Kenner approves cooperative agreement with American Cruise Lines for Rivertown docking facility; council keeps public observation deck access

The Kenner City Council voted Sept. 4 to approve a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) with American Cruise Lines to construct and operate a docking facility in Rivertown.

Mayor and council discussion said the cruise line will fund construction of a modern floating dock and gangway at no direct capital cost to the city, and the agreement sets a 20‑year term with two 10‑year renewal options. "They're gonna spend right around $3,000,000 on building this gangway and modern floating dock for a river vessel at no cost to us," the mayor said. The council approved the CEA on a motion by Council Member Dunn, seconded by Council Member Brennan; the motion passed 7‑0.

The agreement includes a ground lease payment to the city (cited in discussion as $12,000 annually) and a city contribution to remove a remaining dilapidated pier structure in the river; the council and mayor described the demolition cost as shared because removing river debris requires specialized permitting and expertise. The mayor said earlier removal work on land cost roughly $7,280 and that full removal of the remaining river structure could cost considerably more; the city will pay half of the remaining removal cost under the CEA.

Council members asked whether the city observation deck at LaSalle’s Landing would be available to the public after the project. The mayor said the observation deck and the cruise line’s gangway/floating dock are separate: "They have no control of our observation deck," he said. Officials also said a separate Trailhead Expansion Grant will fund a roughly $900,000 trailhead project that includes a repaired observation deck, bus stop improvements and other Rivertown amenities.

Council members pressed for local protections and exit rights in the agreement. The mayor said the final deal allows the city to terminate the agreement for breaches and that the 20‑year term represented a compromise after the company requested a longer term. "We were able to come to an agreement that it's 20 years with 2 10‑year extensions," the mayor said.

Residents at the meeting raised questions about traffic, levee safety and neighborhood impacts. Council members and the mayor said early cruise stops will likely be infrequent — once a week to begin — and are expected to bring a modest number of visitors per stop. Officials said the cruise line’s typical customers are older tourists who often disembark for short local visits and that Rivertown cultural assets could be promoted during scheduled stops.

The council also approved a separate cooperative endeavor agreement with Jefferson Parish to grant a servitude for construction of a new Woodlake pump station (item 15k); that measure passed 7‑0.

The council did not vote on all implementation details at the meeting; staff said more design, permitting and coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will follow. The CEA with American Cruise Lines passed 7‑0 (motion by Dunn, seconded by Brennan).