The Northshore Harbor Center was the focus... (Slidell Sentry-News; 03/05/04)
Harbor Center Considers Sponsorship (Slidell Sentry-News; 02/13/04)
$5 million found for group (Slidell Sentry-News; 02/12/04)
Events center seeks bonds (The Times-Picayune; 02/12/04)
Harbor funding plan offered (Slidell Sentry-News; 12/12/03)
A list of prices, policies... (Slidell Sentry-News; 10/10/03)
After 19 years, Joe Anderson's work finally... (Slidell Sentry-News; 09/15/03)
Contract signed to build events center (The Times-Picayune; 09/11/03)
Business forum to be held in conjunction with 9-11 aftermath (Slidell Sentry News; 09/02/03)
Harbor center panel OKs bid (The Times-Picayune; 08/14/03)

Click here to view previous articles in the Northshore Harbor Center's News Archive.

MANDEVILLE - The Northshore Harbor Center was the focus of two important events at the St. Tammany Parish Council's meeting last night.Because a millage approved for the center will now result in more revenue, voters in parish Wards 8 and 9 must approve the change in an April 17 election.

A 20-year, 5-mill tax was implemented in 1998 and was expected to generate $10 million toward construction of the center. However, growth in Wards 8 and 9 will result in $15 million being raised.The increased revenue will not raise taxes.

Kerry Painter, who currently heads the Harbor Center, was appointed to the St. Tammany Parish Touristand Convention Commission. The appointment is for three years. Cayman Sinclair was also appointed to the Tourist Commission.

Les Baham was appointed to the Board of Commissioners for Fire Protection District No. 1. Baham takes  the place of Felton Walter, whose term has expired.

He will assist in the selection of the district's new fire chief, expected to happen this summer.

Council members also decided Thursday to certify census counts for all fire districts in the parish.

The census counts are necessary for the state's "Two Percent Fire Insurance Fund," a state program that aids local governments in fire protection. Funding is determined on a per capita basis.

The council voted to re-introduce an ordinance that would add additional zoning standards to property that has the potential to affect natural and scenic rivers in the parish.

The ordinance must now go back to the Parish Council Committees before it can be adopted.

An ordinance was adopted by the council establishing the Slidell Hazard Overlay District and placing it on zoning base maps.

Ray Alfred lost his appeal for the re-zoning of a two-acre piece of property on Allen Road. He was requesting the property be changed from suburban zoning to highway commercial.

Harbor Center Considers Sponsorship

By Matthew Penix

SLIDELL -- Officials for a multi-purpose events center in Slidell must seek sponsorship from top political leaders if they want to finish construction of a 20-year-old project, a veteran lobbyist told its officials Wednesday.

"You need sponsorship in government," said longtime lobbyist Charlie Smith. "Not somebody that will accept your position, but someone to put their name behind it."

Northshore Harbor Center (NSHC) officials brainstormed with Smith late Wednesday on ways to bring to fruition the three-part center planned for conventions, balls and recreational shows.

Currently, the center has invested $7.3 million of the public's money into construction for its first part, a 35,228-square-foot facility. But officials face around a $6.8 million shortfall to finance and complete it.

Officials want and need their funding issues to fall on "important ears" in government, they said.

"Right now your argument is you have $7.3 million of the public's money invested into this project. You need public officials backing to bring this to the utmost best economic possibility," said Smith.

Smith suggested that officials ultimately get backing from Gov. Kathleen Blanco.

Despite St. Tammany Parish residents supporting Blanco's opposition in the Nov. 15 runoff election, NSHC officials said she won't ignore St. Tammany Parish because of its growth and successful school system.

"The most important topic in the state today is economic development," said Smith. "This is the most important thing you got."

NSHC officials cited a 1998 feasibility study from an independent Chicago firm that suggested an events center in Slidell could showcase 40 to 50 events per year and generate up to $3.6 million in direct expenditures per year. The study also estimated 90 to 130 new jobs as its total annual regional employment. Around $240,000 to $290,000 in annual sales tax revenue could be captured by local and state government, according to the study.

