ORLEANS PARISH
Flood protection, ?Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet
$1.8 billion
The Army Corps of Engineers is building a 1.8-mile concrete barrier system, including three giant floodgates, to protect the eastern flank of New Orleans against storm surges at the vulnerable point where the Gulf Outlet meets the Intracoastal Waterway. The Corps aims to finish the work by 2011.
I-10 Twin Spans replacement
$800 million
Construction of more hurricane-resilient bridges to replace those damaged during Hurricane Katrina is under way. The eastbound bridge is nearing completion; the new westbound bridge is slated to open in 2011.
Replacement of public housing
$600 million
Construction of mixed-used developments—including some 3,000 mixed-income housing units—to replace four complexes by 2010.
National World War II Museum expansion
$300 million
The first phase—a 70,000-square-foot complex that includes 250-seat theater, restaurant and canteen—is slated to open in fall 2009. Completion expected in 2015.
Hyatt Regency Hotel renovation
$225 million
Pending the sale of bonds, the project includes renovations to about 1,200 guest rooms, a retail area, parking areas and convention and meeting facilities in the hotel.
Jackson Barracks replacement
$200 million
Reconstruction is under way of the 100-acre military post, severely damaged in Hurricane Katrina, to provide headquarters and living quarters for the Louisiana National Guard and the Louisiana Military Department.
Orleans Parish Public Schools rebuilding
$170 million
Construction/renovation of five schools in Phase 1, slated for completion in 2010, is designed to jump-start the larger facilities master plan, which has a total estimated cost of $1.2 billion.
Federal City
$750 million
The State Bond Commission in 2008 approved the sale of $150 million in bonds for the project’s first phase, an office park and support facilities in Algiers to house some 2,000 Marines. Later plans call for a town center to attract thousands more federal and private-sector workers during the next decade. The project was key to retaining and expanding Louisiana jobs from the Department of Defense, federal agencies and civilian organizations that will become tenants.
Superdome upgrade/?sports-entertainment complex
$150 million
The state will invest $85 million to upgrade the stadium, while Saints owner Tom Benson purchases the next-door Dominion Tower office building [to which the state will relocate many of its New Orleans-area employees] and the adjacent former shopping mall and parking garage. He’ll invest some $30 million.
New Orleans BioInnovation Center Inc.
$45 million
Construction of a research and office center with a 65,000-square-foot web lab business incubator and 10,000-square-foot lab for the Louisiana Gene Therapy Research Consortium.
JEFFERSON PARISH
Huey P. Long Bridge expansion
$1.2 billion
The project is widening the bridge from two 9-foot lanes with no shoulders to three 11-foot lanes with shoulders and will double the bridge’s daily capacity. Expected completion 2013.
Harvey Canal pumping station and floodgate
$500 million
What could become the largest pumping station in the world, the 500-foot-wide, 13-bay station will be able to pump 20,000 cubic feet of water per second.
Film studio
$40 million
Louisiana Film Studios is retrofitting a former Winn-Dixie distribution center into a 500,000-square-foot complex with six sound stages, office and support space.
Performing arts center
$29 million
Jefferson Performing Arts Society has a 1,000-seat theater under construction, with expected completion in 2010—the first in the parish designed for live performances.
ST. TAMMANY PARISH
Summit Fremaux
$900 million
Infrastructure work has begun for Bayer Properties to develop the retail/office/residential complex on 400 acres near Interstate 10 between Fremaux Avenue and Old Spanish Trail, but above-ground construction has been delayed.
Florida Marine Transporters vessels
$112 million
Bond commission approved bonds for the St. Tammany Parish Development District to finance the cost of new vessels.
RIVER PARISHES
Steel manufacturing plant
$4 billion
Nucor Steel Louisiana LLC has not firmly committed to building the iron and steel manufacturing plant, but the company’s announcement in May that it will buy almost 900 acres in St. James Parish is a strong positive signal.
Refinery expansion
$3.4 billion
Marathon Petroleum Co. is nearing the end of the project begun in 2007 at the St. John the Baptist Parish refinery, which will increase capacity by 70% and employment by 30%.
Refinery Expansion
$1.4 billion
Valero Energy Corp. delayed the expansion of its St. Charles Parish Refinery by a year but still plans to proceed, with current estimated completion in 2012.
