The new downtown Marriott Autograph hotel, The Watermark, is now expected to open in early October, while Magpie Café is about two weeks out from opening its downtown location in the Commerce Building.
Jay Haratsis, regional general manager for Wampold Hospitality Collection, discussed the slightly postponed hotel opening at this morning’s Downtown Development District meeting.
“Part of it is because of the storm that occurred,” Haratsis said in an interview after the meeting. “Some contractors had to go home to take care of their families and houses. We didn’t have enough manpower.”
The hotel’s opening will now be within the first two weeks of October. It includes a deli, to be called Milford’s on Third, and an upscale restaurant, The Gregory, both of which will open with the hotel. The Watermark, developed by Mike Wampold, is at 150 Third St. in the old Louisiana National Bank building.
Magpie Café co-owner James Jacobs said the espresso bar and café is two weeks away from opening in the downtown Commerce Building, 333 Laurel St. This will be the second location for Magpie Café, with the original café located at 3205 Perkins Road. The downtown location is an expanded version of the original and can seat 100 people.
At the meeting, River Center General Manager Michael Day also provided an update on the shelter for displaced flood victims, which is expected to shut down Thursday.
“You will see it getting back to normal by the end of this week,” Day said. “We need the River Center back this week to prepare for big events in October.”
The River Center has already had to cancel a few events in August and September, Day says. Once the shelter closes this week, they will begin to prepare for events like Hollydays on Oct. 5-8.
In other news, the DDD adopted an updated sidewalk dining ordinance this morning. The ordinance addresses compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also clarifies what a sidewalk café is; establishes that the city-parish Department of Development will oversee the permitting process; requires a maintenance plan be submitted with the permit; and updates liability insurance requirements, permit cost and procedure.
The update also defines dimension and layout requirements and items allowed for outdoor dining: chairs, umbrellas and A-frame signs. Davis Rhorer, DDD executive director, said some downtown establishments already have sidewalk dining but not all have permits.
“Some do, and some don’t,” Rhorer said. “We’re trying to get it all in sync and get everybody on board.”
—Annie Ourso
