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That's good news. Where's it at?

So apparently there's a lawsuit holding up the construction of Tracage. The plaintiff in the case is claiming that the project will block the view out of his condo that is shorter! He's claiming that Tracage is in violation of height limits. Seems like issues like that would have been cleared up already by city council approval? http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/upto...cfm?recid=16672

I don't know if it's as much understanding as it is conveinence. I think most people will drive cars until it becomes too inconvenient to use them, and since most people don't mind traffic, finding parking places is the real issue IMO. People will drive to places where there is parking. It's when they have to go places where they can't easily find parking, like the CBD or the French Quarter is when it becomes easier to take mass transit.

Here's the link: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/03...nue_is_com.html As far as the Carrollton Shopping Center, the article mentions that a bookstore, pet shop, and office supply store are going to be built there. I'm guessing Barnes and Noble, Petsmart, and Office Depot. It will be nice not to have to go to Jefferson Parish for places like this.

That is good news! But, I hope that these jobs are here to stay, not just here until the recovery process plays out. Hopefully in 10 years or so, it'll still be like this. If not so many engineering and other recovery-related jobs, maybe the economy will be strong enough to support other kids of business. I'd love to see some new office towers to go with the condo towers, but I would think that the economy would need to stabilize a little before that would happen. But, I wouldn't mind being wrong about that.

I can't think of any grocery store closer than the Wal-Mart or Save-a-Center (or Rouse's I guess) on Tchoup, so one in the CBD would be great for the area. The only concern I would have is getting there. If you don't live close enough to walk, you either have to take public transportation or drive, and if you drive, you're going to need a place to park. I wonder if the new grocery store will have parking, or if not, will it be convienent to enough people to stay in business? But, you could say the same about almost any store downtown. I live uptown, and I'd love for it to be convienent for me to go downtown when I need stuff, but I usually go to Jefferson parish because a) they have stores where I can get what I need, and b) it's easier. If there were a few more places in Orleans parish where I could get what I need and get it easily (ie, not have to go shopping down Magazine St. to find a 6-pack of cotton socks), maybe the city would collect more slaes taxes and have a good bit more money to work with. Just a thought.

News on the Hyatt, Dominion Tower, and Sewell Automotive building here. Hopefully this Hyatt project will actually happen this time.

Interesting story in the T-P about the development happening on the Tulane Street corridor. I wonder if the proximity to the parish prison will affect interest in the area, or if the developer's vision of people walking/biking to work downtown will happen. I think it's a great idea, but I don't think I would walk that far until crime gets under control.

Maybe not, but all they need is 700 or so. I doubt many residents will want a condotel, so the typical Trump buyer will probably be an out-of-towner. And there won't be any more in town than at Mardi Gras. I'm imagining visitors seeing signs for Trump while at the parades, and getting curious, then wanting to check it out. I doubt many people would buy one on the spot, but they could at least get a good look. But the office will be up for Jazzfest, so that'll be good

According to this article, the Trump sales office will allegedly open on Feb. 10. Seems like it would have been a good idea to get it open in time for Mardi Gras so that people in from out of town or even just downtown for the parades might be able to stop in if interested.

WWL radio had a blurb on their website today about a light rail system between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, which the article mentioned is a fairly high priority to the recovery people. I was a little surprised by that, since I didn't even know that light rail was still on the radar. I know it was talked about, but did anything serious come of it? Also, if we're gonna have light rail, it seems to make more sense to me to have it go to places like Slidell, Mandeville, and LaPlace before it goes to Baton Rouge? http://wwl.com/Passenger-rail-service-betw...and-Bat/1551094

According to this story on WWL tv, there were 5,000 condo units planned for New Orleans before the storm, but only about 20% are still under consideration. That's only about 1,000. Can't be a good sign for Trump, etc. http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl0125...s.5a67cb51.html

This project in Gentilly sounds like a great plan. Owners like this guy though just make me sick. http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/view...cfm?recID=25618

Here's a link to a brief story about that meeting: http://neworleanscitybusiness.wordpress.co...d-architecture/