originally posted on 8/3/2019
What spot on earth has more standing-but-not-operating roller coasters than any other?
Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans in 2005, badly damaging Six Flags New Orleans theme park. After management decided not to reopen (alleging it was beyond repair), the derelict park and most of its attractions were left to stand, forsaken, steadily deteriorating in the 14 years since. The still-abandoned rides include four of the park’s coasters: Mega Zeph (a Custom Coasters International, Inc. woodie), the steel Jester (a Vekoma loop and corkscrew), Muskrat Scrambler (an L&T Systems wild mouse) and Zydeco Scream (a Vekoma Boomerang). Interestingly, two of the park’s six coasters were moved – Batman: The Ride became Goliath at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in 2008, and Road Runner’s Express was transferred to Six Flags Magic Mountain (where it kept the same name) in 2011.
New Orleans’ newest amusement park originally opened in 2000 under the name Jazzland Theme Park, but unfortunately, it went bankrupt after two seasons. Six Flags took over next. But then Hurricane Katrina struck. In the years since there have been numerous ideas and plans offered to develop the site, but none has come to fruition. Control of the property eventually went to the Industrial Development Board of the City of New Orleans, who continues to own the property.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
The new mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, has decided it is finally time to demolish the remains of the former amusement park. According to reporting by the Times-Picayune/News Orleans Advocate newspaper, a chief reason for this is the increasingly deteriorating state of the park’s attractions, which can all be seen from nearby roads, creating frustrations for neighbors who have been dealing with what many consider an eyesore and nuisance, with the site becoming a target for looters and graffiti artists and a home to wildlife such as snakes and alligators, making it a safety hazard as well.
Cantrell gave no further details on any specific demolition or redevelopment plans. Her office had an assessment completed, commissioned by the New Orleans Business Alliance for the city, to determine the best future use for the site. Their report envisions turning the place into a destination center for learning about climate change, resiliency and water issues and for some family-friendly activities, such as excursions to a nearby Wildlife Refuge or zip line courses.
After the mayor spoke about demolishing the park, Cyndi Nguyen, who represents the site’s neighborhood on the City Council, remarked that it's premature to begin demolition, in case some of the remaining infrastructure might be useful to future investors. But she also said she is encouraged by the mayor's support for developing the area. Nguyen has said previously that she wanted the 200-acre property to be turned into a family entertainment district complete with hotels, resorts, music and sports venues.
Another idea for the site under consideration in recent years has been the Paidia Company’s concept for a new amusement park and resort on the site (Paidia is a Louisiana firm that specializes in themed entertainment development). Responding to a request for proposal issued by the then-mayor's office in 2014, Paidia proposed to reopen the park, renaming it Jazzland. The plans imagine many new rides for the park (along with a water park, retail, dining, entertainment and resort hotel), but, of particular interest to enthusiasts, they also included salvaging and restoring Mega Zeph and retaining and refurbishing the existing Jester coaster, along with much of the site’s infrastructure. In February 2017, the company submitted a purchase offer for the property.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
The current drive targeted by the mayor to demolish the park’s remains would seem to preclude the Jazzland proposal being approved. However, Jazzland has restated its interest in purchasing the property and recently reemphasized why it thinks its proposal offers a better plan for use of the site.
Since the mayor proposed demolition, there has been no further or final word on when the Six Flags park might be demolished or a decision made on what will happen to the site subsequently. Stay tuned.
— Randy Geisler
@#$%&!
#ACENews