Proposal is for a residential, office, parking and retail building in the long-vacant Woolworth's store
At the request of New Orleans City Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer, developers hoping to build a $70 million high-rise tower on the site of a long-vacant Woolworth's store at Canal and North Rampart streets are expected to withdraw their application from the agenda of this week's New Orleans City Council meeting.
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View full sizeAs proposed, the residential, office, parking and retail building would be 213 feet high, or three times the 70 feet allowed by the site's zoning, and it has drawn fire from some French Quarter residents and preservationists.But the developers said they are not dropping their project. Instead, they will first submit it for review by the Central Business District panel of the Historic District Landmarks Commission, as Palmer requested.
As proposed, the residential, office, parking and retail building would be 213 feet high, or three times the 70 feet allowed by the site's zoning, and it has drawn fire from some French Quarter residents and preservationists.
Proponents argue that it would not be out of scale with other tall buildings on the French Quarter side of Canal Street, such as the Ritz-Carlton, Astor Crowne Plaza and Marriott hotels.
But even though the site is outside the Vieux Carre as defined by city law, critics say that to have yet another building towering over the historic district would detract from its character and "tout ensemble," which the city should strive to protect for historical, aesthetic and economic reasons.
The City Planning Commission voted 5-4 in December to disapprove the 20-story tower. However, the final decision is up to the council. The site is in Palmer's district.
Praveen Kailas, one of the developers, said Tuesday that Palmer's main concern is with the building's design, not its height, and that she wanted the proposal withdrawn so the Landmarks Commission can review the design. The proposal then will be resubmitted to the Planning Commission and the council, Kailas said, adding that the talks with Palmer's office have been "very productive."
Nicole Webre, Palmer's legislative director, said Palmer has taken no position on the height issue.
"She is not commenting on the height because the design and demo(lition) have to be looked at and determined by the CBD HDLC," Webre said by e-mail. "Changes to the design could possibly change the floor-area ratio and height of the structure, so it is premature for her to comment on the height at this time."
She said Palmer "is excited about supporting a development at this important corner/intersection of our city that has been undeveloped for numerous years."
Palmer asked the developers to withdraw their current proposal "to allow more time to work with the community and the mayor's office to address all remaining concerns" and agree on a project "that makes economic sense and that fits within this important corner/intersection," Webre said.
Kailas said one way to reduce the building's height and floor-area ratio, or mass, would be to eliminate some of the 752 planned parking spaces. However, he said, the large amount of parking is needed to attract a quality retail tenant and to serve nearby large theaters and other businesses.
The developers told the Planning Commission they hope to attract an upscale retailer such as Nordstrom or Bloomingdales to fill the planned 40,000 square feet of retail space. The tower also would contain 51,000 square feet of office space, about 200 residential units and the parking spaces.
Proponents said it would help revitalize a large section of Canal Street by attracting hundreds of residents.
Kailas told the commission the proposed nine floors of residential units, including two floors of larger penthouse units, are needed to make the project economically feasible. He said the retail and parking components would not produce enough revenue to pay for it.
In that case, said Betsy Stout of the Louisiana Landmarks Society, the developers should have chosen a site zoned for a project of this size, such as on Loyola Avenue or Poydras Street, not a site on the edge of the French Quarter with a 70-foot height limit.
Zella May, a consultant working with the developers, said the project is supported by many Canal Street business owners, who she said would welcome an influx of new residents and a major upscale retailer.
The planning staff recommended the building be reduced to 190 feet, about the same as the Ritz-Carlton and Astor hotels.
Bruce Eggler can be reached at beggler@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3320.