Audubon Commission Seeks Public Feedback to Start Planning Process for Riverfront
On Tuesday, October 30 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Audubon Commission will host the third of several public meetings to provide an opportunity to comment and provide feedback on the plan for the Esplanade Avenue and Governor Nicholls Street wharves. The meeting will be held at the Fairgrounds (Black & Gold Room) - 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119.
Harnessing the creative vision of Reinventing the Crescent, the Port of New Orleans and the City are working with Audubon Commission to convert the wharves into public park space.
Audubon is seeking feedback from the community to help frame a vision for the park space based on research, public meetings and input. Park enthusiasts, locals and visitors are encouraged to participate in this important planning process and will be provided many different opportunities to voice priorities, including community input sessions and a public engagement website with regular updates.
Riverfront For All will create one of the largest contiguous riverfront parks in the nation. The project will expand the connection from Crescent Park in the Bywater neighborhood to Spanish Plaza at the foot of Canal Street.
"Transforming the last two industrial wharves will result in nearly three miles of open space, connecting Crescent Park to the Moonwalk, and will provide the community exceptional access to the riverfront,” said J. Kelly Duncan, Audubon Commission President.
Audubon has agreed to operate this space as a public park, consistent with its mission, and is partnering with Eskew + Dumez + Ripple and Manning Architects, both widely recognized architectural firms known for planning projects with a dedication to community outreach, to design the space with a total budget of $15 million provided by the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans & Co. and Audubon Nature Institute, with assistance from the Port of New Orleans.
The community feedback phase began on October 3, the meeting on October 30 is the final in this series of meetings. The process will include a public engagement website, data collection, discussion of programming alternatives that address recent nearby riverfront improvements, a review of comparative analysis of other successful waterfronts worldwide, concept development, submission of a final plan, approval of that plan, and a design and construction bidding process.
Visit RiverfrontForAll.org for latest updates, specific details on the planning process and to give feedback.
Listening Session #1
Wednesday, October 3
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
KIPP Leadership Primary Gymnasium
2300 St. Claude Avenue, Charles Colton Building
New Orleans, LA 70117
Listening Session #2
Wednesday, October 24
Algiers Library
3014 Holiday Drive
New Orleans, LA 70131
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Listening Session #3
Tuesday, October 30
Fairgrounds (Black and Gold Room)
1751 Gentilly Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70119
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Audubon Nature Institute operates a family of museums, parks and research facilities dedicated to celebrating the wonders of nature. Through innovative live animal exhibits, education programs, and scientific discovery, Audubon makes a meaningful contribution to preserving wildlife for the future. Audubon Nature Institute flagships include Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy Giant Screen Theater, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and Audubon Wilderness Park. Ron Forman is President and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute.