The recipient entity's physical address:
           6500 Magazine St
New Orleans, LA 70118

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           6500 Magazine St
New Orleans, LA 70118

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Agent: Michael DeShazo
Officer: Michael J. Sawaya

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  7624

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $23,800,000

What type of request is this?  Capital Outlay Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Dennis Lauscha, Chairman, 5800 Airline Dr, Metairie, LA 70003
Leslie P. Gottsegen, 1st Vice Chair, 2633 Napoleon Ave Ste 610, New Orleans, LA 70115-7418
Walt Leger, 2nd Vice Chair, 2020 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
Caryn Rodgers-Battiste, Secretary, 2504 Prentiss Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70122
Brent Wood, Treasurer, 201 Lake Ave., Metairie, LA 70005
Megan Eustis, Parliamentarian, 5930 Laurel Street, New Orleans, LA 70115
Willard Dumas, Immediate Past Chair, 5427 Bancroft Dr., New Orleans, LA 70122

Chris Bardell, PO Box 2486, LaPlace, LA 70069-2486
Linda Baum, 1 Cromwell Pl., New Orleans, LA 70118
CJ Blache, 1329 Josephine St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Beau Box, 5500 Bankers Ave., Baton Rouge, La 70808
Rick Buchsbaum, 1539 Fourth Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Caroline Calhoun, 452 Audubon Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
Edgar Chase IV, 4748 St. Roch Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122
Hattie Collins, 3 Everett Pl., New Orleans, LA 70115
Daniel Conwill IV, 70 Audubon Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70118
Tim Cutt, 3070 Walden Place, Mandeville, LA 70448
Krystle Duplessis, 1527 S. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70113
James Ewers, 11120 South Idlewood Court, New Orleans, Louisiana 70128
James Favrot, 3925 N. I-10 Service Rd. W. Ste. 105, Metairie, LA 70002
Frances Fayard, 5809 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115
Ileana Feoli, 1523 Soniat St., New Orleans, LA 70115
Walton Goldring, 1545 Octavia St., New Orleans, LA 70115
Deirdre Hooper, 3525 Prytania St, Suite 501, New Orleans, LA 70115
Kay Kerrigan, 5815 Hurst St., New Orleans, LA 70115
Beth Lambert, 1449 4th St., New Orleans, LA 70118
William Langenstein, 5527 Danneel Steet, New Orleans, LA 70115
Mary Scott McKinnon, 1 Versailles Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70115
Vincent Palumbo, 16 Swan St., New Orleans, LA 70124
John Payne, 1444 Henry Clay Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118
Sandy Villere III, 1662 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

The criteria for Audubon Nature Institute Board members includes: evidence of civic or business leadership; experience on other area non-profit boards; past support or capacity to support Audubon at a significant level; ability to connect Audubon to new funding opportunities; commitment to improving the quality of life for the entire community.

CEO: Michael J. Sawaya, 7258 Ring Street, New Orleans, LA 70124

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Audubon Nature Institute requests an appropriation of $23,800,000 in Priority 5 for Audubon Facility Renovations and Improvements: Riverfront for All, Planning and Construction. The project transforms the last two vacant downtown New Orleans wharves into park and recreational facilities, creating 2.3 miles of continuous waterfront greenspace along the Mississippi River. Act 4 included $23,800,000 for this project in Priority 5, and State Bond Commission has not yet approved a non-cash line of credit. The project has been assigned FP&C Project #50-N03-26-01. Our specific request is:

• Add $23,800,000 in new funds to Priority 5 Audubon Facility Renovations and Improvements: Riverfront for All in Downtown New Orleans. The project supports the goals of Governor Jeff Landry’s New Orleans Transition Council for regional economic development, specifically a riverfront master plan complimenting both existing and new development.

Matching funds of $7,845,000 from private donors are in hand to match the $23,800,000 state funding. The match is 25% of the total project cost and 33% of our state request. Board resolutions certifying the match will be passed as the construction contract is approved.

Audubon manages the nation’s largest collection of nature-themed attractions that are among the state’s top paid attendance destinations. Riverfront for All will improve facility infrastructure and exhibits while making additions and enhancements that invest in a dynamic existing business in a growing sector—a plan consistent with economic development best practices.
Having new attractions and experiences is essential to Louisiana’s ability to successfully compete against other destinations for major national events such as the Super Bowl, Final Four, and National Football Championship. The $23.8 million capital investment by the State of Louisiana in 2027-28 is a significant step in helping Audubon keep pace

Riverfront for All is a two-phased project that re-envisions New Orleans’ downtown riverfront as public green space and guest amenities that will extend from the foot of Canal Street to Poland Avenue. Phase I, encompassing Governor Nicholls Wharf and a waterfront promenade connecting the Moon Walk to Crescent Park, opened April 7, 2026. Phase I development and construction costs total $30 million, funded by the City of New Orleans, the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans and Company, and Audubon Nature Institute fundraising. Phase I includes lawns for informal recreation and outdoor performances, shaded picnic areas, a marsh-themed playground, and a cultural pavilion that reuses parts of the original wharf building.

