Statement From Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority and River District Neighborhood Investors on the River District

The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority and River District Neighborhood Investors (RDNI) are advancing the River District as a transformational neighborhood that delivers real benefits for New Orleans. These include expanded affordable and workforce housing, new pathways to economic opportunity and a positive reshaping of the city’s landscape for generations to come.

Projects of this scale require partnership among all parties to advance long-term success, and a joint steadfast commitment to deliver lasting value for generations of New Orleanians and visitors.

The agreement specifically creates support for development around Shell Riverside, the company’s new headquarters building, and Halls G through J at the Convention Center. It also supports the construction of the Rivana residential apartments which are currently in pre-construction development.

The Authority and RDNI are taking these important steps to move our work forward in a way that is aligned with community priorities. We would like to recognize the contributions of Governor Jeff Landry, Mayor Helena Moreno, Councilmember At-Large JP Morrell, Councilmember Lesli Harris and the New Orleans City Council, the Orleans Legislative Delegation, Louisiana Housing Corporation, GNO Inc., and Jeff Schwartz with the City of New Orleans Office of Economic Development in assisting both the Convention Center and RDNI.

 

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 the New Orleans region. The Authority is composed of a 13-member Board of Commissioners, with ten members 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 $93.2 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $6.2 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.

 

About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans is Built to Host! With 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space on one level, all under one roof, NOENMCC is tied for the sixth-largest convention center in the United States. NOENMCC is a 2025 Exhibitor Magazine Centers of Excellence recipient and is consistently named a regional top workplace by The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. A recent LEED Gold certification makes NOENMCC the largest LEED-certified project in Louisiana and the largest convention center project in the U.S. certified under LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance, as well as the first convention center in the world to be awarded initial certification under LEED Gold v4.1 O+M. A leading contributor to the city’s robust tourism economy, NOENMCC event activity has produced $93.2 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening.

 

About River District Neighborhood Investors LLC (RDNI)
River District Neighborhood Investors is a diverse group of partners with deep local roots, all accomplished mixed-use and residential developers with local, regional, and national experience, unparalleled reputations and strong financial results. The team was selected in 2021 by the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Authority to develop a mixed-use community with best-in-class sidewalks, bike paths and green spaces. The River District will revitalize this 39-acre tract of vacant land along the riverfront as an energetic hub of commerce, trade, culture, history, and community. For information visit www.riverdistrictnola.com.

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