Redevelopment efforts are gaining traction at Plaza Tower, Mercy Hospital and several of the city’s biggest blighted buildings, New Orleans leaders told City Council recently.
Why it matters: The buildings have sat vacant for years, dragging down surrounding neighborhoods and frustrating residents who have heard redevelopment promises before.
The big picture: Lincoln Avenue Communities has Plaza Tower under contract and expects to close early next year, says Jeff Schwartz, the city’s director of housing and community development.
- “I believe I will go on the record saying that I think there is a transformative redevelopment possible with Plaza Tower,” he told the council.
- Lincoln Avenue plans to convert the building, which is the city’s first skyscraper, into senior apartments, Fox 8 reports.
- At one time, authorities were talking about demolishing it, but Councilmember Lesli Harris says she thinks there’s hope now and she would “hate” to spend money tearing it down.
Zoom out: The project falls under Jenny Mains, the city’s new deputy mayor for economic development.
- Her focus for the first 100 days is restoring economic confidence and improving the permitting process, she said at last Tuesday’s council presentation.
- She also wants to support existing businesses and return city-owned properties to commerce.
- Schwartz, who works in Mains’ office and previously served in the Cantrell administration, says he’s seeing a new “level of urgency” to jump-start projects.
Other projects in the works
State of play: Mains and Schwartz updated the council on these projects too…