Lincoln Beach won't open this summer as planned
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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
The opening of the New Orleans' first public beach in decades has been delayed, leaders confirmed Tuesday.
Why it matters: Residents will have to drive out of town for a beach day for at least two more summers.
The big picture: City officials had planned to partially open Lincoln Beach this summer for swimming, but representatives from the Department of Public Works told council members Tuesday that won't happen.
- The project is funded with federal money, DPW leaders said, and it took longer than expected to get the different agencies to sign off.
- Now, the city will start the process of hiring a construction company, said Joe Threat, the city's chief administrative officer for infrastructure. Groundbreaking is slated for October.
Zoom in: When will people be able to swim at the beach, which is now closed?
- The beach won't open until early 2027, according to a "very conservative" estimate listed in city documents shared with Axios.
- The original "quick-open" plan to partially reopen the beach during construction has been abandoned because it isn't cost-effective, the documents say.
- Community activists Blyss Wallace, Sage Michael Pellet, Reggie Ford and other volunteers expressed their frustration at the meeting for the delays and what they called lack of progress.
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.
- Pontchartrain Beach closed in 1983 and redevelopment efforts since then have stalled.
- Lincoln Beach is about 15 acres along the lakefront near Hayne Boulevard and Vincent Road. It's on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The beach 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.
Zoom out: The redevelopment project has about $26 million in local, state and federal funds.
- Long-term plans call for a pedestrian bridge to cross Hayne, along with restrooms, concessions, walkways and restaurants.
- The final master plan from Sasaki Associates is due in May, writes WWNO's Eva Tesfaye.
What's next: The City Council will decide whether to expand the contract with Digital Engineering, who was hired in 2020 to study the feasibility of the redevelopment and create an initial plan.
- The council earlier this year denied a similar request, Tesfaye writes.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information about the timeline and funding.