New Orleans Lakefront Airport Terminal seeks proposals for food service occupants

Louisiana Restaurant Association members invited to tour the renovated Lakefront Airport, Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m. Interested individuals should submit their proposals by June 21.

The Lakefront Airport was built in the 1930's. At the time of it's grand opening it was considered an architectural masterpiece. Built by the same architect that designed the Louisiana state capital building, it was the first major airport in the region, and served proudly as a general aviation airport to this day. Inside the terminal building, travelers would find an Art Deco wonderland, featuring murals by artist Xavier Gonzalez, friezes by Enrique R. Alferez and an array of stone wall and floor treatments.

Much of the terminal's architectural flash was lost to a heavy-handed renovation in the mid-1960s that encased the building's exterior in cement panels and enclosed a second-floor balcony overlooking the grand lobby, the latter step creating room for a warren of offices for the Orleans Levee Board. The building sustained wholesale damage of another kind when it took on four feet of water as Hurricane Katrina pushed Lake Pontchartrain waters inland.

But all hope was not lost for the site. With $17 million in funding from FEMA earmarked for historic renovations, determined preservationists and architects, were able to return the space to its former glory.

Once upon a time, the Lakefront Airport was a popular spot for live music and special events and with its location on Lake Pontchartrain, the Non-Flood Protection Asset Management Authority is seeking proposals for the lease of the restaurant facilities and an agreement for special events at the newly-renovated Lakefront Airport Terminal. To download the RFQ&P, please visit the Airport's website.

The goal is to maximize use of the newly restored Lakefront Airport Terminal through a lease agreement with an experienced restaurant group for the exclusive on all business associated with the Walnut Room, the Bar and the Café, and opportunities to use the public areas in the Terminal on a per event basis as they pertain to catered special events.

The Walnut Room, the Bar area and the Café are the areas in the Terminal that will be      leased to the successful bidder and are described herein as the “leased premises.”

The successful bidder will also have the opportunity to host Special Events in the Atrium, Westside viewing deck and in designated areas on the second floor of the Terminal (the “public areas”) during periods when these public areas are available on a per event basis subject to a usage fee and other terms established by the Management Authority.

A pre-proposal tour of the Terminal Building will be held on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 10 a.m.  The deadline for submitting proposals is by 2 p.m. on June 21, 2013.  Any questions regarding the RFQ&P should be directed in writing to Louis J. Capo, Executive Director, NFPAMA, lcapo@orleanslevee.com.