Pontchartrain Beach Could Reopen

 Although Pontchartrain Beach has been closed for several decades, locals still enjoy going to the mile-long sand beach close to the Seabrook Bridge. The Lakefront Management Authority, the current management company of the beach, is seeking bids from companies that would manage the property. They want to find someone who will make the beach safer for swimmers, anglers, and other outdoor patrons.

"What we’re doing now is testing the waters to see what proposals will come in, and what ideas are out there to develop this old beach site," authority Executive Director Louis Capo said.

Pontchartrain Beach was established by the Batt family in 1928 and was originally an amusement park. The amusement park was moved to another location in 1983 and the beach became a swimming hazard. Residents need not worry that anything will be built at the beach.

"Now, it’s not under lease anywhere. But state law requires it can only be used for a beach. You couldn’t put a business there," LMA board member Wilma Heaton said.

The Pontchartrain Beach Foundation would like to lease the beach. The foundation, founded by Guy Williams, the CEO of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, says his group wants sot clean the beach up and reopen it for swimming, kayaking and other water activities.

"There just aren't many options in our area to get out on the water for free,” Williams said.

"Our focus would be on step one, which is actually getting funding and the renovation that's needed so that the beach can be reopened," Williams said. "If we don't do step one, there will never be a step two."

For whoever ends up winning the bid, the job will be quite a task. There is a lot to do to make the beach area safe for the public. There are still old amusement park structures buried in the beach sand that can cut patrons. The steep drop-off and riprap (a rock material used for shorelines) are unsafe for those swimming underwater.

"We have one responsibility of overseeing the properties within our realms on behalf of the public," Anthony Richard, its chairman said. "We’re trying to get an appreciation on what would be the best use for that particular space that's available that ties into our mission."

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Tips For Brightening Up Your Outdoor Living Space

 Spring is the perfect time to either make updates to your outdoor space or create one. Southern Living Plant Collection gives tips on how to make your space chic and cozy with a pop of color.

Make a Statement!

A good way to do this is to start with flowers. Flowers are the perfect backdrop for an outdoor living space. A great example is bright blue or pink hydrangeas framing a long farmhouse picnic table or porch swing. A perfect setting for a photo.

There's No Such Thing as Too Matchy-Matchy.

You can do a lot with one hue, it is only a myth to not use matching on matching. Just remember to vary the shades of the same color. For example, you can start with blue hydrangeas and add the furniture and accessories in a different shade of the color of the blooms. This makes a modern, monochromatic look.

All White Is All Right.

Most everyone likes the color white, so you can't go wrong with a white-themed outdoor space. A great idea is to go off the Greek Isles look by pairing white cushy ottomans, with a sectional and modern lighting. Top the design off with some white wedding hydrangeas.

Texture, Texture, Texture.

You do not just have to use different shades of a hue but you can also use the same hue with different textures. Take a wicker chair and pair it with a wrought-iron framed table. If you use pillows, take a nubby pillow and place it over a silk pillow for a nice textured look.

Be a Little Bohemian.

What would be included in a Bohemian look? Examples would be patterned rugs, handknit hammocks, fairy lights, and eco-fabrics just to name a few. Adding flowers to you area is a perfect touch to the free-loving, modern hippy-spirited outdoor space.

Create Cute Clusters.

Usually, your outdoor living spaces are intimate so big bulky items are out of the question. Create areas within your outdoor space. Mix both high tables and small side tables throughout the area. Put vases of freshly cut flowers on the tables.

Light It All Up.

Lighting is the key to the perfect ambiance. Your lighting should not be too bright but not be too dim either. A good idea is to use a combination of downlights and spotlights. Downlights will highlight your flower beds and walking paths while spotlights bring attention to exterior architectural features.

