Historic Market To Be Restored In New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A historic New Orleans marketplace closed by Hurricane Katrina is going to get restored with $3.7 million in federal rebuilding money.

City officials held a groundbreaking for the St. Roch Market redevelopment Monday. The market is expected to reopen by spring.

The market was built in 1875 as an open-air market and then enclosed in 1914. It went through other transformations after that but has been vacant since Katrina hit in 2005.

Repairs will include replacing the roof, masonry work, tuck-pointing, new doors and windows. A lot of work will take place inside too with new electrical, plumbing and mechanical infrastructure.

The city intends to lease the building to vendors who will sell fresh seafood, produce, meats, baked goods and other foods at the restored market.