With backing such as this, NSHC officials are hopeful they could start a grass-roots campaign with involvement from state Sen. Tom Schedler (R Sli.), state Rep. Pete Schneider (R-Sli.), state Sen. Walter Boasso (R Arabi) and more.

"The whole parish tends to benefit from this," said Kerry Painter, general manger for the Northshore Harbor Center. She added that the economic impact would be hard to ignore.

While some financing issues are currently in the air, officials hope to tighten them and present a stellar case for funds during legislative sessions in late March.

"You go there with ammunition," said Smith. "You want to be a squeaky wheel."

If officials present a solid case, more money and backing could be available, they said.

$5 million found for group -
Harbor Center proposal would be 'no new taxes' for voters

By Matthew Penix

SLIDELL -- Officials for a multi-purpose events center in Slidell announced Wednesday a $10 million bond passed in 1998 would likely net $15 million by 2018 and they must clear the difference with voters.
Originally, the 20-year, 5 mill bond was expected to bring in $10 million for officials to build the Northshore Harbor Center.

But as the price of St. Tammany Parish homes increase and more taxpayers move to the parish, the 5 mill is expected to net $15 million, said Kerry Painter, general manager for the Northshore Harbor Center.

Under law, officials must rework how the existing millage tax reads and tell voters if they renew it, officials will receive $15 million instead of $10 million.

The issue will be on the April 17, 2004, ballot and will not increase taxes, said Painter.

The Northshore Harbor Center is a three-part multi-purpose events center near Oak Harbor in Slidell that would host gun, craft and knife shows as well as balls and business conventions.

Its development is expected to boost the economy in St. Tammany Parish, said Sen. Tom Schedler (R-Sli.), an avid supporter of the Northshore Harbor Center.

"When it is complete, it will be a very, very needed project on this side of the parish," he said recently.

According to Painter, the extra $5 million would enable officials to build a vast 35,228-square-foot facility. With its current financial status, officials can only build the shell of the facility which would be the first part of the three part building.

The money would be used for elevated seating for symphonies, storage rooms, dividing walls, furniture, high-tech equipment and more thorough parking, said Painter.

"It's really important to help us finish the building," said Painter. "It's the taxpayer's building, and it's our job to bring it to them and let them participate."

The news of extra money comes at time when officials have financially struggled to realize their dream.

Around six years ago, a marketing feasibility study suggested that a $10 million bond would fund the Northshore Harbor Center at its current location near Oak Harbor in Slidell, said center officials.

Gibbs Construction Co., the lowest bidder out of six competitors, bid $10.79 million for all three phases, just slightly more than the $10 million budgeted. The bid for the main hub was $7.36 million, while the other two parts of the facility were nearly $1.7 million each.

"The problem," said Painter, "is that the numbers and projected studies were from six years ago," adding that officials for the Northshore Harbor Center were ready to start construction then.

Yet, unpredicted state and federal requirements prevented officials from braking ground immediately.

Years of wetland mitigation, a rise in equipment cost, dirt foundation rules, engineering costs and more stretched the building time and increased the cost.

"This is not unusual," Painter said. "Unfortunately, it is not. If we were a private company, it would be easy. When you have the public looking over your shoulder you have to do it right. You are spending the public's money and you want to do it right."

With the potential of new funds, the sunset logo for the Northshore Harbor Center couldn't be more fitting, she said.

"This is really important," said Painter. "A top-notch facility is on the horizon.

Events center seeks bonds
Voters will decide; taxes won't be affected

By Kelly King
St. Tammany bureau

The Northshore Harbor Center Commission will ask voters in April for more money but not more taxes.

The commission Wednesday called an April 17 election for a $5 million bond issue.

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The commission already has a 5-mill assessment that generated the $10 million being used to build the events center near the Lakeshore Estates development, off Interstate 10 at the Oak Harbor exit near Slidell. But the project faces an approximate $6.8 million shortfall in financing to complete and outfit the first phase of the center, which will be used for everything from high-tech conventions and concerts to trade shows and Carnival balls.

The increase in the cost of the facility results from factors ranging from site preparation to inflation.

