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Overview
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
Lincoln Beach is located in New Orleans East in the Little Woods Neighborhood, spanning both sides of Lincoln Beach (Hayne) Boulevard, the levee, flood wall, and railroad, with one half on the parking lot side and the other on Lake Pontchartrain. The site’s strategic location gives it the potential to become a vibrant regional destination, drawing visitors not only from New Orleans but also from nearby parishes and states.
Developed as a Black beach in 1954, it was an active community destination for over a decade before it was shut down in the post-Jim Crow Era when the passage of the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s spurred racial integration.
Lincoln Beach holds a significant place in New Orleans’ history, emerging during segregation as the only safe access point to Lake Pontchartrain for Black residents. Established in 1938, it provided a haven for the Black community, offering an alternative to racially exclusive beaches. With its vibrant atmosphere, Lincoln Beach became a beloved family destination, fostering community and pride.
The lake shore became synonymous with leisure and entertainment. Lincoln Beach hosted beauty pageants, dance nights, and diving competitions in addition to big musical acts like Fats Domino, The Drifters, and Nat King Cole.
Period of significance 1940-1965
Lincoln Beach is classified under the National Register of Historic Places Criterion A for Ethnic/Black Heritage as a site which is associated with events that played a significant role within the broad patterns of history, especially regarding the areas of Social History and Recreation. Lincoln Beach was named to the National Register of Historic Places due to the value the community places on the preservation of this unique historic site within the City of New Orleans. The site encompasses both tangible and intangible forms of heritage, with examples of physical remaining elements that are well-positioned for historic interpretation as well as the many personal accounts of those who associate the site with its historic role and use. After closing in the 1960s, its facilities deteriorated, creating unsafe conditions.
Even though visiting the current site is prohibited due to public safety issues, it has been utilized as a place for community members to gather at one of the only accessible beaches along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. As a place that provides respite from the heat and humidity of New Orleans and a popular swimming and fishing destination, interest in reinvesting in the beach for community use started during 2020 with a grassroots effort led by the community group New Orleans for Lincoln Beach established by Michael “Sage” Pellet, Tricia “Blyss” Wallace, Reggie Ford, and other dedicated members.
PROJECT PURPOSE
The intent of this project is the creation of a community led and community supported master plan to reopen Lincoln Beach as a safe and accessible waterfront open space for year-round use that connects the community back to Lake Pontchartrain. This will be achieved through a phaseable and implementable plan which will be supported by the development of design and governance recommendations to create a sustainable public space for all of New Orleans.
Frequently Asked Questions
FUNDING
Funding for this project comes from a variety of sources. The current estimated assumption is that roughly $40M will be spent at Lincoln Beach with several items in the master plan being longer term goals but not currently within any budget. It is anticipated that future phases will utilize a combination of federal, state, and local public funding as well as potential private philanthropic giving and earned revenue from the operations of certain on-site program elements.
Current funding sources for the project:
City Bond Funding: $12,065,098.39
EPA Grant - Parking Lot Funding: $41,230.00
EPA Grant - Beach Nourishment: $1,500,000
Restore Act Grant Funding: $7,973,130.59*
State Capital Outlay Funds: $477,500.00
Congressional Appropriations: $4,116,279.00
Total Funds Available: $26,173,237.98
*Note: the City has access to $4.2M of these funds currently but does not have access to future year deposits per the BP consent decree settlement and will apply future funds to this project as they become available.
NEAR-TERM SCHEDULE
April 14, 2025: Small & Emerging Business Boot Camp
May 2, 2025: Release of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) RFQ
May 6, 2025: Completion and publication of the Draft Master Plan & Public Meeting
May 13, 2025: RFQ Pre-submittal site visit at Lincoln Beach
June 2025: Selection of CMAR Contractor
May-June 2025: Preparation and Completion of 30% Design Drawings
June-July 2025: Initiation of Federal, State, and Local Permits
July-November 2025: Preparation of Construction Documents for Phase 1
October-November 2025 Estimated Construction Commencement/ Groundbreaking
Q1 2027: Estimated Completion of Phase 1 Construction/Beach Opening. This is a very conservative estimate and will depend on the selected contractor.
PHASING OF REDEVELOPMENT
After extensive community conversations and consultation with the design team and other cities from around the State with other complex waterfront projects, the City will be proceeding with issuing a Request for Qualifications for a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR). A CMAR contractor is responsible for taking the design and engineering drawings created by the design teams and building the project with the direction of the City.
Phase 1: Anticipated Costs Total $22.4M
The goal of this phase is to establish critical infrastructure and accessibility as well as build facilities that will allow for more comfortable, safe, and convenient use of the beach.
Phase 1 Program Elements Include:
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Beach Extension & Earthwork
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Major Site Utilities
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Pedestrian Bridge and access across Hayne Blvd / Lincoln Beach Blvd
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Beach Building
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Restaurant, Restroom & Locker Room, Concession
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Landscape Improvements
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Beach Terrace + Exterior Fence
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Historic Relic & Midway Rehabilitation
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Breakwater Rehabilitation
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A Small Parking Lot
Phase 2: Anticipated Cost $11.2M
The goal of this phase is to add exciting programmatic features and increased water accessibility that will expand the range of the beach for a larger group of people.
Program Elements Include:
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Entry + Beach Buildings
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Kayak Building, Fishing Pavilion, Playground Restroom
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Welcome Center
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Flexible Community Building
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Earthwork & Utility Improvements
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Landscape Improvements
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Amphitheater Lawn
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Central Plaza
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Boardwalk
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Playground
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New Breakwaters
Phase 3: Anticipated Cost $3.8M
The goal of this phase is to expand the parking facility and finish the programmatic expansion of the site for even more people to use.
Program Elements Include:
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Expanded Picnic/Wedding Lawn Space
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Woodland Pathways
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Parking Lot Extension
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Native Landscape Restoration