NEW ORLEANS | Project/Development Thread - Page 245

WesternSon · #**4881** Posted **May 21, 2012, 7:45 PM**

They also opened there doors for the Bicycle Second Line yesterday and were very gracious hosts. I don't know of many fraternal organizations that would throw open their club/frat house doors for a group that was very different from themselves.

Yeah, they might have trashed the neutral ground, but realize they had help with all of that and helped make the City a more bike-friendly place.

Stongly recommned the Bicycle Secondline- was an awesome day! Cheers to BikeEasy!

http://bikeeasy.org/

IceCream · #**4882** Posted **May 21, 2012, 8:27 PM**

Coincidentally I opened my Bloomberg businessweek and found this today...

10,000 bikes for NYC (and all related equipment, etc) at $47.5 million....holy crap. I know it probably includes some operating money, other equipment, etc to get it off the ground,but take that average of $4,750 a bike and say maybe 1,000 bikes for nola....still $4.75 million. ARticle says 600 dockin stations

Don't know how you are going to raise that without a major corporate donor (like in NYC).

Here's http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-0...g-program.htmlthe article online:

Here's a picture:

tennis1400 · #**4883** Posted **May 21, 2012, 8:44 PM**

They had a similar program like this in London. It was very well done and had a corporate sponsor.

Foley Santamaria · #**4884** Posted **May 21, 2012, 9:59 PM**

A lot of the ones in the US are getting some federal help to open up.

Also 4.75 million isnt that much, especially assuming they could get some sponsorship help with ads. It would be a huge hit in New Orleans.

n3rdw0p · #**4885** Posted **May 21, 2012, 10:11 PM**

I'm a member of bikeeasy but couldn't attend the second line, I also live two blocks away and the Zulu effect continues to my house. I picked up a box crawfish, corn etc that was dumped along with numerous bags of McDonalds at what was just approved to be a bike shop at 2700 orleans Ave. But is now an abandoned building. I've never once seen a crew pick up after Zulu, it all blows around into the surrounding area. Zulu is training me to be a nimby.

ardecila · #**4886** Posted **May 21, 2012, 10:42 PM**

Bikeshare systems are self-sustaining once you get the initial costs out of the way (this is where the ads come in.) It's usually best to bring in a private company like Alta to run the system, because if city bureaucrats were involved we'd get bike stations in all sorts of random unprofitable places. But if it is planned correctly, there's no doubt that these systems can be profitable.

Blitzen · #**4887** Posted **May 22, 2012, 3:28 PM**

1. With the frequent events, tourists, and mon-fri business people, I could see a parking scheme like this working in our CBD...if it were implemented correctly and maintained properly... a big if...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1533625.html

2. The Youth Study Center along Bayou St. John (big mistake) requires a variance, since it is in a residential zone. This will be decided at today's Planning Commission meeting at 1:30pm, and hopefully does not pass (in my opinion).

3. According to WWL, the hospitality bill is dead in the legislature. I wonder what this means for the convention center money promised to repave streets.

tennis1400 · #**4888** Posted **May 22, 2012, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzen

1. With the frequent events, tourists, and mon-fri business people, I could see a parking scheme like this working in our CBD...if it were implemented correctly and maintained properly... a big if...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1533625.html

2. The Youth Study Center along Bayou St. John (big mistake) requires a variance, since it is in a residential zone. This will be decided at today's Planning Commission meeting at 1:30pm, and hopefully does not pass (in my opinion).

3. According to WWL, the hospitality bill is dead in the legislature. I wonder what this means for the convention center money promised to repave streets.

Im confused about the hospitality bill to be honest. I think its great to want to raise money for the tourism industry but Im confused about why they dont work within the ddd. Seems to me to be unnescessary to create another beauracracy to do something the ddd could do or at least create a subgroup within the ddd to manage these funds.

Blitzen · #**4889** Posted **May 22, 2012, 4:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tennis1400

Im confused about the hospitality bill to be honest. I think its great to want to raise money for the tourism industry but Im confused about why they dont work within the ddd. Seems to me to be unnescessary to create another beauracracy to do something the ddd could do or at least create a subgroup within the ddd to manage these funds.

