The Hyatt Regency New Orleans will be significantly altered and improvedto accommodate the Jazz Center. The Hyatt was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, but its superstructure remained relatively intact. The Hyatt entranceway will be relocated to the east side of the building, new ballroom space will be built, and a new rooftop restaurant will be added. The whole interior of the Hyatt will be made over and updated.

Estimated costs for the National Jazz Center and Jazz Park are estimated at $716 million and are expected to generate more than $6 billion in economic benefits over 20 years. An economic study commissioned by the Board andconducted by Dr. William Oakland of Tulane University and Dr. Wade Ragas of the University of New Orleans estimates that the plan will generate almost 14,000 man years of construction work and create more than 6,500 permanent jobs.

The National Jazz Center and Park

The core concept of the proposed Hyatt Jazz District plan is to integrate, improve and utilize existing architecture and infrastructure into a design that creates for the first time a world-class National Jazz Center and park.

Creation of a National Jazz Center and park will transform the Hyatt areainto a year-round destination for tourists and people who work in the area. For the first time, America's truly unique and original art form will have apermanent home in New Orleans, with facilities that will spur a rebirth ofworld-class jazz not far from Louis Armstrong's childhood neighborhood. It will also be a center where Jazz can be seriously celebrated, studied, recorded and fostered for future generations.

The park will start at the foot of the National Jazz Center and extend north across green space six blocks to a new, public outdoor amphitheater. Throughout the park interactive art, gardens and fountains reflecting theculture of New Orleans and the South will create an oasis for visitors and their families.