River Park

[itsjustme3]

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.

heaven forbid there be parking spots and garages. I mean, when there's a concert downtown on the riverfront I guess people should take the train or bus or subway....oh wait. If you want people to come downtown and spend money then make it easy for them.

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

The city is trying to bring money into a ugly undeveloped part of town. This isn't about creating a urban utopia.

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.

Wrong. Those people don't want to spend money in run down tacky malls. Again, this is about money. These developments aren't being made due to wanting a "walkable" lifestyle.

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....

correctly? There is no correct way. There is only action and there will always be certain people who will complain and throw long winded phrases and non-factual statements in hopes to be heard. Those people will probably never be happy.

[itsjustme3]

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.

what's the evidence you are basing this on?

[buckett5425]

Who are you itjustme2? I know my comments can be polarizing, but you aren't here to have a discussion, you're here to stir the pot and troll the forums.

What makes your statements anymore relevant than ours? Where is your degree in Urban Planning or Architecture, etc? Please, enlighten us further....

[itsjustme3]

Who are you itjustme2? I know my comments can be polarizing, but you aren't here to have a discussion, you're here to stir the pot and troll the forums.

What makes your statements anymore relevant than ours? Where is your degree in Urban Planning or Architecture, etc? Please, enlighten us further....

paranoid much?

So because we don't see eye to eye on this I'm supposed to be some boogey man? Gimmie a break. I have plenty of posts that I've contributed. No need to be a internet bully.

As for my qualifications for contributing thoughts on the city I live in? Really? How about because I live here. But if you must know, I work for the state.

[buckett5425]

paranoid much?

So because we don't see eye to eye on this I'm supposed to be some boogey man? Gimmie a break. I have plenty of posts that I've contributed. No need to be a internet bully.

As for my qualifications for contributing thoughts on the city I live in? Really? How about because I live here. But if you must know, I work for the state.

I think we all see who the Internet bully is.

[itsjustme3]

Well I think I have a solution. You don't reply to me and I won't reply to you. Thus I won't have to be accused of being a troll.

[cajun]

what's the evidence you are basing this on?

You need evidence that people have different opinions and lifestyles than you?

[itsjustme3]

This isn't about the broad scope of lifestyles or opinions. You said "Evidence from all over this country suggest that there is a growing number of the latter"

Was just asking for some sources.

Edited January 12, 2011 by itsjustme2

[cajun]

This isn't about the broad scope of lifestyles or opinions. You said "Evidence from all over this country suggest that there is a growing number of the latter"

Was just asking for some sources.

I currently make a living designing structures for yuppies to live, work, and shop in urban areas all over this country- and I've done so in about a dozen cities in the US and Canada. My company's work was primarily on the east and west coasts until about 1995, when those trends swept the rest of North America. Infill development is a legitimate real estate trend. It's good for the economy, and it is far more sustainable than endless suburban sprawl. If my word isn't good enough...then you can click your way to Amazon.com and purchase (and hopefully read) The Geography of Nowhere by James Kunstler or The American City: What Works and What Doesn't by Garvin.

Edited January 12, 2011 by cajun

[itsjustme3]

No offense but your job and 2 authors doesn't cut it for me. On any subject a person could find 2 authors from Amazin and claim it as "evidence from all over the country". But to each their own.

Maybe we can get this thread back on topic.

[buckett5425]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2010/1011.doherty-leinberger.html

Here is a short article written by Chris Leinberger, who is an expert on the issues at hand, and also a developer. This article reinforces Cajun's and I's ideas.

[Antrell Williams]

Does anyone know who may perform at the outdoor venue? Someone must have secured the outdoor concert area, I just cant see us getting it being that we don't get many live concerts. Plus we will have one in Town Square right?

[buckett5425]

The stage in Town Square will be small, and set up for small concerts and events similar to Live After Five. The concert venue at River Park, I would assume, would be geared towards large concert and big name events, in order to attract more patrons to the casino, hotel, and shopping venues available to the public.

[Antrell Williams]

What is the capacity of the venue at River Park? The rendering makes it look crowded for large events at all. Maybe thats what they are aiming for. Reminds me exactly of The Landing in Jax if anyone has ever been.

Edited January 17, 2011 by Antrell Williams

[Antrell Williams]

Has anyone seen any construction at the RP site? I can't see it way from Houston!

[buckett5425]

Has anyone seen any construction at the RP site? I can't see it way from Houston!

The underpass is nearly complete, and I believe they are doing some landscaping right now. I guess we need to get some pics posted!

[Antrell Williams]

That's great news. I'm so excited for this on the northern end of the CBD.

[richyb83]

I had posted a pick of the underpass (Post #69) earlier in the month...good to hear of the continued progress I hope this project is still feasible in this turbulent economy...

[Antrell Williams]

I saw that picture, and I also hope that the entire project is still capable. Which of the buildings are going to be built first? Secondly?

[dan326]

Probably the public/commercial buildings, then the residential ones.

[Antrell Williams]

So the retail/office first?

I'm guessing the hotel would be last.

[dan326]

Well I'm just guessing, but I figure they'll build the buildings that will make money the fastest first.

[bobby255BR]

I believe that the condos and offices will built first then the retail. The hotels will probably be last if they ever happen.

I really hope this development happens and is not scaled back but upgraded starting with scrapping the parking lots for parking garages. The more dense, the better.

[richyb83]

Wondering who might be interested in acquiring office space in River Park? would the rent be as steep as II City Plaza?? Hope this big project pans out and it's not just a underpass to no where...I'm sure this will be brought along slowly and require patience

From the DDD...

Edited March 15, 2011 by richyb83

[Antrell Williams]

I'm with you..