The process to select a development group for the abandoned Six Flags amusement park in New Orleans came to a conclusion Monday when city officials announced their choice to lead the redevelopment project during a press conference.
Bayou Phoenix, headed by local businessmen Troy Henry and includes New Orleans-based consulting and development teams, was selected after Kiernan-West, a group that partnered with former Saints quarterback Drew Brees and current linebacker Demario Davis had pulled out from the redevelopment committee’s selection process.
Redevelopment of the site, which has sat derelict since Hurricane Katrina damaged it 16 years ago, is planned to be a mixed-use site and will involve two phases: Phase 1 will bring a logistics center and STEM development to New Orleans East, while Phase 2 is expected include a hotel, waterpark, E-Sports arena and athletic complex.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell said at the press conference that her team and the committee will work with the developer over the next 90 days to finalize contract negotiations, but that “Phase 1 is the top priority.”
However, Kiernan-West isn’t out of the picture. Cantrell made another announcement Monday that the withdrawn group would still work with the city to bring development to New Orleans East, though a specific site has yet to be determined.
“It was a commitment of the city to bring a win-win in bringing both of these projects to fruition for the betterment of not only New Orleans East but also the city of New Orleans,” Cantrell said.
Kiernan-West is also expected to create a logistics and distribution center, according to an email from Cantrell’s office.
