The University of New Orleans' 15-year run within the University of Louisiana System ends tomorrow as the school rejoins the LSU family.

Why it matters: The change, officials hope, will bring stability to New Orleans' largest public university after years of budget woes, layoffs and program cuts amid declining enrollment.

Catch up quick: When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, UNO enrollment topped 17,000 students, but the campus suffered major damage from the storm.

• Enrollment — and funding — hasn't been the same since.
• Hoping for a boost in both, UNO moved under the UL umbrella in 2011.

Yes, but: The boost never came.

• Last fall, UNO counted just 5,670 students.

Follow the money: The move to bring UNO back into the LSU system is a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to stabilize and modernize the school — but it'll cost more than $46 million just to get the tech right, a transition committee report says.

• The school will also need $355.5 million for its facilities over the next decade, another report says.
• The school has shaved about $2 million off its bills by shuttering some of its buildings, the Louisiana Illuminator reports, and LSU System President Wade Rousse has even suggested staff scavenge parts from closed buildings for the still-functioning ones to further cut costs.

For its latest iteration, LSUNO cut a handful of programs, primarily affecting arts and education degrees, without cutting staff, president Kathy Johnson announced in April.

• But the school is bringing back its marching band, hiring longtime New Orleans band educator Eddie Williams Jr. with a goal to march in Mardi Gras parades by 2028, a press release says.

What's next: It's not clear whether LSUNO will retain its status as a research institution, Rousse tells the Louisiana Illuminator.

• For now, the goal is to stabilize the school's finances.

Share with a Privateer

Shell's new Gulf headquarters is taking shape in the River District, with construction expected to wrap up in April 2027.

Why it matters: It's one of several projects under way in the district.

The big picture: Developers and officials are navigating the next phase for the River District, though financing and public incentives continue to shape the pace of work.

Here's the latest.

🛢️ Shell HQ: The oil company broke ground last year on its office tower.

• Employees will likely move in next summer, says Brian Gibbs, a partner and investor with River District Neighborhood Investors.

🏨 Omni hotel: The City Council last week approved zoning changes needed to build the proposed 27-story hotel.

• If it gets final approvals, developers hope to start construction later this year, with the opening set for 2030.

👥 Housing: City Council members are set to vote next week on tax incentives for Rivana, a proposed apartment complex, WDSU reports.

🎺 Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience: Developers finalized a lease with the convention center this year, but still need to fund the $170 million museum project, the Times-Picayune reports.

• The goal is to preserve, educate and promote Louisiana's music legacy as the "genesis of America's music," the website says.

🏭 Market Street Power Plant: ASM Global, which manages the Caesars Superdome, and restaurant company BRG Hospitality have a tentative agreement to convert the blighted space into a music venue, according to the Times-Picayune.

• The deal hasn't been signed as of this week, Gibbs says.

✊🏾 Civil Rights Museum: Funding remains a problem for a stand-alone building in the district.

🚫 Scrapped: Topgolf. The proposed soccer stadium also appears to be on hold.

Renderings

💵 Grant applications are now open for French Quarter businesses hit hard by ongoing construction. (Catch up quick and then apply)

• Meanwhile, nine business owners say in a new lawsuit that the construction has harmed their bottom lines, and they're seeking financial compensation. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

📺 John Oliver lampooned Gov. Jeff Landry and the state's redistricting efforts in Sunday's episode of "Last Week Tonight." (YouTube)

🍗 If Popeyes opened in Australia, the company could "own this country," says comedian Nathan Ranclaud in a now-viral video. Ranclaud fell in love with the New Orleans export while visiting the U.S. for the World Cup. (Facebook)

National outlets, celebrity chefs and content creators have been giving New Orleans shoutouts lately.

• Here's some of the latest praise for the city's food and drink scene.

🌶️ "Condiment King": Forbes profiles Pepper Baumer, the CEO of Baumer Foods, the maker of Crystal Hot Sauce. (Story and Instagram)

🔥 Andrew Zimmern loves R&O's. "Louisiana doesn't just have soul. It cooks with it." (Facebook)

📹 "Deeply personal culinary journey": Spend 12 hours with chef EJ Lagasse. (Video)

☕️ Chris Hannah shares his favorite spots. (Instagram)

🥯 Flour Moon is "hands down" the best bagel shop in the state. (Chowhound)

🥣 "Every time I take a bite of gumbo, I hear the melody in my head." (NBC spotlights Dooky Chase's)

🍧 "Pink playhouse fantasy:" Explore Chance in Hell SnoBalls' renovation. (AN Interior)

🍴 The New York Times updated its list of the 25 best places to eat in New Orleans. (Gift link)

🍸 Bar Tonique is one of the best bars in America. "A chill vibe for a low-key kickback." (Esquire)

🍕 Il Supremo landed on a new list of "excellent pizzerias." (Instagram)

🤩 Elysian Bar is the "most stunning restaurant in New Orleans," per a California content creator. (Instagram)

Share this