New Orleans' historically Black beach a step closer to reopening
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Lincoln Beach was the Black beach in New Orleans East during segregation. It closed in 1964. Undated photo: Courtesy of the City of New Orleans
New Orleans officials signed a contract Thursday to develop a master plan for the city's historically important Black beach, which has been closed since the 1960s.
Why it matters: Lincoln Beach will be the city's first public beach in decades once it reopens.
Driving the news: Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Thursday introduced Sasaki Associates, which will create the master plan during the next year.
- The international planning and design firm was one of five companies that bid on the redevelopment, Cantrell said. Their previous work includes hundreds of projects like Baton Rouge's University Lakes and Chicago's Riverwalk.
By the numbers: The city has $24.6 million in funding for the redevelopment project from bonds and other sources.
Catch up quick: Lincoln Beach closed in New Orleans East in 1964 shortly after Pontchartrain Beach, the white-only beach, was integrated.
- Lincoln Beach is about 15 acres along the lakefront near Hayne Boulevard and Vincent Road.
- It was a major recreational spot for Black residents during segregation and had live performances from Fats Domino, Irma Thomas and Nat King Cole, according to the city.
- State officials this year nominated the beach to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Between the lines: Volunteers have worked for years to build community and political support to reopen the beach.
- Grassroots activists like Blyss Wallace and Sage Michael of New Orleans for Lincoln Beach were heralded at the standing-room-only event at City Hall. City leaders say the community groups will be part of the design process.
What's happening: Officials and community leaders say they want the new Lincoln Beach to be used for recreation, eco-tourism, education and other events that play to the historical and cultural significance of the site.
- Sasaki Associates will solicit public input and have public meetings next year, says Joshua Brooks of Sasaki.
- It will take several years before the full plan is implemented.
Meanwhile, the city is moving forward with a "quick open" plan to create safe access to the beach, says Cheryn Robles, the city's environmental affairs administrator in the Office of Resilience and Sustainability.
- By 2025, she wants to have the access tunnel ADA-compliant, the parking lot cleaned and safer pedestrian access on Hayne. Her team is also evaluating options for managing the alligators and snakes that live in the area.
- Long-term plans currently include a pedestrian bridge over Hayne.
Separately, plans to redevelop Pontchartrain Beach have stalled after the board of the Lakefront Management Authority, which manages and controls much of the lakefront, rejected a lease proposal from the Pontchartrain Beach Foundation in May.
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