River District

[richyb83]

This includes part of the future RiverDistrict I'm guessing...Changes will be considered to two overlay-districts between Downtown & LSU; icluding preserving the tree canopy near Magnolia Mound plantation. A notable change is setting a range for the height of any new buildings on Nicholson north of Oklahoma Street; current height is set at 4-stories; but if the changes are adopted buildings will be allowed to be between 2 & 8-stories; that will allow for flexibility while encouraging higher density development appropriate for the area just south of downtown.

Zoning Proposal applies to Nicholson

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/Zoning-proposal-applies-to-Nicholson.html

[Antrell Williams]

I like 8-stories, ambitious height for Baton Rouge though.

[richyb83]

Yeah 8-stories sounds nice...I have always thought something that height would work well in the area on Nicholson just south of the bridge.

Orginally the River House project was to consist of two 10-story buildings...but this is BR we are talking about here, they would have no of that over there,that plan was quickly scrapped! It was far enough away from Magnolia Plantation that should have been OK IMO.

[Antrell Williams]

Why is this so exclusive to Magnolia Mound? What does height have to do with it.

[dan326]

I understand the desire to preserve a 200 year old property, but like Richy said, it's far enough away, and even if it was across the street, I really don't think it would impede on anyone's ability to enjoy Magnolia Mound.

[Antrell Williams]

Exactly what I was thinking. People these days...

Exactly what I was thinking. Oh well.

[richyb83]

Something to do with the aesthetic's and character of the area...but RiverHouse would not interfere; it's far away from the tree canopy in the vicinity of Magnolia Mound...they made Oklahoma Street the dividing line & River House was on the wrong(south) side of that street.

Edited March 19, 2011 by richyb83

[richyb83]

This ties-in to the long awaited/much anticipated River District

First of 11 cottages complete on Nicholson between LSU, downtown

The first of 11 upscale cottages being developed by Donnie Jarreau Real Estate has been completed along Nicholson Drive between the LSU campus and downtown. Located at the corner of Oklahoma Street, the development is called Coterie Row and it's being billed as "green, gated and urban." The three available floor plans each measure about 1,800 square feet, including a roughly 300-square-foot garage, and they're priced starting at $190,000. "We think it really suits the young professionals working downtown, or even LSU students," says Donnie Jarreau. "We bought the land a couple of years back anticipating a connecting corridor between LSU and downtown would emerge along Nicholson, and we think this is a good fit with that continued development." Jarreau says he's not moving forward with the development with any real sense of urgency, and will let the market dictate how long it takes for all 11 to be built out. "We'll be getting the security gate and the perimeter fencing up pretty soon, and we think once we do that it will begin to get a little more interest," he says

http://www.businessreport.com/section/businessreport0113

[cajun]

Translation: the neighborhood sucks so badly that we can't get anyone to even consider them without building a wall around it.

[Antrell Williams]

A bricked or stucco wall would actually work better. Fences don't deter much crime.

[garrett_225]

A bricked or stucco wall would actually work better. Fences don't deter much crime.

 

Especially considering how close those houses will be to the road.

 

I'm absolutely saddened at the slow pace of things happening on Nicholson. Months after the announcement, still no fence to speak of. 

[itsjustme3]

Translation: the neighborhood sucks so badly that we can't get anyone to even consider them without building a wall around it.

This!

[garrett_225]

Update: Looks like the fence is finally going up around the "cottages."

[jefften10]

Noticed today that a brand new sign for River House has been put up. There had been no sign at all in the last 6 months. Interested to see what this means.

[richyb83]

Thanks for the head's up...sure would be nice to see something finally happen with this property!

[jefften10]

Noticed today that a brand new sign for River House has been put up. There had been no sign at all in the last 6 months. Interested to see what this means.

 

Got my answer a month later. Hope this actually happens and doesn't continue to fall through.

 

http://theadvocate.com/news/5347515-123/development-planned-on-nicholson-drive

[buckett5425]

Got my answer a month later. Hope this actually happens and doesn't continue to fall through.

 

http://theadvocate.com/news/5347515-123/development-planned-on-nicholson-drive

 

 

I was in the permit office a few weeks ago and saw that the plans had just be submitted. However I was unable to see the site plan, so I am unsure of how "new urbanist" this development will be. 

[richyb83]

Thanks jefften...was going to post this...been waiting a long time for this project...the thumbnail in pic incorrectly says the office building at 5-stories...but the article says 3-stories 34,000sq ft...the retail componet can change the look of the streetscape along Nicholson; the 4-story buildings should look nice...they are going to have to do something about the awful sewer smell from the nearby plant along River Road!

