Nola Reporter

NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans today announced the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to demolish Plaza Tower located at 1001 Howard Ave. The solicitation includes a comprehensive evaluation of the building's condition and requires that the demolition is conducted in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner. This RFP is part of the Cantrell Administration's aggressive program to flight blight and protect the public from dangerous properties.   

“This solicitation is another example of how my administration continues to pick up the cans to do the work necessary to eradicate blight in our city,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “This property has been an eyesore, sitting dormant for two decades, while also posing risks for residents and commuters in the area. My administration is taking bold, aggressive action to demolish vacant buildings while spearheading more enforcement efforts than any other administration. Eradicating blight not only cleans up our city, but it presents more economic opportunities and a better quality of life for our people.”   

The City imposed a $184,445 lien on the building’s owner at a hearing on Sept. 20 to recoup costs of barricades to secure the site and lost revenue due to closed metered parking spaces. At the administrative hearing on Oct. 4, the City imposed $220,210 in total daily fines on Plaza Tower for violation of the Minimum Property Maintenance Code. This is the second largest fine the department has ever imposed in a Code Enforcement matter. 

The City's Code Enforcement, Economic Development, Historic Preservation and Safety and Permits teams have engaged with Plaza Tower's ownership multiple times this year to support efforts to redevelop the property.  However, the property continues to degrade, hindering the opportunity to save the historic skyscraper while also posing a threat to the public. The responsibility to ensure properties comply with the Minimum Property Maintenance Code falls on the ownership. This RFP enables the City to quickly begin demolition if and when building conditions warrant. 

To view RFP #3772, visit the City’s bid opportunities webpage here. Interested bidders should take special note of the "Cone of Silence" rules, found in Section 4.6 of the RFP, and should only communicate with City officials as described.  Failure to adhere to these rules may result in disqualification.

Original source can be found here.