The commission hopes to meet that shortfall by asking the voters to approve a $5 million bond issue, which will include design improvements such as separating one large room into four split-out areas, storage and stadium seating.

"This will allow us to do smaller conventions," said Graydon Hass, chairman of the commission's Space and Function Committee, which made the recommendation to put the issue on the ballot. "We are trying to get the most facility for the money without increasing the millage."

Hass, board chairman Joseph Anderson Jr. and newly appointed board member Warren Berault stressed that the bond issue will not raise the millage voters are already paying.

The proposed 20-year bond issue will allow the commission to use the money for construction and improvements to the center as it is being generated.

"We have to prevail on this project," Anderson said. "We can generate $5 million more from the same millage with the bond issue."

"The same millage supports more because we live in a place where values are going up. This is not a blank check. The same millage will get more" money, Berault said.

Because property values are going up in this area, the mills already passed are now worth more. The commission can ask for more money in the bond issue and still use the same millage to pay back the bonds, bonding attorney Jerry Osborne said.

Before being placed on the ballot, the issue must be approved by the State Bond Commission.

Harbor funding plan offered
Events Center marketing proposal aims to catch facility up

By Matthew Penix

SLIDELL -- Officials for a multi-purpose events center in Slidell approved the first step early Wednesday to develop a financial sponsorship plan that could be similar to marketing themes inside the Louisiana Superdome.

Although logistics have yet to be determined, the East St. Tammany Events Center Commission (ESTECC) approved the "go-ahead" to develop a financial sponsorship plan for the Northshore Harbor Center, a three-part, 150,000-square-foot events facility that has struggled to find construction funds.

"Obviously it is an out-of-the box kind of thing," said commission member Deb Morel. "But this thing has been done in other areas."

The plan would seek corporate and private sponsorships to finance yet-to-be-built parts of the facility. Areas such as rooms, outside terraces, benches and more could be available for sponsorship under the plan. Officials, however, said the plan would be classy and in good taste.

"With the reality of the budget, it is probably an appropriate time to discuss this," Morel said. "We could assign values to every parcel."

Morel said the sponsorships would provide recognition for investors, and he added the practice is common in the business world.

Northshore Harbor Center officials stumbled recently when they learned a rise in dirt foundation costs, inflation, years of wetland mitigation and more, increased the center's first 50,000-square-foot facility cost to almost twice the original $10 million officials budgeted for.

But some relief may be possible.

The ESTECC also approved authorization for a $8,414,407 capital outlay request for the 2004-2005 fiscal year at its Wednesday morning meeting. The money would be enough to complete the whole 50,000-square-foot facility, instead of only the 35,000-square-foot facility currently being built, said Kerry Painter, general manager for the Northshore Harbor Center.

If awarded, the funds would help complete the main hub's parking lot, athletic seating and more in time for its expected opening in spring of 2005. Additions of the center's other two parts will be added on when funding is available later.

The center, even with its scaled down first building, is expected to bring growth and economic development to Slidell, according to Sen. Tom Schedler (R-Sli).

In other Northshore Harbor Center news, Suzanne Parsons, a board member on the ESTECC and public information officer for St. Tammany Parish, resigned from her post on the ESTECC. She sighted lack of time in a written document as one reason for the resignation.

SLIDELL - A list of prices, policies and procedures will now be available to organizations hoping to hold events in the Northshore Harbor Center (NHC), soon to be built in Slidell.

The East St. Tammany Events Center Commission approved the rental prices, policies and procedures, after receiving several phone calls from groups looking to rent space in the new building, according to Kerry Painter, the center's general manager.

"We were already getting phone calls, which was a good sign," said Painter. "We just didn't have much to tell them yet."

Some of those who have expressed interest in the center so far include Exciting Concepts, to hold a home and garden show, the Louisiana Square Dance Association, to hold its 2005 convention, and First Baptist Church of Slidell to hold a basketball awards ceremony. Those planning boat shows and gun shows have also been in touch, said Painter.

"We're reaching some unusual groups," she said.

"That's what we're hoping for."

Painter said the prices, policies and procedures should be viewed as a "living, breathing article," meaning specifics are likely to change as the NHC moves closer to construction.

