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Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 120
BY SENATOR CROWE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To establish the Transformation Village Task Force to study and make recommendations
with respect to the feasibility of repurposing and/or reopening the closed amusement
park in New Orleans and the development of employment opportunities for
Louisiana citizens.
WHEREAS, New Orleans East is the home of an abandoned amusement park which
was previously operated as "Jazzland" between the years 2000 and 2003 and "Six Flags New
Orleans" between the years 2003 and 2005 but which closed in August 2005 when the park
was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, the mayor of the city of New Orleans has worked tirelessly and
vigorously to return the damaged property back to commerce; and
WHEREAS, both the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana have invested
funds for the building of the original Jazzland which opened in 2000; and
WHEREAS, the legislature desires to offer assistance to the mayor and to the New
Orleans City Council in this worthwhile effort to reopen and/or repurpose the abandoned
amusement park; and
WHEREAS, it is believed that hundreds of new employment opportunities for
Louisiana citizens, particularly those living in the greater New Orleans area, would be
available if the amusement park was reopened; and
WHEREAS, the New Orleans area and the state of Louisiana are in need of
employment opportunities in the private sector; and
WHEREAS, an amusement park would bring substantial tourism dollars to New
Orleans East and to the greater New Orleans region including the north and south shores of
Lake Pontchartrain; and
WHEREAS, many amusement parks around the country have been the destinations
of choice for church and school youth groups and other visitors who bring tourism dollars
to the area as well as many missions-minded persons; and SCR NO. 120 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, working together as a team, it is believed that a task force could
facilitate the gathering of information regarding federal, state, local and private funding
sources as well as economic development grants and available employment tax credits; and
WHEREAS, it is believed that a job training program offered by private companies
and faith-based organizations could provide valuable work force training and employer tax
incentives to facilitate greater economic investment into the area.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby creates
the Transformation Village Task Force to study and make recommendations with respect to
the feasibility of repurposing and/or reopening the closed amusement park in New Orleans
and the development of employment opportunities for Louisiana citizens.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
following members:
(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 city council of the city of New Orleans representing Council
District E.
(13) One member appointed by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.
(14) One member appointed by Greater New Orleans, Inc. SCR NO. 120 ENROLLED
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(15) Two members appointed by the governor.
(16) One member appointed by the president of the Senate.
(17) One member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
constitute a quorum of the task force and any official action by the task force shall require
the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet as necessary and shall
report its findings to the legislature, with any recommendations for legislation, not later than
March 1, 2014.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the staff of the Senate Committee on Labor and
Industrial Affairs shall assist the task force as is necessary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
governor, the mayor of the city of New Orleans, the executive director of the Louisiana
Workforce Commission, the secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and
Tourism, the secretary of the Department of Economic Development, the council member
of the city council of the city of New Orleans representing Council District E, the New
Orleans Chamber of Commerce, and Greater New Orleans, Inc.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES