Common in NOLA

FYI....

Conventions put off in New Orleans

8:04 p.m., Tuesday

By Rebecca Mowbray 
Business Writer 

New Orleans will not hold any citywide conventions until at least the end of
March because of damage at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the
building that is considered the engine of the New Orleans tourism industry. 

"We have canceled all conventions utilizing the Convention Center through
the end of this year, and we expect in the next day or so to cancel those
through March 31," said Stephen Perry, president of the New Orleans
Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The Convention Center has
severe damage." 

The Convention Center's roof is damaged and water has been leaking into the
building. After so many people gathered at the convention center last week
looking for help, the inside of the building is "not inhabitable" for
meetings, and all the surfaces need to be redone, Perry said. Electricity
has been restored to the building, but there is no air-conditioning or
water. 

Convention center officials estimate that it will cost in the "high tens of
millions" to repair the building. Perry said he is working with the
Louisiana Congressional delegation to get federal funding to repair the
building because it is such a key economic driver and will help restore
employment in the region. 

"We expect to have it back online next year, better than ever, if we get
federal assistance," Perry said. Earlier this year, convention officials had
hired a consultant to consider ways to freshen up the center.

 

Kenneth E. Graap