Plan Baton Rouge

[Antrell Williams]

I wonder how long before we see a big retail store downtown, I feel an announcement is coming within 2015.

[Mr. Burnham]

I wonder how long before we see a big retail store downtown, I feel an announcement is coming within 2015.

Who do you think it would be? Walgreens? CVS? Walmart Market? GAP? books-a-million? Who?

[garrett_225]

Probably a CVS or Walgreen's. Whenever a cluster of hotels develops in a dense area, a chain pharmacy usually isn't far behind. 

[dan326]

It'll properly be CVS, it seems like they are developing a lot of stores and the Walgreen's is relatively right down the road, at Highland and Lee.

[Mr. Burnham]

It'll properly be CVS, it seems like they are developing a lot of stores and the Walgreen's is relatively right down the road, at Highland and Lee.

So where would CVS go?

[dan326]

I think the Matherne's location would have been good with the grocery store farther back, but I guess it could go somewhere along North or Main.

[richyb83]

One of the coolest little office buildings in Downtown BR...500 Laurel Street is being converted into Class A office

 

Nice rundown of all of the development going on downtown in 2014

 

http://passionforprogress.com/assets/2014EndYearUpdate_webfinalview3.pdf

[greg225]

Hoping they start on River Park in 2015, but who knows when it ever happen or if.

[dan326]

I got they're redesigning that turrible main library.

[Antrell Williams]

Hoping they start on River Park in 2015, but who knows when it ever happen or if.

I don't. It will take away from downtown.

[garrett_225]

Hoping they start on River Park in 2015, but who knows when it ever happen or if.

 

Me too. That area needs that infusion of activity. 

[Mr. Burnham]

Me too. That area needs that infusion of activity. 

But does it need to be River Park, I think Antrell has a point. A large commercial and residential center in that area of the city would either fail itself or take away from Downtown BR. In the same way you could make the argument that it would connect Downtown and the Capitol Lakes better. 

[garrett_225]

But does it need to be River Park...

 

Let's just build Alive, then. 

 

[Mr. Burnham]

Let's just build Alive, then. 

 

Hahahaha, or you could build a riverside park.

[greg225]

I don't. It will take away from downtown.

I think it could expand Downtown just like the river district when its build.

[Mr. Burnham]

I think it could expand Downtown just like the river district when its build.

The River District will bring LSU closer to downtown, but there is enough distance between the two for it to not hurt downtown. River Park would create a mini downtown in an area disconnected from downtown. 

[garrett_225]

Hahahaha, or you could build a riverside park.

 

Or we could continue to improve the parks we already have, and let the private sector handle that piece of property. 

 

Besides, I'm not entirely sure the lot next door to a casino is best suited for use as a park...not a BREC park, at least. Maybe if Hollywood owned it and used it for festivals and the like, much like Paragon in Marksville does with adjoining lands. 

Edited December 26, 2014 by garrett_225

[Antrell Williams]

Me too. That area needs that infusion of activity. 

It's an industrial section of downtown completely separate from the street grid. I can't help but disagree here.

 

Let's just build Alive, then. 

 

Which is probably a much better idea than River Park, in my opinion. Alive being 100% private though.

 

I think it could expand Downtown just like the river district when its build.

The River District is part of the urban fabric. It's on a major street connecting two popular urban destinations and is surrounded by young people and empty nesters. The two are not the same.

 

 

If anytihng, this should be built as part of the Entergy site plan or a separate project srtaddling I-110 (which should be demolished) near Florida Blvd and N 10th St. It would actually help the neighborhood it's in (which I have taken the liberty to name it West Mid-City). 

[garrett_225]

 

If anytihng, this should be built as part of the Entergy site plan or a separate project srtaddling I-110 (which should be demolished) near Florida Blvd and N 10th St. It would actually help the neighborhood it's in (which I have taken the liberty to name it West Mid-City). 

 

Yes, let's destroy the primary conductor of traffic to and from the airport and Southern University. 

 

North Baton Rouge really isn't disconnected enough from the rest of the city at this point. 

[Antrell Williams]

Yes, let's destroy the primary conductor of traffic to and from the airport and Southern University. 

 

North Baton Rouge really isn't disconnected enough from the rest of the city at this point. 

A freeway link connecting to the HPL and I-10 in WBR would solve that. Many cities are tearing down inner-city freeways, we should too. Anyway, it's not like SU or BTR draws crownds even half that of a small LSU home game.

 

I'm not talking about North Baton Rouge, it's the best connected area outside of Mid-City and OSBR. I'm specifically talking about the land north of Hollywood Casino where River Park is proposed.

[greg225]

don't think that's a good idea Southern University traffic after 5:00 pm M-F it get pretty bad. from the interstate to HWY 19 to Zachary is bad after 5 pm  M-F. Southern University home games traffic is not bad as LSU, but it can get ugly sometimes.

[garrett_225]

A freeway link connecting to the HPL and I-10 in WBR would solve that. Many cities are tearing down inner-city freeways, we should too. Anyway, it's not like SU or BTR draws crownds even half that of a small LSU home game.

 

I'm not talking about North Baton Rouge, it's the best connected area outside of Mid-City and OSBR. I'm specifically talking about the land north of Hollywood Casino where River Park is proposed.

 

"My friends are all jumping off bridges...I should, too." All cities have unique problems that demand unique solutions. Freeway destruction is not a one-size-fit-all solution. Downtown has shown us that it does not need I-110 removed in order to thrive. Neighborhoods beyond I-110 are beginning to realize this as well, as Downtown's good fortunes start to spillover. 

 

You're right, I-110 has nothing to do with River Park or the Hollywood. It's a fair topic for this thread, though. 

Edited December 28, 2014 by garrett_225

[Antrell Williams]

don't think that's a good idea Southern University traffic after 5:00 pm M-F it get pretty bad. from the interstate to HWY 19 to Zachary is bad after 5 pm  M-F. Southern University home games traffic is not bad as LSU, but it can get ugly sometimes.

How does I-110 between I-10 and the Govenors Mansion help with Southern University traffic? 

 

"My friends are all jumping off bridges...I should, too." All cities have unique problems that demand unique solutions. Freeway destruction is not a one-size-fit-all solution. Downtown has shown us that it does not need I-110 removed in order to thrive. Neighborhoods beyond I-110 are beginning to realize this as well, as Downtown's good fortunes start to spillover. 

 

You're right, I-110 has nothing to do with River Park or the Hollywood. It's a fair topic for this thread, though. 

Good point, but Baton Rouge fits. It's not downtown that is hindered by the freeway, it's the area directly around it. Mid-City has not shown much investment between it's western boundary and N 22nd St.

 

I'd like to see it torn down from I-10 to Airline Hwy but a large tree-lined boulevard between I-10 and Capitol Acess Rd would help bridge the gap. With the Government St project beginning, the Entergy Site plans underway, and all of the blocks in that immediate area are begging for it-in my opinion.

[dan326]

Um, that freeway is packed everyday...

[Antrell Williams]

So are the ones torn down in other cities. The Claiborne overpass is packed everyday but many people are pushing for it's demolition. We can live without the mighty freeway.