NEW ORLEANS | Project/Development Thread

[LouisVanDerWright]

This is a complete change of topic, but what is the current status of the State Palace Theater? It boggles my mind that a building of that type at that location could be sitting vacant for so long. It's not like it is in unsalvageable condition like some of the theaters in Chicago (Uptown, Ramova, etc) are. It looks to be in about as bad of shape as the Congress was 5 or 6 years ago (Congress has cleaned up a bit no matter what anyone says, it looked like it was falling down in the mid 2000's).

Maybe our unconventionally bi-costal forumer (ardecila) can shed some light on this for me? How does the State Palace compare to some of the theaters we have up here? I've always seen it when I'm in NOLA and read about it, but never actually been inside of it.

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

This is a complete change of topic, but what is the current status of the State Palace Theater? It boggles my mind that a building of that type at that location could be sitting vacant for so long. It's not like it is in unsalvageable condition like some of the theaters in Chicago (Uptown, Ramova, etc) are. It looks to be in about as bad of shape as the Congress was 5 or 6 years ago (Congress has cleaned up a bit no matter what anyone says, it looked like it was falling down in the mid 2000's).

Maybe our unconventionally bi-costal forumer (ardecila) can shed some light on this for me? How does the State Palace compare to some of the theaters we have up here? I've always seen it when I'm in NOLA and read about it, but never actually been inside of it.

It was mainly a site for raves etc for most of its later life. I dont think I ever remember the place looking too great but the external part of the building seems fine. It just needs a clean up. Once the Saenger reopens then we need to focus on the State Palace and the Orpheum.

[Nickapedia]

Originally Posted by tennis1400

It was mainly a site for raves etc for most of its later life. I dont think I ever remember the place looking too great but the external part of the building seems fine. It just needs a clean up. Once the Saenger reopens then we need to focus on the State Palace and the Orpheum.

I think the market will have to show substantial demand for additional theater and performance space on canal street before the State Palace will undergo a major renovation. Any renovation will need a substantial amount of private investment as the state theater infrastructure tax credit will sunset at the end of 2014 for projects that receive initial certification prior to 12/31/2013, which doesn't leave much time. This tax credit was a major funding source for the saenger, civic, carver, and joy theaters. Without it, redevelopment is not impossible as both state and federal historic tax credits are likely still in play but that still leaves a substantial gap in funding that will need a combo of debt and equity. I am guessing that investors will want to see how the market responds to all of these venues opening in a relatively short period of time.

Also, I checked the website for the Orpheum and it said a major renovation was planned. It is possible that they may have applied for the state's theater infrastructure tax credit as well but as of 1-22-13 they were not on the list of applicants. Anyone have any more details?

[ardecila]

Yeah, I don't really see there being a demand for the State Palace at present. Each of the currently-open or soon-to-be-renovated theaters will have its niche, and I can't think of an unserved market niche for the State Palace. The Saenger will host Broadway and stage, Mahalia Jackson will host opera and classical, the Joy will host a mix of rock shows and movie screenings, and the Civic will host lectures and meetings for conventions.

The Congress in Chicago is a decent comparison with respect to building condition, but NOLA just doesn't have the market size to fill a large theatre with Congress or Vic-style programming. Those types of bands generally play smaller clubs or festivals when they come to NOLA, and the Joy and Civic are already competing for the limited number of large rock shows that occur.

I suppose eventually State Palace could become a film center on par with the Gene Siskel in Chi. As NOLA's film industry grows, there will be opportunities for screenings, premieres, and film festivals. It's just not that grand, though. I'd love to tear it down and put up a modernist counterpart to the Saenger. I just saw the Guthrie in Minneapolis and it is an amazing building; its bright colors and informal compositions would be appropriate in New Orleans.

[LAandMagazine]

Re: State Palace

I wouldn't be too sad if State Palace was torn down, a la Woolworth building across the street. It's not too nice to look at, and we really don't need another downtown theater. And it's on a huge lot on Canal Street, and if Canal Street restoration ever actually happens it'll be on a major corner. Here's an idea: 5 story flagship department store (or Target) with parking garage. Boom. OR location for National Jazz Center. Tear the beast down.

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by LAandMagazine

Re: State Palace

I wouldn't be too sad if State Palace was torn down, a la Woolworth building across the street. It's not too nice to look at, and we really don't need another downtown theater. And it's on a huge lot on Canal Street, and if Canal Street restoration ever actually happens it'll be on a major corner. Here's an idea: 5 story flagship department store (or Target) with parking garage. Boom. OR location for National Jazz Center. Tear the beast down.

Underneath the 1970s carpet and drop-panel ceilings is a Italian marble masterpiece. There are plenty of vacant blocks along Canal to put a new modern theater or shopping complex, but the State Palace is irreplaceable - it just needs a major restoration, and the demand isn't there yet, but hopefully someday soon.

