City of New Orleans Launches Lincoln Beach Site Assessment

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 13, 2020


Contact: LaTonya Norton

For Media Inquiries Only
communications@nola.gov
(504) 658-4962

City of New Orleans Launches Lincoln Beach Site Assessment

NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell has authorized the launch of a study to explore the feasibility of re-opening Lincoln Beach to recreation, an effort that has the potential to revitalize New Orleans East. The study, which will be completed in 2021, will assess the current conditions of the beach to determine the kind of mitigation activities that would be necessary to clean and return it to public use.


"We are excited to look at the potential to bring this cultural gem back to life in a neighborhood that deserves more recreation options. We look forward to learning more about what we can do for all of our residents," said Mayor Cantrell.


"Bringing back Lincoln Beach has been a top priority since I've been in office, and we're excited to see these initial steps being taken to bring the property back to public place of enjoyment it once was," said Cyndi Nguyen, City Councilmember, District E.


Lincoln Beach served African Americans during segregation when other facilities were restricted. Over the years, multiple parties have attempted to re-develop the site but those plans never came to fruition and as a result, its structures have continued to gradually deteriorate over time.

The feasibility study’s scope includes:

  • Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and Habitat Assessment — a habitat assessment of the beach area to determine plant species that are present on site, and characterize habitat types and percent cover. Specifically, identify potentially poisonous flora, such as poisonous oak or ivy, which could pose a risk to staff or volunteers performing clean-up activities. Identify invasive species and percent cover, provide an estimate to facilitate removal of such invasive species.
  • Facility Asset Assessment — update the site inventory and assess the conditions of the parking lot structures, shelters, tunnels, swimming pool, concrete pads and other historic structures.
  • Facility Access Assessment — evaluate current pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular, and public transit access possibilities and limitations. Potential future access points that meet the Americans with Disabilities Act will be identified as well as opportunities and challenges for implementing future access points for pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular and public transit will be evaluated.
  • Utility Assessment — conduct a utility assessment including existing drainage, sewerage, potable water, gas and electrical systems.
  • Topographic, Bathymetric, and Magnetometer Survey — survey of the shoreline demonstrating average water depths and the location of underwater debris that may present a challenge to converting the space to recreational use.
  • Comprehensive Site Assessment — include conceptual level engineering evaluation and drawings indicating potential areas of future development of the site, suitability of the existing beach for recreational use, suitability of the existing waterfront structures and nearshore areas for recreational boating access, potential areas of ingress/egress, list of potential permits required for development of the site, and areas unsuitable for development due to the presence of wetlands or other environmental concerns.

At this time, only assessment funds are available. The results of the study will determine estimated costs for clean-up activities. Residents interested in tracking this project may visit nola.gov/lincolnbeach to sign up for quarterly newsletter updates.

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