New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the New Orleans
Building Corporation (NOBC) are investing $7.5 million to install new paving, a
fountain, trees, plants, lighting, and seating to celebrate the Spanish Plaza
as a primary destination on the riverfront and a world-class public venue and
tourist attraction. The original tiles, given to the City by Spain, represent
the Spanish Provinces and will be retained along the interior face of the
fountain. The renovated plaza will enhance the plaza’s pedestrian experience,
enhance the circulation between the Riverwalk and the RTA Ferry, and provide a
more functional space for restaurants and other vendors to provide services to
plaza patrons. To design the project, the Convention Center is providing $6.2
million and NOBC is providing $1.3 million. Construction will accommodate the
tenants on the plaza throughout the construction phase. Construction is
underway and is anticipated to be completed in April 2018. The project was
designed by Dana Brown & Associates and is being constructed by Tuna
Construction, LLC.
Four Seasons
The New Orleans Four Seasons Hotel and Residences are investing
$400 million to renovate and operate the 34-story, mixed-use development
comprised of a 401-key Four Seasons hotel on the lower floors, 65 luxury
condominiums on the upper floors, and Four Seasons five-star services and
amenities. Services and amenities will include two restaurants, approximately
32,000 square feet of meeting space, a spa and fitness center, a roof-top pool
and deck area, and a roof-top bar. A two-story roof-top cupola on floors 33 and
34 will be a public observation floor and roof deck. Visitors and the public
will also have access to a cultural attraction on the second floor, which will
include a series of interactive exhibits and a theater experience. The theme of
the exhibits is expected to be New Orleans history and culture.
Pre-construction should begin at the end of 2017 and the project is anticipated
to be completed in the first quarter of 2020. The project was designed by
Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc. and will be constructed by a
yet-to-be-determined firm.
Canal Street Ferry Terminal
The $37 million Ferry Terminal Project includes a new terminal
building and connection between the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Plaza and
the Canal Street Wharf. The major components of the project include a
5,000-square-foot ferry terminal, an entrance from Canal Street and connection
from the Aquarium, a new wharf providing an uninterrupted connection between
the Aquarium Plaza and the Canal Street Wharf, an additional upriver street car
connection heading toward the convention center, the connection of the Badine
Street bus station, and the purchase of eight new buses to operate in the area.
Funding for the project came from federal grants ($23.9 million), the City of
New Orleans Land Match ($4.7 million), the State of Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development (La DOTD) ($264,856), and the RTA ($8 million).
Bids for the project are due on Nov. 30, 2017 with demolition of the existing
ferry terminal slated for January 2018. The project was designed by Manning
Architects and construction is anticipated to be completed in April 2019.
On October 23, 2017, the RTA, in
cooperation with La DOTD, applied for a $2.4 million grant to modernize the
Algiers Point Ferry Terminal. The RTA proposes to use an additional $609,267 in
La DOTD funding to match the federal grant for the project.
Ferry Pedestrian Bridge
The $7.3 million pedestrian bridge is being funded by City capital funds ($5 million), bond proceeds from the NOBC Canal Street improvements ($900,000), and RTA funds ($1.4 million). The pedestrian bridge will be located next to the Aquarium, on property operated by the Audubon Nature Institute, and it will connect to a new bus terminal and the riverfront streetcar as part of the multi-modal hub being constructed by RTA. To retain feedback from interested parties, two public meetings will be held, the first in Algiers at a site to be determined in November, and the second at the Aquarium in December. More details to follow. Construction is expected to be complete by Spring 2019 in conjunction with the Canal Street Ferry Terminal Project.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Recently, Audubon Nature Institute invested over $6 million in Woldenberg Riverfront Park improvements. The work covers extensive wharf repairs, sculpture restoration, plaza perimeter repair and landscaping, including 35 palm trees, and a 90-foot linear splash pad that features a variety of light shows along the riverfront in front of the Aquarium. Funding for the project came from federal Community Development Block Grant funds ($4.5 million) with the remainder ($1.5 million) coming from bond refinancing and state capital outlay dollars.
Audubon is planning to invest approximately $1 million in a project that includes extensive brick repair on the plaza, lighting improvements, more landscaping and signage. Funding for the project will be funded by private donors to Audubon and self-generated revenue.
