Demolition of old Six Flags is halfway done, developer says
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Rollercoasters and other signs of the old Six Flags in New Orleans East won't be visible from Interstate 10 soon.
Why it matters: The property, which has been abandoned since Hurricane Katrina, is finally getting redeveloped after 20 years.
The big picture: Troy Henry, the CEO of Bayou Phoenix, gathered with state and city leaders Tuesday to celebrate the demolition phase on the 225-acre site.
- The work has been going on since last fall and is about 60% done, says Vince Williams, Bayou Phoenix's project manager.
- Three of the big rollercoasters are already down and Korver Demolition is about halfway done with the Mega Zeph, he says. Demolition is slated to finish by the end of March.
- The company plans to transform the overgrown site into a bustling $500 million complex with youth sports fields, hotels, shops, a movie studio and a waterpark.
By the numbers: The developers are seeking about $100 million in government funding for infrastructure, Henry tells Axios. Other pieces will be self-financed, he says.
- The city committed $5 million to it in this budget year. Williams says Bayou Phoenix will be presenting a capital outlay request to the state this year.
- Their goal is to get the government to pay for the site's infrastructure — utilities, roads, sewer, flood control, etc. — and then Bayou Phoenix and tenants will pay for the ground-up construction.
- Bayou Phoenix is doing a site assessment that will guide the financial requests, Henry and Williams say.
Zoom in: Elvin Ross is the first tenant, with plans to build a $200 million movie studio and creative complex called e. ross studios.
- Ross, an Emmy Award-winning composer, splits his time between Georgia and New Orleans.
- He plans to redevelop one of the only salvageable buildings in the park and open it to the public for live entertainment. He's also keeping ride carts and other mementos for the studio and possibly a public exhibit onsite.
- He told Axios on Tuesday that he's also working with Dillard University and Southern University to create a job training program for the film industry.
- Plus, he says, he's talking with tech and AI companies about being part of his creative complex.
State of play: The site, which has been popular for urban explorers, now has 24/7 security to prevent trespassing.
- Developers have a wildlife management officer on payroll to handle the infestation of snakes, gators and other creatures.
- He told Axios he's killed about 300 wild hogs on the property over the past decade.
What's next: Bayou Phoenix is negotiating with companies that run youth sports complexes, which Henry says will be the real driver for the project.
- The hotel contracts will follow, then the restaurants and shops will come, Williams says.
- Bayou Phoenix also is working on an indoor waterpark and a blue-water lagoon.
- Part of Ross' development could open by the end of the year, Bayou Phoenix says. The rest of the project is slated to start opening in 2027.
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