Work is steadily advancing on Audubon Nature Institute's long-planned effort to turn a pair of aging French Quarter wharves into a welcoming riverfront park—one designed to reconnect people to the Mississippi and stitch together a more continuous pedestrian experience downtown. Nearly nine months into construction, Audubon leaders say the first phase of the redevelopment remains on schedule, with completion expected in early 2026.

That momentum, however, comes with a major caveat: the second phase—focused on the larger Esplanade Avenue Wharf—is no longer a settled plan. Audubon President and CEO Michael Sawaya said the institute is reassessing what that portion should become, how much it will ultimately cost, and how it can be operated in a way that covers ongoing expenses rather than creating a permanent financial drain.

In Sawaya's view, the stakes are high. The goal isn't simply to build a park—it's to create a destination that people deliberately choose, one that can host activity, feel safe and lively, and generate enough revenue to support maintenance and programming long-term. That approach marks a shift in emphasis as the project moves from concept and design into the realities of operations, staffing, security, and upkeep.

A missing link on the riverfront

At its core, the effort is meant to solve a longstanding gap in the city's riverfront network. The wharves sit between heavily visited downtown spaces—Spanish Plaza, Woldenberg Park, the Moon Walk, and the Algiers Ferry landing—and the downriver stretch of Crescent Park. Connecting those pieces would create roughly 2.25 miles of uninterrupted access along the river, making it easier for residents and visitors to walk, bike, and move through the waterfront without dead ends or awkward transitions.

The vision includes creating street-level access to the river at Esplanade Avenue and transforming the adjacent wharf structures into usable public space with a multiuse path and areas that can accommodate cultural programming.

Phase one: a park with built-in activity

The first phase centers on the Gov. Nicholls Street Wharf. Construction has included structural work to stabilize the wharf and the removal of most of the warehouse that once sat above it. Rather than erasing the structure completely, planners retained a smaller section—now envisioned as a flexible "cultural shed"—paired with a lawn, a playground, and a pathway intended to pull everyday foot traffic toward the river.

The operational strategy for that shed is coming into clearer focus as Audubon seeks vendors interested in running a commercial kitchen and concessions space inside. The expectation is that the building could serve coffee and light food during the day while also accommodating private rentals, corporate events, and community gatherings after hours.

Audubon is also looking at event rentals—small concerts, arts pop-ups, festivals, and occasional programmed activations—as a way to keep the space active while generating revenue. Another potential funding tool: selling naming rights for the shed to help subsidize costs and establish a reliable stream of support for the park.

Phase one is expected to be finished in time to begin acclimating people to the new space—an important detail for a project that depends on steady use to succeed. Audubon leaders have pointed to the French Quarter Festival as an ideal early showcase, a built-in moment when crowds are already downtown and looking for places to wander.

Phase two: bigger footprint, bigger questions

The uncertainty begins with the Esplanade Avenue Wharf, which is significantly larger than the Gov. Nicholls wharf—meaning more space to fill, more structure to maintain, and more pressure to get the design and business model right.

Earlier concepts imagined a partially open-air conversion, including a much larger shed structure with space that could function as a community-oriented facility, plus areas for vendors such as food trucks. That plan has now been pushed back into the design stage. Sawaya has indicated that whatever comes next will not simply be a tweak—it will be a reworked concept built around sustainability and smart programming.

That matters because earlier "big attraction" ideas tied to the riverfront have historically raised concerns in nearby neighborhoods, especially in the Marigny. Plans floated years ago included high-profile tourist draws and large entertainment components—concepts that some residents viewed as a threat to quality of life due to noise, congestion, and crowd spillover. Later iterations were scaled back, but any new approach for Esplanade will still have to navigate the same basic tension: how to activate the space without overwhelming the surrounding neighborhood.

One practical factor shaping the redesign: the operator selected for phase one concessions may influence what happens next. Audubon sees value in letting a vendor with day-to-day experience on the property help inform how a larger, more complex second phase should function.

Crescent Park takeover slows down

Another major piece of the original riverfront vision remains unresolved: Audubon's proposed management of Crescent Park. Past leadership positioned that as a logical consolidation—one steward overseeing a long, continuous stretch of waterfront would, in theory, lead to more consistent maintenance and more cohesive programming.

But negotiations with the city have not produced an agreement, and Sawaya has signaled a slower timeline. The cost and the city's broader budget pressure appear to be major obstacles. While some park users have raised concerns about maintenance issues—everything from surface wear to general upkeep—Audubon has been cautious about taking on an additional responsibility without a clear funding mechanism.

For now, the institute appears focused on completing phase one, proving the operational model, and using those lessons to rebuild phase two with fewer assumptions and more financial clarity.

