This week, the City of New Orleans announced the approval of an agreement between the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) and Bayou Phoenix to redevelop the former Six Flags New Orleans (formerly known as Jazzland) park, which occupies 227 acres of land in New Orleans East.
After years of failed proposals to reopen the park or redevelop the site, it seems like we are one step closer.
While specific plans for the site are still in development, Bayou Phoenix’s website contains a site overview highlighting the locations of a hotel, waterpark, retail, sports complex, studio, parking and land reserved for expansion.
The website states the development will include “a sports complex…an indoor/outdoor waterpark and hotel, a logistics center, a mega travel center, and the redevelopment of the Eastover Country Club, Golf Course and Residences.”
Additionally, the company hopes to purchase an additional 172 of nearby land “to expand the master plan to include retail opportunities and an amusement park.”
In October of 2021, the City selected Bayou Phoenix, LLC, through a competitive solicitation process as the master developer for the former amusement park site.
Six Flags New Orleans originally opened in 2000 as Jazzland. Six Flags acquired the park and reopened it as Six Flags New Orleans. The park was heavily damaged following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and never reopened. but did not reopen after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and has remained shuttered since then. The IDB took title to the property in 2009.
Interested in learning more about the history of Six Flags New Orleans and Jazzland? Below are some of the stories we’ve written about the park over the years:
Our Thoughts on the Closed For Storm Six Flags New Orleans Documentary
We reviewed the 2020 documentary that spans the life of the park from its planning through its (then uncertain) future.
The Original Jazzland Coaster Quartet
We look back at the four coasters that opened with Jazzland in 2000.
Six Flags New Orleans Before and After Hurricane Katrina
See the transformation of the Jazzland/Six Flags New Orleans site from its construction to decay following Hurricane Katrina:
Reopening Jazzland Interview with Tonya Pope
In 2018, we interviewed businesswoman and developer Tonya Pope of The Paidia Company about her efforts to bring the park back to life as Jazzland.
Jurassic World Filmed at Six Flags New Orleans
Following Hurricane Katrina, Six Flags New Orleans found a second life as a movie set for Hollywood blockbusters such as Jurassic World:
What do you think about the plans for the former amusement park? Let us know in the comments section below.
I think they should rebuild six flags but with hurricanes in mind, taking extra measures to keep the new park better capable of withstanding a major hurricane! 🌀
In my opinion I think they should rebuild six flags and it should return as hurricane Katrina six flags New Orleans it should be able to Contain a category 12 hurricane.
Hurricane six flags? That’s dumb