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Plan Baton Rouge


richyb83

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On 4/9/2019 at 7:44 PM, Antrell Williams said:

If we had a robust education infrastructure, we would most likely see an uptick in office space being built.

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This.  

The state has somehow managed to raise taxes AND reduce funding to higher education.   I'm not sure where the additional dollars are going, but it certainly isn't to higher ed or infrastructure.   

It doesn't help that LSU's current leadership is an abject failure when it comes to raising private dollars.    A lot of alumni (including this one) refused to donate a single dollar until both Alexander and Alleva were shown the door.    Half the problem has been solved by Alleva's firing (seriously, who looks at how the Duke LaCrosse situation was handled and says "yep, that's our guy...let's hire him now"?!?).   

There will be much tighter connections between the alumni community and "the mother ship" when Alexander is booted.   Which means more private donations to LSU, which means that LSU's science and technology offerings may one day rival their business and law schools in terms of academic competence and growth.  

I have my hopes up.  The way LSU handled Aleva's departure was so uncharacteristically competent that I am not sure if it was just a fluke or if they are actually changing.

The truth is that Baton Rouge's fortunes would improve greatly if leadership at LSU were better.    I know that F. King Alexander put his house on the market.    He knows which way the wind is blowing.    LSU will have a new President very soon, and hopefully the current governor won't be in office much longer to influence that decision.    

Edited by cajun
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On 7/14/2019 at 3:23 PM, cajun said:

This.  

The state has somehow managed to raise taxes AND reduce funding to higher education.   I'm not sure where the additional dollars are going, but it certainly isn't to higher ed or infrastructure.   

It doesn't help that LSU's current leadership is an abject failure when it comes to raising private dollars.    A lot of alumni (including this one) refused to donate a single dollar until both Alexander and Alleva were shown the door.    Half the problem has been solved by Alleva's firing (seriously, who looks at how the Duke LaCrosse situation was handled and says "yep, that's our guy...let's hire him now"?!?).   

There will be much tighter connections between the alumni community and "the mother ship" when Alexander is booted.   Which means more private donations to LSU, which means that LSU's science and technology offerings may one day rival their business and law schools in terms of academic competence and growth.  

I have my hopes up.  The way LSU handled Aleva's departure was so uncharacteristically competent that I am not sure if it was just a fluke or if they are actually changing.

The truth is that Baton Rouge's fortunes would improve greatly if leadership at LSU were better.    I know that F. King Alexander put his house on the market.    He knows which way the wind is blowing.    LSU will have a new President very soon, and hopefully the current governor won't be in office much longer to influence that decision.    

This. This a billion times.  

As a current LSU Student, we are craving new leadership. LSU admin is incompetent and fails both current students, alumni, and the state as a whole. When Alexander is gone, depending on the replacement, things will be better. Much needed also is a sea change in student leadership which often serves as a mouth-piece for Alexander. They're also insufferable. 

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Nothing in BR has been built over 12 stories since the late 80's ....of course this  nice gleaming 26 story high rise is too much for status quo Baton Rouge ;as the year(s) keep going by' seems like this will NEVER change'  that fancy stuff is reserved for places like Austin ; Nashville or maybe NOLA

Trahan Architects named nation’s top design firm; nixed downtown ‘pencil building’ could pop up elsewhere

However, one of Trahan’s submissions might raise eyebrows: 111 North, better known to Baton Rougeans as the proposed “downtown pencil building.” The architect previously confirmed to Daily Report he nixed plans to develop the 26-story skyscraper in Baton Rouge.

In an email to Daily Report this morning, Trahan defended including the ill-fated downtown project in his submission, saying his vision will still be executed—just not in Baton Rouge.

“While we do not anticipate that project moving forward in Baton Rouge, we do anticipate eventual executions in New Orleans, Waterloo, Ontario, and elsewhere,” Trahan says.

https://www.businessreport.com/business/trahan-architects-named-nations-top-design-firm-nixed-downtown-pencil-building-could-pop-up-elsewhere

image.png.13438de107926270b4558fd33ab4a020.png

 

MISSED this article back on August 9th ...would have been nice to get parking spaces for the BR Water co. tract ; but Shaw Center for the Arts prolly wouldn't like blocking the river view ...

It was a nice idea: Trahan nixes plans for pencil skyscraper downtown

https://www.businessreport.com/newsletters/it-was-a-nice-idea-trahan-nixes-plans-for-pencil-skyscraper-downtown

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Completed downtown public spaces to be celebrated at Dec. 6 ceremonies

Three downtown public spaces are now completed, an achievement Downtown Development District and city-parish officials plan to celebrate at a Dec. 6 ceremony that will begin with ribbon cuttings at 3 p.m. and end with downtown’s Festival of Lights at 6 p.m.

Those projects include:

• North Boulevard Town Square Phase II—a $1.8 million, grant-funded project that includes corridor improvements such as a new Fourth Street Plaza, widened pedestrian paths and at-grade pedestrian crossings all along the St. Phillip Street Promenade and along North Boulevard in front of the Old State Capitol.

• Riverfront Plaza—funded by the state sales tax rebate, some $750,000 worth of both aesthetic and technical improvements to a water garden fountain and plaza area that was originally built in 1984.

• Rotary Centennial Sculpture—A 14-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture that reflects the flow of the Mississippi River and emits a singing sound when visitors approach the sculpture, which was donated to the city-parish by the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge in celebration of its 100-year anniversary.

DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer tells Daily Report the completion of the three projects marks a significant milestone for the implementation of downtown’s Central Green, a key element of the area’s master plan as envisioned in Plan Baton Rouge.

“It’s about connectivity,” Rhorer says. “Town Square Phase II was a critical component of that because it created a connection between the Downtown Greenway and the Town Square area, and it prioritizes pedestrians.”

The Rotary Sculpture is also noteworthy, says Rhorer, in that it marks the first time in several decades the city of Baton Rouge has commissioned its own sculpture.

“It’s not often you have a sculpture of this magnitude raised by private funds,” he says.

Officials will cut the ribbon on North Boulevard Town Square Phase II, located at the corner of North Boulevard and Fourth Street, at 3 p.m., followed by Riverfront Plaza on South River Road at 4 p.m. and the Rotary Centennial Sculpture, near the intersection of Florida Street and River Road, at 5 p.m. 

The evening will culminate at 6 p.m. with the city’s official tree lighting, fireworks, a visit from Santa and other activities taking place at the Festival of Lights.  

https://www.businessreport.com/newsletters/completed-downtown-public-spaces-to-be-celebrated-at-dec-6-ceremony

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Would like to see how they utilize the roof top??  Glad this Triangle building being put back to use; didn't realize it had been vacant that long.

Arts Council begins work on Cary Saurage Community Arts Center

https://www.businessreport.com/newsletters/arts-council-begins-work-on-cary-saurage-community-arts-center

image.thumb.png.9f9f68e487db4f7e9f4ceb537d166c88.png

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On 12/23/2019 at 3:37 PM, richyb83 said:

Would like to see how they utilize the roof top??  Glad this Triangle building being put back to use; didn't realize it had been vacant that long.

Arts Council begins work on Cary Saurage Community Arts Center

https://www.businessreport.com/newsletters/arts-council-begins-work-on-cary-saurage-community-arts-center

 

Cool, it'd be nice to see them repaint it as well.

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Saw a new rendering of the Arts Center ; but can not seem to locate or remember where i saw it? :dontknow:

 

A NEW High-Rise  on Fourth Street sure would be nice!

Commercial Property of the Week, sponsored by Elifin Realty: Downtown offices ideal for growing business

https://www.businessreport.com/article/commercial-property-of-the-week-sponsored-by-elifin-realty-downtown-offices-ideal-for-growing-business

image.thumb.png.b1685d479640579e9bc4cb87bf8f82a5.png

Edited by richyb83
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The 3 -story Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors on North Street on surface parking lot came out nice! Even though the Louisiana Associated General Contractors opting out of the 4th floor

image.png.0e4af9defef1cb6374b210e3a3449f8f.png

 

""ORIGINAL"   4 - stories with LAGC

Louisiana Associated General Contractors & Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors building

image.png.b14edd65da7c26de0e4755d4bbb17200.png

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Driving east on Main Street caught a brief glimpse of a Sign  of a future new office building; almost turned around to take pic ; it's only  3 stories but at that location looks better than nothing that;s there now ; next time i drive by over there will take pic of rendering/site

Here's the rendering ...looks nice :shades:

Scheme E 1 1 F r ws

Scheme E4 2 F r ws

Here it  is in article...

