Southern Star Amusement, Inc., is once again seeking to acquire control of the former Jazzland/Six Flags New Orleans amusement park property. The property, city owned but currently still under lease to Six Flags, has sat dormant for the past three years. Six Flags has stated that they have no intention of re-opening the shuttered property.
Southern Star Amusement’s redevelopment efforts are slated to include adding water park rides and attractions, rehabbing the remaining rides and buildings, improved landscaping and shade structures. Long term plans, should additional property become available, include youth sports facilities, a hotel, and retail and food venues.
Danny Rogers, founder of the company, and long time amusement industry veteran stated, “We made a worthwhile attempt last year to take over operations on the amusement property and were disheartened when we had to pull our offer from the table. As several important factors have changed in the interim, we have resumed our efforts, this time partnering with another themed entertainment industry company. We believe the property is very much worth saving and can become a thriving economic machine that can transform the East side of the city and help with the sustained growth of the New Orleans tourist market.”
It is clear that the current team has done their homework and listened to what the community has said were shortcomings of the previous operators. Attention will be given to rides and amenities that will greatly improve the guests’ experience. With the addition of water park rides and attractions, guests can beat the heat by staying wet all day if they so choose. Those that prefer to stay dry will welcome the addition of shade structures, indoor attractions, and misting stations. The team has plans to integrate the wet and dry experience to create a one-of-a-kind venue.
The waterpark elements of the project, while integrated into the overall layout, will be situated so that they can be closed off during inclement weather, allowing for the remainder of the park to stay open. This will allow the park to operate year round.
“Think about it, you can fly around the tracks on a classic wooden coaster, watch first class music infused shows, then get an adrenaline rush on the water slides and other cooling places around the park, all in the same day at the same place, and all for one low price,” said Rogers.
The design team is focusing on making the project as family friendly as possible. “We plan on adding attractions that will appeal to the entire family, thrills for the older members, with rides for the younger crowd that parents can enjoy and comfortably ride as well,” said Rogers. The plans also include landscaping and shade structures that protect guests from the hot summer sun, as well as giving the park a great asthetic appeal.
Southern Star Amusement plans to turn this shuttered park into one heck of a playground for locals, visitors, and families alike.
About Southern Star Amusement
Southern Star Amusement, Inc., is a location based entertainment development company dedicated to creating quality, family friendly attractions. More information can be found at southernstaramusement.com.
I'd rather take my chances with Freestyle Music Park.
This company wants the property and the park. Looks like they are riding the coat tales of the recent announcement of a law suit. I could see SFI Sell the park to this company for the value of the remaining assets and transfer the contract. It would be better then having to pay money to the city or being court ordered to rehab and reopen the park on their own.
Is it really possible to get the remaining rides opened after they sat in the water for so long?
I wonder what effect a flood would have on Jester's lift hill motor even unless it's like the SLC's and has the motor mounted up at the top of the lift. I don't really like the idea that a simple loop coaster is all backwards, even if it seems CHILLER like.
If there was a Chaos there I would automatically call that it would be trashed. Even the Chaos at Kemah Boardwalk won't return after the Hurricane Ike damage. I'm not surprised at all.
Michael, you have a great point about Southern Star approaching Six Flags. It would be great for SF to get out of this.
I hope that they get SOMETHING to replace B:TR and the Drop Tower. That's the equivalent of taking out RoS and a good four flats from DL. (None of the flats are major enough to missed on their own.) Intamin drop tower and a compact B&M floorless (although the fanboy in me would want a stand up) maybe?
But to be honest, I can agree with SFI on this. It is a barely profitable park that sat in a good 10 feet of flood water for how many months? When the company is being crushed by $2 billion+ in debt, trying to spend tens of millions (or more) in a park that won't return much, probably now losing money due to the facts that 40% of the city's population (40% of the park's revenue) left the city for good, and that two of the park's star attractions were moved to different states. With all that crap, I heard that it would cost $70 million or more to fix up the park, and probably stay pretty far into negative profits until they spend another $20 to $30 million or more in new rides to get more guests, which by then it probably won't be much better than it used to be now with so many people gone from the city.
That sounds so bad I would hope the current coasters come back. I wouldn't expect anything else beyond that. Alabama Adventures has about that many coasters?