"It's as final as possible at the moment," she said.

The rental fee for the entire facility currently stands at $3,000 which includes a 10-hour use of the assembly and recital halls, and a five-hour rental of three meeting  rooms. The fee also includes one standard furniture set-up in each room.

Floor plans of the building can be viewed online at  www.harborcenter.org.

A 10-hour rental of the assembly hall only costs $1,800  plus a $500 set-up fee. The recital hall will cost $400 for  a 10-hour rental with no set-up fee. Meeting rooms 1 and 2 cost $125 for five hours and $50 for each set-up.  Meeting room 3 will cost $200 for five hours with a $100 set-up fee.

Rates do not include the rental of equipment, extra staffing, overtime costs, box office services, advertising, catering or other building services.

Additional charges may apply for weekends and holidays.

The policies and procedures for the NHC include guidelines for audio visual equipment, bookings and scheduling, sponsorship, waste disposal, animals, decorations, emergency procedures and security, among others.

The East St. Tammany Events Center Commission also decided to have an updated feasibility study conducted by Economic Research Associates (ERA) of Chicago.  ERA completed a feasibility for the harbor center five years ago, but the commission felt a new one should be  done to make sure it is up to date.

The study will cost $15,000 and investigate how the surrounding market has changed, fundraising sponsorship possibilities, the impact of economic  development and anticipated revenue.

The ERA has done similar studies for stadiums and convention centers.

By Matthew Penix

SLIDELL -- After 19 years, Joe Anderson's work finally paid off. Anderson, chairman for the East St. Tammany Events Center Commission, received unanimous approval to sign paperwork early Wednesday morning that would finalize construction of a new events center in Slidell.

The Northshore Harbor Center, the events center Anderson has worked on since 1984, is expected to rush Slidell with economic development, said Anderson, but it may take a year to see the results.

Builders for the new events center will begin construction of the main hub of the planned three-part facility -- which will house a trade show area,   offices, a front entrance, rest rooms and a lounge -- within 60 days, he said.

Gibbs Construction Co., the lowest bidder out of six competitors, is expected to finish the $7.36-million main hub of the facility by late fall   or early winter 2004, while logistics for the two other free-standing parts   are hammered out.

The two other parts of the facility would house meeting rooms, a recital hall, staff lockers and kitchen storage areas, said Anderson.

Gibbs Construction Co. bid $10.79 million for all three phases, just slightly more than the $10 million budgeted. The bid for the main hub was $7.36 million, while the other two parts of the facility were nearly $1.7 million each, according to general manager of the Northshore Harbor Center, Kerry Painter.

Yet, regardless of the numbers, project officials are enthusaised to have closed a deal for the main hub.

"It's a done deal," said Anderson with a bright smile and a toast to the commission. "We are finally in construction.   "Anderson, who has seen the project morph several times throughout the 19 years he has worked on it, believes the current version is the best one.

"It will bring a quality of life to St. Tammany Parish," he said. "The economic development is extremely important, but for the individual it is  invaluable."

The Northshore Harbor Center will not only attract speakers, large political and social functions, he said, but pump money back into the community.

"Over time it will be a great feeling of pride for the center," he said.

However, before construction begins, project officials must wait for Beverly Construction Co. to remove an 11-foot extra layer of dirt poured on   the foundation to pack in loose dirt. Beverly Construction Co. unanimously received approval Wednesday morning for a $156,000 contract to remove the excess dirt.

The removal of a dirt foundation is a "very typical construction process," according to Ron Martinez, a board member, who added that the process was planned and won't change any financial plans.

"Basically, the extra dirt was added for weight to push down the dirt and speed up the settling process," Martinez said, adding that it took around nine months for the dirt to settle.

By Carol Wolfram
St. Tammany bureau

Champagne flowed Wednesday as Northshore Harbor Center commissioners toasted the signing of a $7.36 million contract with a Harahan company to build a multipurpose events center off Oak Harbor Boulevard near Slidell.

Commission Chairman Joseph Anderson Jr. thanked God several times for the "miracle" that construction is finally about to begin. Anderson is the only remaining charter member of the group, first known as the Greater Slidell Area Events Center Committee, that in 1984 began researching the feasibility of building a multipurpose facility to serve the 8th and 9th wards.