What happens next

The first phase is moving from construction into operations: concessions, events, rentals, and the day-to-day reality of keeping a new public space clean, safe, and inviting. The second phase is moving in the opposite direction—away from finalized drawings and toward a new concept that can withstand both neighborhood scrutiny and long-term budget realities.

If Audubon can thread that needle, the payoff is significant: a revitalized riverfront connection where locals actually spend time, not just pass through, and a continuous public edge along the Mississippi that finally feels like one cohesive destination rather than separate pieces stitched together by intention alone.

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Meta is turning to private capital to bankroll what it says will be its largest data center development anywhere in the world, signing a financing arrangement valued at roughly $27 billion with alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital. The move comes as Big Tech accelerates spending on the servers, chips, and power-hungry facilities needed to support rapidly expanding artificial intelligence efforts.

The agreement, announced Tuesday, is Meta's biggest private-capital transaction to date. Under the structure, Meta will keep about a 20% equity stake in the Louisiana project, while investment funds managed by Blue Owl will hold the controlling share. Blue Owl is contributing about $7 billion in cash to the joint venture, and Meta is set to receive a one-time payment of approximately $3 billion.

The project—known as Hyperion—will be built in Richland Parish, Louisiana, and is expected to provide more than 2 gigawatts of computing capacity. That level of "compute" is designed to support training large language models, the technology that powers systems like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.

Blue Owl Co-CEOs Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz described Hyperion as a major-scale undertaking meant to match the pace and magnitude of demand for next-generation AI infrastructure. Their comments underscore a broader trend: leading technology firms are pouring unprecedented amounts of money into data centers and advanced computing to stay competitive.

That spending wave is already enormous. Morgan Stanley estimates that companies including Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and AI-focused operator CoreWeave are collectively on pace to spend about $400 billion on AI infrastructure this year alone. Meanwhile, OpenAI has recently entered multiple agreements that could exceed $1 trillion in total cost to secure around 26 gigawatts of computing capacity—an amount often compared to the electricity needed to power roughly 20 million homes in the United States.

For Meta, the Blue Owl partnership is also a financial strategy, not just a construction plan. Chief financial officer Susan Li called the transaction "a bold step forward," and Meta has reportedly signed leases for the facility that start with a four-year term and include an extension option. The company also expects the site to support more than 500 jobs once it becomes operational.

Industry analysts say the structure gives Meta flexibility at a time when AI investment is both urgent and uncertain. Alvin Nguyen, a senior analyst at Forrester, said the deal helps Meta reduce its risk exposure by limiting how much capital it needs to commit upfront, even if that means giving up a larger ownership slice. He added that it could also reduce the company's reliance on debt tied to equipment and real estate, offering some protection if enthusiasm around AI infrastructure cools sharply in the future.

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The Luxury Kitchen: Where Everyday Living Meets Elevated Design

If there's one room in the house worth doing right, it's the kitchen. It's where mornings begin, where backpacks land, where dinner gets made (or ordered), and where guests naturally drift toward the island for snacks and conversation. It's the heartbeat of the home, and when it's designed well, you feel it every single day.

A luxury kitchen isn't defined by a single price tag or brand name. It's the result of smart planning, beautiful materials, and a layout that fits the way you actually live. When function and style work together, the kitchen becomes more than a workspace, it becomes a place people want to be.

Design That's Built Around You

The best kitchens don't copy trends; they reflect the homeowner. A layout should make prep and cooking feel effortless, with the tools you use most within easy reach and everything else stored neatly out of sight. Convenience doesn't have to mean clutter, and elegance doesn't have to mean impractical.

That's why customization matters. If you already have a dedicated home office, you may not need a built-in kitchen desk taking up valuable space. If you love natural light and scenery, a well-placed window that frames the yard, the trees, or the landscape beyond can make the room feel instantly more special. Even counter height can be tailored, which is one of those details people don't think about until they realize how much more comfortable it is to cook without hunching over.

Luxury, at its best, is personal. The goal is to eliminate the little frustrations and build a space that feels natural to move through.

Cabinetry That Works Smarter

Modern high-end cabinetry has come a long way from "standard uppers and lowers." Today, storage can be designed to reduce wasted space and make everything easier to access. Deep drawers replace awkward lower cabinets. Pull-out shelves prevent you from digging into dark corners. And touch-latch doors, soft-close everything, and clever inserts turn everyday storage into something that feels seamless.

Even the unglamorous parts of the kitchen can be upgraded: trash, recycling, and compost can be hidden but easy to reach. Appliance garages can keep countertops clean while still making daily tools accessible. The result is a kitchen that looks calm, even when life is busy.

Appliances That Earn Their Keep

Professional-grade appliances are often the "wow" factor, but the real benefit is performance—especially for people who cook often or entertain regularly. A great range delivers even heat and better control. Quieter dishwashers make the kitchen more pleasant when the house is full. And if you host frequently, having two dishwashers can feel like a superpower.

