River Park

[richyb83]

Thanks for the update buckett!!! That's really good news! Like yall, had my doubts too. No doubt Brian, BR could have one elongated skyline!!

Just look at the possible connection of riverfront development!!! Hollywood Casino(black arrow) would be wedged between RiverPark(right/red); ALIVE!(green); and the "3" prime-blocks(left/yellow) at the old Advocate site; RiverPlace; and Hartley Vey property. Hopefully these developments will have a "ripple effect" or a synergy?? The new skywalk across River Road at the Capitol Visitors Center will be a MUST! This should all connect to the river promenade.

BR needs a big-time riverfront; all this together would be it!!!

[dimebag1980]

Thanks for the update buckett!!! That's really good news! Like yall, had my doubts too. No doubt Brian, BR could have one elongated skyline!!

Just look at the possible connection of riverfront development!!! Hollywood Casino(black arrow) would be wedged between RiverPark(right/red); ALIVE!(green); and the "3" prime-blocks(left/yellow) at the old Advocate site; RiverPlace; and Hartley Vey property. Hopefully these developments will have a "ripple effect" or a synergy?? The new skywalk across River Road at the Capitol Visitors Center will be a MUST! This should all connect to the river promenade.

BR needs a big-time riverfront; all this together would be it!!!

Yeah with the ALIVE project it would be awesome. Even if none of the other things happened, ALIVE alone or River Park alone would be awesome. But hope for the whole shebang!

[richyb83]

This is encouraging; like southdowns said...this is a HUGE project for the northern section of downtown BR. I really hope this works out!!

Riverfront railroad track underpass work set

Developer Pete Clements said work will begin soon on the $10 million to $12 million project to put an underpass below the railroad tracks that will separate his planned mixed-use development on the riverfront near Hollywood Casino from downtown.

Clements said he is almost done hammering out the necessary details with the railroad and moving utilities and hopes to begin later this year and finish the 1.5-acre road portion of the project by the first quarter of next year.

He said the contract for the part of the first phase that deals directly with the tracks has been awarded and he

Edited February 10, 2009 by richyb83

[buckett5425]

I have two friends that work at Holden & Associates and they said the project is still a 100% go. But it would be much more comforting if the economy got better, and then I think we would see some real work getting done.

[richyb83]

RIVER PARK UNDERPASS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

** June 9th** 1:30 p.m.

Paving the Way for 36 acres of New Downtown Development

[buckett5425]

I wanted to say something about this two weeks ago, but decided to keep my mouth shut just in case it didn't happen. I have two friends who both work for Holden and Associates and I asked him two weeks ago what had happened to the River Park project. My friend told me that they had finally gotten the money together, and groundbreaking was going to be on June 9th. I asked him if he was dead serious, and he said he was. Well, i guess now its official, I'm very optimistic and excited about this project!

[dan326]

Yay!!! I was reframing from getting genuinely excited until I saw some progress and now that some stuff has started to happen I'm excited.

[richyb83]

I am cautiously excited...like some have said about River Place and other projects...until steel starts coming out of the ground; then I'll really be excited! Class A office space downtown is near pre-Katrina levels; hotels, residential....what's the demand out there now?? I always thought Hollywood Casino should have a hotel tower. This recession has even slowed things down here in BR. I am curious to see which national businesses are interested in starting projects??

Here is a follow up article by BusinessReport...

River Park to break ground on underpass

River Park Development and Hollywood Casino will break ground June 9 on an underpass that will connect downtown Baton Rouge to a 36-acre tract of land to be used in a mixed-use development. Pete Clements, manager of River Park Development LLC, says several national businesses have been interested in starting projects in the area but most will hold off until the underpass construction has been completed.

