Omni Hotels & Resorts and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center are preparing to unveil a new design for their $590 million hotel, retooled after pushback from Warehouse District residents over plans to take over a public park.

The long-discussed project is now in its final stages of design and permitting after years of debate over location, scale, and financing. If all goes as planned, construction could begin next year. The proposal has drawn strong backing from Gov. Jeff Landry as well as local business and tourism leaders, who view the hotel as critical to New Orleans’ ability to attract major conventions and compete with cities such as Austin and Nashville.

The changes come after a round of recent neighborhood outreach meetings conducted by Michael Smith, head of development at D

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