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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 120
BY SENATOR CROWE
EMPLOYMENT. Establishes the Transformation Village Task Force to study the feasibility
of repurposing and/or reopening opening the closed amusement park in New Orleans and
the development of employment opportunities for Louisiana citizens.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To establish the Transformation Village Task Force to study and make recommendations2
with respect to the feasibility of repurposing and/or reopening the closed amusement3
park in New Orleans and the development of employment opportunities for4
Louisiana citizens.5
WHEREAS, New Orleans East is the home of an abandoned amusement park which6
was previously operated as "Jazzland" between the years 2000 and 2003 and "Six Flags New7
Orleans" between the years 2003 and 2005 but which closed in August 2005 when the park8
was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina; and9
WHEREAS, the mayor of the city of New Orleans has worked tirelessly and10
vigorously to return the damaged property back to commerce; and11
WHEREAS, both the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana have invested12
funds for the building of the original Jazzland which opened in 2000; and13
WHEREAS, the legislature desires to offer assistance to the mayor and to the New14
Orleans City Council in this worthwhile effort to reopen and/or repurpose the abandoned15
amusement park; and16
WHEREAS, both the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana have invested17
funds for the building of the original Jazzland which opened in 2000; and18 SCR NO. 120
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WHEREAS, it is believed that hundreds of new employment opportunities for1
Louisiana citizens, particularly those living in the greater New Orleans area, would be2
available if the amusement park was reopened; and3
WHEREAS, the New Orleans area and the state of Louisiana are in need of4
employment opportunities in the private sector; and5
WHEREAS, an amusement park would bring substantial tourism dollars to New6
Orleans East and to the greater New Orleans region including the north and south shores of7
Lake Pontchartrain; and8
WHEREAS, many amusement parks around the country have been the destinations9
of choice for church and school youth groups and other visitors who bring tourism dollars10
to the area as well as many missions-minded persons; and11
WHEREAS, working together as a team, it is believed that a task force could12
facilitate the gathering of information regarding federal, state, local and private funding13
sources as well as economic development grants and available employment tax credits; and14
WHEREAS, it is believed that a job training program offered by private companies15
and faith-based organizations could provide valuable work force training and employer tax16
incentives to facilitate greater economic investment into the area. 17
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby creates18
the Transformation Village Task Force to study and make recommendations with respect to19
the feasibility of re-purposing and/or reopening the closed amusement park in New Orleans20
and the development of employment opportunities for Louisiana citizens.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the22
following members:23
(1) The chair of the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Affairs, who shall24
serve as the cochair of the task force.25
(2) The chair of the House Committee on Labor and Industrial Affairs, who shall26
serve as the cochair of the task force.27
(3) Four members appointed by the mayor of the city of New Orleans.28
(4) The executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, or his designee.29
(5) The secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, or his30 SCR NO. 120
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designee.1
(6) The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, or his designee.2
(7) The member of the Senate representing Senate District 1.3
(8) The member of the Senate representing Senate District 3.4
(9) The member of the House of Representatives representing House District 99.5
(10) The member of the House of Representatives representing House District 100.6
(11) The member of the House of Representatives representing House District 103.7
(12) The member of the city council of the city of New Orleans representing Council8
District E.9
(13) One member appointed by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.10
(14) One member appointed by Greater New Orleans, Inc.11
(15) Two members appointed by the governor.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve13
without compensation, except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be14
individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall16
constitute a quorum of the task force and any official action by the task force shall require17
the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet as necessary and shall19
report its findings to the legislature, with any recommendations for legislation, not later than20
March 1, 2014.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the staff of the Senate Committee on Labor and22
Industrial Affairs shall assist the task force as is necessary.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the24
governor, the mayor of the city of New Orleans, the executive director of the Louisiana25
Workforce Commission, the secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and26
Tourism, the secretary of the Department of Economic Development, the council member27
of the city council of the city of New Orleans representing council district E, and the New28
Orleans Chamber of Commerce, Greater New Orleans, Inc.29 SCR NO. 120
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Carla S. Roberts.
DIGEST
Crowe SCR No. 120
Creates the Transformation Village Task to study and make recommendations with respect
to the feasibility of repurposing and reopening the closed amusement park in New Orleans
and the development of employment opportunities for Louisiana citizens.
Provides that the task force shall be composed of:
(1) The chair of the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Affairs, who shall serve
as the cochair of the task force.
(2) The chair of the House Committee on Labor and Industrial Affairs, who shall serve
as the cochair of the task force.
(3)Four members appointed by the mayor of the City of New Orleans.
(4) The executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, or his designee.
(5)The secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, or his designee.
(6)The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, or his designee.
(7)The member of the Senate representing Senate District 1.
(8)The member of the Senate representing Senate District 3.
(9)The member of the House of Representatives representing House District 99.
(10)The member of the House of Representatives representing House District 100.
(11)The member of the House of Representatives representing House District 103.
(12)The member of the New Orleans City Council representing Council District E.
(13)One member appointed by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.
(14)One member appointed by Greater New Orleans, Inc.
(15) Two members appointed by the governor.
Specifies that the members of the task force serve without compensation, except for such
reimbursement or per diem they are individually entitled to as members of the constituent
group they represent.
Requires that the task force report its findings to the legislature, with any recommendations
for legislation, not later than March 1, 2014.