An Update on Elysian Fields Ave. Parking Lots

he city is talking about halting redeveloping the parking lots on Elysian Fields Ave. close to Frenchmen Street. The plan that will be put on hold includes a multi-level parking garage along with retail and other amenities.

The Audubon Nature Institute has plans to build a riverfront development at the Esplanade Avenue and Gov. Nicholls Street wharves. The city wants to put the parking garage on hold until they know what will be at the proposed riverfront park. The French Market Corp., a city agency that manages historic properties, wants to determine what types of amenities and facilities will be included at the riverfront park that will need additional parking spaces.

“We have to figure out what kind of capacity they are going to need and where they are planning to park cars because that will impact what we do,” said French Market Corp. Executive Director Leslie Thorn Alley. “I don’t think they’re quite there yet. They’re still working through a lot of the infrastructure issues.”

The plan for the two lots is to add two hundred fifty parking spaces for the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny. Consultants report that the lots would generate money and be a benefit for New Orleans’ community.

“We have heard that our lots need to be safer, need to be available for multimodal and they need to be part of safe routes for musicians or gig workers who are carrying equipment and moving around at late hours,” Alley said.

to be like a multifamily apartment building: People like having a fitness center, pool and amenities, but with space for their kids and pets.”

Homeownership is still the biggest wealth generator in the US. There are people who still want to build equity in a home. There are also those who do not have the means to purchase a home but want to live in a house in a community.

“People keep moving to the Sun Belt. Where are they going to live? They are going to live in houses, I think,” said Miller. “It is a competition between houses and apartments, not between owning and build for rent.”

“We thought people would want smaller homes,” said Miller. “But they want the bigger home. They don’t want the starter home.”

“A four-bedroom home with the master downstairs on a quarter-acre lot that is walkable to schools? That’s the American Dream! And if you can’t own it, renting it is the next best thing,” said Bruce McNeilage, CEO of Kinloch Partners.

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Kenner’s New Land-Based Casino Is Underway

Treasure Chest Casino is under construction and is located in Kenner. Last May Yates Construction put the final steel beam into place on top of the 47,000-square-foot building. This is a big deal because large construction sites such as this have a “topping off” ceremony.

Yates Construction, who is our general contractor for the project, this is kind of a celebration for that team,” Rodney Miller, director of marketing for Treasure Chest, said. “They do it to kind of recognize what they have done so far and give their team accolades. Part of that is the signing of the beam by the team, hoisting it up, and there is a flag and some kind of tree that has been traditional to place on top of that beam and set it in place.”

Boyd Gaming, the owner of the casino, has $100 million into the project. “They started construction on the new building officially in the beginning of February, when they really started putting the pilings into the ground,” Miller said. “The steel structure is just about fully completed, and that will kind of end that phase. They will then move on to the next phase and kind of laying down all the guts of the building, so to speak, the electricity, the plumbing, and starting to close it in.”

The new Treasure Chest Casino will have wider gaming floor aisles, a 10,000 square feet of meeting space, new restaurants, bars and many other spots for entertainment including a FanDuel-branded sports book.

“We’re in the process of moving our facility into our current parking lot, where we used to park our guests,” Miller said. “That is now the construction area. It’s going to be a lot bigger, a one-level casino, and parking will be right next to the building, which currently is not the case for our existing property.”

“We’re looking to hopefully open in spring of ‘24,” he said. “So we’ve got just about a year to go.”

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A New Emeril Lagasse Restaurant Coming to New Orleans

Harrah’s New Orleans casino is now Caesars and will be adding a new restaurant. Emeril Lagasse will open his new casino restaurant at the casino on Canal Street in late 2023. The French-inspired restaurant will be named Brasserie and will be the first restaurant where all ages are welcome. Another first will be the outdoor dining area and a patio out front. The main entrance to Brasserie will face Canal Street and have a separate entrance from the casino.

“As my first French-influenced concept, I had so much fun creating this menu and going back to my roots to pay homage to some of my own mentors,” Lagasse said.

Before coming to New Orleans Chef Emeril was trained under chefs in Parish, France. His training from his early days will be seen through the food served at Brasserie. Dishes will include steak au poivre, onion soup, Alsatian tarte flambee, and cafe au lait creme brulee. He describes it as “a modern take on the merger of classical French influence with the flavors and spirit of New Orleans.”

The restaurant will seat over 200 which will include 29 seats at the bar area. There will be a  mix of high and low seating and classic brasserie banquettes throughout. There will be two private dining rooms and one of the private dining rooms will have a view into the kitchen.a

“We’re creating an entirely new experience at Caesars New Orleans, elevating our offerings with exciting dining, gaming and entertainment options, and Emeril will help add that little bit of local spice that we need to our premier destination,” said Samir Mowad, general manager of Harrah’s New Orleans, in a statement.

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A Historical Restoration for Sale in New Orleans

City Park Rides Open Once Again