Plan Baton Rouge

[cajun]

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Moving employment centers and basically creating new city centers, leave the infrastructure we already have in place to decay and become dilapidated, bring commerce further away from an area that is in dire need, and in the future, will create traffic problems for the new areas.

You are right.....But it is not the company's problem that the obsolete infrastructure and undesirable culture it leaves behind becomes pervasive in the abandoned city center.

The city government should have worked harder to foster a good community that is an attractive place to live.

We all have to play by the laws of the competitive marketplace. Private capital is mobile and will move to greener pastures.

At some point, downtown will be a place only for government, legal, and small business. Like the best shopping, high level office space will no longer be in downtown settings.

Edited November 9, 2012 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

It is somewhat the responsibility of the company to invest in it's surroundings, it's happened in other cases all around the world. Otherwise, I agree.

[steve3n8]

Downtown stage sculpture should be complete by year's end

The stainless steel sculpture that will double as a canopy for the Town Square stage now has a name: The Crest. DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer says the pieces are being shipped to Baton Rouge, and on-site construction is expected to begin Nov. 26 and be finished by the end of December. "It's a very unique thing," Rhorer says. "It will certainly be an iconic piece for the city." The structure was the source of some controversy among Metro Council members dating back to last year, largely thanks to its $900,000 price tag, but it ultimately got the council's blessing.

Also discussed at the DDD's monthly meeting today:

—Rhorer says some downtown business owners have been complaining about food trucks making noise, parking close to bricks-and-mortar restaurants, and not obeying the two-hour on-street parking limit. "They need to be respectful of our existing businesses who pay market-rate rent," Rhorer says. "I personally love food trucks, but there's a place for them at special events and at times when some of the existing restaurants are not open."

—Commission member Van Mayhall Jr. has asked the DDD to research the possibility of branding Baton Rouge as the "literary capital of Louisiana."

—The Jimmy John's restaurant in the state garage building at Third and Convention streets is shooting for a Dec. 18 opening date.

—Design work for the Commerce Building renovations is beginning; people can give input and sign up for a newsletter at commercebldg.com.

—BREADA will hold a special pre-Thanksgiving farmers' market on Wednesday, Nov. 21, behind Pennington Biomedical Research Center, where the Thursday market usually would be held, from 8 a.m. until noon. —David Jacobs

Businessreport.com

[dan326]

I wonder exactly how big it'll be.

[Antrell Williams]

It better be huge and magnificent to cost over $1 million.

[pm_arch]

While I am a supporter of the sculpture/stage, I would like to know the final cost of it. Was the $900,000 the sculpture piece only? Earlier this year, an additional $50,000 was allocated by our Metro Council for the lighting. And then there was also intense foundation work done to support the stage...

[Antrell Williams]

I believe the $900k price tag was just the canopy itself, not including transportation and assembly.

[cajun]

It's public art. Pay through the nose, and expect very little in return.

Seriously.....they could have put brick pavers and beautiful hardscape on 5 or 6 downtown intersections for the price of this thing and purchased a very nice temporary stage that can be used in more than one fixed location.

Edited November 15, 2012 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

Very nice and temporary don't go well together. I would rather a permanent stage.

[cajun]

Sure....but for $1,000,000? That's absolutely crazy considering the size and scope of the entire north blvd project.

I'd much rather see improvements to other parts of downtown with that, particularly on Main.

Edited November 15, 2012 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

Visual improvements on Main would be very beneficial at this time. But hey, a cool million is a drop in the bucket compared to what has been spent on and in downtown in the last 5-10 years.

[cajun]

Visual improvements on Main would be very beneficial at this time. But hey, a cool million is a drop in the bucket compared to what has been spent on and in downtown in the last 5-10 years.

We seem to be concentrating out efforts into one block. Shaw center, North Blvd, Library, Courthouse, Centroplex improvements (or River Center for you youngsters)......although the state office buildings are primarily on the north side.

North Blvd looks great. I'd like to see more focus on Main in the future.

[Antrell Williams]

Yes. I actually used to called it Centroplex, we used to skateboard the stairs and such outside City Hall.

[dan326]

As a sort of ammendment to the LSU post, a sculpture is more visible and makes people "feel" better than several smaller improvements. Sorta like choosing to buy spiffy sneeakers, over some socks you really need.

[steve3n8]

Third Street building slated for renovation

The roughly 4,000-square-foot building at 336 Third St. in downtown Baton Rouge that, until a week ago, was home to Riverside Patty for the past 30 years, is slated to undergo a significant renovation as negotiations with potential new tenants get under way. "It needs some work. So we’re going to go in there and kind of gut it to a large extent, and then, depending on the tenant, renovate it to suit their needs," says building owner Gordon LeBlanc Jr. "We plan on beginning the renovation in the next month or two and getting a new tenant in there a couple months after that." LeBlanc says a wall that currently divides the interior will be taken out to "open the building up a little and give people a better feel for its possibilities." A number of potential tenants have already expressed interest in the location, LeBlanc says. "We’re open to a number of uses, and we have been talking to a couple people who are interested, but we’ve not reached an agreement with one." Riverside Patty owner Nader Tahmasebi closed his original downtown restaurant (a second location off Siegen Lane is still open) on Wednesday, Nov. 21, because he couldn’t work out a new lease deal with LeBlanc. Also, he says, revenue had been siphoned off in recent years from the increase in competition from food trucks. You can read more about Riverside Patty’s closing from Daily Report here. —Steve Sanoski

Businessreport.com

[cajun]

As a sort of ammendment to the LSU post, a sculpture is more visible and makes people "feel" better than several smaller improvements. Sorta like choosing to buy spiffy sneeakers, over some socks you really need.