"I thank God for his grace and I'm thankful to the people of St. Tammany for supporting this project that has the potential to benefit our quality of life and provide great economic benefits to St. Tammany Parish, in general, and specifically, the 8th and 9th wards," Anderson said, leading commissioners in a mimosa toast.

The winning base bid from Gibbs Construction Co. includes construction of a trade show area, offices, front entrance, restrooms and lounge, according to Kerry Painter, general manager of the center.

Alternate bids of $1.77 million and $1.66 million were submitted to separately build three meeting rooms and a recital area, and an area including kitchen storage and staff lockers, respectively.

Ron Martinez, project manager of Scairono Martinez Architects of Metairie, applauded the occasion. "You also ought to make a motion to slap yourselves on the backs. A lot of work has gone into this," he said.

Voters in the 8th and 9th wards in 1999 approved a property tax of up to 5 mills to finance construction of the 45,000-square-foot center on a 25-acre site. Construction is expected to be completed by November or December of next year.

Copyright 2003 The Times-Picayune Publishing Company
Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA)

Business forum to be held in connection with 9-11 aftermath
Slidell event scheduled for Septemer 11 at Trinity's

By Matthew Penix

SLIDELL - More than a thousand miles separated Slidell and the terrorist attacks in New York City two years ago.

Yet, St. Tammany Parish residents and businesses felt the shockwave that injured the economy, according to Kerry Painter, general manager for the Northshore Harbor Center.

In remembrance of the terrorists attacks while looking for a way to improve local hospitality businesses, a forum will by sponsored by many local businesses from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, September 11, at Trinity's Banquet Hall at the Slidell Factory Outlet mall.

"The attacks made people sit up and realize that things were different," said Painter. "We were no longer spending the money, including me, and we had to learn how to operate business and hotels."

The terrorist attacks have had continued effects on the hospitality community, she said, adding that when people travel, numerous businesses benefit.

By examining the strength and vitality of local businesses and by understanding the future of St. Tammany Parish, business owners can flourish, said Painter.

"People thought it might be the end of the world, but we have really bounced back," she said. "But we need to band together more. If we figure out where we are now, we can have more success in the future."

The forum should examine this idea, she said adding that many "big players" within the hospitality business are featured on the panel.

For reservations call Kerry Painter at 985-781-3650 by September 5.

Harbor center panel OKs bid
But project still needs La. agency approval

By Kelly King
St. Tammany bureau

Hoping to salvage a $7.36 million construction bid for a new events center off Oak Harbor Boulevard in Slidell, the Northshore Harbor Center Commission has scheduled a special meeting tonight to order architects to prepare a site-development bid package that will satisfy the state.

The commission Wednesday accepted a $7.36 million bid by Gibbs Construction Co. of Harahan to build the new center. But that approval came with a caveat: The project first needs the assent of the state Facility Planning and Control Department.

That department's endorsement will enable the commission to receive $750,000 in construction financing approved last year by the Legislature.

When the commission late Wednesday learned it would not receive the state's approval without a separate site-development bid package -- which would address issues such as utilities, roads and parking -- it called tonight's emergency meeting. The commission tonight is expected to request that Blitch/Knevel Architects of New Orleans begin preparing the site-development bid package for state consideration. It will also accept Gibbs' bid without reservation, commission general manager Kerry Painter said.

The company's base bid includes construction of the center's trade show floor, offices, entrance, restrooms and lounge.

In other business, Commissioner and Finance Committee Chairwoman Grace Marshall has resigned, citing personal reasons. Marshall was appointed to the commission by the Slidell Chamber of Commerce.

"She has made an incredible contribution to this project, but we will accept this with regrets," commission Chairman Joseph Anderson Jr. said.

The board also approved Marshall's recommendation to dissolve the Finance Committee. With Painter on board as the Northshore Harbor Center's general manager, a treasurer serving on the board and an auditing firm on hand, the commission agreed the committee was no longer necessary.

Copyright 2003 The Times-Picayune Publishing Company
Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA)