The Water Campus

[greg225]

Hopefully they could build  the new  Municipal Dock south of the Water Campus which now sit on the old Municipal Dock .

Edited September 2, 2015 by greg225

[dan326]

Hopefully they could build  the new  Municipal Dock south of the Water Campus which now sit on the old Municipal Dock .

?

[greg225]

?

The Water Institute of the Gulf’s headquarters will sit on the old municipal dock before they had a plan to build a new municipal dock on the same site. I was saying they could build the new one south of the old location. http://www.trahanarchitects.com/158624/1645530/featured-work/baton-rouge-municipal-dock

Edited September 3, 2015 by greg225

[dan326]

Oh ok.

[greg225]

Permits filed for several major hospital projects in Baton Rouge and Water Institute headquarters at City Dock            

New details on several major, previously announced projects in Baton Rouge were revealed today in permit filings with the city-parish Planning Commission.

Permits were filed by today’s deadline to get on the commission’s Oct. 19 meeting agenda for Our Lady of The Lake’s Children’s Hospital, the Center for Breast and GYN Cancer set for the Woman’s Hospital campus in partnership with Mary Bird Perkins-OLOL Cancer Center, and the $22 million, 33,000-square-foot building to be constructed on the City Dock for The Water Institute of the Gulf’s headquarters.

When OLOL announced the Children’s Hospital project in late July, details on square footage were not yet available. Today’s application says the hospital complex—which will be built on a 60-acre tract of hospital-owned property that runs parallel to Interstate 10 between Essen Lane and Bluebonnet Boulevard—would include three buildings totalling 454,200 square feet. Of that, 345,600 square feet would consist of the Children’s Hospital, while an affiliated medical office building would consist of 95,000 square feet and another 14,200 square feet would be used for supporting infrastructure.

As currently envisioned, the Children’s Hospital will include inpatient beds, an emergency room, surgical unit and a dedicated hematology/oncology unit that will be affiliated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Construction on the hospital is expected to take two years once it is underway. The target opening date is some time in 2018.

Once completed, the facility will greatly expand OLOL’s ability to care for pediatric patients. The existing Children’s Hospital, located within the hospital’s main building on Essen Lane, is just one floor of the main tower. It treats 100,000 patients annually from across Louisiana Mississippi and Texas.

See a rendering of the Children’s Hospital.

Details were also scant on the Center for Breast and GYN Cancer when it was announced in March, but today’s filing sheds a little light on the project. The center will be located on 4.5 acres at the Woman’s campus on Airline Highway, and would include about 74,000 square feet and 148 parking spaces. Woman’s spokeswoman Aimee Goforth says further details are not available at this time.

“Basically, this is the first step towards moving forward with the new cancer center, but we haven’t applied for our construction permits yet and have not set a construction timeline,” she says.

Also today, a final development plan application was filed for the The Water Institute of the Gulf’s Headquarters, Research and Interpretive Center on the City Dock as part of The Water Campus development. A new rendering of the building was released earlier this week, with officials saying the project will get under construction this year and is expected to be completed in July 2017. See the rendering.   https://www.businessreport.com/article/permits-filed-several-major-hospital-projects-baton-rouge-water-institute-headquarters-city-dock

[greg225]

Water Institute of the Gulf receives $4 million to fund research for Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan       

Over the next year to 18 months, the Water Institute of the Gulf will begin doling out $4 million it has received from the Office of Gulf Coast Restoration to researchers helping implement the state’s Coastal Master Plan.

The Water Institute still must work out details with state officials to receive the money, which is part of the Clean Water Act fines Transocean paid for its role in the 2010 BP Oil Spill, Water Institute spokesman Nick Speyrer says. Once the funds are received, Water Institute officials will work as quickly they can to get the money into the hands of researchers after receiving proposals for coastal restoration projects.

The Water Institute is overseeing the funding because it has been named the state’s Center of Excellence, which means it focuses its efforts on coastal restoration, wildlife ecosystem research and economic development in the Gulf of Mexico as required by the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf States Act, or the RESTORE Act.

“The Center of Excellence designation and initial $4 million in research and development funding will provide key resources to help guide our oil spill and other investments to advance the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan and resilience of our communities and ecosystem,” Republican U.S. Rep. Garret Graves says in a prepared statement issued this morning, adding the institute will “help ensure decisions are based upon the best science rather than politics.”

Speyrer says Water Institute officials are still waiting to receive the $22 million awarded as part of BP’s $6.8 billion settlement with Louisiana.        https://www.businessreport.com/article/water-institute-gulf-receives-4-million-fund-research-louisianas-coastal-master-plan

[greg225]

BRAF acquires Cane Land Distilling property next to Water Campus for $375K           

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has acquired from Cane Land Distilling Co. the one-acre site at 622 Oklahoma St. on which the company originally planned to build its rum distillery. In a deal that closed earlier this month, WC 665 Oklahoma LLC, which is owned by BRAF, acquired the property for $375,000. The tract is at the intersection of River Road and Oklahoma Street adjacent to the Water Campus research park, which BRAF is developing.

