NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center said planned renovations will generate over $50 million in new small and emerging business and disadvantaged business enterprise contracts through 2026. The work is part of the convention center’s Capital Improvement Plan.
In January, the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Board, which oversees the convention center, authorized $113.5 million guaranteed maximum price for the renovation’s next two phases. It said SEB and DBE contracts will capture 30% of this newly approved GMP.
“We are spending half-a-billion dollars to bring the Convention Center up to date so it can continue to be a significant driver for the local and state economy. With such a large-scale project comes a lot of responsibility, including directing as much of this $557 million investment as possible to local and small businesses,” said Jerry Reyes, president of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority. “By working together, we are improving the Convention Center and lifting businesses of all sizes across greater New Orleans.”
Completed renovations include improved stormwater drainage, new LED lighting, upgraded restrooms, four new chillers, two new cooling towers, six boilers and a new systems monitoring station. The $65 million, 7.5-acre pedestrian park and transportation center features centralized access for buses, shuttles, taxis, and ride shares. A $48 million roof replacement is nearing completion.
“The Capital Improvement Plan will take our 1980s-designed venue and transform it into a modern, more competitive events and meetings powerhouse. A large part of our transformative project is to honor our commitment of making sure this project is sustainably sourced and equitably built,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center president and CEO.