[richyb83]

Does the entire development get built? Or is it realistic to think 1/2 of this ever gets built?? Kind of suprised a new hotel was not built for the Hollywood Casino...downtown could probably support another 300-rooms

*The new R.R. underpass construction at the future River Park*

Edited October 24, 2009 by richyb83

[cajun]

If River Park gets built, and is successful, the Hollywood Casino Parking lot, i doubt, will remain a parking lot for long. I'm sure Hollywood at that time, would begin to develop the land some how, or just sell the land to River Park(I see this being likely, because we now know they will work together on projects, such as the RR under pass.) That land is simply to valuable to be a huge parking lot for long. So if the parking lot gets developed, River Park wouldn't seem so distant from downtown, and would be more integrated, and only separated from downtown by the Capitol Grounds, and Desoto park, which i believe, would then become the "central" location for downtown, holding more events and such, as a connection and middle ground between the CBD and River Park.

I also believe, that River Park will be a catalyst for developing Desoto Park sooner, and finshing the levee walk all the way to the Hollywood.

Good point.

I think that if ALIVE gets passed....and they begin construction when they say they can (about 12-15 months after the vote), it should be able to ride the real estate "rebound" wave to new development. It will show that the city is serious about it's riverfront, which may be the only thing we need to get more private investment. I also think that ALIVE opponents should take a look at the plans that this private, "for profit" developer has in store for downtown riverfront property. If they feel like they can make money on it, then I'm sure the city can get their ROI from the ALIVE project, assuming it's well run and corruption free.

I'm convinced that the future of downtown is going to be less with high end office buildings, and more mixed use and hospitality developments like this. There's a lot of valuable (and expensive) land along the riverfront that is very low hanging fruit.

With that in mind, I hope that the future brings smart, well thought out development instead of hasty responses to what is likely to be a strong market upswing within a few years. A perfect development in 2015 is better than an okay one next year.

Richy, you've pointed out in several posts how hotels continue to get built in this town, and some are relatively high end. After reading and studying this market more, and understanding that Baton Rouge is a destination town not for tourist, but for people in town for football games, university events, state government, and business events.....so it makes total sense to invest in the hospitality industry, especially in the downtown, riverfront, and LSU areas. Those are the key hotspots.

Mixed use and hospitality are the next wave to hit downtown.

Edited October 24, 2009 by cajun

[buckett5425]

Good point.

I think that if ALIVE gets passed....and they begin construction when they say they can (about 12-15 months after the vote), it should be able to ride the real estate "rebound" wave to new development. It will show that the city is serious about it's riverfront, which may be the only thing we need to get more private investment. I also think that ALIVE opponents should take a look at the plans that this private, "for profit" developer has in store for downtown riverfront property. If they feel like they can make money on it, then I'm sure the city can get their ROI from the ALIVE project, assuming it's well run and corruption free.

I'm convinced that the future of downtown is going to be less with high end office buildings, and more mixed use and hospitality developments like this. There's a lot of valuable (and expensive) land along the riverfront that is very low hanging fruit.

With that in mind, I hope that the future brings smart, well thought out development instead of hasty responses to what is likely to be a strong market upswing within a few years. A perfect development in 2015 is better than an okay one next year.

Richy, you've pointed out in several posts how hotels continue to get built in this town, and some are relatively high end. After reading and studying this market more, and understanding that Baton Rouge is a destination town not for tourist, but for people in town for football games, university events, state government, and business events.....so it makes total sense to invest in the hospitality industry, especially in the downtown, riverfront, and LSU areas. Those are the key hotspots.

Mixed use and hospitality are the next wave to hit downtown.

I agree.

I wish Pete Clements would speak up about the river park project and explain in some way about how the health and success of his private development, River Park, is tied in with that of the public investment of alive. I think that could really help sell Alive.

[richyb83]

TIF sought for riverfront development

A bill by State Sen. Yvonne Dorsey, D-Baton Rouge, would create an economic development district for 60 acres of riverfront property that would include Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and the future location of developer Pete Clements’ River Park multi-use development. The district would have the ability to do tax increment financing to raise $20 million to $25 million for a half-mile public park along the Mississippi River and an add-on tax for associated public parking. The district would be able to issue revenue bonds that would be paid back with the TIF, which could draw from any sales tax generated in the area above 2009 levels. Clements stresses the projects will not utilize any existing taxes already earmarked for other uses. He says his project, still in the planning stages, could generate $84 million in state taxes and $103 million in the first 10 years. He says the development may include two hotels, restaurants, a small bowling alley, a live entertainment venue, and 800 or more residential units available for both ownership and rental. Clements says the proposed hotels, entertainment elements, and existing casino will be interconnected with the proposed public park to create a “destination resort.”