According to the WWL article (http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/orle...152511995.html), the bill fell apart when Peterson's amendment to dedicate more funding to infrastructure passed, and the hospitality industry pulled support.

Translation: this whole time, the bill wasn't about creating a clean, welcoming "hospitality zone", it was about the state subsidizing some hotels by doing their marketing work for them. In NOLA/LA there are already numerous boards, agencies, and departments that do this redundantly... from the Lieutenant Gov's office, CVB, DDD, Port of NOLA, and the list goes on.

The instant the bill took more focus onto the actual role of government (streets, sidewalks, infrastructure) it died... which is fine by me. All along, I thought this is solely the city's responsibility.

________________________________________________

On an unrelated note, the Convention Center will hold a topping off ceremony tomorrow at noon for its new front hall:
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.s...ter_to_ma.html

According to the article, the junior hall being built as part of this expansion will have a rooftop terrace!! This is the first I've heard of this. Great idea!!!

tennis1400 · #**4890** Posted **May 22, 2012, 5:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzen

According to the WWL article (http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/orle...152511995.html), the bill fell apart when Peterson's amendment to dedicate more funding to infrastructure passed, and the hospitality industry pulled support.

Translation: this whole time, the bill wasn't about creating a clean, welcoming "hospitality zone", it was about the state subsidizing some hotels by doing their marketing work for them. In NOLA/LA there are already numerous boards, agencies, and departments that do this redundantly... from the Lieutenant Gov's office, CVB, DDD, Port of NOLA, and the list goes on.

The instant the bill took more focus onto the actual role of government (streets, sidewalks, infrastructure) it died... which is fine by me. All along, I thought this is solely the city's responsibility.

________________________________________________

On an unrelated note, the Convention Center will hold a topping off ceremony tomorrow at noon for its new front hall:
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.s...ter_to_ma.html

According to the article, the junior hall being built as part of this expansion will have a rooftop terrace!! This is the first I've heard of this. Great idea!!!

Thats what my concern was all along. Infrastructure improvements are very important. Not sure why the change in allocated funds was a dealbreaker for them but it makes me less supportive of it.

The rooftop terrace idea is visible in most of the renderings.

Speaking of rooftop terraces Rouses is hosting its first rooftop garden dinner May 31.

http://www.nolalocavore.org/calendar-of-events/

Also another new watering hole opening in the French Quarter next month.

This is turning into a really good summer for French Quarter drinkers. The new Hyatt French Quarter announced via a press release today that they are just about ready to roll out a new bar concept, Batch, as part of the hotel's $18 million change from the Chateau Bourbon. The hotel's website calls the bar a "tavern with a focus on regional offerings and bar snacks." Batch will open sometime next month, and next year, the new 10,000 square foot Hard Rock Café will join it inside the Hyatt.

http://nola.eater.com/archives/2012/...ed-spirits.php

IceCream · #**4891** Posted **May 22, 2012, 6:01 PM**

Well it went from being planned as a major resort to now a casino and restaurant. At a mediocre 26,000 square feet it's many times less than the 85,000 sq ft of gambilng space alone at the Beau Rivage (which also has a massive hotel and convention / meeting areas).

Well, still neat I guess, but quite a "womp...womp..." from the original. There's potential for phase 2.

http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/..._his_marg.html

Foley Santamaria · #**4892** Posted **May 22, 2012, 6:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

Bikeshare systems are self-sustaining once you get the initial costs out of the way (this is where the ads come in.) It's usually best to bring in a private company like Alta to run the system, because if city bureaucrats were involved we'd get bike stations in all sorts of random unprofitable places. But if it is planned correctly, there's no doubt that these systems can be profitable.

Agreed. Since it is transportation infrastructure, why can't rta/Veolia partner with Alta and get this crackin? They've got 90 million in the bank for the streetcar on rampart/st claude. No reason they can't afford to do both.

ardecila · #**4893** Posted **May 22, 2012, 7:18 PM**

Like I said before, the city will have to build a substantial bike lane system in the CBD/FQ, Marigny, Uptown and Bywater before tourists can feel comfortable using these bikes around the city.