Specialized refrigeration is another game-changer: separate zones for food, drinks, and wine help keep everything organized and make parties run smoother. And for bigger gatherings, extra ovens—often tucked into a pantry or secondary prep area—can take the stress out of timing meals.

The Statement Piece: A Custom Hood

If the kitchen has a centerpiece, it's often the hood. It anchors the space visually, and it can set the tone for the entire design—whether that's sleek and modern or warm and architectural. Some homeowners want the hood to blend into the background, while others use it as a bold design moment with brick, stone, wood, or metal.

And today's hoods do more than ventilate. Many incorporate lighting, shelving, or hanging storage, and some designs can even retract to keep sightlines clean—especially over island ranges.

A Kitchen You'll Love Living In

A truly luxurious kitchen isn't just pretty in photos—it's easy to use, easy to maintain, and designed to support real life. It stays organized without constant effort. It welcomes people in. And it becomes the kind of room where memories naturally happen: weeknight dinners, holiday prep, friends gathered around the counter, and quiet moments with a cup of coffee before the day starts.

When you plan it thoughtfully and build it well, the kitchen doesn't just look better—it lives better.

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How to Max Out Your Curb Appeal Before You List

Summer brings more than heat, it brings moving trucks, yard signs, and buyers cruising slowly past houses, deciding in seconds whether a place is worth seeing inside. You can have a beautifully updated kitchen and perfectly staged living room, but if the exterior looks tired or neglected, many buyers will never make it to the front door. Curb appeal doesn't just make your home look pretty but it sets expectations, affects perceived value, and can directly influence how quickly and strongly buyers are willing to make an offer.

That's why it pays to treat your front yard, façade, and entryway like the opening chapter of your home's story.

The first, non-negotiable step is cleanliness. A spotless exterior might not earn compliments, but a messy one will absolutely draw criticism. Realtor Amber Donnelly of CENTURY 21 Tahoe North reminds sellers that buyers often view the front of the house as a reflection of what's happening inside. Fallen branches, pine needles, leaf piles, and cobwebs around light fixtures all send the message that maintenance might be lacking. Before you hit the market, clear debris from beds and lawn, sweep the entry and driveway, power wash dirty surfaces if needed, and make sure gutters and downspouts aren't streaked or overflowing. The goal is for the house to look quietly well cared for, not like you rushed to tidy up an hour before the showing.

Once things are clean, pay attention to how "alive" the front of your home feels. A façade that's all brick, siding, or stone with no greenery can seem stark and uninviting, even if the architecture is beautiful. Interior designer Connie Vernich notes that adding organic elements softens hard lines and makes the entry feel more welcoming. Evergreen shrubs such as juniper or holly can provide year-round structure and frame the house, while seasonal or regionally appropriate flowers bring color and charm. Landscape designer Cate Singleton suggests viewing your front yard the way you'd view a room: it needs a mix of heights, textures, and focal points, not a few lonely plants scattered around.

Planters are an easy way to introduce that layered look without tearing up your yard. Landscape designer Lisa Mierop encourages homeowners not to obsess over perfect symmetry. Instead of placing two identical pots with identical plants on either side of the door, try grouping containers of different sizes filled with complementary but varied plants. Think tall grasses paired with trailing vines and blooms in a coordinated color palette. The slight asymmetry and variety feel intentional and modern, drawing the eye toward the entry.

If your budget can stretch beyond plants and clean-up, paint is one of the most powerful upgrades you can make. Designer Emily Barry of Rehabitat Interiors points out that a fresh exterior color can make an older home feel current almost instantly. She also warns against defaulting to bright white trim, which can sometimes date the overall look. Matching the trim to the body color or choosing a softer, related tone can create a more cohesive, elevated façade. Even if a full repaint isn't in the cards, freshening peeling trim, railings, and shutters will keep the house from reading as tired.

When a full exterior paint job isn't realistic, turn your attention to the front door. It's often the first thing buyers focus on when they approach the house, and a drab, scuffed door is a missed opportunity. Heather Goerzen of Havenly calls the front door "the eye candy of the space," and she's right: a well-chosen color instantly injects personality. Swapping a generic dark brown or faded black for a rich blue, deep green, or other inviting shade can completely transform the feel of the entry. Treat this like any other paint decision: test several colors, and check them at different times of day so you see how changing light affects the tone. The right color should complement your siding, roof, and landscaping rather than fight them.

Lighting is the final layer that can make your home stand out, especially in the evenings when many buyers drive through neighborhoods after work. One lonely fixture over the door doesn't do your house any favors. Designer Diane Schmunk recommends using uplights to wash the façade in soft light, which adds warmth and dimension and makes architectural details pop. You can also add sconces near the door or above the house numbers so visitors can easily find the address, line walkways with low path lights for safety and ambiance, and uplight key trees or larger shrubs to give the yard more depth after dark. The idea isn't to make your home the brightest on the block, but to create a gentle, inviting glow that says "well loved" instead of "afterthought."