Spring is the perfect time to change things up outdoors. Remember these tips to make a perfect place to relax and entertain outdoors this season.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

After Five Years the New Orleans Air Show Comes Back to Belle Chasse

The 2022 New Orleans Air Show came back to the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans in Belle Chasse after five years. The airshow first began at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in the 1950s. The pandemic caused the show to cancel in 2020.

The show entertains every generation. One Belle Chasse resident has not been to the show in 20 years. She said that it brought back memories this year when she went to the show.

“I feel like I'm walking in the same footsteps that my dad did,” Hebert said. “It's magical, really. This is Disneyland in my heart.”

“I can't stop smiling,” she said. “I'm probably the biggest nerd.”

The number one favorite attraction was the Blue Angels. Local Theodore Samon said that he specifically came to see the famous Blue Angels.

“Many people only come to see the Blue Angels,” base spokesperson Andrew Thomas said of the U.S. Navy's famed demonstration team. “They are that good.”

Everyone is ready to get out and start going to different events. In the midst of the pandemic, it was nice to get out and enjoy the show.

“It feels like something normal again,” Melisa Gunzburg said.

Patrons come to the naval base but also can see the show from local house parties and picnics on the levee. Boats sit in the canals to watch the show.

“This is all part of their heritage,” Todd Bruemer, the base's commanding officer said.

“People are amazed, excited, and it's nice to give that to people,” base spokesperson Andrew Thomas said. “You're showcasing to the American taxpayer your military but you also get kids out here that say ‘I want to do that.’ It sparks an interest.”

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Plans For A New Subdivision in New Orleans East

 

James Smith of Imperium Estates LLC is a developer which has plans to build a subdivision on 36-acres close to the former Six Flags. The plans include over 116 homes that will be built in several different phases close to the intersection of Interstate 510 and Chef Menteur Highway, just south of the Eastover neighborhood.

“The homes are beautiful,” said Dawn Hebert, chairperson of the East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission, a group that represents several homeowner and neighborhood associations in the east.

The neighborhood has a few obstacles, including the property's current zoning. The city's master plan has the property zoned for an industrial park. Luckily District E Council member Oliver Thomas is backing the idea of changing the zoning to residential. He feels the master plan does not match the needs of New Orleans East development or the wishes of surrounding residents and landowners.

“I just thought it was appropriate in terms of what they wanted to do to fit to where that community was going,” Thomas said. “I haven’t seen or heard of anyone submitting plans for light industrial development out there.”

Herbert explains that the industrial designation for the area was originally placed in 1970. In five decades there has been zero interest or demand for an industrial park.

“I think it’s outdated zoning because, since Katrina, more homes have been built over there,” said Hebert.

“You don't have a long line of people trying to invest out there,” a neighboring property owner, Robert Charbonnet.

Click Here on the Source of the Information.

Delays For the New Convention Center's River District Plan

 

The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has plans for its upriver acres. The new project includes a neighborhood and entertainment district. The River District's board decided to extend the deadline. The reason for the delay was prompted by a request from the Convention Center's President and General Manager Michael Sawaya. He relayed to the board that they needed until June to finalize the terms of the agreement with local developer Lou Lauricella and his consortium.

"Delays are not well accepted," Sawaya said. "When we are talking about these things it is not just about us getting lease income...We need things built and we need guarantees that we are going to get things built."

The coronavirus has been a big thorn in the side of this project. Originally a 1,200-room hotel by Omni was to be part of the project. This was dropped due to the change on the outlook for hotels caused by the pandemic. Back to the drawing board, Sawaya has commissioned HVS which is a consulting firm to look into what hotel size would work best for the project.

HVS will look at building in phases. This will include a 600, 900, and 1,200 room versions of a hotel. Now they will need to find a finance partner who will replace the previous one, Preston Hollow Capital.

"Right now we don't have something for (a potential new financial investor) to look at," Sawaya said. "But in the first phase at least we've got to get something started." He said that now that the broader upriver district is underway, "our hope is that investors will show up (for the hotel) as well."