Our request will support Phase II of the project, the Esplanade Wharf. This final link in the riverfront greenspace is in the schematic design phase, with Eskew Dumez Ripple as the architect. Private matching funds of $7.85 M are in hand for planning and development. City of New Orleans approval is targeted for February 2027, as well as selection of a CMAR for pre-construction. The 18-month construction project will break ground in October 2027 with anticipated opening Spring of 2029. Plans call for additional recreational spaces that reintroduce public use to the wharf. The project will preserve New Orleans’ and Louisiana’s viability as an international destination for tourism and major events.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $3,144,750
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $35,000,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $4,730,250

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Audubon manages the nation’s largest collection of nature-themed attractions that are among the state’s top paid attendance destinations. Audubon Riverfront for All will improve facility infrastructure while making additions and enhancements that invest in a dynamic existing business in a growing sector—a plan consistent with economic development best practices.

Under a management agreement, Audubon Nature Institute, a 501 (c) 3 not for profit, is responsible for day-to-day operations and development of 9 facilities owned by the City of New Orleans through the Audubon Commission. The Commission is a quasi-public agency created by LA State Act #191 to oversee Audubon Park Operations.

The Commission has no staff; all operations and construction are performed by the Institute. This successful public/private partnership enables Audubon facilities to thrive and bring positive attention to Louisiana.

Audubon Nature Institute evaluates its actions through the lenses of purpose and mission. Our purpose states “Each of us has the power to impact the natural world—for better or for worse, and we exist for the better.” Our mission is: Audubon Nature Institute celebrates the wonders of nature by creating a family of museums and parks dedicated to the natural environment. We do this through an engaging family of facilities and public spaces, events and experiences, and sustainability initiatives and conservation programs.
Through public facilities - Audubon Zoo and Audubon Park, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Insectarium, Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center and Audubon Wilderness Park - Audubon gives Louisiana families and visitors new and ever-expanding opportunities to enjoy and contemplate the marvels of life. And through its conservation campus, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon works to ensure the same opportunities for future generations through programs such as Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries and the Audubon Aquarium Rescue program.
Having new attractions and experiences is essential to Louisiana’s ability to successfully compete against other destinations for major national events such as the Super Bowl, Final Four, and National Football Championship. The $23.8 million capital investment by the State of Louisiana in 2027-28 is a significant step in helping Audubon help Louisiana keep pace with other competitive locations.

Riverfront for All, is a once-in-a-generation project to transform the last two vacant wharves on the downtown New Orleans riverfront into public park and recreation facilities, creating 2.3 miles of connected waterfront. Since it opened in April, the $30 Million first phase on Governor Nicholls Wharf instantly reconnected people to the river and has been very popular with residents and visitors. This request supports the second phase, the Esplanade Wharf. Matching funds of $7.85 Million are in hand for planning and development. Act 4 included $23,800,000 in Priority 5 for this project, which has not yet received a line of credit.

The State’s investment will help restore visitation to Audubon’s facilities to the 2 million annual visitors seen prior to COVID restrictions. Currently, Audubon’s operational spending, along with its visitors’ spending, generates an annual economic impact of $499 million, yielding $30.5 million for state and local tax collections (HR&A, Audubon Nature Institute: Economic Impacts, Preliminary Results, October 2026). In addition, one-time total economic impact from Audubon’s construction activities is $140 million in expenditures, $51 million in wages and salaries, and 944 person-years of employment.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Audubon Nature Institute’s $23.8 Million appropriation request for state capital outlay funds, Audubon Riverfront for All, is part of a $115 million five-year Capital Program to improve Audubon’s attractions, parks, and research facility. State funding, coupled with other public and private dollars raised by Audubon over the next several years, will ensure Louisiana’s leader for exceptional family fun can continue to provide world-class, educational experiences for Louisiana residents and visitors. Private donations, city capital outlay funds, federal community project funds and proceeds from limited tax bonds will support the $72.2 million for projects not included in this capital outlay request.

The project will:
• Help revitalize Louisiana’s tourism industry and restore Audubon’s annual visitation to over 2 million paid visits to the Zoo, Aquarium, and Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.
• Preserve Audubon’s ability to sustain an annual economic impact of $499 Million.
• Ensure Audubon and its visitors continue to generate $16M in State taxes each year.
• Sustain 2,900 Louisiana jobs created and supported by Audubon activities.
• Strategically position Louisiana and New Orleans as international destinations for tourism and major events.

The requested state funding is an initial stimulus for economic growth and development with a proven leader in the region. Investments in the project will provide returns for the state, the city, and our citizens far beyond the year 2027.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           The project associated with this 2027-28 request is expected to be completed by 2029. The entire Audubon Capital Plan will be active through 2030, with the majority of funding in place by 2027 and all construction completed by 2030.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                 

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
              

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
               

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               


Contact Information
name:  Laurie Conkerton 
                                       address:  6500 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70118
                                       phone:  504-212-5221
                                       fax:  504-865-7332
                                       e-mail:  lconkerton@auduboninstitute.org
                                       relationship to entity:  EVP & CAO