Plan Baton Rouge

[dan326]

Wow, that looks nice!

[Antrell Williams]

Impressive! Old South really needs it.

[richyb83]

[richyb83]

This was yesterday....

New downtown BR projects unveiled

 

The total for the first phase of the four new proposed projects — the biggest one is City Hall Plaza — is about $900,000, which will come from a dedicated state sales tax rebates. The funding is included in Mayor-President Kip Holden’s $4.2 million budget supplement, which will go before council at 4 p.m.

 

Some projects are still in their planning and engineering phases. Among them is extending the levee bike path a half mile from Florida Street to Hollywood Casino. It would connect to the upcoming IBM block project and a $600 million River Park project by developer Pete Clements near the casino.

 

The biggest newly proposed project is planned for City Hall Plaza, the courtyard behind City Hall adjacent to Repentance Park and Galvez Plaza. Both newly renovated parks include green space and are used for concerts and festivals, including Live After Five, Earth Day and Baton Rouge Blues Fest.

 

The courtyard, with its outdated, massive concrete planters, will be torn up and replaced with a lawn connecting Repentance Park to Galvez Plaza. The construction will also double the space for people watching performances at the Galvez Plaza Stage, which features the stainless steel stage cover statue called “The Crest.”

 

Rhorer said the stage was intended to be enjoyed from both sides. “It gives us the opportunity for so much, especially when you have multiple events going on,” he said. “We’ll have Repentance Park, City Hall Plaza and the Town Square connected and what you’ll have is one of the most dynamic urban public spaces in America. And I’m very serious about that.”

 

Another plan includes extending Repentance Park approximately 20 feet to eliminate a service drive through on River Road so the park abuts the road. The park is across from the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum, and Rhorer said the extension will provide a safer connection for visitors going from the museum to the park.

 

Rhorer said he also wants to draw more people to the levee area and the City Dock, sometimes referred to as the “paperclips” because of the arches on the dock. In recent years, the dock has been repainted and lighting fixtures have been added. The newest proposal requests $262,350 for fabric panels to be constructed to provide shade. The panels, which could be finished within four months, will be constructed from a “very durable canvas material,” Rhorer said.

 

Last year’s return of the steamboats has increased the number of people using the dock, and Rhorer said he would like to add fountains, seating and electrical accommodations so the dock can be used and reserved for social gatherings, like crawfish boils. “We want you to enjoy what we call the theater of the river,” Rhorer said. “This is a working river in Baton Rouge. You can see the tugboats moving along it. It’s the fifth largest port in the country and it has a lot of activity.”

 

*entire article

http://theadvocate.com/home/6224783-125/new-downtown-br-projects-unveiled

 

 

 

 

[itsjustme3]

A crawfish boil on the levee? Yeah whoever said that has never been to or put on a crawfish boil.

[Antrell Williams]

Thanks for the post Richy. There is still much to do downtown, just wish the focus was geared a little more to Mid-City and OLBR now.

[cajun]

A crawfish boil on the levee? Yeah whoever said that has never been to or put on a crawfish boil.

I've been to a crawfish boil on a levee if that makes a difference. Good place for a bonfire and band if you are 16 years old. Police and parents can't see you from the other side.

We were probably trespassing and lighting things on fire that we shouldn't have....but I'm white and I can't help it.

Edited June 16, 2013 by cajun

[richyb83]

Your welcome Antrell

 

LOL Cajun!

 

One of my favorite terms I have used on UP in this article..."Vertical Neighborhood"

 

'Vertical neighborhood' set for continued growth downtown, Rhorer says

Some 350 new residential units have been developed in the central business district over the past three years, creating—in the heart of Baton Rouge's downtown area—what DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer calls "a vertical neighborhood." And Rhorer says more units are on the way. "With projects like IBM and the Commerce Building and Capital One building—as well as several projects that are in the works but have not yet been announced—we are becoming a vertical neighborhood," Rhorer says. "This is obviously a major component of the downtown master plan, and now we are seeing it realized." A group of New Orleans investors purchased the midcentury Commerce Building last year and have announced plans to renovate it using historic tax credits. Though no details for a residential redesign have been unveiled, the developers have said publicly they would like to turn the building into a mixed-use structure. Similarly, the Capital One building was acquired earlier this year by a group of local investors led by architect Dyke Nelson, who has redeveloped several other residential projects downtown. Nelson and officials with the Commerce Building will present an update on their respective projects at a DDD event today celebrating young downtown entrepreneurs. It will take place at the new DDD Design Resource Center, 247 Florida St., from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Read more from Business Report here: http://www.businessreport.com/section/daily-reportPM#ixzz2XSZt6Hwh

Edited June 28, 2013 by richyb83

[richyb83]

DDD Commission Meeting
July 9, 2013, 8:00 a.m.
LASM Planetarium, 100 River Rd. South

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Declare Quorum

3. Approve Agenda

4. Approve May 14, Minutes

5. Board Action

6. Update from Previous Board Meeting

a. Governmental Issues

• Legislation items status
• 2013 Budget Supplement

b. Development Initiatives

• Hampton Inn Ribbon Cutting
• Capital One Building
• 302 Third Street Update
• Commerce Building Update
• Downtown Greenway Update
• Florida Street Levee Access/River Road Path
• LASM Urban Plaza
• Downtown Residential Checklist Update
• Design Resource Center Reception
• New Business
• Events
  o I Do! Bridal Event / A Lively Discussion of Bastille Day - July 11
  o Capitol Park Museum Host Summer Series - July 11, 18
  o FUMC Cambodia Craft Sale - July 14
  o Art Melt / Geaux Run - July 20
  o Belle of Baton Rouge Concerts - July 23, Aug. 2, 16, 23
  o The Belle's Christmas in July Holiday Party - July 30
  o B. R. Arts Market - August 3
  o Foundation for Historical Louisiana/Old Governor's Mansion
  o Manship Theatre Events / LSU MOA
  o River Center Events
  o LASM

7. Strategic Plan

a. Plan Baton Rouge II

8. Ongoing Projects

• CPEX
• BREADA

9. Correspondence

10. Public Comment

[timelordnerd]

^

Is anyone allowed to attend? I'm new to these things.

