Webre Consulting

06/04/2026

The North America's 50 Best Restaurants ceremony happened last week, right here in New Orleans!

Chefs from across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean gathered in our city celebrating culinary excellence. But the momentum doesn't stop at award-winning restaurants. New spots like 762 Coffee + Cocktails are part of that same energy. Local entrepreneurs building the next chapter.

That kind of cultural moment requires infrastructure - permitting, licensing, development. At Webre Consulting, we handle that behind-the-scenes work that makes these success stories possible.

Congrats to Dakar, Emeril's, and Acamaya. Here's to the next generation! 🍽️⚜️ Nicole Webre

05/26/2026

Let's clear up some Restoration Tax Abatement myths:

MYTH: 'RTA is only for historic buildings.'
REALITY: It's for ANY existing older structure in designated districts. Historic, downtown, or economic development zones qualify.
MYTH: 'The paperwork is too complicated.'
REALITY: It requires advance notification before starting work, but that's what consultants like Webre exist for. We handle the process.
MYTH: 'It's a tax break for rich developers.'
REALITY: RTA works for homeowners AND commercial developers. Owner-occupied residences qualify too.
MYTH: 'The city loses tax revenue forever.'
REALITY: After 10 years, properties pay full taxes based on improved value. Plus, renovated buildings generate economic activity immediately.
MYTH: 'You can't make money with RTA.'
REALITY: RTA exists BECAUSE it makes projects financially viable that otherwise wouldn't pencil out. That's the whole point.

Bottom line: RTA is a tool that works. It saves historic buildings, improves neighborhoods, and makes renovation math work.

Nicole Webre

05/19/2026

Restoration Tax Abatement in 5 quick facts:

1️⃣ Freezes property taxes for 5 years (renewable for another 5)
2️⃣ Applies to commercial and residential buildings, AND owner-occupied homes
3️⃣ Must be in designated historic, downtown, cultural, or economic development districts
4️⃣ Requires advance notification BEFORE you start work
5️⃣ The renovation cost must exceeds 25% of the pre-improvement building value to qualify

Real talk: This program makes renovation financially possible.

Webre Consulting handles the state and local application processes, local boards and councils, Board of Commerce and Industry, Tax Commission, and parish assessor’s office to get projects approved. Because understanding incentives is what we do!

Nicole Webre

05/05/2026

Here's why Restoration Tax Abatement isn't just good for property owners and business owners. It's good for all of us!

Public incentives foster private initiatives that guarantee resilient communities.

Without the RTA program and other tax incentives, here's what happens: buildings sit vacant or in disrepair because renovation costs don't pencil out. Neighborhoods decline. Blight is contagious and it spreads quickly.

With an RTA, the math changes. Property taxes are still paid but the property value is FROZEN at the pre-improvement value providing breathing room for the property or business owners to know that they won’t be penalized through increased property taxes for INVESTING in a renovation and IMPROVING the building’s value.

Suddenly it makes financial sense to save that 1920s warehouse, that 1850s shotgun, or that aging commercial or residential building built in the 1970’s. (Yes, RTA applies to buildings at least 50 years old in historic, downtown, cultural and economic districts. Not just “historic” buildings.)

When a city provides short-term incentives there are priceless long-term gains.

What does renovation investments mean for communities and neighborhoods?
Blighted buildings become productive properties.
Architecture gets preserved.
Neighborhoods improve instead of decline.
Jobs are created.
New sales taxes is generated.
The community keeps its character and charm.

What’s important here is that property taxes are still paid, but the owner doesn’t see an immediate increase in their property tax. The property value is frozen for a least 5 years and they PAY taxes according to the pre-improvement value and not the post-construction assessed value.

And those renovated commercial buildings? They are open for new businesses and jobs which create more wealth in our communities and increase sales taxes in a city’s coffer.

We've guided lots of RTA projects through the process and see, first-hand, the benefits of Restoration Tax Abatements because incentives work for communities. Everybody wins!

Nicole Webre

04/30/2026

You keep hearing about Restoration Tax Abatement (RTA) but what IS it? Let's break it down…

An RTA freezes your property taxes at the pre-renovation value for up to 10 years when you restore or improve an older building (50 years or older). Therefore, you get to renovate without your property taxes skyrocketing the moment you're done.

An example: You own an eligible building assessed at $200K. You invest $500K to renovate it. The building value could increase to $700K or higher depending on the market value. With an RTA, the property value is frozen at the pre-improvement $200K value for 5 years, and possibly renewable for another 5 years. The catch: you have to apply prior to start of construction.

This works for commercial buildings AND owner-occupied homes in designated districts (historic, cultural, & economic development districts.)

Why does this matter? Because the math works. Renovating old buildings is expensive. RTA gives developers and homeowners incentives to make those projects financially viable and coupled with Historic Tax Credits (we’ll get to that later) you’re getting a huge tax benefit.

