New Orleans businessman, Sidney Torres is eyeing the French Quarter Gay Club Oz. According to a report by nola.com/news, "Sidney Torres IV says he will be among those bidding to buy the Oz dance club in the French Quarter during the July 22 auction in U.S. Bankruptcy Court."
Sidney Torres is back in the real estate business in New Orleans. Ever since he sold the Cove, a resort he previously owned on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. Torres is also implementing big development projects in Bayou St. John as reported by nola.curbed.com.
The reputable Oz gay club on Bourbon and Saint Anne Streets in the French Quarter has affirmed bankruptcy. The Oz Club has been struggling to bring profits. If Torres wins the bid over the French Quarter Gay Club Oz, minor improvements will be made to the property. Torres further stated that he would still continue in operating the bar.
Other plans that Torres wants to achieve is the development of Bayou St. John. Torres plans on building high-end, mixed-use suburban and profitable community in the Bayou. According to nola.curbed.com, "The development for the 380,000 square-feet area will be modeled after Florida's Alys Beach, while still keeping with New Orleans architecture styles."
Torres envisions "apartments, houses, kayaks, and paddleboards along the bayou. He also dreamed on putting fire pits on the bank, children's playgrounds, bike paths, a gymnasium, café and a boutique hotel," as reported by nola.curbed.com. It seems that it is not only the Oz bar that Torres wants to change. He aims on making big changes in city of New Orleans as well. He aims on providing the people of Bayou St. John, the best of both worlds while retaining their city's culture and legacy.
Both the Oz Bar and Bayou St. John will experience tremendous change in their society. The proposed development will offer new hope to the ill-fated Oz Bar. It will also boost Bayou St. John on the road to greatness.