Audubon's $30M riverfront park and other new projects
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Audubon Nature Institute is tearing down the Gov. Nicholls wharf at the edge of the French Quarter to make way for a new $30 million public space along the Mississippi River.
Why it matters: The project will create the country's longest contiguous riverfront park, leaders say.
The big picture: Audubon leaders hoped to have the park open for Super Bowl LIX, but the project was delayed.
- Now, the first phase should open by the end of the year with a band shell and public green spaces, says Michael Sawaya, the new CEO and president of Audubon Nature Institute.
- Once done, the project will create a 2.25-mile walkable and bike-friendly park from Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park.
By the numbers: The city is footing half of the bill, with the City Council committing $15 million last year.
- The rest of the money is coming from Audubon, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and New Orleans & Co., Sawaya says.
Catch up quick: The park started during a riverfront development push in 2017, when then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu and others outlined $500 million in projects.
- Those developments included the now-completed renovation of the World Trade Center into the Four Seasons and the new Canal Street ferry terminal.
- Audubon's early riverfront ideas included a Ferris wheel and amphitheater, which drew criticism from residents, according to The Times-Picayune.
- The project has almost doubled in cost since planning started, Sawaya says.
Zoom in: Current plans call for it to have open-air structures, a community center, event rental options, a playground, grassy lawns and space for food trucks.
- The Gov. Nicholls wharf should be torn down in several weeks.
- The Esplanade wharf is expected to be partly demolished, but Audubon leaders tell us they are still fine-tuning the concept.
- See the latest proposal.
Between the lines: Riverfront parks in Brooklyn, Tampa and Boston have been inspirations for the New Orleans development.
More Audubon projects
Audubon is also working on a few other projects.
Woldenberg Park: The renovations outside the aquarium are expected to wrap up by the end of May, says Jackson Kerby, Audubon's vice president of construction.
- The new hardscaping, lighting and utility improvements are geared at making it more attractive for special events.
Carousel: Audubon lowered the price of its animal carousel after it failed to sell at auction.
- The zoo is replacing it with a smaller version. Go deeper.
New dinosaur exhibit: Work is starting on the Odenheimer rotunda to house a new dinosaur experience, Kerby says.
- It will showcase the connection with dinosaurs, reptiles and birds.
- It's the oldest building on the zoo property and was originally Audubon's aquarium. It's next to the reptile house.
- Construction is expected to begin next year, she says.
Giraffe feedings: The zoo recently started allowing guests to pay $5 to hand-feed the new giraffes, Maverick and Fennessy.