We help clients navigate the RTA process from start to finish assuring your project meets the requirements for approval. Because incentives like the RTA help preserve older and historic buildings which are contribute to vibrant and resilient neighborhoods.

Questions about RTA? Drop them below. 👇

Nicole Webre

04/15/2026

Recently, Nicole joined Women in Development and Construction New Orleans (WDCNO) for a walk-through at a historic Garden District home where we handled the planning, entitlements, and historic district compliance.

This project involved a lot expansion, waivers through the Board of Zoning Adjustments, full demolition of an adjacent 1960s slab-on-grade ranch-style house to allow resubdivision with the adjacent lot, and an addition to the rear of the 1856 Greek Revival residence. All while maintaining historic district compliance.

The walk-through showcased an incredible team of women-led businesses: Woolf Architecture designing it, Schneider Construction & Restoration, Inc.'s all-female project management team overseeing the construction, and Nomita Joshi Interior Design bringing the vision to life. A special thanks to Katie Witry with Witry Collective for recommending Webre Consulting to the homeowners back in 2022. Webre was involved from the onset of the project to advise on the land use planning and carry out the land use processes necessary before any construction could begin.

This is what happens when women in construction and development come together. Projects get done right!

Thank you to Marcie Banks and WDCNO for hosting these events that celebrate women-run construction and development projects. This is the New Orleans building community at its best. ⚜️

04/07/2026

Last week, Webre Consulting joined the groundbreaking celebration for the new AC Hotels by Marriott New Orleans at 351 Calliope, corner of Convention Center Boulevard, directly across from the Convention Center.

This $60 million, 173-room hotel brings new life to land that has sat vacant and used for surface parking. At six stories and nearly 138,000 square feet, this is a major addition to the Warehouse District.

We’re proud to be working with our new client Wealth Hospitality Group on exploring and possibly creating tax incentives for the project, including a sales tax rebate for plumbing upgrades to address water pressure issues in larger buildings. Keeping hotels up and running safely for guests requires creative solutions.

Excited to see this project rise and bring more hospitality to the Convention Center area!!

Congratulations to Chico Patel and the entire Wealth Hospitality team.
Nicole Webre

03/31/2026

Exciting news for Lakeview!

Webre Consulting oversaw the occupational restaurant and alcohol licensing for our client Rami Bader's latest venture - 762 Coffee +Cocktails opening at 762 Harrison Avenue. (Kudos to Lisa on our team for seeing it through!)

Owner, Rami Bader, posted that his favorite part of the new spot is the bathrooms (gold faucets, custom tile, details on details). His words: "If the bathrooms look this good, just wait till you see the rest."

We love working with clients who care about EVERY detail - from the licensing paperwork to the soap dispensers. That's the kind of attention that makes New Orleans restaurants special. And this isn't just coffee and cocktails; 762 will serve Lakeview breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts! Now Open!

Can't wait to try this place! ☕🍸🌯

Congratulations, Rami Bader!

Nicole Webre

03/26/2026

Major progress for Mid-City: Demolition of the shuttered former Mercy Hospital (former Lindy Boggs Medical Center) could begin as early as this spring or summer!

Webre Consulting is handling the land use planning (zoning) and demolition outreach for the future development of this site. After sitting vacant since Hurricane Katrina - becoming a symbol of blight in the surrounding area - this project is finally moving forward. These types of projects are no easy task and require partnership with the city.

City Councilmember Lesli Harris for District B confirmed that more than $11 million from the bond measure that voters approved last fall is earmarked for the former Mercy Hospital project, split between drainage and infrastructure work. The demolition timeline depends on finalizing a public-private partnership agreement.

Alongside Bill Hoffman, president of Woodward Interests, Nicole recently spoke at a Mid-City Neighborhood Organization meeting providing updates to Mid-City residents.

This is exactly how development should work - community engagement, transparent process, and vision for what comes next. After 20 years of decay, it's time!

Article from Fox8 linked here: https://loom.ly/fj8-S_c

More than $11 million in voter-approved bond money is set aside for site remediation

03/10/2026

Mardi Gras might be over, but the work of building New Orleans' future continues - and it's been busy!

Between the River District being named a Top Construction Project, Shell Riverside topping off, and spring construction season ramping up across the city, there's serious momentum happening. Development works like Mardi Gras - the spectacular moments people see are the result of years of work behind the scenes. Navigating permits, securing financing, coordinating with dozens of stakeholders, and solving problems that come up daily.

At Webre Consulting, we're working on everything from historic preservation projects breathing new life into old buildings, to infrastructure improvements like stormwater systems protecting neighborhoods, to mixed-income housing creating opportunities for families.

Nicole Webre