Audubon Institute in BR

[richyb83]

Thanks Buckett; I sure hope this gets built!

The 'Audubon Alive' tourist attraction is proposed for the undeveloped DeSoto Park site, the tree-filled area across the railroad tracks from the Capitol Park Vistor's Center downtown, near the Hollywood Casino riverboat

*courtesy of The Advocate

Riverside complex would be attraction

“My benchmark for the riverfront development of Baton Rouge has always been that we will build what no other city has — that Baton Rouge would be second to none,” Holden said at a news conference announcing the proposal.

Holden said the new hotels, combined with Audubon Alive, would dramatically boost the city

[cajun]

To answer your question about funding, EBR is picking up the tab, but they are looking for 55 million to be kicked in from the state also. It is going to be located where Desoto park was supposed to be. Whether or not the open space around ALIVE is going to still be called "Desoto Park", who knows, either way, it looks like the entire 16 acres will be landscaped and developed for the public along with the museum. They had a few "concept" site plans of the site that depicted that. But I was hoping for some actual renderings.

[Gauge]

As far as the location of this project, the link below is to a map on which I have shaded the location of where I am pretty sure Audubon Alive will be.

As far as funding from the state goes, I am hoping that Jindal and the state will be a little more willing to contribue the 55 million since East Baton Rouge Parish will be putting up 247 million of their own. Also, one of Jindal's criteria for funding these kind of projects with state money is that the project must have a state wide benefit, or at least a regional benefit. Audubon Alive will at least benefit the region and will probably benefit the entire state. Hopefully that will be enough to get the state to put up the 55 million.

Link to map of Audubon Alive site:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&i...23ff502b92d00b1

[cajun]

As far as the location of this project, the link below is to a map on which I have shaded the location of where I am pretty sure Audubon Alive will be.

As far as funding from the state goes, I am hoping that Jindal and the state will be a little more willing to contribue the 55 million since East Baton Rouge Parish will be putting up 247 million of their own. Also, one of Jindal's criteria for funding these kind of projects with state money is that the project must have a state wide benefit, or at least a regional benefit. Audubon Alive will at least benefit the region and will probably benefit the entire state. Hopefully that will be enough to get the state to put up the 55 million.

Link to map of Audubon Alive site:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&i...23ff502b92d00b1

[buckett5425]

My concern is the massive price tag hints at a massive building, which has massive maintinance and energy bills as constant expenses. I guess that will be the Parish's responsibility? Will they have to extend the tax to fund those things later on?

[byrde]

My bet is, is that ALIVE is going to have some sort of entrance fee, that the Audubon Institute will use to run the facility, and then keep the profit im sure. Which makes you wonder why we the citizens are building them a building, only for them to keep the profit, but im sure that is what is going to happen. Either way, even with the tax revenue, ALIVE will have no only paid for itself, but the entire bond issue within a decade. Its a win/win, I just hope the voters understand that.

Another issue Ive noticed from people, who leave comments on the advocate articles, is,"Why cant we just use that 200 million to bring business to BR?" WELL, many large corporations dont want to come here, because of our lack of quality of life. This project will help that, will also bring in more conventions, because there will be things for people to do downtown while here for conventions, and the project itself is going to being up to 16,000 jobs in 20 years to baton rouge and raise millions in taxes. Once businesses see that we are willing to invest in our city in positive ways, they will flock here like other cities which have done the same. This is simply a win/win....

[dan326]

This is SO exciting! I hope this gets builts, then we'll have the newest, biggest attraction in the state. If this happens I can see it creating a huge domino effect.

[richyb83]

They will have to move some serious dirt to fil-in that lowland area. It flooded last time the Mighty Mississip came up in the Spring. Would they build a R.R underpass(like proposed RiverPark?) to Audubon Alive???

I really hope this happens! Can you imagine on 2 MAJOR projects like Alive! and RiverPark on each side of Hollywood casino?? That would be very impressive!

And Alive! would justify Pries' 300-room Intercontinental Hotel practically next door and the proposed hotel at RiverPark. I would hope RiverPlace would have at least 100 condo-units and maybe 250 hotel-rooms instead??

Can BR go against the grain with the struggling U.S. economy?? It will if these projects do ever get built!

[nquint1]

They will have to move some serious dirt to fil-in that lowland area. It flooded last time the Mighty Mississip came up in the Spring. Would they build a R.R underpass(like proposed RiverPark?) to Audubon Alive???

I really hope this happens! Can you imagine on 2 MAJOR projects like Alive! and RiverPark on each side of Hollywood casino?? That would be very impressive!

And Alive! would justify Pries' 300-room Intercontinental Hotel practically next door and the proposed hotel at RiverPark. I would hope RiverPlace would have at least 100 condo-units and maybe 250 hotel-rooms instead??

Can BR go against the grain with the struggling U.S. economy?? It will if these projects do ever get built!