Business View Magazine | May 2019

50 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MAY 2019 Martin Insurance Agency, Inc. Insurance - Bonds George E. Martin, Founder 4700 Orleans Avenue New Orleans, LA 70119 504-486-6133 Fax: 504-482-3514 Gemelle Martin Linzy E-mail: gemelle@martin-agency.com Robert w. Saak II E-mail: robs@martin-agency.com NEWORLEANS.COM/MEETINGS W E T A K E C A R E O F T H E D E T A I L S . T H E G O O D T I M E S T A K E C A R E O F T H E M S E L V E S . because that’s when you welcome the world. In addition, our Board has approved $557 million worth of critical improvements to the facility, portions of which are 35 years old.” Another ongoing project, just outside the Center, is the renovation of Convention Center Boulevard. “It’s currently under construction,” says Sawaya. “Before, there were four lanes of highway traffic on the main corridor in and out of the city, immediately in front of the building. We’re going to create a much safer and more appealing first impression of our building by having a linear park; we will change from a four-lane highway to a very inviting pedestrian pathway that spans the length of our building. So, there’ll be two lanes of traffic on the far side, away from the building.” The new, $79 million pedestrian park, expected to be completed by late 2020, will update the urban environment with tree-lined plazas, bike lanes, covered porches, outdoor event spaces, water features, public art, and shaded sitting areas. It will also connect the bustling Warehouse/ Arts District with the historic French Quarter, and dramatically transform the guest experience at the Convention Center. “It creates a much more inviting and safe environment,” Sawaya continues. “It will include a multi-modal center for shuttle bus, ride share, and taxi. Also, around the hotel site, we have a total of 40 acres that we’re developing for entertainment, specialty retail, and residential. Those are all things that represent over $1.5 billion worth of new product offerings that we’ll have for our customers in the future.” Meanwhile, Sawaya points out some of the Center’s current advantages. “The destination appeal is obvious, but it’s a matter of having the capacity of putting on a show where you can use all of the facility, so the size and the capacity to do the bigger shows are key for us. When you have as much exhibit space as we do, they’re always interested. Also, having a great airport is critical. We have a new billion-dollar airport opening and that doesn’t happen very often, so flight service into a new airport is key. And our charge, here, is to make sure that anything that we do lines up with industry best practices.