Plan Baton Rouge

[itsjustme3]

I don't see a "arty" theatre working in Baton Rouge, ESPECIALLY downtown. Might as well call this the Spanish Town theatre.

[Antrell Williams]

The Shaw Center does well, why not a dedicated theater?

[richyb83]

Nice article about Downtown's re-emergence from the past 10 years(and way before that) & it's future! Downtown has come a long way...but has a long way to go!

Reclaiming the Ghost Town

Stand on top of the Shaw Center as the sun goes down. If it’s Friday, be aware that almost all five floors below you contain a different set of events, including live music, art displays, and maybe even a wedding reception. People are jogging and strolling the levee. Look down on Third Street – it’s already hard to find a place to park as happy hours are winding down and the Friday night crowd is winding up. You might notice a guy selling pulled pork sandwiches on the corner of Third and Florida. He’s making a killing, even as you’re making a mental note to buy one later. Sip your drink at Tsunami, and know that, 10 years ago, you’d be standing on six stories of nothing, surrounded by nobody.

Somehow, downtown Baton Rouge didn’t end up desolate as Detroit, and it took a lot more than a fresh coat of paint to make sure of it.

See the rest here....

http://digbatonrouge.com/article/reclaiming-the-ghost-town-2224/

Edited June 23, 2011 by richyb83

[richyb83]

DDD backs bond issue

The Downtown Development District Commission expressed its support for Mayor Kip Holden's $748 million bond proposals without objection today. The package is very similar to ones rejected by voters in 2008 and 2009, except that it lacks the riverfront Alive attraction, adds additional funds for bridge improvement and replacement, and is broken up into three separate proposals: $350 million for public safety, $366 million for infrastructure, and $32 million to complete renovation and expansion of the River Center. The River Center work is intended to make Baton Rouge more attractive for conventions, officials say. Also discussed at today's meeting:

—A granite base for a beacon that is part of the North Boulevard Town Square project is on its way from Germany and is expected to reach the Port of New Orleans July 22, DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer says. The beacon will have a large screen that will provide event information during festivals, help tourists find their way around, and include interactive features, says Stafford Kendall of Covalent Logic. The Town Square improvements are expected to be completed by the end of the year, Rhorer says.

—Several businesses soon opening downtown were mentioned, including the Downtown Snack Bar & Internet Cafe on France Street; Full Circle Communications, a public relations and marketing firm; and Club Theory, a "dance club" on Main Street. Reich Associates, a landscape design firm, is moving from East Boyd to East Boulevard

http://www.businessreport.com/archives/daily-report/latest/

[itsjustme3]

Holden is out of his mind if he thinks it will pass in this climate. A few years ago, yes. But now? The way the economy is? No chance.

[Antrell Williams]

Widening the Wilkinson are we? Those plans should be interesting..

Itsjustme2-What's different about this years economy versus 2008-2009s? Figured the climate was just as bad.

[itsjustme3]

I don't have the numbers in front of me but the current unemployment rate nationally is 9.2% with zero confidence that it's going to get better any time soon. Statewide it's currently 8.2%.

Along with other indexes this is by far a more unpleasant atmosphere than it was in 2008-9. No way this gets approved.

[Antrell Williams]

I thought the economy there was fairing well compared to the rest of the nation. And the main reason those didn't pass were because of Alive.

[itsjustme3]

It is compared to most, but fact is the national and state numbers are going up. The mood is very sour. Do you really think there is a strong desire to spend $$$ right now?

[Antrell Williams]

I've come to the conclusion that BR residents don't want to spend anything. But this bond issue is a matter of necessity, is it not?

[itsjustme3]

I've come to the conclusion that BR residents don't want to spend anything.

Yeah, you pegged it. BR residents don't want to spend money. You're right. Everywhere else in the U.S. they are spending money left and right with no cares in the world. Yep, spend spend spend. Poor ignorant Baton Rouge residents. Too bad we don't realize that money grows on trees.

Please don't generalize Baton Rouge residents with a broad brush and then follow up with a serious question. You're not likely to get a serious discussion started.

[buckett5425]

The city has some of the lowest bond rates in history right now. People need to stop thinking in the moment and think to the future. They need to remember that while the economic climate might be slow right now, it will be up to par in the future, when the majority of the paying back of the bonds will take place. BR needs to capitalize on these low bond rates now, because it saves the tax payers a lot of money in the long run.

However, I find it ironic that every citizen in this city will agree traffic, crime, and infrastructure pose a huge problem for this city. But when it comes time to fund a bond proposal, filled with solutions to those problems, people began to hesitate before writing a check. They seem to think problems can be solved without an investment from the community.

[itsjustme3]

However, I find it ironic that every citizen in this city will agree traffic, crime, and infrastructure pose a huge problem for this city. But when it comes time to fund a bond proposal, filled with solutions to those problems, people began to hesitate before writing a check.

I find it funny that people are shocked when Baton Rouge taxpayers are weary of giving the BR government money seeing how successfully they've planned the poor city planning, the traffic, the poor schools, the bus system, awful zoning, and so on and so on.