In June, Cane Land co-owner Walter Tharp told Daily Report he and partner Jim Massey had abandoned plans to build on Oklahoma Street and were relocating their upstart business a few blocks away to a leased warehouse at 760 St. Phillip St.

Tharp said the introduction of the Water Campus had skewed the company’s plans for starting construction on the distillery. He also said at that time that the company and BRAF had worked together for several months to find a new location for the distillery, adding BRAF had tried to buy the Oklahoma Street property from Cane Land but had not offered enough money.

The sale price the two sides eventually agreed upon is more than 2.5 times what Cane Land paid when it acquired the land in mid-2013 for $140,000.

A BRAF spokesman did not respond to a request for comment by this afternoon’s deadline.   https://www.businessreport.com/article/braf-acquires-cane-land-distilling-property-next-water-campus

[greg225]

Unfortunately Cane Land Distilling didn't get built, but I hope BRAF will build something that will blend in with the Water Campus.

Edited October 30, 2015 by greg225

[cajun]

Unfortunately Cane Land Distilling didn't get built, but I hope BRAF will build something that will blend in with the Water Campus.

If I read it correctly, the Cane Land will open on the other side of I-10 while development occurs south of I-10.

It clearly has a research focus with The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, LSU River Studies, and Water Institute of the Gulf......but there's also housing and a distillery eventually going in there, it seems like they'll have a diverse use.   Tin Roof Brewing is also nearby.    

Water Institute's 33,000 square foot building will definitely turn heads. 

This is what they are going to build apparently.  Notice the refurbished old dock out in the water with the new structure in the foreground. 

I kind of wish there was a rendering available oriented from the bridge deck or even the other side of the river. 

Edited November 13, 2015 by cajun

[richyb83]

Yes indeed Cajun..stoked to see the old City Dock will be transformed into something eye-catching

They show the River District on this map...somebody, somehow will get this project restarted along the Nicholson corridor btwn Downtown & LSU

[richyb83]

One of the coolest 3-D video's i have ever seen for BR! (2 min 14 sec long)  Watch til the end where River House/River District & LSU/Nicholson Gateway Project are included...

*CLICK*

 

 

https://youtu.be/WV1ToaD9nlI

http://www.thewatercampus.org/about-the-water-campus

 

 

Edited January 16, 2016 by richyb83

[cajun]

Very cool.  Thanks for posting.   I love the Baton Rouge views with the IBM building.  

Can someone explain the funding mechanism for The Water Campus to me?  I know CPRA and LSU buildings are already under construction so everything appears to be off to a great start.... but there's clearly much more there as seen in the master plan and video.   Will there be office space built for spec? 

Edited January 16, 2016 by cajun

[Mr. Burnham]

13 hours ago, richyb83 said:

One of the coolest 3-D video's i have ever seen for BR! (2 min 14 sec long)  Watch til the end where River House/River District & LSU/Nicholson Gateway Project are included...

*CLICK*

 

 

https://youtu.be/WV1ToaD9nlI

http://www.thewatercampus.org/about-the-water-campus

 

 

So much awesome footage in this video...music is nice too...I'm downloading it like right now. 

Also...anyone realize how kickass the skyline is going to look with this new addition...like we are going to have a much more full skyline.

[Mr. Burnham]

Some High Quality pictures of the campus:

 

[dan326]

I'm so glad this is actually happening . I was definitely skeptical. I wonder if this is the final design? Hopefully it comes out like the new medical complex in New Orleans, that's nice!

Edited January 16, 2016 by dan326

[cajun]

If they can get most of the hard scape and the streets installed, I think it has a great chance of coming together in some form.  This also can be a benefit to the south end of downtown.   Perhaps Catfish Town will one day be what it was meant to be....40 years later.

Our move to Baton Rouge may be delayed if it happens at all unfortunately.

Edited January 17, 2016 by cajun

[greg225]

Baton Rouge, state economic leaders in early stages of recruiting businesses to Water Campus   

As work begins to ramp up on the Water Campus, local and state economic leaders are compiling a list of assets available in the area as a tool to recruit businesses to the riverfront research park.

“The more we know about what we’re good at and the types of talent and industries we have and how it’s focused, that’s a big indicator of the types of companies that could come here and get access to those things,” says Byron Clayton, president and CEO of Research Park Corp.

Clayton is working with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and state officials in the endeavor. They are very early in the mapping process, Clayton says.

On the business side, Clayton says, knowing what a research park like the Water Campus brings to the table is important, because innovative companies like to be near institutions where basic and applied research in their particular field is ongoing.

The types of businesses they could be looking to recruit include the obvious choices such as coastal protection and restoration, urban water management, and law and policy. Then there are the not-so-obvious sectors, including data analytics, and apparel and electronics manufacturers.

Clayton undertook a similar task while in Cleveland years ago as the Cleveland Water Alliance, on the shores of Lake Erie, was in the development stage. He understands how a map of assets is essential to help bring the right businesses to a research park. Clayton says officials plan to unveil the first phase of mapping at a dataflow conference that will be held at LSU in May.

“As we start to identify those different sectors, we’ll start reaching out to businesses to see how we can work together,” Clayton says.

The Water Campus, when completed, will be a 35-acre research park on the banks of the Mississippi River, just south of downtown Baton Rouge, where researchers from LSU, other institutions and private companies will study coastal erosion and sustainability. Work already has begun on at least three buildings, including the Water Institute of the Gulf headquarters on the old city dock.   https://www.businessreport.com/article/baton-rouge-state-economic-leaders-early-stages-recruiting-businesses-water-campus

[cajun]

I think "early stages" translates roughly to "we haven't thought much about this yet".

[cajun]

Wonder if Brown and Root eventually move into an office campus on this site.  

[dan326]

Who is that?

[richyb83]

Good question Cajun....as much as i want to see the Water Campus grow...would rather see them build an office tower on Fourth Street

8 hours ago, dan326 said:

Who is that?

Brown & Root is like Shaw...(can't remember if Bernhard is involved?)   industrial services – engineering, construction, EPC, maintenance, and specialty services – to chemical/petrochemical, refining, and other plant sites and facilities.

They are HQ'd in the 5 story office building at Citi Place near the Movie Tavern

Edited August 27, 2016 by richyb83

[Mr. Burnham]

11 hours ago, richyb83 said:

Good question Cajun....as much as i want to see the Water Campus grow...would rather see them build an office tower on Fourth Street

Brown & Root is like Shaw...(can't remember if Bernhard is involved?)   industrial services – engineering, construction, EPC, maintenance, and specialty services – to chemical/petrochemical, refining, and other plant sites and facilities.

They are HQ'd in the 5 story office building at Citi Place near the Movie Tavern

If Water Campus grows it only extends the length of our skyline which opens up the door for taller and better towers to be built in the long run. I would also say that a longer/larger skyline is better then a small and tall skyline.

[cajun]

21 hours ago, dan326 said:

Who is that?

Shaw 2...the non-public (yet) sequel.   Bernhard founded Brown and Root the day his "no compete" clause with CB&I expired in 2015.   It was purchased from KBR's old industrial services division (formerly part of Halliburton), plus WINK engineering.  The same fund also bought Epic piping which has moved to Livingston Parish.   

Epic Piping article from last year: 

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_0ee86b1e-b653-5001-a877-12f5783ef0d9.html

 

 

Quote

 

“EPIC Piping is working with Bernhard Capital Partners as a registered investment adviser in providing capital and management advisory services to EPIC,” said Kent Shepherd, president of EPIC and a former Shaw executive.

In Livingston, EPIC will build its national headquarters on the same 70-acre site as its pipe plant, just southwest of the Interstate 12 interchange at La. 63.

 

Edited August 27, 2016 by cajun

[cajun]

3 hours ago, mr. bernham said:

If Water Campus grows it only extends the length of our skyline which opens up the door for taller and better towers to be built in the long run. I would also say that a longer/larger skyline is better then a small and tall skyline.

Just planting the idea now.  Water Campus is one of the few available pieces of land available downtown for any large company that wants to setup a 2-3 building corporate campus with space for parking deck.  

Edited August 27, 2016 by cajun

[richyb83]

On 8/27/2016 at 10:43 AM, mr. bernham said:

If Water Campus grows it only extends the length of our skyline which opens up the door for taller and better towers to be built in the long run. I would also say that a longer/larger skyline is better then a small and tall skyline.

 

3 minutes ago, richyb83 said:

I am with you on a longer skyline(it's what takes Miami to another level on U.S. scale)....BR's skyline is already pretty long for it's small size..considering the State Capitol is so far to the north from the CBD

HOWEVER....Baton Rouge has a "malnutritioned" skyline....gonna have to add MORE PROTEIN to the diet in the CBD first!    Then the Skyline could flex it's muscles...> a  Signature/post-modern 30-story office tower(lighted crown for added vanity height) on top of multi-level parking garage on Fourth Street near the other Towers would serve as a "Economic Bar Chart"/Build It & They Will Come"....>> then the much anticipated for years; but never built River Place "Condotel" for the River front.....noting less than 23 floors will do when you consider one propsal had it 36 rivaling the height of the State Capitol!  

Like you...am also a fan of mid-rise buildings on a human-scale....Some more of those would work well around the periphery of the CBD....truth is BR has not added any buildings Above 12-stories since the Late 80's....that is PLENTY off buildings 12-stories or Less....time for something different...the City has a fear of heights!

If the one Tall building in the Water Campus renderings south of the foot of the bridge actually does come to fruition...that would be a nice start on elongating the skyline. However it's really hard to visualize anything taller than 7 or 8 stories at the Water Campus...not really doing much for the skyline

 

Edited September 1, 2016 by richyb83