Mid City

[richyb83]

^^ Sounds like a plan Cajun! 

The Government Street redesign wraps up this summer, so check out the new spots along the corridor

https://www.225batonrouge.com/food-drink/government-street-redesign-wraps-summer-check-new-spots-along-corridor

The area around Electric Depot has plenty of development projects on the horizon. Photo by Ariana Allison.

What’s new in Mid City

1. Gallery 14

The event venue joins Dyke Nelson Architecture and advertising agency ThreeSixtyEight in revitalizing former warehouses along this stretch of 14th Street.

2. Millennial Park project

CEO Cameron Jackson is partnering with other developers to convert a vacant lot into his second shipping container park, featuring eateries and a covered patio. “I’ve learned a lot about how to do things, like permitting, and I see this new one as being a lot bigger,” Jackson says.

3. Former Valley House Hotel

Investor Anthony Kimble purchased the two-story former hotel in 2020 with an eye for redevelopment, though he has not yet disclosed plans for the historic building.

4. Electric Depot

The large complex in a former Entergy site is still buzzing with activity despite some hiccups, with Red Stick Social hosting indoor and outdoor concerts post-pandemic. Meanwhile, Boru Ramen, Sweet Society and City Roots continue to attract crowds, and rumors swirl about which tenants might come next to the development.

5. Yes We Cannibal

The budding arts collective has taken over an empty storefront, hosting eclectic and diverse art shows and performances

6. Circa 1857 complex

The hub for art and antiques is now home to the monthly Mid City Makers Market. You can also grab brunch or lunch at Leola’s Cafe and Coffee House, which opened in January.

7. Former Garden District Nursery

The property, which houses multiple buildings, was purchased in April by the Hammond-based Neill family, which operates several Aveda salons. No word yet on how it will be redeveloped.

8. Red Stick Reads

Teresa and James Hyfield turned this Eugene Street building into a cozy neighborhood bookstore hosting pop-up shops and kid-focused events.

9. BRcade

The vacant building near Ogden Park Shopping Center that was formerly home to Pop Shop Records is being revamped as an adult arcade and bar. Its opening date has yet to be announced.

10. Youth City Lab

The former church/Sarkis Oriental Rug store is being rehabbed by four nonprofit partners into a youth-focused facility called Youth City Lab. Once complete, Big Buddy, Humanities Amped, Line 4 Line and Front Yard Bikes will all have a presence in the 10,000-square-foot space

11. Bistro Byronz and Tap 65

The French bistro favorite is sliding down Government Street to take over the former White Star Market space at Square 46, which it will share with Tap 65, a new restaurant and bar concept from the owners of Mid Tap. Also on the ground floor of Square 46 is Mid-City Artisans, which opened in April and helps more than 60 local creators sell their work.

12. The Spoke and Hub

City Group Hospitality is taking over the former Bistro Byronz space for this bicycling-themed restaurant. Owner Stephen Hightower hasn’t released much information other than the name, saying he wants it to be “a great neighborhood spot, just like it already was.” 

[richyb83]

Your guide to White Light Night 2021

https://www.225batonrouge.com/things-to-do/guide-white-light-night-2021

This Friday, Nov. 19, the White Light Night arts festival returns to Mid City’s arts and cultural district. Local businesses, artists, craftspeople and musicians will come together along Government Street and parts of Jefferson Highway and Mid City to celebrate creativity in Baton Rouge. 

https://www.midcitymerchantsbr.org/

https://www.midcitymerchantsbr.org/events/white-light-night?fbclid=IwAR3aX28_H_k4-6EBdiJ9qJZ2vvFJkRJ89rbHimJp6Zd0fEvSSba5jX86Tyo#!map

[richyb83]

Baton Rouge Music Studios moving into century-old building on Government

https://www.businessreport.com/business/baton-rouge-music-studios-moving-into-century-old-building-on-government

 

[richyb83]

Government Street medians continuously damaged by distracted drivers

BATON ROUGE - Months after completion, drivers are still getting used to the new Government Street layout. 

Gardeners were busy at work Tuesday afternoon tending to the newly-built flower beds in the medians, which are constantly damaged by the vast amount of traffic moving through the area. 

