Kenner Mayor Annual State of the City
Kenner’s Community Newspaper Since 1991 DECEMBER 2021
Kenner Mayor Zahn reports on annual “State of the City”
Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn spoke to the Kenner
Business Association on November 16, 2021, at the
group’s annual “State of the City” luncheon.
During a year that included another surge
in COVID-19 and the strongest hurricane ever to
hit Kenner and southeastern Louisiana, the mayor
emphasized major economic development achievements for the city. Following are highlights from
the mayor’s speech.
More than 2,200 businesses renewed occupational licenses and 149 new businesses chose Kenner during the past year.
Atlantis Gaming Corporation unveiled a $450
million development proposal on the lakefront that
could be a game-changer for tourism and economic
development in Kenner and throughout the region.
The Treasure Chest will soon be announcing plans
to enlarge their footprint and become a land-based
casino, which will provide a huge boost for the Kenner Police Department as well as City Council districts, capital projects and debt reduction.
Also, during the year, a nationally renowned
consultant from Atlanta conducted detailed demographic studies and research into both Rivertown
and The Esplanade mall and proposed redevelopment and revitalization for those very important
areas of the city.
Additional significant achievements during
the first few months of the year included the overwhelming approval of three essential millages for
fire, garbage and sewer service. The “State of the
City” address also focused on the important contributions of Ochsner Medical Center-Kenner, the largest employer in the city and the Kenner Fire
and Police departments, as well as updates on
important projects such as the Duncan Canal construction, dredging of the Williams Boulevard Boat
Launch and the innovative services offered by the
city’s Recreation Department.
The second half of the “State of the City” address included a powerful video that highlighted
the destructive force of Category 4 Hurricane Ida,
which downed trees and power lines, ripped off
roofs and blew away fences. The three buildings
at the City Hall complex were destroyed and the
storm’s fury heavily damaged virtually all gyms in
the city. Power was out throughout Kenner, water
service was cut off due to trees that damaged water lines and Internet and cell phone service was
either out or unreliable.
Despite a nearly knockout blow from Ida, the
video showed how essential services were never
interrupted. Mayor Zahn reported that he, his administration and the entire Kenner team overcame
a litany of challenges to clear roads after the storm
and provide residents with emergency supplies
and essential services so vital in the aftermath of
a disaster.
In closing, the mayor pointed out that none of
the achievements of the past year would have been
possible without the teamwork between the City
Administration, City Council, Fire Department, Police Department and partners in the parish and the
state Legislature. And the mayor reserved special
praise for the perseverance and hard work of Kenner residents and the business community, who
focused on recovery as soon as the winds from Ida
had subsided.
After the highlights, Mayor Zahn concluded
with “That is why we are ‘Kenner Proud.’”