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by Blitzen

Underneath the 1970s carpet and drop-panel ceilings is a Italian marble masterpiece. There are plenty of vacant blocks along Canal to put a new modern theater or shopping complex, but the State Palace is irreplaceable - it just needs a major restoration, and the demand isn't there yet, but hopefully someday soon.

I have no problem waiting for the demand to come... I just hope in the interim they can clear out all the crap tenants that flank its street frontage. That alone would be a huge help to the area.

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by Blitzen

Did it say what would happen to the development if they don't get the tax deal? Because last week the law they were hoping for died.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.s...ket_distr.html

The South Market District's tax credit bill lives! Jindal has signed it into law. Now can anyone who's frequently nearby post construction photos?

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

[jbs2886]

Originally Posted by Blitzen

The South Market District's tax credit bill lives! Jindal has signed it into law. Now can anyone who's frequently nearby post construction photos?

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

I live a block away, so I might be by a time or two

[tennis1400]

Originally Posted by jbs2886

I live a block away, so I might be by a time or two

We must be neighbors then ... Ill take some pictures when a bit more happens ...

[LouisVanDerWright]

Thanks for the feedback on the State Palace Theater everyone. I heard a rumor there might be movement at that location sooner than you think which is why I asked.

Originally Posted by tennis1400

I have no problem waiting for the demand to come... I just hope in the interim they can clear out all the crap tenants that flank its street frontage. That alone would be a huge help to the area.

Yes, that location is too prime to have a bunch of garbage tenants. This building could be transformed into a self-contained entertainment complex, not that being self contained is even necessary in this location since there is so much going on along Rampart and Canal streets as it is.

Also, you might be surprised at the kind of demand there is for theaters like this if run correctly, even in a medium sized city like New Orleans.

[Knotenep]

One thing the city could do to alleviate the mass of people on corners on canal street is to create a bus station or bus transfer facility. The problem is that there are bus stops on all of those corners so the large group of people that appear to be loitering are waiting on the bus... and some loitering too, but that could be fixed by removing some of those liquor stores from the canal street, easier said than done, but not impossible. Where the bus station could be is a mystery, but the consolidation of bus stops into one central location would remove the people from the street and have them in a central location.

[LAandMagazine]

Originally Posted by Knotenep

One thing the city could do to alleviate the mass of people on corners on canal street is to create a bus station or bus transfer facility.

It's beyond absurd to compare the fancy streetcar stops along Loyola Ave. with the zilch zero nuthin no-how no-way shelters for bus stops people actually use, like Canal at Elks Place, and even the Wal-Mart Tchoup stop. If I used those bus stops, I'd definitely be thinking that the man in charge really doesn't give a darn about me. Especially in the rain or in 90+ temperatures.

[ardecila]

I mean, it should be pretty obvious that leadership doesn't care about bus riders. NORTA releases plans to expand the streetcar network to serve every possible tourist destination but shows no concern for improving bus service or serving everyday riders.

They already cut off a bunch of uptown bus routes at the UPT that used to go all the way to Canal, adding an unnecessary transfer to riders' journeys.

[Knotenep]

For a minute there I wasn't seeing the sarcasm lol. They wouldn't have to do much, all they need is one facility to serve all lines that run along canal. Do I think it will happen? Nah, but it would be a good idea. If the people that control downtown and canal street want to make canal a major retail corridor, it would behoove them to build a station to divert "undesirables" from that area.

[rcp11889]

Originally Posted by Knotenep

For a minute there I wasn't seeing the sarcasm lol. They wouldn't have to do much, all they need is one facility to serve all lines that run along canal. Do I think it will happen? Nah, but it would be a good idea. If the people that control downtown and canal street want to make canal a major retail corridor, it would behoove them to build a station to divert "undesirables" from that area.

Or it would be nice to build a beautiful transit center on Canal Street, the heart of the city, in order to lure more riders into the system. As a regular transit rider who owns a car, these types of improvements would really help lure in these types of riders.

[ardecila]

The Rosa Parks Transit Center in Detroit is beautiful. Wish we could get something similar in New Orleans, maybe on the Basin neutral ground.

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by Blitzen

The South Market District's tax credit bill lives! Jindal has signed it into law. Now can anyone who's frequently nearby post construction photos?

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

It isn't an illusion, the SMD is real!! The first apartment building will be known as The Paramount, an appropriate name as this building marks the beginning of a new era in New Orleans development.

http://theadvocate.com/news/neworlea...rk-on-downtown

[ardecila]

We had to give them every tax break under the sun, but finally official confirmation of a start.

[NOLAmike]

I know yall don't talk too much about the suburbs, but I felt this development was too big to ignore. The article compares it in scale to a smaller Woodlands & says its the only such development in the NOLA metro area. On one hand I feel like it can't be too positive in the grand scheme of things to attract business to the 'burbs, but on the other, maybe these companies were never going to locate in the city limits to begin with. I still wish they'd locate somewhere inside Orleans Parish. What do yall think?

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