Lincoln Beach slated to reopen next year
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Lincoln Beach, which is closed to the public, was a major recreational spot for Black residents during segregation. Images: City of Orleans
New Orleans leaders plan to reopen Lincoln Beach in time for next summer, making it the city's first public beach in decades.
Why it matters: Now is the time to give your input about what features the historically Black beach should have.
The big picture: The city and its contractor, Sasaki, will unveil the initial concepts at public meetings Thursday and Saturday.
- Ideas include a fishing pier, a bigger beach for swimming and a lakefront walkway, said Cheryn Robles, the city's environmental affairs administrator in the Office of Resilience and Sustainability.
- Other elements include tie-ups for boats, walking trails, restrooms, parking, entertainment space, a farmers market and restaurants.
- "We're really building a world class waterfront park," Robles tells Axios New Orleans.
By the numbers: The city has $24.6 million in funding for the redevelopment project from bonds and other sources.
- The National Park Service added Lincoln Beach to the National Register of Historic Places earlier this month, unlocking more funding options.
- Sasaki is creating the master plan.
Catch up quick: Lincoln Beach closed in the Little Woods area of New Orleans East shortly after Pontchartrain Beach, the white-only beach, was integrated in 1964.
- 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.
Between the lines: Volunteers such as Blyss Wallace, Reggie Ford and Sage Michael have worked for years to build community and political support to reopen the beach.
How it works: Lincoln Beach will be developed in phases, Robles tells Axios.
- Construction is slated to start this year on the "quick open" plan to create safe access to the beach, which is closed to the public.
- Elements include a crosswalk on Hayne, updated parking lot and anti-flood measures for the pedestrian tunnel.
Longterm plans include an elevated pedestrian bridge over Hayne, funded with a $4.1 million federal appropriation via Rep. Troy Carter.
- Officials are also looking at how to incorporate historical architectural elements, such as the "No Diving" pool tiles, the trapezoid structures by the lake and the concrete bulkhead, Robles said.
- They also want to add interpretative signs so visitors get a history lesson about the cultural significance of the site, Robles said.
What's next: The public meetings are Thursday from 6-8pm and Saturday from 10am-noon.
- The same information will be presented at both events, which will be held at the New Orleans East Opportunity Center, 12000 Hayne Boulevard.