 

With UP new set-up..a pain n the butt to post rendering of RiverHouse...too pressed for time right now

Edited March 5, 2013 by richyb83

[Antrell Williams]

I was in the permit office a few weeks ago and saw that the plans had just be submitted. However I was unable to see the site plan, so I am unsure of how "new urbanist" this development will be. 

About as new urbanist as most things marketed as "urban".

[richyb83]

The River House development should tie-in well as an anchor on the north-end of the River District...  can't wait to see the final plans with renderings included!

 

Nicholson corridor project still in the works, developer says

While little has been heard publicly in recent years about River District, the planned mixed-use development along the Nicholson Drive corridor, Dalis Waguespack of Moreno Properties says prominent architect Steve Oubre is in the process of finalizing the master plan. "We had to take a break," because of the recession, she says. "Things are coming back together. Lending is available. The housing market is turning around. We're getting excited again over it. We never lost the enthusiasm for the project." Waguespack didn't want to discuss the still-evolving details about the development on 45 acres near Magnolia Mound Plantation, although media reports dating back to 2008 and 2010 describe a "smart-growth, new urbanist community" with multifamily residences, retail and office space. Waguespack says other projects along the corridor, such as the redevelopment of the former Prince Murat site, are good for River District. "Our studies are strong, and we're excited to have Steve doing it," she says. —David Jacobs

Read more from Business Report here: http://www.businessreport.com/section/businessreport0113#ixzz2PKmLbskZ

Edited April 2, 2013 by richyb83

[steve3n8]

Cane Land Distilling to make rum in BR

Production slated to begin in fall at new distillery plant

“We’re excited that it’s going to kind of become the rum capital of the United States.” WALTER THARP, FOUNDER

Cane Land Distilling LLC plans to build a craft rum and rhum distillery in Baton Rouge off River Road, with an initial production capacity of 60,000 cases.

Founders Walter Tharp and Jim Massey have been working on the project for about a year, Tharp said. Cane Land is set to break ground on the facility at 622 Oklahoma St. this fall with production to begin in late 2014.

The facility, designed by architect Dyke Nelson, also will include a tasting room and visitor center.

Cane Land is positioning itself as “Louisiana’s rhum,” Tharp said.

“Pretty much every time someone see’s that they go ‘What’s up with the H?’ ” Tharp said. “That indicates it’s an agricole rhum, which means it’s made from fresh-pressed cane juice.”

The French-colonized islands, like Haiti and Martinique, were the first to make rhum. It has a different flavor and aroma profile from other rums, which are made with molasses.

Molasses is used more often because fresh-pressed cane juice is difficult to come by; the juice begins to ferment immediately, Tharp said. But supply won’t be a problem for Cane Land because Tharp’s family has owned Alma Plantation and Sugar Mill in Pointe Coupee Parish for more than 150 years.

Cane Land will have access to raw sugar materials at every stage of field and mill production.

Tharp said Cane Land also will offer some regular rums — a spiced blend similar to others on the market and a shooting rum.

Cane Land is led by Tharp, Massey and Yvette Bonanno-Tharp, a Baton Rouge chef, restaurateur and caterer, as well as Tharp’s wife.

Tharp is experienced in sales and marketing, as well as fundraising and private capital investments.

Massey has been a member of American Distillers Institute for more than a decade and also has experience in design and development. Bonanno-Tharp will be concocting chocolate rum balls, rum cakes, barbecue sauces and other food products under the Cane Lands label.

Tharp said he’s excited about the new project and all the other companies that have opened craft distilleries in Louisiana.

The state is home to at least three other rum distilleries: Louisiana Spirits LLC in Lacassine, Donner-Peltier Distillers of Thibodaux and Celebration Distillation in New Orleans.

“We’re excited that it’s going to kind of become the rum capital of the United States,” Tharp said.

 

 

http://theadvocate.com/news/6791131-123/cane-land-distilling-to-make

[cajun]

Nice! Between Tin Roof and Cane Land distillers, the little area seems to be attracting some important business. .

It's a very good thing...

Edited August 19, 2013 by cajun

[richyb83]

Thanks for posting earlier OneMan83  ...Could gone in several threads...wanted to revive this one....basically an extension of the River District...the old City Dock will come back to life!

 

WOW!!  This is HUGE! Will add more pics later!! That is an impressive cluster of buildings!! Can you imagine coming into BR from the West with that new 17-story tower right there along the bridge!   This will ignite  the trolley line btwn Downtown & LSU!

 

This is so big it takes up first three articles in the AM Report!

http://www.businessreport.com/section/daily-reportAM

 

The  27.6 acre Water Campus

Edited December 18, 2013 by richyb83

[cajun]

Best thing about this is that Riverside Towing's days on that site are numbered!

Edited December 17, 2013 by cajun

[itsjustme3]

Would be nice if BR would do roadwork now instead of waiting until after this project is done. But that's not how they do things here.