I have no doubt that we'll get there, but it might take awhile so long as the city has no dedicated funding source for bike lanes. I am hopeful that DPW will start to install protected bike lanes that run between the parking lane and curb.

I was ecstatic when bike lanes appeared on Jeff Davis near the Earhart/Washington intersections... that area was always really treacherous, but it was still the only safe way to bike between Uptown and Mid-City. Now the situation is vastly improved.

Foley Santamaria · #**4894** Posted **May 22, 2012, 11:22 PM**

Bikeshare systems are used by tourists, but they are primarily for residents. And NOLA is already 6th in the country in terms of persons who commute by bike. I agree that there are a lot of needed infrastructure improvements, though.

IceCream · #**4895** Posted **May 23, 2012, 1:18 PM**

845 Carondelet is moving quick! I saw they had poured the slab a few weeks ago (it was just a mudhole without a roof behind the facade) but now they have a substantial amount of framing done. Sorry for the blur...took it while driving:

There was no activity at Drury yesterday at all after they finished erecting the crane,but this morning they were unloading a lot of rebar.

Nolacat157 · #**4896** Posted **May 23, 2012, 2:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tennis1400

Permit finally pulled for the building on the corner of Poydras and Rampart Streets across from Walk Ons. Place will be called Little Gem Saloon.

445 S RAMPART ST
NEW ORLEANS LA 70112

Project Description:
CONVERT VACANT COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE TO JAZZ CLUB/RESTAURANT AS PER PLANS AND HDLCP-12-0594. (445-449)
Job Value($):
$880,456.00

Great to see the Little Gem Saloon returning to commerce. Hopefully that will spur some revitalization along S. Rampart.

Gibbs is putting out bids on the Arena renovation according to thier website. Really looking forward to seeing what those plans are.

http://www.gibbsconstruction.com/bid-list/

Blitzen · #**4897** Posted **May 23, 2012, 3:59 PM**

This would be good news, the NFL wants all its stadiums to have Wi-Fi, and might start with the Superdome this year:

http://www.wrno.com/cc-common/news/s...ticle=10145974

I hope they kill two birds with one stone and use this opportunity to do the same for the Arena as well.

Blitzen · #**4898** Posted **May 23, 2012, 5:47 PM**

6 more streetscape projects will break ground soon scattered throughout the city:
http://www.nola.gov/PRESS/City-Of-Ne...SCAPE-PROJECTS

EDIT!: Here are some renderings of these projects: http://www.nola.gov/PRESS/City-Of-Ne...B57DB76EB.ashx

I love that all of these should be completed by the end of the year. I hope New Orleans shines like a new penny for the Superbowl in 2013.

tennis1400 · #**4899** Posted **May 23, 2012, 7:15 PM**

Everyone needs to sign the petition to keep the Crescent City Connection lit up at night. Once the tolls sunset the state is saying it wont pay for the lights even though that was part of the agreement it signed with the YLC years ago.

www.savethelights.com

tennis1400 · #**4900** Posted **May 23, 2012, 7:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceCream

845 Carondelet is moving quick! I saw they had poured the slab a few weeks ago (it was just a mudhole without a roof behind the facade) but now they have a substantial amount of framing done. Sorry for the blur...took it while driving:

Way to keep your eye on the road lol

Permits:

This one is for GEs offices:

201 ST CHARLES AVE
30FLR
NEW ORLEANS LA 70130
PARTIAL INTERIOR DEMOLITION OF TENANT IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDER TO BUILD BACK TENAMT IMPROVEMENTS APPROPRIATE FOR ANOTHER TENANT (GE). PLANS TO FOLLOW

This ones for a new restaurant on OCH
1721 ORETHA CASTLE HALEY BLVD
NEW ORLEANS LA 70113
Project Description:
SUPPLEMENT TO 09COM-01024 TO COMPLETE THE WORK - CHANGE OF USE FROM VACANT COMMERCIAL TO A RESTURANT AND 1 RESIDENCE.

