The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Exhibition Hall Authority (“Authority”), the governing body of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, has received proposals from Master Development Teams to develop 39-acres that will complement the planned headquarters hotel attached to the Convention Center along the New Orleans riverfront. Three teams were selected to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) after being short-listed from a group of five original respondents to a request for qualifications (RFQ) for experienced developers.
The Master Development Teams have been challenged to design a mixed-use development that will lead to a vibrant neighborhood, serve as an economic driver for the State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans, and represent a compelling value proposition that will attract visitors and uses to the site.
Final RFP submissions were received March 5, 2020. The three selected teams are as follows:
- The Domain Companies
- RDNI
- WLC Muse
As evidence of commitment to a very transparent process, the submissions have been posted publicly on the Authority’s website at https://exhallnola.com/master-developer-responses/.
Walt Leger III, newly appointed Chairman of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, stated “We are extremely gratified by the interest shown by five well-regarded and highly-experienced development teams, and believe the three finalists demonstrate the kind of vision, experience, and capabilities necessary to bring this transformative project to life. To be clear, we are currently focused on our role in serving the community in contributing to our recovery from the current health and corresponding economic crisis. When the Authority Board of Commissioners is able to resume regular meetings, we will take a fresh look at the development proposals, and give a meaningful opportunity for public input.” said Leger.
The Authority in 2018 approved a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan totaling over $557 million for the convention center that also includes funding to make the 39-acres upriver site development ready.
Aerial map of 39-acre development area, located upriver from the
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
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 13-member board of commissioners, ten 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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