New Entertainment District

[greg225]

Wait...is that actually happening?

 

Also...what's with the bowling complex? No offense, but personally I don't see that as really exciting. 

 

Also, Theater Baton Rouge is looking to move from Florida Blvd. to downtown Baton Rouge in this area.

So far Downtown Baton Rouge have to 2 casino's and many bars. Its all about creating options movie theater/ bowling alley, comedy clubs, live music venue, night clubs and etc. You have to have the family fun venues and the adult only venues.

[caballero]

So far Downtown Baton Rouge have to 2 casino's and many bars. Its all about creating options movie theater/ bowling alley, comedy clubs, live music venue, night clubs and etc. You have to have the family fun venues and the adult only venues.

If it's like the Fulton Alley in NO it might be a draw.

http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/01/fulton_alley_aims_to_be_triple.html

[richyb83]

The Baton Rouge Little Theatre? Located behind Louisiana Technology Park on eastern edge of Mid City...that one? Hmmm..that would be interesting...wonder which locations they re looking at??

 

Also, Theater Baton Rouge is looking to move from Florida Blvd. to downtown Baton Rouge in this area.

 

Something to anchor that side of Third Street...Anything besides another stinkin' bar....it's a shame they can't attract some entertainment unless alcohol is involved....

[Mr. Burnham]

The Baton Rouge Little Theatre? Located behind Louisiana Technology Park on eastern edge of Mid City...that one? Hmmm..that would be interesting...wonder which locations they re looking at??

 

 

Something to anchor that side of Third Street...Anything besides another stinkin' bar....it's a shame they can't attract some entertainment unless alcohol is involved....

They want to be in the third street area, around everything else. It's apart of their re-branding efforts, they already changed the name to Theater Baton Rouge and the location they are at is too isolated from the rest of the city.

[richyb83]

A MESSAGE FROM THE DDD

New Downtown Parking Lasalle Garage Today the Division of Administration announced that the State will begin offering nearly 300 parking spots for public use in the LaSalle Parking Garage, 521 Third St., located in the Arts and Entertainment District of Downtown. This makes two public garages that are open 24/7 along the Third St. corridor, with the other being the Third Street Garage located at the corner of Third & Convention Streets. The locations of these two garages are ideal for visitors and residents attending the many restaurants, offices, and events! The announcement is also a recommendation in the Downtown Parking Study completed earlier this year. Downtown Development District Executive Director Davis Rhorer said, "The announcement of public parking availability in the LaSalle Parking Garage is great news for Downtown Baton Rouge. This is a very smart use of a public garage in this urban setting, serving multiple purposes including parking for State workers, commercial leases, and now providing parking to the general public. Many thanks to the Governor and the Division of Administration for setting this policy in place." The garage will be cash only and will utilize an automated payment system. The garage will also be installing an ATM for the public. The general public will ONLY be allowed to use the Main Street side to enter the garage. See the links below for more information and hourly rates. The NEW IBM Building looks pretty cool on the right!

[richyb83]

BRAF takes ownership of downtown Coca-Cola sign, ending 18-month dispute

Ownership of the historic, neon Coca-Cola sign that overlooks downtown Baton Rouge has been transferred to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation in a previously announced deal that was finalized this week.

BRAF stepped in last summer to end a then 15-month dispute over the ownership of the sign between the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, which had been given the sign in a donation many years ago, and Mike Crouch, who owns the building at Florida and Third streets atop which the sign sits.

Under the terms of the deal, a separate nonprofit entity created by BRAF will technically own the sign. Representatives from the Arts Council, the Downtown Development District, Coca-Cola, BRAF and the building’s owner will sit on the board of the nonprofit.

Daily Report has the full story.

[Mr. Burnham]

The DDD’s 2016 budget was easily approved. The budget calls for the organization to spend $656,360 in the upcoming year, a 2.4 percent increase over the current $641,150 budget. Salaries and benefits for the DDD’s five employees account for most of the spending, totaling $539,150.

The DDD’s 10-mill property tax is budgeted to generate $512,800 in the upcoming year, and the city-parish general fund is set to once again make an annual contribution of $142,500.

Davis Rhorer, executive director, said the DDD will spend much of 2016 doing “major planning work.” In 2017, the downtown taxing district is set to nearly double to 2.2 square miles. The Legislature expanded the boundaries of the district in 2012, and voters overwhelmingly passed a measure this fall to apply the 10-mill downtown property tax to the entire district. This will generate an additional estimated $87,000 in tax revenue beginning in 2017.

Plans to redevelop the Saltz building at 442 Main St. into a six-unit apartment building were discussed. The building will consist of a mix of one- and two-bedroom units that will rent at market rates, Rhorer said.

[richyb83]

Just in case somebody was not sure of what Dan326 was talking about on the BR Photo thread early in week...

Across the street from the Hilton Capitol Center is this is old 2-story 1920's era "brick shell" is the Jumonville warehouse...it had been purchased back in 09' by Trahan Architects ...Renovation plans include offices for the architecture firm and residential living space on the top floor and rooftop. HOWEVER as of today....still NOTHING....nearly 7 years later!  Lafayette Street has plenty potential for a thriving streetscape...with the new IBM Complex & Hampton Inn a few blocks to the north already begining the transformation;  Another block over  the proposed Lafayette Street lofts..would have to think construction would have started by now?

Several years back out of embarrassment they("The Mayor") placed "Large Blue Tarp" over this entire old warehouse ; to hide the eye-sore from out-of-town business guest at the Hilton; while BR hosted a big convention at the River Center

On 1/5/2016 at 7:30 PM, dan326 said:

I sure hope so. I wonder what will go in that building shell across from the Hilton? I think an upscale giftshop boutique with sports memorabilia and cafe would be neat.

[Mr. Burnham]

17 hours ago, richyb83 said:

Just in case somebody was not sure of what Dan326 was talking about on the BR Photo thread early in week...

Across the street from the Hilton Capitol Center is this is old 2-story 1920's era "brick shell" is the Jumonville warehouse...it had been purchased back in 09' by Trahan Architects ...Renovation plans include offices for the architecture firm and residential living space on the top floor and rooftop. HOWEVER as of today....still NOTHING....nearly 7 years later!  Lafayette Street has plenty potential for a thriving streetscape...with the new IBM Complex & Hampton Inn a few blocks to the north already begining the transformation;  Another block over  the proposed Lafayette Street lofts..would have to think construction would have started by now?

Several years back out of embarrassment they("The Mayor") placed "Large Blue Tarp" over this entire old warehouse ; to hide the eye-sore from out-of-town business guest at the Hilton; while BR hosted a big convention at the River Center

Such a shame. Went Downtown today, it's living, but it could always be better...I suppose everything takes time.

[richyb83]

Posted this in Shaw Center for the Arts thread last time... final piece to the Shaw Arts Block is moving along quickly; after a slow start getting off the ground

Mixed-use Onyxx Residences Convention Street @ Third Street ...the fence immediately in front is for the Watermark Hotel renovation

 

[Antrell Williams]

It looks pretty tall!

[richyb83]

^  Unless you are in Austin with all of those new vertical residential towers

A MESSAGE FROM THE DDD

Now Open! Cordon ROuge Bistro, 334 3rd St. The Downtown Development District welcomes another new restaurant to Third St. and the Arts & Entertainment District! Cordon Rouge Bistro, a french inspired restaurant is now open to serve downtown's hungry lunch crowds. Lunch Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11AM-2PM In the coming weeks Cordon Rouge Bistro will expand their hours to include breakfast and dinner services. Stay tuned in by following them on Facebook!

Menu >> facebook >>

[cajun]

On 2/10/2016 at 11:11 PM, Antrell Williams said:

It looks pretty tall!

It's close to the street, which itself is pretty narrow.   Definitely makes it feel like you are walking through a small canyon there.

The hotel and those residences put people downtown at all hours.   Hotels especially tend to compliment restaurants in particular as their patrons are travelers who won't be cooking.   I'd like to see another major hotel downtown.   Starwood brands is kind of lacking in Baton Rouge, so maybe we'll see a Shereton, W, Four Points, or Westin downtown one day.  

