The Lens (http://thelensnola.org/author/tyler-bridges/)
Tyler Bridges
Tyler Bridges covers Louisiana politics and public policy for The Lens. He returned to New Orleans in 2012 after spending the previous year as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard, where he studied digital journalism. Prior to that, he spent 13 years as a reporter for the Miami Herald, covering state government, city of Miami government, national politics and several years as a South America-based correspondent. Before the Herald, he spent seven years at The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at (504) 810-6222.
Lawmakers and statewide officials describe decreasing access to a governor who has cultivated alliances, but few friendships, over the years. His allies say they are satisfied dealing with Jindal's staff; others say he would accomplish more if he were more hands-on.
According to a document obtained by The Lens, the shuttered, 33-story World Trade Center would be demolished, and a towering sculpture and a park – meant to become a tourism icon for the city of New Orleans — would be built in its place at the foot of Canal Street.
A bill pending in the Legislature would authorize a $185 million expansion of the Convention Center, financing of a private hotel, and conversion of the World Trade Center site to a riverfront park. Mayor Mitch Landrieu envisions an attraction on par with the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
