| BY CHAD CALDER | Staff writer |
Crews have knocked down some empty buildings along Airline Drive where a new Chick-fil-A and strip center will soon be constructed. It's not a lot, but some are counting on the traffic the fast-food chicken chain reliably generates to have an outsized affect. Drew Broach has this look at signs of new life along the moribund stretch of highway in Metairie. Brothers Eddie and Joseph Hakim have purchased the green granite high-rise at 1615 Poydras Street, the second office building the Monroe businessmen have purchased on the Central Business District thoroughfare. Stephanie Riegel has the details on what the two have in store for the DXC building, which is right across the street from City Hall. Retail craft chain Hobby Lobby bought the blighted former Valence Street Baptist Church in late 2022 with the intention of handing it over to the fledgling NOLA Baptist Church within the next year or so. There was never anything in writing, but a few days ago, the company made good on its pledge. Stephanie Riegel has the story of what comes next for the church and its new Uptown home. Thanks for joining us this morning to start off a short week. Check out all the latest news, sports and entertainment coverage from The Times-Picayune. Chad | 