9511 CHEF MENTEUR HWY
SUITE 105
NEW ORLEANS LA 70127
CONVERT VACANT SPACE TO FITNESS CENTER(HEALTH CLUB) AS PER SKETCH

4710 S CARROLLTON AVE
NEW ORLEANS LA 70119
Renovate existing 8511 sq ft building into a Medical clinic as per plans.
Job Value($):
$325,000.00

9511 CHEF MENTEUR HWY
SUITE 111
NEW ORLEANS LA 70127
CHANGE OF USE FROM VACANT TO RETAIL CELLPHONE STORE AS PER SKETCH. ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING.

7701 DWYER RD
SUITE 108
NEW ORLEANS LA 70126
CONVERT VACANT SHELL INTO A RETAIL SWEET SHOP. STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT APPROVAL SHALL BE TIED TO THE C OF O.

3200 BROADWAY
LA
CONSTRUCT NEW CONCESSION BUILDING & ENTRY PLAZA; INSTALL FENCE AROUND PLAY AREA, GRADE BALLFIELD, REMOVE & REPLACE SIDEWALKS; PLANT TREES AT EXISTING PARK AS PER PLANS.

111 AUDUBON ST
NEW ORLEANS LA 70118
NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A 4 STORY MULTI-FAMILY CONDOMINIUM BUILDING WITH PARKING ON THE BOTTOM LEVEL AS PER PLANS AND DKT #: 11-32 AND PUBLIC WORKS APPROVAL.
Job Value($):
$2,098,650.00

821 BARONNE ST
NEW ORLEANS LA 70113
INTERIOR EXPLORATORY DEMOLITION OF VACANT ST AND ST AND ND FLOOR OF COMMERCIAL BUILDING. NO USE AND OCUPANCY OF THIS BUILDING. PLANS TO FOLLOW.
Job Value($):
$21,000.00

826 HARRISON AVE
NEW ORLEANS LA 70124
Tenant build-out of vacant commercial structure into a 3300 sq ft medical clinic as per plans

4901 CHEF MENTEUR HWY
8
NEW ORLEANS LA 70126
CONVERT VACANT COMMERCIAL SHELL, SUITE #8, TO LARGE DAY CARE CENTER AS PER STATE FIRE MARSHAL APPROVAL.

817 DECATUR ST
NEW ORLEANS LA 70116
Renovate existing 4-story mixed-occupancy structure to include retail space at ground floor, two-residential units on floors 2-4. Renovate existing 2-stry accessory building to include one residential unit as per plans and BBSA dkt #11-19.
Job Value($):
$265,000.00

1300 MAGAZINE ST
NEW ORLEANS LA 70130
EXTERIOR REPAIRS TO STABLIZE EXISTING VACANT COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE (1300-02) AS PER HDLCP-12-0585. NO USE & OCCUPANCY. PLANS TO FOLLOW.

616 ST PETER ST
NEW ORLEANS LA 70116
PHASE II - RENOVATE EXISTING THEATRE AND CONVERT A PORTION OF BUILDING TO RESTAURANT AS PER PLANS AND VCCP ???
Job Value($):
$4,675,000.00

4927 FRERET ST
NEW ORLEANS LA 70115
REPAIR VACANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING - ROOF INCLUDING ROTTEN RAFTERS,DECKING,PAPER AND SHINGLES.REPAIR SUPPORTING WALLS WHERE NECESSARY. NO USE AND OCCUPANCY

333 CANAL ST
NEW ORLEANS LA 70130
MODIFICATIONS TO THE THIRD FLOOR TO ACCOMMODATE NEW CINEMA EXPANSION(UNDER SEPARATE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT) INCLUDING CHANGES TO THE STAIRWELL DOORS AND MODIFICATION OF EXIT CORRIDORS TO INCREASE EXISTING CAPACITY AS PER PLANS.

Criollo opens this week

The historic Hotel Monteleone marked its 125th anniversary last year by beginning a major renovation, and this week the hotel debuts the latest part of the project: the new Criollo Restaurant & Lounge (214 Royal St., 681-4444; www.hotelmonteleone.com). It will open for breakfast Wednesday and add lunch and dinner in June.