New Orleans debuts one of country's longest riverfront parks
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This fish is part of a marsh-themed playground at the new Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park in downtown New Orleans. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios
New Orleans opens the first phase of the Riverfront for All park this week, completing a project that's been in the works for more than a decade.
Why it matters: The Audubon Nature Institute, which manages the public-private partnership, hopes to build on the momentum and add a second phase along the Mississippi River.
The big picture: Leaders will cut the ribbon Tuesday on the Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, making it one of the country's longest contiguous riverfront parks.
- The 2.25-mile path connects Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park.
- The project was originally budgeted at $15 million, but Audubon president and CEO Michael Sawaya says costs ballooned to $30 million during the pandemic.
- The city picked up the difference using bond proceeds, Sawaya says. For the original $15 million, New Orleans & Co. paid $2 million, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center contributed $9 million, and Audubon put in $4 million.
State of play: The park is part of a larger vision to make the waterfront more accessible to residents and visitors.
- The city has had multiple developments over the past 10 years, with more in the works.
- Examples include the redevelopment of Spanish Plaza, the conversion of the World Trade Center into the Four Seasons hotel, and the opening of the Canal Street Ferry Terminal and the new Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium.
- The Riverfront District further upriver is in the works, with plans for Shell's Gulf headquarters, apartments and a civil rights museum.
Zoom in: The first phase of the riverfront park converted the Gov. Nicholls Wharf into a green space with a covered event space, according to Jackson Kerby, Audubon's vice president of construction.
- It also has a multi-use path, playground and bathrooms.
Zoom out: Audubon says it's begun visualizing phase two, which would redevelop the Esplanade Avenue Wharf by the end of 2030.
- While phase one is designed as a civic park, phase two is envisioned as the entertainment district, Sawaya says.
- Audubon wants to "layer the revenues" there to make the park economically sustainable, Kerby says.
- It could look like South Market, with a space packed with restaurants, bars and shops.
- "Everything's on the table," Sawaya says, adding that Audubon is talking with developers already. Public meetings will come next to get input.
By the numbers: The second phase could cost $40 million to $50 million, Sawaya says, but the budget won't be set until plans are finalized.
- The plan should be ready by the end of next year, he says.
What's next: The park opens to the public at 11am Tuesday. The main public entrance from the French Quarter is at St. Philip Street.
- The Front Porch will host the Jack Daniel's Stage next week for French Quarter Fest.
Go deeper: First look at the park's features