True, but the concentration of investment in one area in the city means it's less visible and will reach a smaller audience. It's a pretty huge parish, and there is no shortage of areas that need improvement....even if it is as simple as installing pavers, signage, or planting some trees.

Edited November 28, 2012 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

True, but the concentration of investment in one area in the city means it's less visible and will reach a smaller audience. It's a pretty huge parish, and there is no shortage of areas that need improvement....even if it is as simple as installing pavers, signage, or planting some trees.

Agree'd. I don't mind what was already spent on downtown and what is planned to come but we need to direct more attention to other neighborhoods such as OSBR and Mid-City.

[cajun]

Agree'd. I don't mind what was already spent on downtown and what is planned to come but we need to direct more attention to other neighborhoods such as OSBR and Mid-City.

-----

The philosophy of concentrating investment reminds me of some Latin cities. You'll see a beautiful arena, impressive police presence, and a massive government building on one block....and a mile down the street you have open sewers, deadly violence, and spotty electricity.

Baton Rouge is nowhere near that extreme, though.

Edited November 29, 2012 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

Some African cities are similar.

[richyb83]

The way urban area's are laid out is fascinating to me!

 

 

Coming Soon... BREC's Convention Street Park
The Recreation and Park Commission of East Baton Rouge Parish will celebrate the Grand Opening of Convention Street Park on Wednesday, December 12, from 11AM to Noon at 717 Convention Street in downtown Baton Rouge. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. In partnership with the Downtown Development District and the Baton Rouge Walls Project, Convention Street Park is part of the Seventh Street Corridor which emerged from the Plan Baton Rouge initiative as the ideal pedestrian corridor connecting the hearts of the Spanish Town and Beauregard Town neighborhoods.

717 Convention Street
Wednesday, December 12, 11AM

 

[richyb83]

Convention Street Park
Situated on a three-quarter acre lot downtown, Convention Street Park is part of the Seventh Street Corridor which emerged from the Plan Baton Rouge initiative as the ideal pedestrian corridor connecting the Spanish Town and Beauregard Town neighborhoods.

This BREC park includes a perennial garden, pergola with tables and chairs, educational and historical information, bio-retention rain garden, passive open green space and artwork. It also features a large, mobile mural by the Baton Rouge Walls Project depicting the active lifestyle of downtown Baton Rouge citizens.

Come join us celebrate the opening of this community park on December 12, 2012!
 

[richyb83]

DDD Commission Meeting
Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 8:00 a.m.
Hilton Capitol Center Baton Rouge - Heidelberg Ballroom, 201 Lafayette Street

 

AGENDA

 

1. Call to Order

2. Declare Quorum

3. Approve Agenda

4. Approve November 13th, 2012 Minutes

5. Board Action

a. Nominating Committee

6. Update from Previous Board Meeting

a. Governmental Issues

b. Development Initiatives

• 2012 Downtown Projects Recap
• Smart Growth Summit Recap
• Downtown Greenway Update
• Galvez Plaza Stage Canopy Update
• Repentance Park Update
• Convention Street Park Ribbon Cutting
• 438 Main Street Ribbon Cutting
• Commerce Building Update
• Design Resource Center Open House
• Hotel Indigo - 2012 Newcomer Award
• Literary Committee
• Events
  o Women & Wine on Wednesdays - Dec. 12
  o Belle of Baton Rouge Free Concert Series - Dec. 14, 21,28
  o Baton Rouge Arts Market - Dec.15
  o New Year's Eve
  o Baton Rouge Superbowl Fan Experience
  o LASM
  o Manship Theatre Events / LSU MOA
  o FHL/Old Governor's Mansion
  o River Center Events - BRSO

7. Strategic Plan

a. Plan Baton Rouge II

8. Ongoing Projects

• Construction Updates
• CPEX
• BREADA

9. Correspondence

10. Public Comment

[steve3n8]

DDD: Downtown B.R. landed 17 new businesses in 2012

The Downtown Development District says 17 new businesses opened or—as in the case of a new pharmacy planned for the 300 block of Third Street—announced plans to open in 2012. The DDD also counts 23 development projects that made progress during the year, including the River Center expansion and the new residential development at 438 Main Street. DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer provided a year-end review of the various projects at the DDD Commission meeting today. You can see a report of the 2012 progress downtown here.

Also discussed at today's meeting:

—John Smith of the Downtown Business Association says some business owners are discussing with the city the possibility of a New Year's Eve fireworks display; Smith expects to know if it will happen in the next few days.

—HNTB will begin in January working on the next planning stage for a possible rail connection between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, CPEX President/CEO Elizabeth "Boo" Thomas says.

—A new mural by the BR Walls Project will be unveiled at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the opening of the new Convention Street Park.

—The Crest, the new downtown stage canopy, should be assembled by mid-January, weather permitting, while the Repentance Park improvements could be complete by the end of this month. —David Jacobs

Businessreport.com

[richyb83]

Looking forward seeing new projects in 13'.... like the old Commerce Bldg(hopefully with grocery store at street level)... new Lafayette House condos; The Elysian on SpanishTown; Florida Street levee access improvements; reconfigured Repentance Park;

 

 

 

http://www.passionforprogress.com/assets/2012Development_Yearbook_2.pdf

[Antrell Williams]

Does anyone feel like the progress on Repentance Park is moving along at a snails pace?