The Louisiana Board of Realtors is also planning to move into a new headquarters on Main Street. Construction is underway for a three-story building at 861 Main Street, next door and across Priscilla Lane from the organization’s current offices. The new headquarters will feature 9,000 square feet of office space and a roughly 5,000-square-foot conference room. 

Other news ...

Baton Rouge developer Mike Wampold has submitted the site plan for his planned renovations to Chase South Tower downtown, according to online records. 

According to the plan, he intends to renovate the top 12 floors of the building from commercial offices into residential apartments. There will be 144 residential units as well as an 8,000-square-foot pool area on the penthouse level. 

The plans also call for 4,000 square feet of commercial retail space to be added to the ground-level plaza. (((posted previous post))

https://www.businessreport.com/newsletters/wampold-submits-site-plan-for-south-tower

.https://www.businessreport.com/newsletters/downtown-development-continues-despite-pandemic

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_64b4a010-c5e8-11ea-822c-739223c40e20.html

 

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Planning Commission to consider South Tower renovation plans

 
The Planning Commission this evening will consider the site plan for renovations to Mike Wampold’s Chase South Tower off Florida Street in downtown. 

The plans call for the top 12 floors of the building to be renovated from commercial offices into residential apartments. The development would include nearly 145 units, an 8,000-square-foot pool area on the penthouse level and 4,000 square feet of commercial retail space at the ground-level plaza. 

The South Tower plans require approval only from the Planning Commission and will not go before the Metro Council. 

 

The Chase South Tower will be the fifth major downtown structure Wampold has either bought and renovated or built from the ground up. The others are Riverside North Tower, City Plaza, II City Plaza, and the Watermark Hotel.

https://www.businessreport.com/newsletters/planning-commission-to-consider-south-tower-renovation-plans

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HAPPY 1st Day of FALL....Sept 22nd 2020! :) Cooler temps sure have been a nice break from the relentless Summer heat! But ready for some sunshine finally again!  Maybe Friday?   Slow moving Tropical Depression in SE TX will be headed this way for a few days ....

CHECK OUT ALL  of the GREEN SPACES in Downtown BR!

https://downtownbatonrouge.org/discover-downtown/greenspaces

Here are a few of my favorites :shades:

Downtown Greenway

15341_northboulevardgreenway_places_217815341_northboulevardgreenway_places_2178

North Boulevard Town Square

TownSquare_300931a60234ab7f3d55305c9ffbe

City Hall Plaza

MarkBienvenu1_300931a60234ab7f3d55305c9f

Repentance Park

W2A6810_sm_300931a60234ab7f3d55305c9ffbe

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1st posted here last December in 19'

New Roof top deck looks nice :shades:

Long vacant 'triangle building' downtown to be new arts center; see renovation progress

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/arts/article_a5c3b0c2-0419-11eb-acb1-6ff18126fbdd.html

5f7caf5101d0f.image.thumb.jpg.6d17006b62583aadb1fae9c315ab0711.jpg

 

 

Edited by richyb83
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This is the thread i like to have as many visuals(pics) as possible(see above) ;  sure would like to continue that on this post too@!

More than 50 projects in the works for 2021?    Where's the list? Will have to check DDD website

More than 750 new residential units going up?  Where is """LOTUS VILLAGE"" going to be located?? :lol:

*EDIT*....Missed this from early December...Lotus Village a 116-unit mixed use development aimed at seniors. Don't eat the Lotus plant! lol

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_2c734eae-3677-11eb-a949-df301b13aa39.html

More than 50 projects in the works for downtown this year

https://www.businessreport.com/business/more-than-50-projects-in-the-works-for-downtown-this-year

While the pandemic dampened development across the region last year, moving into the new year there are more than 50 projects in the works for Baton Rouge’s Downtown Development District. 

Among the plans are the completion of the second phase of Riverfront Plaza, upgrades to the reflective Rotary Club sculpture on the levee, transportation projects with the Capital Area Transportation System and nearly 800 new residential apartment units. That’s according to DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer, who provided updates on the projects during this morning’s DDD meeting. 