"Distracted driving and speeding is a problem and we need to stop that on Government Street," DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett said.

Mallett says distracted drivers are partially to blame for the constant upkeep that is needed for the flower beds. That, along with regular drivers still being unfamiliar with the more narrow roadway.

"Once the people who drive Government Street, drive it regularly, and get used to driving it, we anticipate this kind of activity to drop off," Mallett said in October. 

Landscaping crews are contractually obligated to repair the median greenery weekly, according to Mallet. To preserve their beauty, drivers are asked to be alert when behind the wheel.

"We need drivers mainly to pay attention. The landscaping is not in the travel lane. So, if they can stay in the travel lane, then we will have less impact on the landscaping." 

The state still has ownership of Government Street, which will be transferred to the city by the end of the year. As of now, DOTD has no official figure on how much maintenance will cost taxpayers. 

https://www.wbrz.com/news/government-street-medians-continuously-damaged-by-distracted-drivers

 

[richyb83]

Hop on your bike and pedal to Spoke & Hub for some stick-to-your-ribs contemporary southern cuisine

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/article_e5898f62-9b10-11ec-9a44-7f33f2f89fc7.html

[richyb83]

Old Champion Insurance building, prime Government Street property, sold for $3.3 million

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_9b41ec2c-e34c-11ec-b3fe-8f54db57091c.html

The former Champion Insurance complex on Government Street, a prime property in a busy area of Baton Rouge, has been sold for $3.3 million to a group of partners from Cajun Ready Mix.

CHL is made up of Steven Cheatham, Ryan Heck and Jason Lyngaas, all of whom are listed as partners in Cajun Ready Mix. Holcim US, a global cement, concrete and asphalt manufacturer, bought the Baton Rouge business last week and announced plans to rebrand it.

The buyers plan to redevelop and improve the Government Street site, said Mathew Laborde of Elifin Realty, who represented the buyers. There were no further details to announce, he said.

The complex consists of two buildings facing Government Street, with 8 acres behind them. One building is 40,272 square feet; the other is 17,881 square feet. There are 242 parking spaces on the property.

There was a lot of interest on the property because it’s a square-shaped tract on Government Street.

“Government Street is still on the rise from a development standpoint,” Walker said.

The land will probably end up with multiple uses, such as putting a restaurant or offices in the front and developing apartments or self-storage in the back. "I'm sure it will contain a few different uses," Walker said.

[cajun]

On 6/3/2022 at 4:21 PM, richyb83 said:

Old Champion Insurance building, prime Government Street property, sold for $3.3 million

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_9b41ec2c-e34c-11ec-b3fe-8f54db57091c.html

The former Champion Insurance complex on Government Street, a prime property in a busy area of Baton Rouge, has been sold for $3.3 million to a group of partners from Cajun Ready Mix.

CHL is made up of Steven Cheatham, Ryan Heck and Jason Lyngaas, all of whom are listed as partners in Cajun Ready Mix. Holcim US, a global cement, concrete and asphalt manufacturer, bought the Baton Rouge business last week and announced plans to rebrand it.

The buyers plan to redevelop and improve the Government Street site, said Mathew Laborde of Elifin Realty, who represented the buyers. There were no further details to announce, he said.

The complex consists of two buildings facing Government Street, with 8 acres behind them. One building is 40,272 square feet; the other is 17,881 square feet. There are 242 parking spaces on the property.

There was a lot of interest on the property because it’s a square-shaped tract on Government Street.

“Government Street is still on the rise from a development standpoint,” Walker said.

The land will probably end up with multiple uses, such as putting a restaurant or offices in the front and developing apartments or self-storage in the back. "I'm sure it will contain a few different uses," Walker said.

Baw ready mix coming to Government Street!

[richyb83]

Developer plans to redevelop former Pearl beer warehouse into studio space

Kimble purchased the property at Julia and South 15th streets, which he says dates back to the 1920s, in 2020, and originally intended to build residential units. But they needed rafters and beams in the ceiling to remain exposed to qualify for historic tax credits, which conflicts with the need to put walls between the units, he says. 

Kimble plans to create a studio space that can be rented for different projects. He says he is working with a tenant who would operate the space and split the revenue. 

