City Of New Orleans

CITY REOPENS PARTS OF ARMSTRONG PARK

Restoration Expected to Be Complete This Year
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced that certain areas in Louis Armstrong Park will reopen on Monday, May 9th. The park will be open from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.

The Riverside gate to Louis Armstrong Park – at North Rampart and Dumaine – is open. A descriptive map of the open areas is attached.

“Armstrong Park is an important cultural and historic treasure in our City,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “As I said at last week’s State of the City address, we are going to open Armstrong Park this year and Monday’s opening is the first step toward fulfilling that goal.”

The City recently entered into an agreement which will allow new subcontractors Cajun Contractors and/or Bomanite of New Orleans to continue the construction work at the park as well as a construction manager, Anthony Bultman, to supervise it all. Hamilton-Anderson, the architect for the project will also oversee the construction.

“We will work closely with the contractor and keep a close eye on the work to ensure that it is completed to the specifications as outlined and that it is done correctly,” said Cedric Grant, Deputy Mayor of Facilities, Infrastructure and Community Development.

Councilmember Kristin Palmer who represents District C, which includes Armstrong Park, stated: “I applaud Mayor Landrieu and the administration in their effort to ensure that Armstrong Park is opened to the public during the period of construction, and restored to its full use by year’s end.”

“We are very excited to have parts of the park open again, but furthermore are very happy that the Mayor has chosen to do it properly,” said City Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson.

Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow said: “The reopening of parts of Armstrong Park signifies the continued restoration being undertaken throughout the city. The park’s significance was never forgotten and will now forever be a part of New Orleans’ future, not just our history. I look forward to the day when I can bring my family back there to create memories of a lifetime.”

Remaining Construction Work:
There are two phases of construction work left to fully complete the Armstrong Park project. Both phases are scheduled to be complete before the end of the year.
Phase II includes repairs to perimeter fencing, gates, and the parking lot pavement.

Phase III includes the completion of the concrete pavement and walk ways, curb installation and electrical work. In addition, the Congo Square fountain restoration, new pedestrian entrance (lighting included) on the Treme side, and landscaping will be finished. Damages to the Louis Armstrong statue will be repaired and the statue will be re-installed onto the concrete pedestal. The Old French Opera House and Brass Band sculptures will also be installed.

“After spending months dealing with unfortunate obstacles associated with this project, we appreciate the patience of our citizens and tourists to witness a truly refurbished park that the City of New Orleans can be proud of,” Mayor Landrieu said.
Louis Armstrong Park sits on 30 acres in the Treme neighborhood which also includes the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, Congo Square, the National Jazz Historical Park, and the Morris F.X. Jeff, Sr. Municipal Auditorium.