New Orleans Convention Center details big expansion plans
New Orleans’ Morial Convention Center has the green light for a huge expansion.
Besides a $175 million upgrade of the center itself, its board is requesting proposals from developers for a $1 billion program for new hotels, retail outlets, infrastructure upgrades and riverfront access.
"It’s the next big thing for tourism and economic development in New Orleans," said Melvin Rodrigue, chairman of the board of the Convention Center.
"We want it to be as big as we can get it."
Underpinning the project is the need for a headquarters hotel.
New Orleans has the largest convention center in the US without its own attached headquarters hotel according to Center CEO Bob Johnson.
"Our hotels are too small and our convention center is too big," Johnson said.
The Convention Center board is hopeful of securing $700 million of private funding for a flagship hotel and development of the immediate area into a new tourism district.
This will include moving walkways, bicycle paths, and a dining district.
Also on the agenda is a proposed redevelopment of Riverfront Park with separate self-contained event spaces, performance stages and concessions stands on a site currently occupied by Mardi Gras World.
The Convention Center board will initially invest $175 million from cash reserves, bonds and a state capital handout.
The aim is to complete all major construction works in time for New Orleans’ tri-centennial celebrations in 2018.
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