[Antrell Williams]

Then how will things ever change? Surely not by sitting on our rumps and hoping luck rains rains down from heaven.

[buckett5425]

I find it funny that people are shocked when Baton Rouge taxpayers are weary of giving the BR government money seeing how successfully they've planned the poor city planning, the traffic, the poor schools, the bus system, awful zoning, and so on and so on.

The city gave residents exactly what they wanted back through the 50-90's. The city provided low taxes and facilitated zoning that allowed white flight and single entrance subdivisions to flourish. This made way for poor investments in the inner city leading to poor schools, poor roads, and higher crime. The citizens got exactly what they wanted and now its the next generations job to pay for those mistakes caused by the poor planning that lead to free market driven, suburban sprawl....

[itsjustme3]

The city gave residents exactly what they wanted back through the 50-90's. The city provided low taxes and facilitated zoning that allowed white flight and single entrance subdivisions to flourish. This made way for poor investments in the inner city leading to poor schools, poor roads, and higher crime. The citizens got exactly what they wanted and now its the next generations job to pay for those mistakes caused by the poor planning that lead to free market driven, suburban sprawl....

So everything is the taxpayers fault? Crime, zoning, sprawl, yada yada. Regardless if these bonds are approved?

oooookkkkkkkkkk

[buckett5425]

So everything is the taxpayers fault? Crime, zoning, sprawl, yada yada. Regardless if these bonds are approved?

oooookkkkkkkkkk

Im simply suggesting the taxpayers got the type of city government they wanted. A government that was a pawn of the free market/developers and was unobtrusive in the lives of its citizens. A city government that the tea party would have admired, but it has lead to the current problems.

Now that people are starting to promote change to solve these issues, because the status quo no longer works, people are up in arms. Fulling funding mass transit, building libraries, having an adequate jail and police HQ are all investments within the community. These investments promote safety, culture, and economic development. Running the city the way it has in the past hasn't worked, our leaders need to look to our peer cities for examples, such as Austin or Portland. Yet, when you suggest we mirror some of the same policies that made those cities prosperous, Baton Rougeans through a fit. I guess because they are used to the status quo and anything other than that is liberal and socialist, in their minds....

The bonds and the new FutureEBR Plan make sense, and are the steps our city needs to take if it wants to continue economically and culturally into the future. Nuff said.

[Antrell Williams]

You ain't neva lied..

[steve3n8]

I don't want to say "Hate".......but i STRONGLY dislike this BR Metro Council with a passion!!! Really??? A 3rd time??? Seems like they want nothing good for BR!?!? All I'm saying is don't give up Kip.....KEEP FIGHTING!!!

News Alert: Metro Council votes down bond issue

The Metro Council voted down today a request by Mayor Kip Holden to hold a third vote on a parishwide bond proposal. The council voted not to introduce the $748 million package on the agenda for its Aug. 10 meeting. Holden had wanted to hold an election on the package Nov. 19. Voters twice rejected the bond package. This time Holden had stripped out the controversial Audubon Alive! attraction and broken it into three separate measures dealing with infrastructure improvements, public safety and economic development. But council members voiced frustration that Holden was slow to communicate details of the plan.

[itsjustme3]

I don't want to say "Hate".......but i STRONGLY dislike this BR Metro Council with a passion!!! Really??? A 3rd time??? Seems like they want nothing good for BR!?!? All I'm saying is don't give up Kip.....KEEP FIGHTING!!!

You're kidding yourself if you think this was going to be passed by the voters.

[itsjustme3]

I don't want to say "Hate".......but i STRONGLY dislike this BR Metro Council with a passion!!! Really??? A 3rd time??? Seems like they want nothing good for BR!?!? All I'm saying is don't give up Kip.....KEEP FIGHTING!!!

You're kidding yourself if you think this was going to be passed by the voters.

[itsjustme3]

I don't want to say "Hate".......but i STRONGLY dislike this BR Metro Council with a passion!!! Really??? A 3rd time??? Seems like they want nothing good for BR!?!? All I'm saying is don't give up Kip.....KEEP FIGHTING!!!

You're kidding yourself if you think this was going to be passed by the voters.

[Antrell Williams]

What a shame. Baton Rouge might not ever change.

[steve3n8]

You're kidding yourself if you think this was going to be passed by the voters.

I know, I just wish they would wake up and realize what we need in the city.....higher taxes or not.

What a shame. Baton Rouge might not ever change.

Yea that's true....as long as you have the voters BR has now, it will not change. Lets hope Kip can come up with something else to help with the city's needs....

[richyb83]

It's a tricky situation; there are some legit questions some bring up; the co$t/ comparison of the componets with the other past proposals. And what about the synchronization of traffic lights?? Something needs to be done...

Interesting play on words in ths BusinessReport article; last time I heard that it was used in DC a few months back...

The devil's in the details

http://www.businessreport.com/news/2011/jul/23/devils-details-gvpt1/