More than eight years have passed since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on New Orleans and the U.S. Gulf Coast. Six Flags New Orleans has remained shuttered ever since.
Proposals have come and gone, yet the park has sat quiet (except when being used as a film set). But according to the Times-Picayune, a redevelopment committee responsible for the park’s future recently looked at two proposals to revive the abandoned park.
Six Flags New Orleans was born from the former Jazzland amusement park in 2002. Following Hurricane Katrina, Six Flags moved a few salvageable attractions to other properties and left the picture.
© Infrogmation of New Orleans
The two plans reviewed at the meeting include:
- The Paidia Company plans to reopen the park as the original Jazzland. The $50 million first phase of the proposal will reopen the park. The $20 million second phase includes “Baritone Beach,” a music-themed water park as well as retail outlets.
- Transformation Village LLC is proposing a seven-phase plan that starts with building a Jazzland amusement park. although the plan has no clear source of funding or cost estimate. Future phases include an “Atlantis” water park, “a dome-shaped shopping center arranged by global continents, a 450-foot replica of Noah’s Ark that houses an orchestra studio, a movie production lot, a resort-hotel complex and a facility for students studying hospitality.”
Unfortunately, neither of the plans received much positive feedback during that review. Both were missing financing details and other important information, according to committee members.
The below graphic illustrates the two proposals:
© The Times-Picayune
Former plans for the area included an outlet mall, sports complex and even a Nickelodeon-branded theme park.
What do you think should become of the former Six Flags New Orleans site? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
I would prefer newly revived Jazzland theme park (with waterpark and resort hotel)… not sure about hospitality school, resource center, international mall, and ark experience. I could see the backlot as an outdoor amphitheater attraction.
It’s been nearly a decade since the closure of former Jazzland/Six Flags New Orleans theme park. It would likely take an investor (like those behind new Grand Texas theme park and revived Kentucky Kingdom) coming in. Not sure if Cedar Fair, Herschend Family Entertainment, or Busch Gardens/SeaWorld has expressed interest in owning (or starting up) a New Orleans located theme park… I doubt Six Flags plans to return anytime soon. New Orleans is in need of a major theme park.
well take the park and go thru the rides that could be saved and take out the rides that can be saved then re do all the bulding for the park and then think about doing the water park and think about reopening the park its a good park and still has a lot of life but needs to be rebuld don’t let the 6 flag go to waste
well have a big band come in to raise money for the park and lets go from there and go into the park and lets see what rides we can get working and see what else needs to be done that’s the only way your going to know how much money you will need to make it work