A revitalization of the historic Governor Nicholls and Esplanade wharves, adjacent to the French Quarter, is currently underway through the efforts of the Audubon Nature Institute.
The “Riverfront For All” Project will connect nearly 2.3 miles of continuous waterfront access to one of the largest continuous riverfront parks in the nation, extending from Crescent Park in the Bywater to Spanish Plaza at the base of Canal Street. This revitalized public attraction will create what former Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman affectionately refers to as a “front porch” for the city, a longstanding mission of the organization now near realization.
The project is now under the direction of Michael J. Sawaya, who officially stepped into the role of CEO — which Forman held for 50 years — at the beginning of the year. Sawaya is no stranger to the importance of a thriving tourism industry in New Orleans; in his former position as president/CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (ENMCC) he oversaw operations at the sixth-largest convention center in the country.
With the “Riverfront For All” Project, Sawaya knows the value of that distinct flavor New Orleans offers and hopes the new riverside development can bring visitors and locals together for leisure, culture and fun.
“Most communities only develop new attractions every 10 or 20 years or so,” said Sawaya. “We are working to make New Orleans unique in that regard through reinventing and reinvesting in the city to become a competitive, and authentic, world-class destination.”
The “Riverfront For All” project will connect people as well as neighborhoods, creating covered areas for concerts and community events, and green spaces for recreation and leisure, all landscaped to fit right alongside the historic sights and sounds of the city.
“Audubon has had a strong relationship with the Port of New Orleans since 1990 and has been eager to help redevelop the space, to build a “front porch” for the city right on the Mississippi River,” explained Forman. “Basing our designs and inspirations on the Chicago Millennium Park and The High Line Park of New York City, we have plans to create a special place everyone, whether local or visiting, wants to experience for themselves.”
As detailed in Audubon Nature Institute’s plans, the project will feature a grand promenade that will connect Crescent Park and the historic Moon Walk. The proposed expansion will welcome visitors through The Wharves Plaza and Cultural Shed, a hub for social activities and community engagement. Further along, the Upriver Lawn and Play Grove will feature ornate walking paths, open seating, small pavilions and playscapes designed to accommodate holiday celebrations and festivals.
“For a long time, folks couldn’t see the river at all in the 1970s or 1980s because of the wharves,” noted Melissa Lee, vice president of communications at Audubon Nature Institute. “In the 1980s, the World’s Fair was part of an effort to connect people with the river, and those efforts continue today.”
Partnering with Broadmoor Construction, Audubon Nature Institute has begun work to waterproof the deck and wooden structure of the wharf itself while clearing away accumulated river debris as the permitting and approval processes are being finalized.
Demolition of the structures on the wharf is awaiting approval by the city’s Corps of Engineers. When approved — hopefully within the next month or two — work is primed to begin immediately, with the hope for a completion date in the third quarter of 2026.
“Our top priority is to keep our iconic city vital and to grow tourism,” said Forman, “Developing the riverfront gives us that opportunity to provide for locals and tourists to experience the genuine New Orleans together on the river.”
Jeremy Marshall was born and raised in Baton Rouge before moving to New Orleans with his wife, Kristin, in 2018. Beginning his career in the film/TV industry, Marshall worked steadily on over a dozen projects before transitioning to Renaissance Publishing as sponsored content coordinator. He may be reached via email at jeremy@myneworleans.com.
