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Atlanta Based Company offers Support
Seeking support to return back to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Nolatown executives met with S. L. King & Associates, Inc. who provides engineering solutions for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection projects, whose capabilities also include civil engineering, planning, project management, construction administration, operations and maintenance. Picture: Stanley L. King, CEO -
Inspired by Atlantic Station (Atlanta, GA)
Atlantic Station is a large brownfield redevelopment project at the northwestern edge of Midtown Atlanta, Georgia. Atlantic Station was master developed by AIG Global Real Estate and local development partner Jacoby Development, Inc. Inspired by the project, Nolatown sought after advice from the developers about the New Orleans Entertainment Resort Destination concept. Picture: Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA -
Re-entry & Rebuild Plan
As part of Nolatown’s re-entry and rebuild plan, Nolatown and partners proposed an Entertainment Resort plan to the Orleans Levee District Committee for the once training facility for the Marine Corps and Navy Reserve Units situated on the south side of Lake Pontchartrain between Lakeshore Drive and Leroy Johnson Drive in New Orleans East. -
Orleans Levee District
Summary of Lakefront mixed use and beautification plan before the Orleans Levee District Committee for vote. Vote held over to after election to decide consolidation of levee districts. As result of election, the State takes over Levee District assets including the proposed project site, thus cancelling the RFP to Nolatown. -
New Orleans Building Corporation (NOBC)
Nolatown contacted NOBC to inquire about the Lincoln Beach site. Picture: Sean Cummings, Former NOBC Executive Director -
Initial Meeting with NOBC
Formal project proposal submitted and Nolatown executives met with NOBC’s S.Cummings and B.Gibbs to discuss Lincoln Beach Project. Also drop proposal packets off to Councilmember Lewis office and Councilman At Large Fielkow office. Picture: Sean Cumming, Former Executive Director for NOBC -
Letter Of Intent (LOI)
Nolatown received draft copy of LOI from NOBC for Lincoln Beach site. -
Infamous Press Release
EXCERPT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2007 Lincoln Beach to be resurrected with $300M investment New Orleans, LA – A grand urban boulevard and lakefront gateway with spectacular views to and from Lincoln Beach would serve as the centerpiece of the New Orleans East entertainment corridor, as envisioned by the City of New Orleans Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan District 9. -
Restart Process
After series of costly miscommunications with NOBC and councilmember Lewis, Nolatown required to restart process to acquire lease from NOBC for LB site. -
Proposal Resubmitted
Nolatown resubmitted Lincoln Beach proposal including Pro Forma and timeline to NOBC. -
Conference Call
Conference call with NOBC to clarify requirements and per NOBC, the Councilwoman's Lewis directive to have no contact with neighborhood groups. -
Proposal Revised
Per further instructions from NOBC, Nolatown revised and resubmitted LB proposal to NOBC. -
Proposal Rejected
NOBC rejected Nolatown’s project proposal for Lincoln Beach. Picture: Sean Cummings, Former Executive Director for NOBC -
Letter to Elected Officials
Rickey Spearman, President of Nolatown, emailed out the “Infamous Letter - The Final Straw” to everybody, expressing not only the frustration we felt as constituents, but the disappointment in the leadership. -
Meeting with ACT
Nolatown executives meet with ACT (All Congregations Together) for the first time. -
Community Meeting
Nolatown Community Meeting hosted by ACT held at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church that offered the public an opportunity to meet the local developers and their renowned team of architects and planners. Picture: The Nolatown Team -
Meeting with District Council
Councilwoman Lewis met with Nolatown, and ACT (All Congregations Together) at City Hall to move forward on LOI. Picture: Cynthia Willard-Lewis, Former District E Councilperson -
2nd Letter Of Intent Received
