NEW ORLEANS—TLC Engineering for Architecture sees opportunity in New Orleans. The Louisiana city's post-Hurricane Katrina construction boom has intensified, fueled in part by Mayor Mitch Landrieu's pledge to get a wide array of public works projects done by the city's tricentennial in 2018.

TLC, which opened a New Orleans office in the city's central business district earlier this year, is in the midst of three significant projects. The firm is working with Louisiana National Guard Readiness Center in Franklinton, LA, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, and Tulane University's new River and Coastal Center. TLC is also working to team with commercial real estate professionals, architect,  and contractors in New Orleans to pursue projects in the hospitality, government, and higher education market segments.

GlobeSt.com caught up with Heather Tank, a mechanical project engineer at TLC and one of the company's leaders in New Orleans, to get her take on the opportunities and challenges to execute projects there in part one of this exclusive interview. Be sure to check out the Southwest edition tomorrow morning for part two.

GlobeSt.com: What attracted the company to the New Orleans market?

Tank: There is a significant amount of growth happening around the city, and it's in a number of different areas. We feel the city is primed for another renaissance post-Katrina, but one that will be more intentional and will make New Orleans one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

As a few examples, there is a lot of expansion in medical facilities, which in turn will lead to the need for more housing and complementary facilities. Tourism continues to do well, which drives the construction of more hospitality projects like the recently announced Convention Center plans. And we are seeing a lot of opportunities in higher education, such as at Tulane University and the potential growth at the University of New Orleans.

GlobeSt.com: Are there any unique or unusual factors in working in the New Orleans market as compared to the other markets TLC is in around the Southeast?

Tank: To make sure the solicitation and procurement processes are fair and open book, a lot of projects in the New Orleans area have been pulled back. There have been several instances, including the new airport terminal, where major proposals have gotten partly through the process, only to have the solicitation cancelled and the process restarted. 

On a more positive note, there is a major drive in Louisiana from local architects and grassroots organizations to focus on sustainable design. For us, this ties into our strength. We have a large staff of professionals who are LEED certified and our company has worked on over 250 LEED certified projects.

GlobeSt.com: How does an engineering firm break into a market like New Orleans?

Tank: It's important to partner with other quality, well-established companies. We are getting to know architects, developers, construction firms and others in the market that are putting together teams to pursue projects. And as you get work in a certain market segment, that can lead to other opportunities. As an example, now that we are building a relationship at Tulane, we think it will help us as we pursue other work there and with other higher education institutions.

Be sure to look for part two in tomorrow's Southwest edition.