Advertisement City leaders continue push to bring new life to shuttered WTC building Previous redevelopment plans fizzled out in 2013 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

City leaders launched an effort this week to bring new life to a 33-story building that once housed World Trade Center operations in New Orleans.It's been over three years since the city of New Orleans purchased the building at 2 Canal St. Now the city is hoping to attract a company that will redevelop the site under a two-phase process."The redevelopment of 2 Canal St. is an incredible opportunity to capitalize on this iconic building's important location as we revitalize our Riverfront," Mayor Mitch Landrieu said.According to the city, the development team will be selected through the two-phase process. Phase one will determine a "short list" of the "most qualified respondents," while the second involves those respondents presenting a more detailed plan to the New Orleans Building Corporation.Members of the NOBC are looking for developers that will turn the building into a first class commercial and or mixed-used property. This includes the potential for a hotel, luxury residential apartments or retail space.According to the Save WTC NOLA, the building along the Mississippi River was designed to promote international trade through the port of New Orleans. It previously housed headquarters for:- Maritime law firms- Shipping companies- Commercial and trade organizations- Foreign consulates- Diplomatic trade related meetings and functions"This property presents an exceptional real estate development opportunity offering potential historic tax credits," city officials said. "The New Orleans real estate market, tourism industry and economy in general are experiencing robust growth."Members of the NOBC and the New Orleans City Council will negotiate with the developer for a long-term lease agreement after the two-phase process. A Nov. 14 deadline has been set for the first phase, while the NOBC hopes a lease will be signed within the first quarter of 2015.Read: Negotiations for WTC Restoration CollapseLast year, redevelopment plans between the city of New Orleans and Gatehouse Capital fizzled out with no clear explanation given. Their plans included restoring the building in a hotel, restaurant, apartments and even a pool.