[richyb83]

A MESSAGE FROM THE DDD Third St. Coca-cola Sign re-lighting ceremony We encourage everyone to join the Second Line down Third Street after Friday's Live After Five concert (4/15/16) featuring David Borne, for the Historic Coca-Cola Sign Re-lighting ceremony. The Second Line will culminate at the corner of Third and Florida Streets at 8:15 PM near the historic sign. Mayor Holden will ceremoniously lead the Coca-Cola Sign Re-lighting with a brief presentation featuring all those involved in the effort to have the sign re-lit. Retro Coca-Cola advertising jingles and a countdown to illuminate the historic sign will conclude the event! "I appreciate the cooperation that will allow this downtown icon to light up Third Street again," said Mayor Holden. "The Coca-Cola sign is a part of Baton Rouge history. For so many of us, it's the backdrop of our childhood memories of growing up in Baton Rouge, and now it will shine brightly for generations to come." Please join us this Friday! add to calendar >> live after five >>

[richyb83]

This thread is back after a Two year hiatus....4 :00 am too late for a sleepy mid-sized town like Baton Rouge

There is already an Arts & Entertainment District.....Something beyond just bars & nightclubs

https://www.businessreport.com/article/baton-rouge-entertainment-district-discussion-emerges-failed-bid-expand-bar-hours

Baton Rouge entertainment district discussion emerges from failed bid to expand bar hours

Though Metro Council members defeated a measure Wednesday that would have allowed bars and restaurants to stay open until 4 a.m., debate over the issue rekindled the idea of creating an entertainment district—or, perhaps several entertainment districts—in Baton Rouge.

Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso floated the idea at Wednesday’s meeting, and tells Daily Report he plans to start working on an ordinance that would create the basic framework for an entertainment district: a defined area with limited or no vehicular access, specific noise regulations, and extra security paid for by establishment owners within the district.

Though such districts could be established anywhere, Amoroso says it’s particularly important for the Third Street corridor downtown.

“So much investment has gone into downtown, it’s important to find something people can be happy with,” Amoroso says. “We need something comprehensive that could be used downtown but could also be applied to any area of the parish.”

Amoroso says he initially planned to support the 4 a.m. ordinance but changed his mind after hearing opposition from downtown property owners and residents, who are upset about noise and traffic generated by downtown bars. He says some attorneys even offered to help him draft an entertainment district ordinance.

Charles Landry is one of those attorneys. His offices are in the new IBM tower and his Fishman Haygood law firm has a corporate suite on the 10th floor of the adjacent 525 Lafayette St. building. Landry says he and others are periodically awakened in the middle of the night by loud music from vehicles.

“It’s not just on weekends,” Landry says. “It’s very disturbing and it’s a problem. The police are doing the best they can. But it’s an overwhelming problem.”

Landry would like to establish a pedestrian-only district, like Memphis has on Beale Street and Nashville has on portions of its Broadway.

But while that may sound like a good idea, implementing such a solution is far more complicated than it sounds, says Downtown Development District Executive Director Davis Rhorer.

“The police historically have objected to that,” Rhorer says. “They want to keep the roads open for safety reasons. Plus, you have two reception halls on Third Street and hotels, so there are a lot of logistics to consider.”

Rhorer points out that several blocks of downtown, including Third Street, already comprise a designated art and entertainment district, which by design encourages a diversity of uses beyond just bars and nightclubs.

Rhorer also says the DDD has been working with property owners, bar owners and the police department to address nighttime noise and traffic concerns.

Landry applauds the DDD’s efforts and says the situation has improved in recent months. But he believes more could be done.

“What Davis has been doing is great,” he says. “But it’s still a problem.”

[Antrell Williams]

I cannot fathom living in a downtown and complaining about noise and traffic. Move to Zachary.

 

I kind of like streets being open, how do y'all feel about closing 3rd St?

 

 

 

 

[dan326]

I work downtown and that doesn't make sense to me. I think they should just build some barricades that rise from under the street to block it when need be, like the barricades they built for the state capital parking lot. I don't think it needs to be permanently closed off though.