Nagin Talks with Six Flags

April 22, 2009

Mayor Ray Nagin and couple of councilmembers are in New York discussing the future of the Six Flags. But people here at home have a few ideas of what they would like to see in that area.

Terrance Jones sees the dilapidated Six Flags Theme Park almost every day. "It's really just condemned to be honest with you," he ays.

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Pre-Katrina, Terrance says Six Flags was booming. "Kids had jobs, a lot of things was in the making, even wanting to put hotels out here for the theme park." He hopes for a transformation from roller coaster skeletons to something lively again. "That would give the kids in the neighborhood, the kids from all around the area something to do rather than being out here with gang violence, and guns and murders."

And Terrance may see something happening with the park sometime soon. Mayor Ray Nagin and councilmembers Arnie Fielkow and Cynthia Willard-Lewis are in New York talking with Six Flags to decide its fate. Since Katrina, the city and park have been in settlement talks. The Mayor's office says he's placing a priority on getting the issue resolved as soon as possible.

"It's sad when you see and amusement park standing empty like that," says Mary Beth Romig with the convention and visitors bureau. She says Six Flags was a major family destination. "I don't think that a lot of New Orleanians had a true appreciation for just how many people drove in from the region." Romig hopes to see another family attraction here like the much talked about multi-sports complex. "Certainly anything like that that would draw lots of people into the city for events would be fantastic. Another amusement park, a water park," she says.

Terrance welcomes the idea. "A lot of people from all over the region would come right here to New Orleans and support New Orleans," he says. He says he's ready for the view to change.

Mayor Nagin is also will meet with two developers about confidential projects. The team will will return Thursday.