 

Kimble is a partner in Mid City’s Electric Depot and also is working to redevelop the former site of the Valley House Hotel on Government Street. 

The Planning and Zoning Commission and the Metro Council would have to approve rezoning the site from residential to general office low rise for the project to move forward as envisioned. 

https://www.businessreport.com/realestate/developer-plans-to-redevelop-former-pearl-beer-warehouse-into-studio-space

[cajun]

Most of the  newer restaurants I've tried on Government street in the past year have been VERY good.   Impressive.

[richyb83]

White Light Night to bring colorful festival to Government Street; see map of 60 stops on route

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/white-light-night-to-bring-colorful-festival-to-government-street-see-map-of-60-stops/article_d57a4ede-5f7f-11ed-aaa2-8f9741b024f4.html#!map

https://www.midcitymerchantsbr.org/?fbclid=IwAR2S6csD2THp1JhT2Kpzig4xp5-XBxYDPNBaZyXhNQqla660fjrpmUHmTPE

https://www.midcitymerchantsbr.org/events/wln#!map

[richyb83]

Something like this might look pretty cool on Government Street next to the vacant tract of land next to Westmoreland shopping center

[dan326]

^ I agree, with more and more of these shopping centers emptying out it'd be nice to see some contemporary housing developments take there place.

[richyb83]

31 Mid City homes in Baton Rouge will undergo an $8.7 million renovation

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/31-mid-city-homes-will-undergo-an-87-million-renovation/article_ba4142b4-abef-11ed-a750-47a0eacbd8f5.html

[richyb83]

Government Street flowerbeds in rough condition while City-Parish and DOTD work to transfer ownership

https://www.wbrz.com/news/government-street-flowerbeds-in-rough-condition-while-city-parish-and-dotd-work-to-transfer-ownership

[cajun]

On 7/2/2023 at 10:42 AM, richyb83 said:

Government Street flowerbeds in rough condition while City-Parish and DOTD work to transfer ownership

https://www.wbrz.com/news/government-street-flowerbeds-in-rough-condition-while-city-parish-and-dotd-work-to-transfer-ownership

IDK why Baton Rouge thought they could maintain flowerbeds.   They can't even install parking meters.   That's too complicated of a project for this city to handle right now.

And don't get me started on LADOTD.  I can go on for hours on how pathetic they are.

[dan326]

On 7/6/2023 at 12:19 PM, cajun said:

IDK why Baton Rouge thought they could maintain flowerbeds.   They can't even install parking meters.   That's too complicated of a project for this city to handle right now.

And don't get me started on LADOTD.  I can go on for hours on how pathetic they are.

LOL! I was wondering what was up with those flowerbeds just last month. Although to be fair with the way our weeds grow its hard for anybody.

[richyb83]

Government Street 'road diet' leads to more business, less traffic incidents, study finds

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/government-street-work-business-up-traffic-incidents-down/article_0cc42fd6-6222-11ee-ac73-a307c7a39053.html

[cajun]

Wish it would lead to the city maintaining those median flower beds.....

[dan326]

14 hours ago, cajun said:

Wish it would lead to the city maintaining those median flower beds.....

Ikr, or just install some decorative gravel.

[richyb83]

Mid-City Makers Market makes a comeback just in time for the holidays

https://www.wbrz.com/news/mid-city-makers-market-makes-a-comeback-just-in-time-for-the-holidays

[richyb83]

Construction underway....

Here's what's under construction for $25M on Florida Boulevard in Baton Rouge

The Nursing and Allied Health Building at Baton Rouge Community College is taking shape.

The building is set to open in August 2025. It will bring together BRCC's School of Nursing and Division of Allied Health, housing a number of programs including nursing, surgical technician, medical laboratory technician and medical assistant.

A partnership between BRCC and Our Lady of the Lake Health will allow the college to add high-demand medical programs such as respiratory care, physical and occupational therapy.

The 92,800-square-foot building will cost $25 million to build; The Lake is investing $12 million.

This will be the first building added to the BRCC Mid City campus since 2009.

Chasm Architecture and Mackey Mitchell designed the building. Ratcliff Construction Co. is the general contractor