| |
| Location |  |
| Status | Standing but not operating |
| Operated | May 20, 2000 to August 21, 2005 |
| Owner | The city of New Orleans |
| Previous names | Jazzland (2000-2002) |
| Area | 140 acres[1] |
Six Flags New Orleans is an abandoned amusement park in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. It opened on May 20, 2000 and closed after Hurricane Katrina struck five years later in August 2005.
History
The possibility of building a Jazz-themed park, Jazzland, was being discussed as early as 1990. However, the project was delayed due to difficulties in obtaining both public and private financing.[2] In July 1998, the project was approved by the City Council, who would supply $10 million towards its construction.[3]
Construction on the park began in 1998 and took 18 months to build. During construction, a concrete platform had to be built for the park as the ground in the area was too soft to support the park on its own. On May 20, 2000, the park opened as Jazzland. It was owned and operated at the time by Ogden Entertainment.[1][4]
The park was located in Eastern New Orleans, in the Ninth Ward of the city off Interstate 510. The park first opened under the name "Jazzland" in 2000, operated by Alfa Smartparks before Six Flags took over the park's lease in 2002. The land, owned by the city of New Orleans, was leased to and operated by Six Flags.
Following the acquisition of the park by Six Flags in August 2002,[5] it reopened on April 12, 2003 as Six Flags New Orleans.[6] Rex's Rail Runner's name was changed to Road Runner Express. Several rides purchased as a package from the closed Japanese park Thrill Valley were added, including Batman The Ride.[7][8]
In August 2005, the park closed for Hurricane Katrina.[9]
After Katrina
After Hurricane Katrina, Six Flags sought to end its lease on the site.
The owners claimed the park must remain shut down as long as outstanding claims with insurance companies remain unsettled.
On August 18, 2009, it was announced that the land would be redeveloped into a Nickelodeon-branded water/theme park.[10]
On September 18, 2009, the city of New Orleans fined Six Flags $3 million and ordered the park to vacate its lease.[11]
As of early 2010, the site was overgrown with debris and weeds. Removal of the debris and underbrush had begun.
As of April 11, 2010, the site was still shut down with no future clear, since New Orleans officially now owns the property and the plans for the Nickelodeon-branded theme park fell through three months after bonds failed to come through.
As of October 2010, Southern Star Amusement Inc. was still working to recover the park.
On February 6, 2012, it was reported that the selection committee rejected the plan for the site of Six Flags New Orleans to become a theme park, leaving the upscale outlet mall as the only proposal being considered by the committee. Despite the committee's actions, one of the original eight entrepreneurs is continuing to try to get public support for their proposal. Jazzland Park aims to return the park to its roots. They also plan to add a water park and movie studio back lot to the site.
In March 2012, it was announced that the park would be transformed in a mall, entitled Jazzland Outlet Mall, possibly as a tribute to the original park name. The mall will use rides from the theme park depending on condition.[12]
A plan to redevelop the property stalled in March 2021 after a disagreement over who would have final say over various aspects of the redevelopment plan between developers and the City of New Orleans Industrial Development Board.
On March 7, 2023 the City of New Orleans announced that a deal had been finalized with developers to redevelop the long abandoned property. The deal includes an agreement between the New Orleans Development Authority, the Industrial Board, and Bayou Phoenix, LLC. in which the property will be transferred to the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority while the City of New Orleans will provide maintenance and security for the site now and in the future. Bayau Phoenix, LLC. will redevelop the property under the agreement which will be a years long project that will include decontamination procedures following the ecological damage left in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. [13] [14]
Once complete the site will feature at least one movie studio, indoor and outdoor sports complexes, an upscale hotel and a mid range hotel, an indoor/outdoor water park, restaurants and several stores.[13][14]
20th Century Fox filmed a movie at the park, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.[15]
In late 2024, some rides were demolished, including Jester and Muskrat Scrambler. [16]
Former roller coasters
| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opened | Closed | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batman: The Ride | Bolliger & Mabillard | Inverted | 2003 | 2005 | Relocated to Six Flags Fiesta Texas |
| Jester | Vekoma | Sit-Down | 2003 | 2005 | Scrapped |
| Mega Zeph | Custom Coasters International | Wooden | 2000 | 2005 | Standing but not operating |
| Muskrat Scrambler | L&T Systems | Wild Mouse | 2000 | 2005 | Scrapped |
| Road Runner Express | Vekoma | Family | 2000 | 2005 | Relocated to Six Flags Magic Mountain |
| Zydeco Scream | Vekoma | Shuttle | 2000 | 2005 | Standing but not operating |
Former attractions
References
| The category Six Flags New Orleans contains additional media. |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Jazzland". The Daily Advertiser. 14 May 2000. p. 49. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ↑ "Jazzland Park master plan OK'd by council". The Daily Review. April 3, 1998. p. 6. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ↑ "N.O. theme park won't go to public bid". The Times. July 9, 1998. p. 15. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ↑ "New N.O. amusement park a real thriller". The Town Talk. 21 May 2000. p. 45. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ↑ Six Flags Completes Acquisition Of Jazzland Theme Park - Ultimate Rollercoaster
- ↑ Six Flags New Orleans Opens - Coaster Globe (Wayback Archive)
- ↑ "Six Flags New Orleans opens gates Saturday". Sun Herald. 2003-04-11. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
- ↑ B&M; coaster track, other rides, now arriving at Jazzland - Amusement Today (Wayback archive)
- ↑ "Hurricane Damaged Six Flags Park To Remain Closed". Ultimate Rollercoaster.
- ↑ "Nickelodeon to build theme park at old Six Flags site in eastern New Orleans".
- ↑ "City of New Orleans begins terminating its lease with Six Flags".
- ↑ "New Orleans residents pepper Six Flags outlet mall developer with questions".
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 WWL Staff (March 7, 2023). "New Orleans reaches 'critical' agreement to redevelop abandoned Six Flags". CBS 4 WWL. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Abandoned Six Flags park in New Orleans to get redeveloped". YouTube. WWL TV. March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ↑ http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/Outlet-Mall-Project-Progressing-At-Six-Flags-Site-157612665.html
- ↑ "Demolition begins at abandoned New Orleans Six Flags site. Here's the timeline". NOLA.