CATS will relaunch its downtown trolley program this summer, with rebranded electric buses and an emphasis on shorter wait times in between rides. Rhorer was especially optimistic about how the program will complement the return of riverboat cruises to the city. CATS’ planned bus rapid transit system will feature five downtown stops: Three on Florida Street, one on North Boulevard at 4th Street, and one on Government Street at the River Center. 

The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s new home, the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, is also expected to open this summer. 

There are more than 750 residential apartment units going up throughout downtown—286 in Downtown South and 468 in Downtown East. Among the most notable projects are Valencia Park, Lotus Village and Elysian III, which together are expected to add much needed affordable housing units while helping to redevelop a long-neglected area.

A master plan for Memorial Stadium will also be drafted this year. Rhorer says the goal is to connect the nearby neighborhood with the stadium’s amenities, such as the planned three basketball courts. Additionally, officials are looking to improve area sidewalks and bike lanes to make it easier for residents to get to the heart of downtown and to essential services. 

Hollywood Casino is expected to break ground shortly on its new expansion onto land,

5751d61983079.image.jpg?resize=990,637

 

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Nice to see they want to name downtown's City Plaza after  DDD Director Davis Rhorer; who passed due to complications from Covid last month at age 65.  Enjoyed meeting him a few times; he had a passion for  Downtown BR. A lot of what has been posted here on UP is because of Davis Rhorer

DDD outlines search plans for a new executive director

https://www.businessreport.com/business/ddd-outlines-search-plans-for-a-new-executive-director

Today’s meeting began with a video tribute to Rhorer, whose legacy includes the historic restoration and reopening of the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, expansions to the Raising Cane’s River Center and the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum, the establishment of the Shaw Center for the Arts, the development of hundreds of residential units in the downtown area, and the funding, development and implementation of the biking and walking trail on the levee that connects downtown to LSU.

“All he wanted was to make downtown Baton Rouge better,” said past board chair Scott Hensgens. “He never sought credit or a pat on the back. He just wanted Baton Rouge to be as good as it could be.”

Tomorrow, the Metro Council will consider a resolution to rename downtown’s City Plaza as “The Davis S. Rhorer Plaza.”

 

And from today's Business Report.....(((I no longer get the Monthly Agenda for DDD...thought i had signed up)))

Among other downtown updates:

• Construction on the River Mark Centre, the rebranded Chase South Tower, has begun.

• Some $16.26 million worth of renovations to the River Center Theater are slated for completion by August, while construction on the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center will wrap this summer.

• Key investments that have recently been made downtown include Watson Cohen LLC’s acquisition of the former State National Life Insurance building, Cornelius Quarels’ plans to reopen the former Hound Dogs location as a rooftop bar and lounge, and John Engquist’s purchase of an undeveloped, 1.3-acre riverfront property for $5.68 million.

• Between the Water Campus, Old South and Downtown East areas, there are 770 residential units being developed—including 200 Water Street, which is now leasing units.

• The DDD is working with downtown parking meter vendor FlowBird to determine final quantities for the smart meters, which will have higher rates ($1/ hour) that won’t go into effect until July.

• After bids came back with higher quotes than expected, downtown officials are repackaging their proposals for phases II and III of Riverfront Plaza, including moving the proposed River Road pedestrian crossing to a later phase, and hope to re-bid in the next couple of weeks.

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https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_1922d618-9ef9-11eb-b7e9-a33c30fa0c32.html

What to know about Motor City Apartments, Baton Rouge affordable housing set for construction

Motor City Apartments

Construction is set to begin in May on the Motor City Apartments, a 110-unit affordable housing complex that will take up the entire block bordered by Scenic Highway North, North 20th and Gayosa streets.

Edited by dan326
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Motor City Apartments sounds pretty cool...almost as if it belongs in Detroit instead!   Anything 4 floors or more always gets my attention!

 

This has been taking forever; COVID delayed this RENOVATION  project

Not the best pic on a cloudy day. Like the Glass entrance; prolly will look nicer at night

River Center Performing Arts Theater

IMG_1565.thumb.jpg.b3645d42f5b8bd2bdefb7b63bb5aa67f.jpg

Hope it will look as nice as the rendering

rivercenter_rendering_dennisallain3.jpg

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