INSIDE: TOP 10 OF 2009 PAGE 5 • 2008 TOP 10 UPDATES PAGE 16 • PROJECTS OF NOTE PAGE 18 It’s a jungle out there. DURR is a “take charge” type of company. Who would you want on your team? SITE PREPARATION DEMOLITION UTILITIES PAVING DISASTER RECOVERY LET DURR TAKE CHARGE! South Shore: 817 Hickory Avenue Harahan, Louisiana 70123 (504) 737-3205 Our clients like that! North Shore: 72030 Live Oak St. Covington, LA 70433 (985) 875-2164 www.durrhc.com On the cover: i m a m y A k n a r F y b o t o h P Works continues on the $1.2 billion widening and upgrade of the Huey P. Long bridge, which is expected to be completed by 2012. Introduction . .4A Updates on Top 10 from 2008 . .16A Published by NOPG LLC Managing Editor: Greg LaRose 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., News editor: Christian Moises Associate editor: 2009 Top 10 Projects of Note Suite 1440, Metairie, La. 70005 504-834-9292; Autumn C. Giusti Little Gypsy re-powering project . .5A Interstate 10 widening . .18A Art director: Alex Borges Fax: 504-837-2258. Huey P. Long widening . .6A Louisiana Highway 1 improvements . .19A Account Executive: Orleans Parish Public Schools rebuild . .7A LSU/VA medical complex . .20A Publisher and president: Peggy Bruce Summit Fremaux . .8A Riverfront redevelopment . .21A D. Mark Singletary Production manager: Twin Span . .9A Valero refinery expansion . .22A Associate Publisher: Julie Bernard Photography: Frank Aymami Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lisa Blossman storm-surge barrier . .10A Lists Public housing rebuild . .11A Architectural firms . .23A The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted by NOPG LLC, 2003, with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any National World War II Museum expansion . .12A Commercial landscape contractors . .25A manner is prohibited. Orleans Parish Prison complex . .13A Engineering firms . .26A NOPG LLC, 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie LA 70005, (504) 834-9292. Jackson Barracks rebuild . .14A General contractors . .29A commercial education healthcare hospitality multi-residential restoration religious 8300 Earhart Blvd. Suite 300 New Orleans, LA 70118 _________________________ Office: 504.833.6070 Fax: 504.833.6662 _________________________ www.landisllc.com we build our business by building lasting relationships FEBRUARY 23, 2009 3A INTRODUCTION Recession slows, doesn’t stop 2009 projects ith so many stories about how the New projects to widen and upgrade the Huey P. have been derailed by the recession remain who relies on Interstate 10 when driving, WOrleans area is recession-proof, the Long Bridge and build a more storm-resist- confident their projects will be back online while two more have divided communities amount of construction — and high- ant Twin Span round out the Top 5. as soon the economy improves because of and business leaders. dollar projects — is one piece of evi- These projects address the core of their strong belief in the development’s vital But all these projects are critical ele- dence to support that claim. our economic infrastructure: energy, role in the community. ments to our area’s progression and contin- The Top Construction Projects of transportation, education, retail, ued recovery,and the determination to push 2009 represent nearly $7.9 billion in storm protection, residential, tourism, Projects of note forward with these projects shows New work. And that’s just the Top 10 list community safety and military. Looking back over the past year, several proj- Orleans remains a viable and valuable — there are even more projects on The fact that the majority of the ects that have been widely reported on are region for investment.• the horizon and many more already Christian Moises projects highlighted this year are not held up in the design phase, awaiting permits under construction. related to Hurricane Katrina recovery or funding, or have progressed slower than News Editor Christian Moises can be Some of the projects in this year’s or repairs is just another sign we’re expected. reached at 293-9249 or by e-mail at chris- list are expected to break ground in the com- moving forward and developers are willing One of the projects has affected anyone [email protected]. ing months, while others are already making to invest in our area and future. i m progress. a m y Many projects have seen wide fluctua- 2008 project update A k n a tion in their price tag because of increases in Work was under way or about to start on r F y insurance, labor and material costs, and the nearly $6.3 billion in projects CityBusiness b o t recession has only complicated matters. examined in 2008. o h Since many of the projects are looking to Looking back, three of last year’s top 10 P bonds for financial support during a strug- have been delayed because of recession- gling economy, delays, plan modifications related issues while two more continue to and schedule alterations have become the be on indefinite