NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell and New Orleans city officials helped kick off Master Planning efforts on Thursday for the redevelopment of Lincoln Beach on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.
The Master Plan Request for Qualifications was bid by the city earlier this year, and Sasaki Associates, Inc. was selected as the planning firm over four other planning firms.
“As a result of an unprecedented bond sale, my administration is the first in over six decades to allocate financial resources to redevelop Lincoln Beach, but the vision of this revitalization began long before my team got here in 2018,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell, regarding the active push to revitalize New Orleans East recreational site closed in 1964.
“My administration recognizes the historic, cultural significance and natural beauty of this site. The newly redeveloped Lincoln Beach will provide equitable access to an open green space, family-friendly recreational activities and will reconnect our people to nature, while developing an appreciation for our local ecosystems and biodiversity.”
Since the site closed nearly 60 years ago, structures and facilities have significantly deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance and the impacts of hurricanes during that time span.
In an effort to expedite redevelopment, Cantrell's administration, which began funding efforts in 2020, secured $24.6 million earlier this year from 2021 bonds ($6.1 million), reimbursed grant funds ($13.6 million), Restore Act funds ($4.3 million) and State Capital Outlay ($500,000).
“Since 2020, we’ve been working with Digital Engineering to get to this point,” said Joe Threat, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Infrastructure. “We’ve completed a Site Assessment, determined how to get utilities across the floodwall, submitted permits and have been coordinating with other partners. We’re ready to deliver the infrastructure improvements the people have been asking for at this site. Through this Master Planning process, we’ll deliver a safe, sustainable recreational area for the people of New Orleans.”
In May, the Louisiana State Division of Historic Preservation’s National Register Review Committee voted unanimously, with one abstention, to nominate Lincoln Beach for listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.
The nomination is now under consideration by the U.S. National Park Service for final approval.
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