NEW ORLEANS — Bayou Phoenix and New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) are pleased to announce the expected execution of the ground lease for the former Six Flags site in New Orleans East. This lease signing will be commemorated with the Bayou Phoenix Kick-Off Presentation and Reception on October 25th at 2:30 p.m. as part of the World Waterpark Association’s 43rd Annual Symposium & Trade Show at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hall B. The public is invited to attend. Please pick up credentials for the trade show floor at the check-in table outside of the Hall starting at 1:45 pm.
The event coincides with the World Waterpark Association (WWA) Trade Show. This international show brings more than 2,500 waterpark industry professionals from 23 different countries to New Orleans for the four-day convention.
New Orleans East has long yearned for a transformational development that would breathe life into local commerce, foster sustainable, high-paying jobs, and empower the community. Local firms Henry Consulting and TKTMJ, Inc. united in response to the City of New Orleans’ Request for Qualifications for the redevelopment of the Jazzland / Six Flags site. Their visionary proposal, Bayou Phoenix, was exclusively chosen as the site’s developer in October 2021.
Bayou Phoenix envisions a dynamic master development plan, including an indoor/outdoor waterpark, sports complex, hotels, family entertainment center, retail stores and a movie studio. After successfully concluding rigorous technical and financial feasibility studies, community input sessions, and masterplan presentations, the ground lease agreement was successfully finalized with NORA.
“We look forward to signing the lease and gaining full access to the property. We are anxious to get started on the first phase of our development timeline,” says Troy Henry, Henry Consulting Managing Partner. “We look forward to bringing new commerce to New Orleans East. There’s significant untapped potential for family entertainment and travel sporting events.”
Upon signing the lease, Bayou Phoenix is projecting a three to four-year
development/construction timeline. An assessment will be made of the infrastructure and site conditions, including structural, electrical, drainage, and vegetation. Work will then commence with architects and engineers to create demolition, repair, and construction plans. Selective demolition is expected in the first six to nine months, along with negotiations with partners and operators for the hotels, waterpark, and sports complex.
“We are thrilled to mark this momentous occasion as we officially sign the ground lease agreement with Bayou Phoenix. This agreement signifies a major milestone towards this public-private partnership in the revitalization of New Orleans East, a community that has long yearned for transformative development. Bayou Phoenix’s vision for this site promises to breathe life into local commerce, create sustainable, high-paying jobs, and empower our community. We are committed to continue working hand in hand with the community and Bayou Phoenix to ensure that this project brings growth, opportunity, and excitement to the area. This is a new era of development for New Orleans East, and we are excited to do our part,” says Brenda Breaux, Executive Director for the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority.
The finalized ground lease agreement signifies an important public-private partnership in the resurgence of New Orleans East. NORA and Bayou Phoenix are committed to creating a vibrant, thriving community that will bring growth, opportunity, and excitement to the area.
About Bayou Phoenix: Bayou Phoenix LLC is the winning development group chosen to revitalize the abandoned Six Flags site in New Orleans East. Locally owned Henry Consulting, LLC and TKTMJ, Inc. partnered in response to the City of New Orleans’ Request for Qualifications for the redevelopment of the former Jazzland / Six Flags site in New Orleans East. Bayou Phoenix promotes a strong, collaborative master development vision, including a sports complex, an indoor/outdoor waterpark and hotel, family entertainment center, and movie studio.
The 227-acre site sits at the crossroads of Interstates 10 and 510. Since its closure due to Hurricane Katrina’s impact 18 years ago, the property has remained unused. Nonetheless, it has drawn attention from film crews and urban explorers, making it a notable location in New Orleans East.
About Henry Consulting: Henry Consulting is a New Orleans-based management consulting firm and one of the largest black-owned companies in Louisiana. Founded in 2001, by New Orleans East resident, Troy Henry, the company rapidly expanded and attained client engagements and ventures throughout the region. With over 200 direct and indirect employees, the company generates an average of more than $40 million in annual revenue.
About TKTMJ, Inc.: TKTMJ Incorporated is an East New Orleans-based, family-owned, multi-state construction and development company. Founded in 1996 and led by brothers Thomas Tubre, Jr., president, and Michael Tubre, TKTMJ has been trusted with over $400million in diverse projects, such as public projects with the City of New Orleans, Federal Projects with the US Army Corps of Engineers, and multi-family projects in New Orleans. Major developments include the $32 Million Lake Forest Manor Community, the $20 Million Capdau Home for the Aged, and $24 Million New Orleans Municipal Yacht Harbor Renovation. The harbor renovation engaged over 100 subcontractors and suppliers to create nearly 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
About NORA: The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) is a governmental agency established by the State of Louisiana in 1968 to revitalize underinvested areas in New Orleans. NORA partners with developers to bring residential and commercial projects to life in neighborhoods across the city. The agency has directly invested over $40 million in affordable housing, $15 million in economic development, and $5 million in green infrastructure, and has also returned over 5,000 properties to commerce since Hurricane Katrina. NORA is the lead partner for the redevelopment of underutilized, publicly-owned property for the City of New Orleans.
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