When you put all of these elements together which include a clean, clutter-free exterior, thoughtfully placed greenery, strategic paint choices, an inviting front door, and layered lighting, you're doing more than making your home photogenic. You're telling buyers, from the sidewalk, that this is a property that has been cared for and is worth their time. In a busy summer market, that can be the difference between someone driving past and someone pulling over to schedule a showing.

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Louisiana’s Michoud Plant Joins the New Space Race with Starlab Deal

New Orleans East is taking a front-row seat in the next era of human spaceflight. Vivace, a Texas-based aerospace company with long ties to NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility, has been tapped to build the primary structure for Starlab. Starlab is a commercial space station backed by Voyager Space and Airbus that aims to be in orbit before the end of the decade.

The contract positions Michoud, already a historic hub for space hardware, at the center of a high-stakes competition to replace the International Space Station and capture a share of the growing commercial space market.

Vivace, founded in 2006 and headquartered in San Antonio, has operated at Michoud since 2012. From its New Orleans East manufacturing center, the company will lead development of Starlab's main aluminum structure, which the project's backers say will be one of the largest integrated pieces ever built for launch into low-Earth orbit.

Starlab is designed to host up to four people at a time that will include a mix of researchers and private space travelers, in orbit. In addition to scientific work in microgravity, the station is being pitched as a platform for in-space satellite manufacturing and as a logistics node for future deep-space missions.

The Starlab venture is led by Colorado-based Voyager Space and European aerospace giant Airbus, with additional partners including Mitsubishi Corp., MDA Space and Palantir Technologies. Strategic collaborators range from Hilton, which has been involved in early habitat design work, to Northrop Grumman and The Ohio State University.

Starlab CEO Marshall Smith framed Vivace's selection as a key milestone in proving the project's seriousness to NASA and other potential customers.

"Starlab is meticulously engineered to deliver scalability, reliability and mission-critical research to our partners," he said in a prepared statement, calling the Michoud manufacturing plan an important step toward turning the paper design into hardware.

For Michoud, the agreement extends a long lineage. The 829-acre facility, owned by NASA, has been a production site for everything from Saturn V rocket stages during the Apollo era to external fuel tanks for the Space Shuttle and core stages for the Space Launch System. Today it hosts NASA operations alongside roughly 20 aerospace and high-tech firms, with Vivace among the most established.

The Starlab work will rely not just on Vivace's floor space and workforce, but also on the technical ecosystem that has grown up around the site. The company said its U.S. government partners at Michoud will provide structural analysis support, specialized testing infrastructure and subject-matter expertise as the design is finalized and full-scale manufacturing begins.

"Leveraging Vivace's facilities in Louisiana, we are proud to contribute to this significant project supporting U.S. and allied leadership in human spaceflight," said Steve Cook, Vivace's chair.

State leaders were quick to tout the announcement as a win for Louisiana's advanced manufacturing ambitions. Gov. Jeff Landry praised the decision to use Michoud as a central element in Starlab's build, saying the partnership underscores the facility's value as a national asset and a driver of local economic activity.

The timing of the deal is no accident. NASA is preparing for life after the International Space Station, which has been continuously occupied since 2000 and is expected to retire in the 2030s. The agency has made clear it does not plan to own and operate the ISS's successor. Instead, in 2021 it launched an initiative to seed privately developed stations that NASA can use as one customer among many while it shifts its own focus toward missions to the moon and Mars.

That policy has sparked a modern space station race among commercial operators. Starlab is one of several competing projects vying for NASA support and future contracts. Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, and Sierra Space are co-developing a station concept called Orbital Reef. Axiom Space is pursuing its own design, beginning with modules that will initially attach to the ISS before separating into an independent outpost.

All of these companies are trying to prove that their concepts are technically sound, financially viable and capable of serving both government and commercial users. Securing a manufacturing base at Michoud allows Starlab's backers to point to a concrete industrial plan as they court NASA, international space agencies, universities and private firms interested in microgravity research or in-space production.

If schedules hold, the Starlab station could be operational as soon as 2028, providing an overlap period with the aging ISS and giving NASA and other partners time to transition their experiments and crews.

For New Orleans and Louisiana, the project's significance extends beyond aerospace bragging rights. It signals that Michoud's role is evolving along with the space industry itself. Coming from a site dominated by government-owned vehicles to a mixed environment where public and private missions are built side by side.

As Starlab's design is refined and aluminum frames begin to take shape on the factory floor, Michoud will again be sending large, complex structures skyward. This time, instead of supporting a single national space station, those structures could form part of a global, commercially driven network in orbit—one in which Louisiana's industrial base plays a quietly central role.

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