News: Jan 1, 2008 - Dec 31, 2011 [News Archive]
City closes on deal to renovate Saenger Theatre
WWLTV.COMDecember 29, 2011
The mayor's office has announced a financing deal for the $51 million renovation of the Saenger Theatre.
Construction is expected to begin on the theater next year, with a projected opening in spring 2013.
“This is a major step forward in our work to restore the iconic Saenger Theatre, a crown jewel of our city,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “The work of this public-private partnership will create tens of millions in annual economic impact for our economy and will anchor the continued revitalization of Canal Street."
The renovations include restoring classic decorative elements of the theater and expanding the stagehouse, which will give room for larger productions.
Officials say financing for the project included public and private funds and a mix of federal and state tax credits.
“We have been shepherding this project since 2006, after Hurricane Katrina, so it is a joy to see it move to full construction,” said Randy Smith, Chairman of the Canal Street Development Corporation.
Grand Palace Hotel demolition gets OK from judge
by Bill Barrow, The Times-PicayuneDecember 16, 2011
The state of Louisiana did not exceed its expropriation authority by taking land it will not immediately use in the construction of University Medical Center, Orleans Civil District Judge Ethel Julien ruled Friday afternoon. Unless she is reversed by a higher court, the decision clears the way for demolition of the old Grand Palace Hotel on the corner of Claiborne Avenue and Canal Street.
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Grand Palace Hotel demolition gets OK from judgeState again halts demolition of Grand Palace Hotel
by Bill Barrow, The Times-Picayune November 30, 2011
State officials Wednesday again put off the implosion of the old Grand Palace Hotel on the corner of Canal Street and South Claiborne Avenue, citing incomplete mitigation of hazardous materials in the 17-story-building that occupies a corner of the future University Medical Center footprint in Mid-City.
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State again halts demolition of Grand Palace HotelMardi Gras preparations keep rolling as float feud goes to appeals court
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by John Simerman, The Times-PicayuneNovember 29, 2011
A busty Styrofoam angel rose from the warehouse floor at Mardi Gras World on Tuesday, while a worker stood covered in white specks. In a nearby stall, a guy was touching up the neck of a giant green hag, a prop for the Krewe of Endymion’s Snow White float. Across the way, a driver backed an Orpheus float with a massive devil head into a parking spot.
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Mardi Gras preparations keep rolling as float feud goes to appeals courtSmith & Fawer Wins Appeal Court Affirmation of Corporate Eviction
September 21, 2011Read Appellate Court Decision:
Smith & Fawer Wins Appeal Court Affirmation of Corporate Eviction17th Street Canal Land Lawsuit Can Go Ahead
Bellaire Drive property owners win round in lawsuit over 17th Street Canal workAugust 12, 2011
by Mark Schleifstein, The Times Picayune
A federal judge on Monday denied a request by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Orleans Levee District to throw out a lawsuit by New Orleans landowners angry that the two agencies took parts of their back yards without compensation to rebuild floodwalls along the 17th Street Canal.
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17th Street Canal Land Lawsuit Can Go AheadGift to Junior League funds good decision-making projects for youth in New Orleans
By Allison Waldron
Lagniappe - Summer 2011
Randall Smith, local lawyer with Smith and Fawer LLC, saw that there were problems causing the youth of New Orleans to make bad decisions. These bad decisions led to jail time, delinquency and a lifetime of trouble. Smith decided that he wanted to do something to help these troubled youth and chose to make a remarkable gift of $50,000 to the Junior League of New Orleans in order to fund projects to help youth become better decision makers.
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Gift To Junior LeagueColonial Country Club loses foreclosure ruling at appeals court
June 15, 2011By Michelle Hunter, The Times-Picayune
A state appeals court has reversed the injunction that halted the public auction of Colonial Golf & Country Club in Harahan.
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Colonial Country Club loses foreclosure ruling at appeals courtRuling Favors Son In Latest Kern Family Clash
WDSU NewsJune 9, 2011
A panel of appeals court judges has ruled in favor of Barry Kern in a family feud over control of the biggest commercial name in Carnival.
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Ruling Favors Son In Latest Kern Family ClashFirm Wins Over $5 million in Compensation for Property Owners
May 23, 2011Original deposit of $46,000 increased to award of nearly $5,700,000.
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Motion for partial new trial granted...Control of Blaine Kern Artists is now in son's hands
April 25, 2011By John Pope, The Times-Picayune
In a move to end the father-son feud that has threatened the future of the region’s foremost float-building company, the shareholders of Blaine Kern Artists met Monday to turn over control of the company to Barry Kern, son of the company’s founder and namesake.
