NEW ORLEANS -- More signs of new life are appearing in Mid-City along Broad Street where for decades commercial properties have sat blighted and vacant.
The new developments following in the steps of Whole Foods. Now, a new movie theater is moving in, and one local group says a lot more is in the pipeline.
"Part-time, Lord have mercy, over two years, two and a half years," said Wilson Martin of his labor of love sitting near the corner of North Broad and Toulouse.
The Kenner man is building a shrimp boat. He recently had to move his project from inside a historic building to an outdoor lot a few feet away because the facility is being brought back to life.
"He leased it out and they're supposed to put a movie theater, game room, lounge. It's going to be pretty neat. The building is rundown. He wanted to fix it up," said Martin of the current property's owner.
Our coverage partner Mid-City Messenger reports a new four screen-movie theater is planned at the location in the 600 block of N. Broad Street. Permitting has been approved and construction is expected to happen soon.
The building dates back to 1924 and once housed a Bingo hall for developmentally disabled children, a heating and plumbing company, and boxing.
Soon it will draw movie lovers, and neighbors like Broad Community Connections can't wait.
"It's a four-screen independent movie theater. Should be really exciting. I think it will be not unlike the old movie pictures and some of the great independent cinemas we've had in town," said Jeff Schwartz, who runs the non-profit. "That really brings people together and acts as a social space and connect around movies."
With the Lafitte Greenway coming in, connecting Mid-City to downtown, the hope is that other abandoned buildings in the New Orleans neighborhood will also be brought back to life.
"I think Broad at the Lafitte Greenway is going to be a really hot part of town. It already is getting a lot of attention. We really want to see a lot of mixed-use, mixed-income development come around the new movie theater," added Schwartz.
As the old Spanish revival is redeveloped, Martin hopes to finish his boat before the ticket office opens for its first show.
"I'm hoping to get it into the water for next May, for shrimp season opening next year," said Martin.
To read more on the theater's development click here.