[richyb83]

Yes...anyone is allowed to attend these meetings

[itsjustme3]

Beware they are horribly boring

[timelordnerd]

Thanks I'm excited to attend. 

Edited July 9, 2013 by timelordnerd

[timelordnerd]

When does it end?

[buckett5425]

When does it end?

 

 

They usually last for an hour. 

[richyb83]

Did you get to make it to the meeting timelordnerd??

 

Funds allocated for former insurance site in downtown B.R.

The state's capital outlay budget includes funds to secure the former site of the Department of Insurance building for a new Legislative Auditor headquarters, according to DDD officials. While there had been talk about selling the 1.1-acre site on the Capitol grounds for private development, lawmakers wanted it to stay under state government's control, DDD Commissioner Derrell Cohoon says. While an amount was not discussed at this morning's DDD monthly meeting, the appraised value of the lot has been reported at about $5 million. Also discussed at the DDD meeting today:
• The Legislature will study traffic issues downtown caused by the number of state workers arriving and leaving at the same time. The discussion could lead to blocking off certain streets at certain times for security reasons, Cohoon says.
• DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer thanked Mayor Kip Holden and the Metro Council for recently approving about $900,000 in supplemental spending for downtown projects.
• Renovations at the Richoux Building on Third Street are expected to begin by late November or December. The building is expected to house a Raising Cane's location, and architect Chris Ferrari says a rooftop beer garden and movie screenings could be incorporated into the finished development.
• Designs have been submitted to the city-parish for the LASM Urban Plaza, a "flexible gathering space" adjacent to the museum, says Brian Goad of Susan Turner Associates.
—David Jacobs

Read more from Business Report here: http://www.businessreport.com/section/daily-reportAM#ixzz2YZyFYlGh

[timelordnerd]

No I was not, still not old enough to drive and could not find a ride. 

[timelordnerd]

Did you get to make it to the meeting timelordnerd??

 

Funds allocated for former insurance site in downtown B.R.

The state's capital outlay budget includes funds to secure the former site of the Department of Insurance building for a new Legislative Auditor headquarters, according to DDD officials. While there had been talk about selling the 1.1-acre site on the Capitol grounds for private development, lawmakers wanted it to stay under state government's control, DDD Commissioner Derrell Cohoon says. While an amount was not discussed at this morning's DDD monthly meeting, the appraised value of the lot has been reported at about $5 million. Also discussed at the DDD meeting today:

• The Legislature will study traffic issues downtown caused by the number of state workers arriving and leaving at the same time. The discussion could lead to blocking off certain streets at certain times for security reasons, Cohoon says.

• DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer thanked Mayor Kip Holden and the Metro Council for recently approving about $900,000 in supplemental spending for downtown projects.

• Renovations at the Richoux Building on Third Street are expected to begin by late November or December. The building is expected to house a Raising Cane's location, and architect Chris Ferrari says a rooftop beer garden and movie screenings could be incorporated into the finished development.

• Designs have been submitted to the city-parish for the LASM Urban Plaza, a "flexible gathering space" adjacent to the museum, says Brian Goad of Susan Turner Associates.

—David Jacobs

Read more from Business Report here: http://www.businessreport.com/section/daily-reportAM#ixzz2YZyFYlGh

Can't wait to see some of the proposals and concept art!

[richyb83]

[nickels]

Was thinking today that BTR should do something around the lakes like Houston did with Buffalo Bayou. I think adding some lights along the path and some colored flood lights under the interstate overpass would go a long way at making the area seem more inviting. If we're gonna keep the golf course we might as well make the pedestrian parts nicer.

 

http://www.buffalobayou.org/BB_Phase2.pdf.pdf

[cajun]

I believe the lighting is planned already around City Park.

The pedestrian infrastructure can use an upgrade. It's one of the busiest recreational areas in the city.

Edited August 2, 2013 by cajun

[buckett5425]

Couldn't agree more, Buffalo Bayou is a wonderful amenity for the people of Houston. 

 

I believe in the plan for restoring the lakes, the dredged material was going to be used to create a wider, more natural shore line that would also accommodate a new path with upgraded amenities.

Now if they could only find the money for the restoration!  

[garrett_225]

At one point, the LSU Landscape Architecture program was going to tackle an improvement project at Dalrymple and I-10. The plan called for--among other things--extensive landscaping and a lighting system under the I-10 bridge that would change color depending on the water quality of City Park Lake. It sounded great--then budget cuts happened. 

Edited August 2, 2013 by garrett_225

[nickels]

I think just regular lights under the I10 bridge would be nice, they don't have to change colors.

[timelordnerd]

I think it all sounds great. I pray one day it happens.