hold. norm. But officials with the Top 10 projects And while the cost for four of the proj- are remaining hopeful. ects has risen, work is progressing at five They should be. sites, including a $3.35 billion Marathon The projects in this year’s list represent Oil Refinery expansion, the $750 million an array of industries. An energy project — Federal City project and $340 million in converting the Little Gypsy refinery — ranks hurricane protection for the West Bank. No. 1 for a second year, while transportation As in the Top 10 list, developers who Work continues on the new $803 million Interstate 10 Twin Span bridges. Building on Relationships... HULSE & Since 1992 WANEK A Professional Law Corporation Construction Law OUR CLIENT LIST INCLUDES: (Contractors,Architects,Engineers) • Harrah’s Casino • The New Orleans Hornets • Churchill Downs • Ernst Café • Jefferson Parish • Plaquemine Professional Liability Parish • St. Bernard 911 Call Center • Mellow Products Liability Mushroom Restaurants • Select Properties Insurance Law & Defense • Besselman Condos • Oakland Baptist Church • Slidell Police Department • Palm's Casino Environmental Law • Treasure Chest Casino • Contemporary Arts Hotel/Innkeeper Law Center • Gambro Healthcare • Harley Maritime Law Davidson • Serrano's • O Perry Walker Corporate & Business Law Health Clinic • Jeff Parish School Board • Archdiocese of New Orleans International Law • New Orleans School Board Real Estate • Fuddruckers • Southeastern Probate & Successions Motor Freight • Ann Rice • United States Border Patrol 1010 Common Street, Suite 2800 • New Orleans, LA 70112-2401 TEL: (504) 524-6221 • FAX: (504) 529-4106 2530 Lexington Street • Kenner, Louisiana • 70062 (504) 712-0234 • www.beigc.com www.hulsewanek.com 4A CITYBUSINESS TOP CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS a n a i s i u o L y g r e t n E y s e t r u o c o t o h P A $1.76 billion project to re-power Entergy Louisiana’s Little Gypsy facility in Montz is expected to save customers $150 million in fuel savings during its first year, according to the utility company. TOP 10 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Project description: conversion of a natural gas- Little Gypsy fired generator to burn petroleum coke and coal Project cost: $1.76 billion Peak construction employment: about 1,500 Developer: Entergy Louisiana Project manager: Perry Walker, director of capital re-powering project projects for Entergy Louisiana General contractor: The Shaw Group, Baton Rouge 1 Subcontractors: to be announced $1.76 billion ith natural gas prices on the rise, Entergy Louisiana is who question cost savings for customers. sions, would meet Maximum Achievable Control Technology Wpumping $1.76 billion into better fuel diversification at The Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Sierra Club or MACT standards before beginning construction. its Montz power plant site, an investment the company said hired an Arkansas economics research firm, Histecon Entergy Louisiana submitted another layer of environmen- could save customers up to $4 billion over the next 30 years. Associates,to analyze the project and issued a report saying that tal analysis for approval to the LDEQ to show that modern, Entergy’s Little Gypsy site on River Road in Montz, just Entergy in its initial estimates failed to account for the potential redundant and extensive emissions controls are incorporated west of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, has been cost of carbon emission control legislation; possi- into the plant’s design, and the company is waiting for final home to three natural gas-fired generating units By Tommy Santora ble increases in the cost of construction; and approval on that second permit. since the 1960s. Contributing Writer increases in the cost of coal. The report estimates “Building and operating a technologically advanced The $1.76 billion project will re-power [email protected] the plant could cost more than $2 billion by 2013 plant with the lowest possible emissions is in keeping with Little Gypsy’s Unit 3,an older,oil and gas-fired, and the cost of running the plant could rise by our commitment to follow environmental laws and meet or 530-megawatt unit, by installing two circulating one-third to one-half of estimated expenses. The exceed the requirements of all environmental permits for the fluidized boilers capable of using lower-cost petroleum coke report claims the cost of coal is increasing at a rate of 16 percent plants we operate,” Entergy Louisiana President and CEO and coal. While many older plants were designed for a narrow a year, not the 2.5 percent Entergy says. Renae Conley. range of energy resources, the circulating fluidized bed tech- Entergy Louisiana has selected Baton Rouge-based Shaw In 2006,Entergy made a commitment to lower carbon diox- nology is capable of burning a much wider variety of fuels, said Group for engineering,procurement and construction services.