Nickelodeon Theme Park Project Halted
Meg Gatto ABC26 News

November 9, 2009
New Orleans—
A major step backwards for the new theme park planned for New Orleans East. Nickelodeon has ended its relationship with Southern Star Amusement, its partner in the redevelopment project.

The plan has been put on hold as Nickelodeon claims Southern Star failed to meet contractual requirements and deadlines. New Orleans East resident Leonard Parquet says, "It's a bummer because its stopping progress."

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The president of Southern Star, Danny Rogers, says one of the biggest obstacles his company faced was trying to gain control of the land, where the old Six Flags still stands. Right now the city owns the land; Rogers thinks if the city would've cooperated a little bit more, his company wouldn't be in this predicament.

Whatever the reason for the split, one thing is for sure; New Orleans East residents are worried about the future of their community now that this major project has been put on hold. Lisa Stafford with the Lake Bullard Homeowners Association says, "It's greatly needed, I can't even say how desperately it's needed and this was not only going to benefit the east but it would've been a boom for the whole city." Lisa Parker adds, "We need something to revive the east." While Parquet comments, "I hope they can work something out, I really do and get it back on track."

Lisa Stafford says she and other residents have been considering getting together to urge different companies to open up shop in the eastÂ….she says it's time to stop relying on officials and start working to revitalize the area themselves.