[richyb83]

Good to be back...computer virus + new baby...but did not miss too much here...above post I made on wife's lap-top was a pain-n-the butt

More on RiverPark...to the right; the new rendering shows the outdoor concert venue pavillion w/ entertainment complex including the bowling alley...looks as the they have scaled beack on the high-rise condo's into more mid-rise...still hoping for this project to happen despite these tough economic times. Always wondered why the Hollywood Casino never had a hotel attached; being the larger draw than the Belle. Alot of people are against this TIF...eventhough that's how Hilton, Bass Pro & Cabela's did the same.

Tax help sought on riverfront project

A riverfront development planned near Hollywood Casino downtown would include an outdoor concert venue, two hotels, restaurants, shops and apartments, as well as a public boardwalk on the Mississippi River that developers hope to fund with a tax increment financing program. Pete Clements, who first proposed the River Park development in 2007, said a bill now before the Legislature would create a taxing district that would redirect some of the sales taxes from the property and Hollywood Casino next door to fund the roughly $25 million public park and boardwalk along the river.The half-mile stretch along the Mississippi would go from the edge of Hollywood Casino and along the front of River Park.

Ongoing work on the four-lane road that will pass under the railroad tracks — long a sticking point for riverfront development plans — will finish up before the end of the year. That underpass also includes a service road that gives the state servitude to the nearby batture property, which was once planned as a home to the proposed DeSoto Park and later the “Alive!” cultural attraction that was shot down twice by voters. Clements said work on the riverfront park and boardwalk would be shrunk down considerably if the TIF isn’t approved, and he said the timetable for development is fluid because it depends on the level of the river.

The next phase — the entertainment complex — will be what Clements considers key to making River Park a destination for visitors. This portion would be anchored by a covered, outdoor concert venue that would accommodate up to 2,800 people and 120,000 square feet of restaurants, shops and entertainment options on two stories surrounding the concert venue. Clements said he’s talked to prospective tenants that include a small bowling alley and a dinner theater. This phase could be completed by the summer of 2012.

Just to the north would be the next phase, which would be anchored by two hotels, one a traditional hotel and the other a suite concept. Clements said he has spoken with two hotel chains about four possible brands. The total number of rooms would be between 300 and 400, plus meeting rooms and anywhere from 20,000-40,000 square feet of private parking.

The final phase would be four buildings that would house between 800 and 1,000 apartments for rent or purchase. Clements said this portion is the furthest out — the project has a 10- to 15-year development plan. He said the multifamily apartment builders he’s talked to generally want to see the entertainment portion completed to help them fetch higher rents.

Further down the line, Clements said, is some office development for the project.

River Park is projected to ultimately cost between $150 million and $200 million, not including the $15 million underpass.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/90809229.html

[dan326]

Congrats on the new baby!

Good to see this project is still a go. And a more realistic scale makes me think this may happen.

[hagetaka]

new babies are the best and so is this new project, hope all works out.

[richyb83]

Thanks yall...

The BR riverfront deserves something very nice...

[richyb83]

Sorry for small pic...Wish I could get this to larger view...

This is a nice rendering of the outdoor concert venue pavillion at River Park

[buckett5425]

I am beginning to not like the direction this development is taking. To me, its still looks very suburban, just with some density. Mid-rise buildings with individualized uses and the concert-shopping venue looks like Downtown Disney, which isnt actually urban at all. Notice the parking lots in between the buildings?

[richyb83]

Construction at the RR underpass to the future River Park...or just a future park??

