River Park

[itsjustme3]

Google satellite images (one image) isn't a good gauge. Just because you don't see drainage work being done at the exact same time as a google map screen shot doesn't make it "100% certain" by any stretch of the imagination. Property that is built on the inside of levees (next to the river) will drain into the river.

Agree to disagree.

Edited April 8, 2011 by itsjustme2

[buckett5425]

So I went and revisited the site....

Sure enough there was a generator on top of the hill near the tracks, this being the first clue that there was some engineering going on, and the water simply didn't "drain" into the river via gravity. The second thing I noticed, was that I didn't see the lift station house I was expecting but I did notice some catch basins with a warning of high pressure, meaning some sort of pumping device was housed inside. When i looked inside the storm drains i could see a good amount of water pouring towards the catch basins, and not towards the river. This is because the bottom of the underpass is below the water level and the engineers couldn't risk an open connection to the river when the river is in higher stages.

So after that i got more adventurous and drove three blocks down to Holden Architect's the designers of the underpass. I knew it was a friday afternoon and they would either be off or taking it easy. Sure enough when i got there the only person still there was Mr. Holden who was more than happy to speak to me. He told me there is a huge well underneath the road and when the well is full a pump will kick on push the water up and then back down into the river, basically working like a sump pump. Problem solved.

The Generator;

The Catch Basins;

In this picture I'm standing 43' above sea level at the Hollywood Casino parking lot and the river stage is at 34'....the water is pretty darn close, haha

[itsjustme3]

Nice story. Not that I believe it but the pictures are a nice touch.

[buckett5425]

Nice story. Not that I believe it but the pictures are a nice touch.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Antrell Williams]

Thanks buckett, you really got out there!

[buckett5425]

Thanks buckett, you really got out there!

I live around the corner in Spanish Town so it's very easy to just head over there. I've also met the head of Holden Architects several times and have two friends who work there, so I had no problem just walking in and asking questions. lol.

I guess i should have recorded Mr. Holden's response to share with "itsjustme2" maybe then I'd be more credible? hahahahahahaha

[itsjustme3]

Yes. I mean you took photos of the site so take photos with mr Holden.

Geez, I SAID it was a nice story.

[richyb83]

Thanks for the pics & info buckett

In 08' I remember the river cresting near 43'ft; were the riverfront steps were partially submerged...

When they say BR's elevation is 53ft above sea level...is that an average...or at a particular location near the State Capitol??

[richyb83]

Some RiverPark news...part of another article

RIVER PARK: Developer Pete Clements, who is putting together a mixed-use center called River Park just north of Hollywood Casino downtown, wants to add 14 acres currently zoned as heavy industrial and business district to the 36-acre portion already zoned as a planned unit development.

The portion to be added to the PUD would be home to retail and entertainment development and public space, which have been part of the plan for River Place.

http://theadvocate.com/home/3133037-125/bethanys-proposed-church-on-jefferson

[cajun]

Cool.

So did it actually expand or was this always part of the plan? The advocate has a bad habit of being vague with their stories....and often outright incorrect.

I have the sneaking suspicion that this will be delayed forever.

Edited June 19, 2012 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

Cool.

So did it actually expand or was this always part of the plan? The advocate has a bad habit of being vague with their stories....and often outright incorrect.

I have the sneaking suspicion that this will be delayed forever.

If this wasn't part of the original plan this will be a good sign. Otherwise...

[cajun]

If this wasn't part of the original plan this will be a good sign. Otherwise...

If half of it gets built I'd be shocked....in this economy.

Something will be built there either way.

[Antrell Williams]

If half of it gets built I'd be shocked....in this economy.

Something will be built there either way.

In 10 years it might not be 'this' economy anymore. Ok I'll give it 20. It was a long term project to begin with. I didn't expect to see anything for at least 5 years.

[BRPJ]

I went back and read this whole thread. In 2008 I was so letdown by the two year time line for the underpass. It's 2012 now... surely something must be going up soon?!

[Antrell Williams]

I went back and read this whole thread. In 2008 I was so letdown by the two year time line for the underpass. It's 2012 now... surely something must be going up soon?!

Nada.

[itsjustme3]

They built a railroad overpass and the mayor held a press conference as if they just found a cure for cancer. Pretty sad. If that casino next door goes under then that's just more bad news for the site.

[richyb83]

I have often wondered if this would become the underpass to nowhere??? Or some makeshift DeSoto Park..

[steve3n8]

_{Details on River Park coming, consultant says}

_{Developer Pete Clements has tentatively secured the $130 million he needs to begin developing his long-awaited, mixed-use downtown project known as River Park, according to his consultant on the development. Mark Drennen, who has been working with Clements for more than four years, says details of the deal are being finalized and that he expects an announcement in the next couple of weeks. "Actually, I thought an announcement would have been made last month," says Drennen, who declines to discuss the investors or the source of the capital. "It just takes forever when you have all the lawyers involved." Plans for the 50-acre River Park, which would be located north of Hollywood Casino on the riverfront, include an entertainment district, office space, condos and apartments. Clements plans to develop first the entertainment district, which will include hotels, restaurants, bars and music clubs. The establishments will be national chains, not locally owned businesses, Drennen says. "When people come to Baton Rouge, they're going to go to River Park," he says. "It is going to be the place to go." Clements first announced plans for River Park in 2007. Initially, the project was financially tied to Mayor Kip Holden's bond proposal, which was twice defeated by voters. More recently, Clements has been working to secure private financing. —Stephanie Riegel}

_{Read more from Business Report here: http://businessreport.com/section/daily-reportAM#ixzz2QjeKeL2F}

[Antrell Williams]

It's about time. That site has been idle long enough, I'm sure it will continue to remain idle for a almost another year.

[cajun]

Looking forward to seeing the plans. That location reminds me of the Harbor Isle area in Tennessee prior to development....Except of course it isn't separated from the river bank.

Edited April 17, 2013 by cajun

[dan326]

I wonder if IBM coming has/will expediate the process??

[richyb83]

Good question!

 

Thanks for posting this!  Maybe this will happen after all?? And building the new R.R. Underpass was not in vain....

 

Wonder if this rendering is still the plan??

And include the pavilion??

 

 

Here was the larger original proposal...

[itsjustme3]

Dont see the levee in that last picture. And when the Miss river rises, like it did last year, what's going to hold back the water?

[cajun]

I don't think bluff had major flooded in summer 2011....and that is about as high as it will get without devastating the city.

The river was supposed to crest higher than the levee that year had they not opened Morganza. I was convinced that either Baton Rouge or Pointe Coupee was going to see a breach. If it were even half dry for that, it probably won't flood again in my lifetime.

[buckett5425]

The bluff sits above the River at that point. The River will over top the levees before flooding any portion of the bluff. 

 

I am less than enthusiastic about what this development may become but it would be nice to be surprised. While I love tall buildings as much as everyone else, it is the relationships between the buildings and the street that will make or break this development and I am unsure that the current site plan achieves anything other than high-rise suburban development.