Moonwalk Park
In 1975, Mayor Moon Landrieu envisioned the removal of abandoned
port warehouses in front of Jackson Square and the construction of a pedestrian
boardwalk with trees and seating along the river. Today, The French Market
Corporation is investing $3 million to revitalize the riverfront promenade that
extends from St. Peter to St. Philip Streets. The project will include
additional shade trees and native plant materials, enhanced walking surface,
new lighting, and improved connection from the city to the river with
prominence at Washington Artillery Park. The pedestrian only connection between
the top of Washington Artillery Park and the riverfront will solidify the
“elegant connection” from the Mississippi River to the heart of the French
Quarter envisioned in the 2008 Riverfront Master Plan. The connection will add
additional plaza space for river viewing. The project was designed by Perez,
APC and is being constructed by Dynamic Constructors.
Esplanade and Governor
Nicolls Wharfs
In June, the City of New Orleans,
the Port of New Orleans and the New Orleans Public Belt partnered to align the
Public Belt Railroads and its assets under the Port of New Orleans while the
Port transferred the Governor Nicholls Street and Esplanade Avenue Wharves
along the Mississippi River to the City of New Orleans. This agreement will
complete the 3 miles of contiguous public access to the riverfront from
Crescent Park to Spanish Plaza. The Port is working with various hospitality
partners to facilitate efforts to secure up to $15 million to convert the
wharves into public park spaces. Yesterday, October 26, 2017, the Port of New Orleans
board voted to approve the exchange. At this time, the City expects to obtain ownership of the wharves by the end of 2017 and provide some public access to
the riverfront with modest improvements by spring 2018. Additional enhancements will begin in future years, with a public planning process to follow.
Crescent Park
Crescent Park has been the host of several cultural events since
its opening in 2015. The $31.2 million, 1.4-mile park spans from Elysian Fields
Avenue in the Marigny to Mazant Street in Bywater and includes 20-acres of
indigenous landscaping; a network of paths suitable for walking, jogging, and
biking; picnic areas; benches; a dog run; and the adaptive reuse of two former
industrial wharves. The walking paths within the gardens are constructed with
permeable asphalt paving, an environmentally-friendly material that allows for
rainwater penetration, decreasing the amount of storm water run-off. Crescent
Park is landscaped with native plantings, most of which are grown regionally.
Crescent Park opened in July 2015 and French Market Corporation operates,
maintains, and provides security.
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About the Port New Orleans
The Port of New Orleans is
a deep-draft multipurpose port at the center of the world’s busiest port system
and is connected to major inland markets and Canada via 14,500 miles of
waterways and six Class I railroads through the switching services of the New
Orleans Public Belt Railroad.
About the New Orleans Public
Belt Railroad
The New Orleans Public Belt
Railroad (NOPB) is a Class III switching railroad with the primary mission of
serving the Port of New Orleans and local industries. The NOPB is a neutral
carrier with direct connections to six Class I railroads. It plays an important
role in expediting local and intermediate freight through the strategic New
Orleans rail gateway.
About the New Orleans Ernest
N. Morial Convention Center
With 1.1 million square feet of
contiguous exhibit space, an award winning staff and first class amenities, the
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the sixth largest convention
center in the nation, a consistent Top 10 host of the largest number of
conventions and tradeshows annually, and one of the city’s “Top Workplaces.” As
“Louisiana’s Economic Engine,” Convention Center event activity has produced
$53.7 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $3.4 billion
in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
About the French Market
Corporation
The French Market Corporation
manages the historic French Market District, a New Orleans cultural institution
located in the heart of the renowned French Quarter. The District is host to
unique boutique shopping, regional cuisine, world famous confections, and local
arts and crafts. The District is home to the Upper Pontalba Building on
Jackson Square, the Shops of the Colonnade, and includes the open-air Farmers
and Flea Markets. The most recent addition to the District is Crescent
Park, a 1.4 mile urban park, nestled along the Mississippi River with
spectacular views of the City. Locals and tourists alike flock to the
French Market District year round for a uniquely New Orleans experience.
About Audubon Nature Institute
Audubon Nature Institute is a
501(c)3 not for profit that operates a family of ten museums and parks
dedicated to nature. We serve our visitors, our community and our world as an
educational resource, an environmental guardian, a leader in economic
development and a venue for family entertainment. The success of the Audubon
family lies within the individual strengths of its facilities. Working
together, they are helping to create a bright future for generations to come.
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