[itsjustme3]

I am beginning to not like the direction this development is taking. To me, its still looks very suburban, just with some density. Mid-rise buildings with individualized uses and the concert-shopping venue looks like Downtown Disney, which isnt actually urban at all. Notice the parking lots in between the buildings?

I always get a kick out of people who have this ridiculous image of what a urban area should look like. I guess instead of having new buildings and more people downtown you'd rather have downtown BR look like some old european city where everyone rides bicycles and buses and there's a bunch of old buildings everywhere? Do you know WHY they made it look more "suburban" and less "urban"? Because no one with money or a family WANTS to live a urban lifestyle. This isn't NYC. It never will be. Some people should accept it and stop getting down on a project that's meant to fix up a ugly part of town.

[itsjustme3]

Sorry for small pic...Wish I could get this to larger view...

This is a nice rendering of the outdoor concert venue pavillion at River Park

I really really really hope they don't have that large white tent. Any color but white. Over a year the white will fade due to the elements and will smear and will look tacky as hell.

[Antrell Williams]

They should string lights similar to North Boulevard Square and keep it open for venues. Maybe close it during bad weather?

[buckett5425]

I always get a kick out of people who have this ridiculous image of what a urban area should look like. I guess instead of having new buildings and more people downtown you'd rather have downtown BR look like some old european city where everyone rides bicycles and buses and there's a bunch of old buildings everywhere? Do you know WHY they made it look more "suburban" and less "urban"? Because no one with money or a family WANTS to live a urban lifestyle. This isn't NYC. It never will be. Some people should accept it and stop getting down on a project that's meant to fix up a ugly part of town.

Interesting response....

You see "itsjustme2," this entire development is about creating a "new" downtown. Its about walkability, urbanity, density, and creating a sense of place. Those are the ideas the developers are using to sell this development to the public. However, this development barely encompasses any of those ideas, because its your standard suburban development, accessed solely by car, littered with parking lots, and garages, with huge set backs and introverted towers.

For a place that is trying to create the new urban experience of Baton Rouge, they are doing a terrible job!

Secondly, you're critique of what people want, urban versus suburban, couldn't be more wrong. People over 35 don't want to live an urban lifestyle, but all the new statistics prove people under 35 do. Thats what this development is catering to. ALL of the new developments being built around downtown, including River District, which will have a "St Charles Street" like feel, is catering to a new demographic that craves a walkable urban lifestyle.

Also, you're understanding of what urban should be is ridiculous. So, because I push for street level activity, mass transit, and density, I want Baton Rouge to look like an old European city? Could you be any more wrong? If you had read any of my earlier posts, you would understand I hate it when people imitate old architectural styles, just like they've done with Perkins Rowe.

I am all for fixing up an ugly part of town, but lets do the job correctly, because if you imitate what something should be, the over all success of the development will be limited....

You've got a lot to learn

[cajun]

I always get a kick out of people who have this ridiculous image of what a urban area should look like. I guess instead of having new buildings and more people downtown you'd rather have downtown BR look like some old european city where everyone rides bicycles and buses and there's a bunch of old buildings everywhere? Do you know WHY they made it look more "suburban" and less "urban"? Because no one with money or a family WANTS to live a urban lifestyle. This isn't NYC. It never will be. Some people should accept it and stop getting down on a project that's meant to fix up a ugly part of town.

Some people are at a stage in life when they need more space....others would prefer to live where they would enjoy more walkable, vibrant community near entertainment and their place of business. Evidence from all over this country suggest that there is a growing number of the latter. People are waiting longer to have children, and younger adults are choosing to live in more culture-centric neighborhoods.

I want to retain as many historic structures as possible as this city progresses (at least those worth keeping around), such as the Kress building. I also think that the hints of neo-goth in the art-deco state buildings in the northern part of downtown looks pretty cool, especially when complimented with the more contemporary newer structures downtown and the evening backdrop of lights from the refineries- who helped make Louisiana what it is today. I think downtown Baton Rouge has a unique appeal that many other downtowns don't have and plenty of room for bright, creative architects and developers in the future.

[dan326]

I second what Cajun, said.