KEY TAKEAWAYS: $26M, 45-unit mixed-income residential development at former Winn-Dixie site in Tremé. Construction completes in August; topping-out ceremony scheduled for March 11. Features include ADA-compliant units, energy-efficient systems, community room, landscaped courtyard, and access to Phase I amenities. Project emphasizes sustainability, local hiring, and community engagement with youth and workforce programs. A $26-million, 45-unit mixed-income residential development is entering its final stretch at the former Winn-Dixie grocery store site adjacent to Bienville Basin Apartments in the Tremé neighborhood. Construction at 1431 St. Louis St. is expected to wrap up in August, and a topping-out ceremony is scheduled for March 11 to mark completion of the building’s structural framework and the transition to interior build-out and site finishes. National mixed-income, mixed-use community developer McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS) is the lead developer on the Winn-Dixie Phase II project, in partnership with the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO). Construction broke ground in June 2025 on land ground-leased from HANO to WD Phase II LP. HRI Management Inc. will manage the property upon completion. HCI Architecture of New Orleans is the lead architect, and RNGD is the general contractor. RNGD superintendent Dirck Duncan said framing wrapped up about two weeks ahead of schedule with windows, the TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) roof, and building systems all progressing in parallel. The four-story building is fully framed, with sheathing complete and tiebacks about 90% finished, and window installation roughly 35% complete. “We’re approaching dry-in, which will allow us to begin façade work, exterior painting, and full site improvements, and then all trades will be active to complete drywall, mechanical systems, and interior finishes,” said Duncan. “We’re excited about the progress, and each step forward brings this development closer to delivering high-quality, accessible housing in a historic New Orleans neighborhood that needs it.” Marketed as City Square 162 Phase II, the development follows the success of City Square 162 Phase I. The previous development at 1501 St. Louis St. was completed in 2021 and included 76 mixed-income units and resident amenities. Together, the two phases advance the broader Iberville/Tremé Choice Neighborhood Initiative, launched after HANO and the City of New Orleans received a $30.5 million HUD grant in 2011 to redevelop the former 821-unit Iberville public housing site and revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. “City Square 162 Phase II builds on the progress of Bienville Basin and ensures that New Orleans families of all income levels have access to high-quality housing and community resources,” said Vincent R. Bennett, CEO and president of McCormack Baron Salazar. Totaling approximately 49,800 square feet of residential space, the 45-units consist of 21 one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units, including 10 market-rate units and 35 affordable units across a range of income levels. Thirty of the units will serve as Choice Neighborhood Initiative replacement housing for residents of the former Iberville public housing site. “We are excited to expand access to affordable housing in New Orleans with the Winn-Dixie Phase II project,” said HANO Executive Director Marjorianna Willman. “City Square 162 has positively impacted the community by providing diverse housing opportunities. Together with our housing partners and the City of New Orleans, we are dedicated to investing in this historic neighborhood to cultivate a strong and thriving community.” Amenities include a 675-square-foot community room with supportive services, a computer center, an elevator, mail facilities, internet and cable access, a backup generator, and outdoor features such as a landscaped courtyard, seating areas, security features, and off-street parking. Residents will also have access to Phase I amenities, including a fitness center, rooftop patio, and the greenway along North Villere Street that connects to the Lafitte Greenway. Winn-Dixie Phase II will be Enterprise Green Communities (EGC) certified and built to the IBHS FORTIFIED Multifamily Gold Standard. There will be high-efficiency HVAC systems, Energy Star appliances, efficient lighting, and water-saving fixtures. “The development will emphasize long-term resilience, sustainability, and efficiency,” said Brock Leonard, assistant superintendent for RNGD. “The building sits above base flood elevation, and all materials on the first floor up to two feet are flood- and moisture-resistant as an added layer of protection. Each unit will also undergo blower door and duct leakage testing to ensure tight building envelopes and long-term energy performance.” All 45 units were designed to be ADA compliant. The site also includes ADA accessible and van parking, ramps, and elevators serving all floors. “All of the units are being built so they can be converted to ADA units in the future, with in-wall blocking added during framing for grab bars and other accommodations,” Leonard said. “We’ll also deliver fully ADA-ready units at opening, with adjusted outlet heights, audio-visual alarms, accessible bathrooms, and roll-in showers.” RNGD assistant project manager Corey Schneider said material procurement has remained relatively smooth despite broader industry challenges. Because the project requires BABA (Build America, Buy America)-certified, American-made products to meet EGC standards, sourcing certain appliances was initially difficult, but “we worked closely with our trade partners to find compliant solutions, and those issues are now behind us,” said Schneider. “Overall, we have been very fortunate and have not faced major material lead-time issues.” In compliance with requirements from  HANO and the Industrial Development Board of the City of New Orleans, 30% of the project’s $14 million construction budget was allocated to local disadvantaged business enterprises, with 5% specifically designated for women-owned businesses. Approximately 40% of the work is being completed by low income persons and New Orleanians. “We have put a lot of emphasis on hiring locals for this project,” Schneider said. Duncan said the RNGD project team has prioritized community engagement through mentorship and volunteer partnerships with local youth and workforce programs, such as Son of a Saint, the Joseph A. Cuillier Sr. Career Center, and the ACE Mentor Program of America. “Staying active in the community and helping build the next generation of talent is an important and rewarding part of this project,” Duncan said. ...read more read less