Gatehouse Corp., the chosen ones for the redevelopment of the former World Trade Center building, got the thumbs-up from the New Orleans Building Corp. at yesterday's meeting. The Times-Pic's Richard Webster reports that the NOBC voted unanimously to start up some lease negotiations for the residential/W Hotel combo plans. There was a bit of an outcry from James Burch and company (his team was the runner-up, in case you missed it). They didn't think Gatehouse provided enough info in their proposal about the required disadvantaged business enterprises plans. One of Burch's partners started to talk about "300 years of corruption" before Burch cut him off, "We're not saying that, but that's what this mayor has been battling against and this process didn't serve his intentions well." The NOBC still needs to vote on the formal lease and then it will go to City Council for a final say.
· World Trade Center lease negotiations to begin with Gatehouse [NOLA.com]
· All WTC coverage [Curbed NOLA]
Filed under: