Baton Rouge Growth and Development

[dan326]

There was a rendering of the new building in the news paper, but I forgot to cut it out.

High prices have struck again. I was really looking foward to this one, but I guess it's better to save your money and build something nice than to just throw up some crap.

Westmoreland redevelopment plans fall through again

A plan to turn the Westmoreland Shopping Center into a mixed-use development is on hold because of rising construction and redevelopment costs. The Resource Foundation's option to buy the 9-acre shopping center lapsed Saturday, says Mark Hebert, who has been marketing Westmoreland. In an e-mail to the Daily Report, Robert Whittington, president of the Resource Foundation said "Increasing costs of construction at this time did not allow for a feasible redevelopment project aimed at serving our target market with our desired mix of uses." The Resource Foundation, a nonprofit housing developer, had planned on bringing condominiums, town homes, retail, restaurants and office space to Westmoreland. Public meetings were held on the project, and it was put on the agenda to go before the Planning Commission. This isn't the first time a project to redevelop Westmoreland had gotten far along before falling apart over costs, at one point an Atlanta-based developer had planned on bringing a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market to the area.

Hebert says he will continue to pursue other options to sell the shopping center. The Resource Center is also looking at possible ways it could renew the sales contract with Cangelosi Development, Westmoreland's owners.

Edited April 2, 2007 by dan326

[richyb83]

Yeah, what a shame. Westmoreland needed this, the main building has been vacant for far too long. It sure sounded like a dense development.

All the more reason to be excited RiverPlace is a "Go" and II City Plaza will be built at all. I would rather something go up 12 to 14 stories than nothing at all.

[richyb83]

Westmoreland is on "hold"?? That's what I'm hearing on the news. Maybe there is still hope??

I am glad Perkins Rowe is doing so well. I am curious to see what the nex phase will look like.

[dan326]

I found the newspaper! Luckily it didn't get thrown away.

[dan326]

I've got some good news. It looks like there are actually three bids for the Commerce building.

The proposals at hand are some that have 10 to 12 entertainment and/or adult entertainment venues and residential uses. The second offer to buy the building has residential, retail and other commercial uses in mind. The third interested party is of an international concern that brings a hospitality venue with other plans to follow.

Possibly another hotel for downtown,if the Palms on Thirs doesn't work out which I hope it does.

Possibly another hotel for downtown.

Finally, while Dean did not provide details on a specific use for the EBRATS building he recently purchased on North Boulevard, he indicated the property will house some type of hospitality venture

Also:

Dean also indicated he had two projects on the horizon for this fall. The old Tabby's location on Lafayette Street be "New York-style chic" jazz, cigar & wine lounge, anddining. The second project is set for the old Cangelosi furniture building at Ninth and Main streets, which is planning an 8,000-square-foot live music venue called The Bull that will hold between 1,200 and 1,500 people. Next to the venue will be a steak restaurant

Edited April 3, 2007 by dan326

[richyb83]

One day you won't be able to recognize Lafayette Street and Third Street with all the action and developments going on. Investors see great things happening downtown like Shaw Center for the Arts(2005); renovating Capitol Hilton(2006); now the projects will begin to fall-in-place like domino's.

Still can't wait to see the latest on the old Advocate property!! I know it will be very nice.

[richyb83]

I found the newspaper! Luckily it didn't get thrown away.

Blank-o better do something later this month at the Special Legislative session. Or some really progressive state like North Carolina tries to steal Pennington one day. What a shame to let this great resource world-class research center go so grossly under$funded. This is not only critical for BR but Louisiana too.

[richyb83]

This new 8-story Summa Office Bldg. will begin construction in JULY.

It will be located on Summa Ave. just off Essen Lane behind Jacobs Plaza in the emerging medical corridor.

[hagetaka]

Saw two of these signs posted up on the building. Any 411 available of this can and will house a hotel for 3rd Street.

Also, I read a few years back that downtown made plans to rename the streets to the original names is this still in the works or was I dreaming?

[richyb83]

Thanks LT very much for posting that pic. They almost demolished that building back on 03'. It's good to see they will renovate it into something nice. I think the inside has been gutted-out and they can get started? Nice location next to the YMCA.

Brace Godfrey and partners of Cyntreniks have purchased several other downtown properties for renovation; including The King Hotel on Lafayette Street at Convention Street; they should have started by now?

Not sure about the name changes of streets. For awhile Third Street had changed it's name to Riverside Mall.

[dan326]

It seemed like they were going to demolish half of downtown. What exactly were they going to do with all those demolished lots?

[byrde]

It seemed like they were going to demolish half of downtown. What exactly were they going to do with all those demolished lots?

Based upon what I remember, they wanted to use the Levy/Kress location for a parking lot.

[hagetaka]

that section of 3rd by China House and the K&L building needs to be shut down. That building needs help bad, looks like it will fall in at any time.

I remember Riverside Mall, glad that stopped using it, they should name it Rue Boire

Lots of permits are posted in the storefront windows (seeking approval to serve up the good stuff)

[dan326]

Some nice new developments.

Victory Commons-a 52 unit condominium complex by on the LSU campus

Indigo Park- a 300+ condominium complex on Nicholson

[richyb83]

Your on top of the game Dan Thanks for posting this. Indigo Park is a massive development ; it will be built way down near the Bluebonnet extension of Nicholson where that silly casino would go. Victory Commons will be at the Northgates of LSU across from the Fieldhouse that's comming along nicely. It will be walking distance to Tiger Stadium.

I was gonna post pic of Victory Commons yesterday, but I'm not computer savvy like you Dan. I could not cut the blank-purple section out of the bottom.

I have seen Indigo Park in the Sunday real estate section of The Advocate. That's about what the new condo's should look like near CitiPlace on Corporate. I am wondering if the new Enclave condo's on Jefferson Hwy. near the Towne Center will be 3 or 4 floors??

Edited April 11, 2007 by richyb83

[richyb83]

The streetscape in the southern-end of the CBD is about to get a facelift.....from this

To this.....

Whether it's the original 9-floors(left); or 12-floors(right) it should look nice!

It will probably be somewhere in-between; 10 or 11 floors

Hopefully we will find out about the plans for the New 19th Judicial Courthouse sometime next week (or two)?

$Construction co$t have been jacked thru the roof . The exact # of floors is still to be decided.

*Bids will open April 17th.

+ II City Plaza will begin early Summer in the top pic on immediate left!

The new Courthouse will be built in the Municipal bldg. parking-lot on the opposite-end of Fourth Street on a "direct axis" from the State Capitol.

The new Courthouse will serve as an illuminating beacon at the foot of Fourth Street

I am going to guess it will end-up being 10-floors??

[richyb83]

^In the Advocate this morning...."Bid opening for BR Courthouse delayed"

The scheduled April 17th did opening for construction has been delayed. Contractors interested in submitting bids requested more time because of the complexity of the project. Bids now are scheduled to be opened May 8th.

The base bid on the project calls for a 10-story 300,000 sq.ft building. Two alternate bids are allowed, one for an 11-story building and another for a 12-story building. The 10-story courthouse would have space for 17 courtrooms for District judges, four for Family Court judges and three to handle future growth.

[richyb83]

Another streetscape change in the southern CBD; adjacent to the new Courthouse just a block away....

From this....Before at the proposed new North Blvd. Town Square

And after.... new II City Plaza set to begin early this Summer behind City Plaza

Modified rendering compliments of Dan326; should be close to the size shown ??

Combined II City Plaza and the New Courthouse will add another 560,000+ sq.ft of office and civic space.

II City Plaza (light blue) in reference to the New Courthouse (yellow)

[richyb83]

For you Dan...got some recent pics of the new Baywood Quarters now about 2/3 complete

Located on Boardwalk Ave./No.Harrel's Ferry Rd. adjacent to I-12/Sherwood Forest

Small water features with small greenspace could be a trend??

[dan326]

For you Dan...got some recent pics of the new Baywood Quarters now about 2/3 complete

Located on Boardwalk Ave./No.Harrel's Ferry Rd. adjacent to I-12/Sherwood Forest

Thanks Richy. I had always wanted to get a good look at them.

[brresident]

http://www.2theadvocate.com/traffic/7093936.html

Two engineering firms that have teamed up to negotiate a contract for a plan to build the Baton Rouge loop have submitted a proposal that

Edited April 19, 2007 by brresident

[dan326]

An affordable-housing apartment complex of 216-units will be built just north of Interstate 12 on the east side of Airline Highway.It will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 800 square feet to about 1,200 square feet.Plans also call for a community room, fitness center, swimming pool and a children

[richyb83]

Thanks yall for keepin' the Growth & Development thread going.....there is a steady influx of development continuing in the Capital area!

Riverwood sounds like one HUGE community...to connect with Riverbend?? I am curious to see some site plans; I am glad at least 15% of this to be nature preserve.

Pinnacle, according to renderings, lets see this? I am not a fan at all of this location. It's stupid! A mono-rail, I'll believe it when I see it. They need to move this south of the I-10 Bridge near the Old Municipal Dock. They will be sorry they didn't listen to me when this get's voted "NO" by EBR.

It's incredible of all the development going on in that area with the Nicholson/Bluebonnet extension. University Club, Lexington Estates, Indigo Park, Longwood Commons, Riverwood, etc. Even St.Gabriel is now starting to grow too.

^Thank the widening of Old Hammond Hwy. to 5-lanes for the 216-unit apartment. Right next to it a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Grocery is nearly complete; and Red Stick Urban Lofts about to go-up across the hwy.

[dan326]

Cambria Suites has started construction. I passed by today and they were flattening out the foundation.

[richyb83]

I am suprised Cambria Suites choose to build nearly behind a noise barrier wall. How is westbound traffic along I-10 going to see them?? They had better get a tall sign.

Wonder what's up with the W a-loft ??

Edited April 20, 2007 by richyb83