Nolatown received 2nd official LOI (Letter of Intent) from NOBC representing the City of New Orleans for the Lincoln Beach site. Picture: Sean Cummings, Former Executive Director for NOBC -
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Jim Rives, Administrator of the Coastal Management Division was contacted about the coastal use permit process. -
Nolatown meet DHV in Amersfoort
Nolatown met with Derk Jan Kevelam, Principal in charge and Dick Kevelam, Leading professional Coastal Development with DHV Group in Holland, specialist in waterfront development. Picture: Dick Kevelam -
Nolatown Consults with Experts
Dick Kevelam, principal of DHV and manager of its Water Division and the Nolatown team (Rickey Spearman, Glenn Broom, Kemic Smothers, Esq. and Norberto Nardi) had a one day workshop there in New Orleans. The primary objective was to discuss the viability of the project as well as visit the site. Also in attendance was Greg Rigamer, president of New Orleans planning firm GCR & Associates, Inc., as you know Greg is the local authority on the city's urban planning and recovery. -
GCR Retained
Gregory C. Rigamer, CEO of GCR & Assoicates, Inc. role will be to optimize the plan for the intended use of the Lincoln Beach site given market conditions and parameters. Picture: Gregory C. Rigamer -
Meeting with Architect in Monrovia, CA
Rickey met with Norberto F. Nardi of Nardi & Associates, Inc. to discuss conceptual designs. Picture: Norberto F. Nardi, AIA -
Contruction Manager Interview
Construction Manager interview with the Mark Steffan Group Build-Tech Construction Corporation - Hollywood, FL -
Meeting with NOBC
Eugene J. Radcliff, Esq., a Nolatown Limited Partner, presented to NOBC our funding commitment letter which identifies the Lenders willingness to provide debt and equity for the Lincoln Beach project to include the conditions and timing of the pre-development funding. Picture: Sean Cummings, Former Executive Director for NOBC -
Lunch Meeting with Mayor C. Ray Nagin
Rickey met with Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Senator Ann Duplessis, Sean Cummings and Eugene Radcliff at the Maison Dupuy Hotel Le Meritage Restaurant to discuss the City's participation in the project. Picture: Former Mayor C. Ray Nagin left, Rickey Spearman, President of Nolatown, right -
Funders'/Investors' Conference Call
This was an authorized call to authenticate funding. Sean Cummings - NOBC, Mary Fontenot - ACT, Ann Duplessis - District Senator and the Nolatown Team were all in attendance for the call. -
Zemurray Family Authorization
Nolatown received approval on the proposed concept for the conditional land donated by Samuel Zemurray. Picture: Samuel Zemurray 1877-1961 -
Draft Lease Agreement
NOBC Sean Cummings submitted the Draft Lease Agreement to Nolatown for review and comments. Excepts:
* 2.3 Effective Date Requirements. This Lease is expressly conditioned upon all of the following occurring on or before the Effective Date Deadline....
* The “Effective Date Deadline” is [18 months from the Execution Date].... Picture: Sean Cummings, Former Executive Director for NOBC -
Meeting with Senator Ann Duplessis
Nolatown met with District Senator Ann Duplessis to discuss the future of the Lincoln Beach Project. Picture: Former District Senator Ann Duplessis now Deputy CAO for the City of New Orleans -
ACT sends letter to Mayor Nagin
ACT organization reached out to Mayor Nagin and called to his attention the fact that on April 15, 2009 the draft lease was returned by Nolatown to the City Attorney's office for minor edits and could not understand the continuous delays and lackadaisical attitude of the city as it related to a project of this magnitude. Following countless meetings, calls and negotiations, the final lease was completed March 23, 2010. Picture: Former Mayor C. Ray Nagain -
Research to complete LB lease
Held at the Lower Ninth Ward Health Clinic and facilitated by Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis, this was a series of meetings lasting over eight months. Picture: Lower Ninth Ward Health Clinic -
ACT Community Run-Off Forum
Candidates Bandon and Jon Johnson both committed to support the Lincoln Beach Project and work with the community to complete the task. -
Research to complete LB lease
Facilitated by Councilwoman Willard-Lewis, members continued to work towards completion of the lease. -
