanscitybusiness.com/b...r-name-change/

Guess that explains all the new office space Iberia seemed to be setting up in pan american center at the last ULI even i went to .

[tennis1400]

1100 Girod St·Dumpster/Construction Zone · Permit #19-35143-RCZD · Ref Code:RK0YWH
Download (1) Print Summary Submit Add to Watch List
Type:
Dumpster/Construction Zone
Applicant:
Christopher Dusaules
Status:
Permit Issued
Date Filed:
11/4/2019
Closed:
No
Description:
Raising of tower crane to final height. Will need to close S. Rampart from Girod to Juila to complete task.




739 Canal St·HDLC COA · Ref Code:HGJ8Y2
Print Summary Submit Add to Watch List
Type:
HDLC COA
Applicant:
C Williams John
Status:
Draft Application
Date Filed:
11/4/2019
Closed:
No
Description:
Renovate 5th floor roof to be a functional roof top terrace for five private guest rooms.





930 Canal St·HDLC COA · Ref Code:LX8X08
Print Summary Submit Add to Watch List
Type:
HDLC COA
Applicant:
Joseph Lantz
Status:
Draft Application
Date Filed:
11/4/2019
Closed:
No
Description:
This permit is being applied for to address the demolition by neglect letter our owner received from the HDLC. The drawings describe the first phase of an ongoing process to return this property to full commerce. A demolition permit shall follow.

[jjslonaker]

[QUOTE=tennis1400;8738078]Residence Inn St Charles Ave (Opens December 9th):














This would be a prime building to do a huge mural on the side of.

[Gee32]

Originally Posted by sguil1

First Horizon, Iberiabank in year's second-biggest bank merger

Headquartered in Memphis. Reportedly New Orleans would have a regional banking headquarter

First Horizon in Memphis, Tenn., and Iberiabank in Lafayette, La., announced Monday they are merging in the second-biggest bank deal of 2019.
The $43.7 billion-asset First Horizon said in a press release that it will pay stock for the $31.7 billion-asset Iberiabank. The deal would be valued at $3.9 billion, based on the exchange ratio, First Horizon's closing stock price on Friday and shares of Iberiabank stock outstanding on July 31. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.


...The company will be based in Memphis, with a regional banking headquarters in New Orleans...

https://www.americanbanker.com/news/...t-bank-mergers

https://neworleanscitybusiness.com/b...r-name-change/

It would be a great idea for governor John Bel, LED, GNOinc, NOLABA and Mayor Cantrell to pitch relocating First Horizons and Hancock-Whitney’s Corporate Headquarters to base in New Orleans as a more connected city to the international European banking centers like Frankfurt and London. Lets use our tax incentives and our new beautiful airport as an advantage!

[sguil1]

Speaking of banks...

Fidelity Bank moving to new HQ in former Union Savings Bank in New Orleans

https://www.nola.com/news/business/a...983a83c3c.html



Fidelity Bank, Louisiana's second-largest mutual savings bank, is moving to a new headquarters in New Orleans' Central Business District, taking over the old Union Savings Bank premises at 353 Carondelet St.

Fidelity chief executive Chris Ferris said moving from nondescript corporate offices on the 27th floor of Place St. Charles to a permanent headquarters with a visible presence in the city is, in part, a signal of stability to the bank's 350 employees amid tumult in the banking sector regionally.

Fidelity's announcement came on the same day that Lafayette-based IberiaBank said it would merge into the larger, Memphis-based First Horizon bank.

Fidelity Bank is dwarfed by those banks, with just $818 million in assets compared to their combined $75 billion. But employees of banks large and small have been spooked by a wave of industry "consolidation," including Hancock Whitney's takeover of MidSouth Bank in Lafayette earlier this year, that has seen the regional bank sector shrink and jobs disappear....

...The new Fidelity Bank headquarters will be in a four-story structure that was built in the 1850s and was once one of six identical "granite store" buildings that were collectively known as Union Row, according to the Preservation Resource Center.

It was covered in the 1950s with a "modernist" facade, which will be kept and refurbished by current owners RAMM Real Estate, managed by Richard and Mary Martin Roth. They will be developing the property together with another husband-and-wife development firm, Katherine and Tony Gelderman.

The plan initially was to restore the building to its original 1850s exterior and bring it into line with the rest of the block. After negotiations, it was decided that "the mid-century modern design was considered a protected design for the area and that's what was approved for the historic and state and federal tax credits," Fidelity said through a spokesman.

The $10 million refurbishment will be funded by Fidelity, together with $1.8 million in tax credits. Ownership will then transfer to the bank, which will have a full branch on the ground floor and corporate offices on the second, employing about 30. The top two floors will be leased out.

[tennis1400]

[QUOTE=jjslonaker;8739199]

Originally Posted by tennis1400

Residence Inn St Charles Ave (Opens December 9th):














This would be a prime building to do a huge mural on the side of.

i agree.. a larger version of the Trixie Minx mural at the Ctahoula would be very neat here ...