On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, closing many businesses including the Six Flags New Orleans amusement park, which ended up under 12 feet of floodwater for weeks.

The park never reopened.

In the 20 years since Katrina, the 200-acre site has become a ruin of twisted steel and overgrowth, as redevelopment efforts came and went.

A 75-year lease and $32.5 million loss

The park, which originally opened in 2000 as "Jazzland," went bankrupt in 2002 and ceased operations. Six Flags bought the $135 million park for $22 million out of bankruptcy that same year, signing an ambitious 75-year lease with the city. The company then invested $20 million in upgrades to the amusement park and rides.

After Katrina's high winds and flooding significantly damaged the part to the

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