Meeting with District Council
Eugene J. Radcliff, Esq. a Nolatown Limited Partner attended the meeting where Council Member Willard-Lewis requested the final lease by March 23, to be submitted on the 25th to the Mayor. Sean Cummings was particularly instrumental in cutting through the many pseudo issues which kept arising. Lease Team: Eugene J. Radcliff, City Attorney Glen P. McGrath, Edwin J. Mazoue and Sean Cummings Picture: Eugene J. Radcliff, Esq. -
Meeting with District Council and City Attorney
Eugene Radcliff met with Dirstrict Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis and City Attorney Glen P. McGrath to discuss and revise the City Lease Agreement. Picture: Former Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis -
Ordinance by: COUNCILMEMBERS WILLARD-LEWIS AND HEDGE-MORRELL
An Ordinance to authorize the City of New Orleans to enter into a contract of lease with NOLATOWN DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC was presented to the City Council. -
Lincoln Beach/ACT Press Conference
Called to order by ACT, on the steps of City Hall, present and in support were Eugene Green, Nolatown, Senator Ann Duplessis and Councilwoman Willard-Lewis. -
Ordinance by: COUNCILMEMBERS JOHNSON AND HEDGE-MORRELL
An Ordinance to authorize the City of New Orleans to enter into a contract of lease with NOLATOWN DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC was presented to the City Council. -
Introduction Email to Councilman Johnson
The purpose of the email was to introduce Nolatown, and to advise the Councilman as to the near-final status of a long-term commercial development designed specifically for District E and the old Lincoln Beach site. Picture: Councilman Jon D. Johnson -
Ordinance by: COUNCILMEMBERS JOHNSON AND HEDGE-MORRELL
An Ordinance to authorize the City of New Orleans to enter into a contract of lease with NOLATOWN DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC was presented to the City Council. -
Meeting with ACT
Nolatown lead by Rickey met with All Congregations Together (ACT) for Community Workshop. Picture: ACT lead by Mary Croom-Fontenot -
Initial Meeting with New District Council
Rickey met with new District E Councilman Jon Johnson, his Chief of Staff, Kara Johnson, Esq. and ACT to discuss moving forward on the project. Councilman Johnson requested authorization to authenticate funding. This request differs from what is required under Section "2.3 Effective Date Requirements" of the Draft Lease submitted April 15, 2009 and finalized on March 23, 2010 as identified in this Timeline. Picture: District E Councilman Jon Johnson -
Research Action Meeting
Meeting held in the chambers of New Orleans City Council Vice President Arnie Fielkow who continues to give his full support. Picture: Councilman Arnie Fielkow -
Unauthorized & Inappropriate Request
Under the direction of Councilman Jon Johnson, Kara Johnson, Chief of Staff to the Councilman contacted Nolatown's lenders requesting a private meeting. -
Email Requesting Final Draft
An email was sent to Councilman Jon Johnson requesting the final draft of the Lincoln Beach Site Lease. Cc: Mary Fontenot, Betty Stewart and Kara Johnson -
Ordinance by: COUNCILMEMBERS JOHNSON AND HEDGE-MORRELL
An Ordinance to authorize the City of New Orleans to enter into a contract of lease with NOLATOWN DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC was presented to the City Council. -
ACT meets with District Councilman
It was reported that the meeting and discussion between Councilman Johnson and the community leaders was extremely troubling as it relates to community involvement. ACT has requested Nolatown to share once again its Lincoln Beach vision and progress made before the community and the press. Invitations will be extended to the Mayor and City Council. Picture: Councilman Jon D. Johnson -
Three Month Followup
An email was sent to Councilman Jon Johnson to followup on the final lease. -
Three Month Followup
An email was sent to Councilman Jon Johnson to followup on the final lease. -
Federal Corrupt Charges
Jon Johnson resigns and pleads guilty to Federal corruption charges. -
The Relaunch
NOLATOWN
The relaunching of NOLATOWN's new corporate website, logo and spotlighting the Lincoln Beach Project.