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Control of Blaine Kern Artists is now in son's handsWWL Video - Blane Kern To Be Removed From Company He Founded
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April 15, 2011Judge Turns Carnival Company Over To Barry Kern
WDSU NewsApril 15, 2011
NEW ORLEANS -- A judge has ordered Mardi Gras float-builder Blaine Kern to turn over control of his company to his son, following a dispute over control of the struggling company.
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Judge Turns Carnival Company Over To Barry KernShareholders Sue Whitney Bank
They oppose merger with HancockFebruary 10, 2011
By Rebecca Mowbray, Business writer, The Times-Picayune
Whitney Holding Corp. shareholders have filed a class action lawsuit in federal court seeking to block the bank's merger with Hancock Holding Co., saying that the directors of the New Orleans bank may not have acted in shareholders' best interests.
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Shareholders Sue Whitney BankJunior League of New Orleans Receives $50,000 Gift From Local Attorney
January 24, 2011Read more...
Junior League - $50k gift17th Street Canal homeowners sue to stop floodwall project
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune January 11, 2011
Homeowners along the New Orleans side of the 17th Street Canal have filed a civil suit in an attempt to stop the Army Corps of Engineers from beginning construction on a project that will strengthen floodwalls along the canal.
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17th Street Canal homeowners sue to stop floodwall projectRep. Cedric Richmond Picks Top Aides
The Times PicayuneJanuary 8, 2011
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Cedric Richmond Picks Top AidesMajor Trial Verdict For Breach of Joint Venture and Interference with Contract Upheld on Appeal
December 22, 2010Read more...
KrenningFox 8 Video - Greg Meffert Pleads Guilty to 2 Counts
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Firm Wins Jury Verdict in Takings Case for Millions of Dollars
December 8, 2009Click the following link to read the Judgment:
Firm Wins Jury Verdict in Takings Case for Millions of DollarsGambit's Quote of the Week
December 7, 2009"I kind of ask that the press leave the Mefferts alone, and move onto some other cases, move onto some other things, because there's really gonna be nothing more to be said." — Defense attorney Randy Smith, after the city's former technology chief Greg Meffert and his wife Linda Meffert were arraigned Nov. 30 on federal corruption charges. The Mefferts both pleaded not guilty. A criminal corruption trial is set to begin Jan. 11.
Gambit's Quote of the Week
September 14, 2009"It is indeed a rare and tragic occasion when a litigant must state that the tide of public opinion in his home parish has so turned against him that he cannot seek refuge in the hallowed halls of justice in that parish." — Randy Smith, lawyer for former city technology director Greg Meffert, in a motion filed Sept. 3 seeking a change of venue for Meffert's upcoming civil trial.
Saenger Theatre redevelopment to include building next door
by Bruce Eggler, The Times-PicayuneAugust 28, 2009
The state has agreed to provide the money to let New Orleans buy a four-story commercial building at 1101 Canal St., next to the Saenger Theatre, so that it can be incorporated into a planned redevelopment of the theater.
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Saenger Theatre RedevelopmentRuling Gives Jazz Fest Rebate.
by Jaquetta White, The Times-PicayuneJune 12, 2009
A state court judge has ruled that a company accused of improperly collecting revenue from the sale of tickets to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival over a three-year period should pay the foundation that runs the annual event nearly $70,000.
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Ruling Gives Jazz Fest RebateSky Radio Interview
February 26, 2009Click the link below (MP3 file) to listen to the interview:
Sky News Audio InterviewWDSU Video - Saenger Theatre Revival
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January 13, 2009Built in 1927 at the corner of Canal and North Rampart streets in downtown New Orleans sits a theatrical gem. For decades, some of the biggest stars and hottest shows have graced the stage of the historic Saenger Theatre.
WGNO Video - Assessment Lawsuit
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July 8, 2008New Orleans residents challenge recent property tax assessments.
Randall Smith Receives Leadership in Law Award
Randall Smith is all about property. Smith, who specializes in commercial and business litigation, has become involved in cases involving eminent domain, trying to get larger settlements for individual landowners about to lose their property to the government...Read more...
Randall Smith Receives Leadership in Law AwardRetrial Ordered in I-310 Land Case
Owners got $91,000, wanted $30 million
February 14, 2008
by Matt Scallan
The state 5th Circuit Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial in a case involving land acquisition for Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish.
The St. Charles Land Syndicate, controlled by the family of hotelier William Monteleone, had sought $30 million for 153 acres in the LaBranche Wetlands that the state Department of Transportation and Department expropriated in 1987 for the elevated highway. The total included 19 years of interest.
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Retrial Ordered in I-310 Land CaseSee Old News: News Archive