Through direct consultation with Hyatt Corporation, The Superdome, theCity of New Orleans and State of Louisiana, Strategic Hotels & Resorts facilitated the formation of a Hyatt District Rebirth Advisory Board toevaluate alternatives and make recommendations for the site.

Strategic Hotels & Resorts spent more than $2 million to create theadvisory board and fund the planning.

The Advisory Board is composed of leaders in Architecture, Urban Planning,Real Estate, Economics, Business and the Arts from New Orleans and worldwide.

Laurence Geller, Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Hotels & Resorts Douglas Geoga President, Global Hyatt Corporation Keith Hobbs CEO, United Designers Europe LTD Wm. Raymond Manning Architects Wynton Marsalis Musician & Composer Irvin Mayfield Artistic Director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Thom Mayne Architect William H. Oakland Professor Emeritus, Tulane University J. Kevin Poorman Pritzker Realty Wade R. Ragas, Phd, MAI Real Property Associates Inc

The creation of a major new park is expected to make the District a draw for world travelers, much as Central Park in New York (built in the late 18thcentury) and Grant Park in Chicago (built in the early 20th century) and its new component, Millennium Park (opened in 2004) have done. This attraction will also draw businesses and dissuade businesses from leaving. In addition, restaurants, retail shops and other businesses are expected to locate adjacent to the park just as has happened in other major cities.

SOURCE Strategic Hotels & Resorts

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