New Orleans to sue Six Flags over abandonment

Talks between Six Flags Inc. and the city of New Orleans regarding the reopening of Six Flags New Orleans have collapsed and the city's mayor has insinuated that the local government plans to pursue legal action.

Six Flags New Orleans was opened in 2003 after the company rescued Jazzland Theme Park from shuddering its doors in the face of looming bankruptcy. Six Flags Inc. signed a long-term lease with the city of New Orleans to operate the newly themed park.

Following the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the park was closed and has yet to show signs of opening.

City Attorney Penya Moses-Fields states that it is "totally unacceptable" that the company lacks any stated plans to reopen the park to the public and to instead only make lease payments to the city. The city, while still receiving funds in the way of lease payments from Six Flags Inc., is losing money on tourism and sales taxes every day that the park doors remain closed.

While the city has not made clear exactly how much money the city plans to ask for in the lawsuit or when the suit may be filed, Moses-Fields did state that the city is assuming a "very aggressive stance against Six Flags."

Lifthill will report further on this ongoing story as more information is made available.