NEW ORLEANS, LA — Today, the New Orleans City Council voted to move forward a zoning amendment for the Omni Hotel project following extensive tax and labor agreement negotiations led by Council President JP Morrell and Council Vice President Matthew Willard.

The vote allows the project to move forward with greater certainty that the Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) agreement for the new hotel will generate increased tax revenue for the City of New Orleans while creating approximately 500 permanent jobs and meeting Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals. These improved terms will ensure meaningful economic benefits for both the city and its communities.

Earlier this week, Council President Morrell and Council Vice President Willard sent a letter to members of the Ernest N. Morial Exhibition Hall Authority Board of Directors advocating for stronger outcomes for the City of New Orleans and its residents. Their efforts helped secure improvements to the PILOT agreement that better align the project with the city’s fiscal priorities and workforce needs.

Through successful negotiations, Council President Morrell and Council Vice President Matthew Willard secured the following critical points:

● A jobs provision guaranteeing that the Omni will employ 500 Full-Time Equivalent positions, including 350 employees on the company’s active payroll.

● A requirement that the Omni set aside 20% of construction contracts and 30% of local goods and services contracts to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.

● A $1.1M annual increase in tax payments to the City, resulting in an additional $48M over the lifespan of the PILOT.

● Preserving the full $1.7M annual tax payment to the Orleans Parish School Board, resulting in $75M in revenues to local schools over the lifespan of the PILOT.

“It is our elected duty to protect and provide services for our residents while also bringing in new revenues to repair our budget issue,” said District A Councilmember Aimee McCarron. “These negotiations are key to balancing those priorities and I believe will ultimately be good for the people of our city. This is not perfect, but few compromises are, and I want to thank Council President Morrell and Councilmember Willard for leading the negotiations in the best interest of our residents.”

“Economic development is critical to our city, but responsible economic development matters most,” said District E Councilmember Jason Hughes. “I commend my colleagues President Morrell and Vice President Willard for their leadership on negotiating the terms of this PILOT program. I look forward to more meaningful and responsible economic development that pushes our city forward.”

“I appreciate the trust our colleagues placed in Council Vice President Willard and I to negotiate and amend the terms of the proposed PILOT with the Convention Center to provide definitive commitments in regards to job creation, local construction opportunities for disadvantaged business as well as other priorities for the City of New Orleans,” said Council President JP Morrell. “The Council looks forward to working with all parties to provide oversight that the promises made are promises kept.”

“We heard all the residents and workers who organized to make the headquarters hotel a better deal for the City,” said Council Vice President Matthew Willard. “I’m grateful that my colleagues entrusted me and Council President Morrell to renegotiate the terms of the PILOT to position the City, our workers and the project for success.”