Business is improving for the Convention Center as hotel tax revenue has rebounded to close to $3 million. In fact, the past month has been the busiest for sales at the Convention Center since the pandemic. This comes at a great time with the project in the near future and the $557 million facelift the center is currently getting.

Lauricella and Chris Maguire, CEO of Dallas-based Cypress Equities are the master developers for the entertainment-focused neighborhood. This part will be on 39-acres that the Convention owns upriver. The project will include 1,100 housing units which half will be dedicated to lower-income residents. There will also be retail space and entertainment venues.

The 39-acres, valued at around $200 million, will be given to the project. The project will create around 4,500 permanent jobs and will cost over $1 billion. The plans are to begin construction on the first section of the project, a 7-acre tract of lakeside that runs along Tchoupitoulas Street.

"The brief extension on a final agreement will give the team more time to finalize plans for the vast amount of land to be developed for our community," said Lauricella in an emailed comment.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Plans For A Movie Studio In New Orleans East

 Many actors and musicians are New Orleans-born. One of these actors is Anthony Mackie, best known for his role as the Falcon in the Marvel movies. Mackie, 43, has purchased 20-acres in New Orleans east where he will create a movie studio. The land is located at 10 Service Road at Read Boulevard.

The project is still just in the planning stages but several of those that have been involved in the negotiations confirm this is what the property is intended to be used for. The new production company will be called East Studios LLC. The company will join other New Orleans studios including Starlight Studios, The Ranch Film Studios, Second Line Stages, and Swaybox Studios.

Film and television production is booming in New Orleans. According to Chris Stelly, executive group director of entertainment and digital media at the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, there are around twenty movies and television shows that are currently in production in the state of Louisiana.

The state was one of the first states to obtain a financial incentives program for filmmakers almost twenty years ago. In fact, $291 million was put into the Louisiana film industry by AMC, Disney, OWN, Netflix, and many more big industry companies. The motion picture production tax credit gives film productions a tax credit of as much as 40% on qualifying spending in the state, up to $150 million, including payroll for both local and out-of-state labor.

"We were one of the pioneering states in terms of offering incentives to filmmakers, and we've done a great job in terms of building state-of-the-art stages," he said. "A full-fledged studio where you have everything in-house, that's the ultimate goal."

Currently, Anthony is the executive producer for the upcoming series "Twisted Metal." Mackie who studied at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts said the scope of the planned studio is not yet clear. But if it is an "end to end" operation, which would include the acquisition of intellectual property, development, production and marketing, it would mark a new level for Louisiana's film and television industry.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

New Plans For the Market Street Power Plant

 The Market Street Power plant has been part of the New Orleans riverfront for 120 years. Locals are familiar with the big Victorian-style smokestacks but they won't be there for long. The new owners, local developers Louis Lauricella and Brian Gibbs, are currently devising plans to convert the property into a hotel, offices, shops, and some kind of entertainment venue.

The Market Street Power Plant, an old coal-fired plant, was built in 1902 by Entergy Corp. Entergy was responsible for supplying electricity to New Orleans.

This is not the first person to plan to convert the old plant. Developer Joe Jaeger purchased the plant in 2015 for $8.7 million and had plans to turn it into a Live Nation music venue. In 2020 he put the property up for sale along with an additional 7-acres surrounding the plant for $16.9 million.

Now the 160,000-square-foot power plant will be turned into a "new-to-market concept which will include restaurants, retail, entertainment, hotel, and office space.

"The Market Street Power Plant site is an important piece of our overall vision for the riverfront,” Lauricella said. "This site holds the potential to be a transformative project for our community."

The project is just a small part of the new area which is called The River District. Adjacent to the plant is the 39-acres that will be the remaining part of the new entertainment-focused district. The district will include housing, retail, entertainment, and office space and will cost around $1 billion. There will be a civil rights museum as well as around 300 apartments that will be affordable for lower-income residents.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.