The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (Authority), the governing board of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, is soliciting responses from qualified Master Developers to create a Comprehensive Development Plan and Strategy for the approximately 20 acres of the Authority’s overall 47 acre parcel adjacent to the Convention Center in downtown New Orleans.
The Authority envisions that the 20 acres will be for a mixed-use development to complement a headquarter hotel already in negotiations, an entertainment concept and additional Authority specific uses already being considered. The Authority expects the development to be reflective of the unique culture and history of New Orleans and include elements not commonly found in other parts of the nation. The selected Master Developer would enter into a long-term agreement with the Authority to implement the plan for all or portions of the site.
“Collectively, the mixed-use development of these 20 acres, the headquarters hotel currently being negotiated, the Pedestrian Park and Transportation Center under construction and the other enhancements the Authority is undertaking at the Convention Center, will represent the largest economic development initiative in the city in decades if ever,” said Authority Chairman Melvin Rodrigue.
Last year the Authority approved a $557 million five year Capital Improvement Plan that will include complete renovations to the all the Convention Center’s meeting rooms and public spaces, a retrofit of all exhibit hall lighting, replacing its 40 acre roof and complete upgrade of its technology infrastructure.
“Within the next five to seven years, between the Authority and the private sector, nearly $2 billion will have been invested to improve the experience for both our visitors and residents that will support thousands of new jobs and generated millions of new tax dollars for the New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.
The Master Developer selected through this process will help the Authority realize the most transformative era for New Orleans since the opening of the Convention Center,” said Michael Sawaya, Convention Center President/General Manager.
Qualified parties should visit https://exhallnola.com/opportunities/available-opportunities/ to register with the Exhibition Hall Authority website to view and download the RFQ details. The deadline for submittal is October 4, 2019.
About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
With 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space, in an entirely contiguous hall, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center provides the largest single exhibit space in the country. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center features an award winning staff and first class amenities, and is the sixth largest convention center in the nation. A consistent Top 10 host of the largest conventions and tradeshows in the nation annually, the Convention Center is also one of the city’s “Top Workplaces.” A leading contributor to the city’s robust tourism economy, the Convention Center’s event activity has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $5.7 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
About the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority
The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority’s (Authority) exclusive mission is to finance, construct and operate facilities in order to attract and conduct conventions, trade shows and other events that support and expand the economy of both the State of Louisiana and New Orleans Region. The Authority is composed of a 12-member board of commissioners, nine appointed by the Governor of Louisiana, and three appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans. Since 1985, event activity at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $5.7 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
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