Perkins Road Overpass Corridor

[itsjustme3]

Stop bickering.

I'm going to assume youre talking to the people in the article, and not the people on this thread.

[all2neat]

I guess we all have to agree to disagree. But honestly, I drive this stretch of road at least 4 times a day, and two of those times are at rush hour. Its rarely a problem and if it is, its accident related. The real issue stems from the 110-10 merger.

The larger portion of this project as I understand it is to fix that problem. They need the extra lane here to be able to address that travesty of a merge point.

[steve3n8]

Looks Nice......

Galatoire's Bistro, which closed its restaurant on Perkins Road near Highland Road last May, has released this rendering of a 200-seat restaurant fronting Perkins at Acadian Thruway, which it expects to open by Christmas. Construction will begin in the spring. The new Galatoire's will be adjacent to Acme Oyster House at the development known as Acadian Village, where an IberiaBank branch is also under construction.

[dan326]

Cool! This is shaping up to be a nice development.

[buckett5425]

They put the building near the street! Exciting!

[cajun]

Looks Nice......

Galatoire's Bistro, which closed its restaurant on Perkins Road near Highland Road last May, has released this rendering of a 200-seat restaurant fronting Perkins at Acadian Thruway, which it expects to open by Christmas. Construction will begin in the spring. The new Galatoire's will be adjacent to Acme Oyster House at the development known as Acadian Village, where an IberiaBank branch is also under construction.

Galatoire's in NOLA is honestly one of the best restaurants that I've ever been to. The lower floor dining room is awesome.

This is a much better location than the other end of Perkins.

[itsjustme3]

Looks Nice......

Galatoire's Bistro, which closed its restaurant on Perkins Road near Highland Road last May, has released this rendering of a 200-seat restaurant fronting Perkins at Acadian Thruway, which it expects to open by Christmas. Construction will begin in the spring. The new Galatoire's will be adjacent to Acme Oyster House at the development known as Acadian Village, where an IberiaBank branch is also under construction.

adjacent to Acme Oyster House? So the site plan is/has been redesigned?

[richyb83]

Yes indeed! This prime area has so much untapped potential...wish they could bring back the residential componet to Acadian Village.

[cajun]

Yes indeed! This prime area has so much untapped potential...wish they could bring back the residential componet to Acadian Village.

That would be nice....It's in a bad space for a large amount of residential, being near the freeway, rail road track, and a busy intersection. Maybe they'll land a hotel, but I am guessing the site plan posted here recently will be pretty close to what they have.

The Iberia bank, Galatoire's proposal, and Acme seem to be completely car-oriented so far. I think you could potentially fit

I kinda halfway want to see a passenger rail terminal incorporated into the development either there or downtown (under the North Blvd overpass).

Edited February 29, 2012 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

That would be nice....It's in a bad space for a large amount of residential, being near the freeway, rail road track, and a busy intersection. Maybe they'll land a hotel, but I am guessing the site plan posted here recently will be pretty close to what they have.

The Iberia bank, Galatoire's proposal, and Acme seem to be completely car-oriented so far. I think you could potentially fit

I kinda halfway want to see a passenger rail terminal incorporated into the development either there or downtown (under the North Blvd overpass).

A new bus station and main rail station at one central location would be best. Light-rail too.

[steve3n8]

Pure Barre opening at Perkins Road overpass

Working it out: Pure Barre—a national chain of fitness studios specializing in a total body workout fusing elements of ballet, Pilates and weight training—is opening its third Louisiana location at 3033 Perkins Road, suite B, under the Interstate 10 overpass. "We know that Pure Barre will be a great addition to the overpass area and will continue to promote the energetic and vibrant community that this area is known for," says Baton Rouge franchise owner Mary Daniel Templeton. Pure Barre got its start in 2001 and has been franchising since 2009. It now has 50 locations nationwide and an extensive at-home workout DVD series. Its other Louisiana locations are in Mandeville and New Orleans. Learn more at the company's website here.

Businessreport.com

[richyb83]

Parking problems

Flush with bars, boutiques and restaurants, the hip and historic Perkins Road overpass district has a serious challenge that could hinder its growth.

For the past five years, the historic Perkins Road overpass district has experienced steady revitalization. The combination of comparatively affordable property, close proximity to LSU and a steady 20- and 30-something clientele from nearby neighborhoods like the Garden District, Southdowns and Old South Baton Rouge has attracted new restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Schlittz & Giggles added a location behind the newly developed Perkins Road Hardware complex in 2009, followed by a Rock-n-Sake around the corner and Frankie's Dawg House across a side street from Zippy's in 2010. Bet-R, an independent grocery store, added 3,700 square feet last year. The influx has left those businesses and other newcomers such as Stella Boutique, Bella Bella, Loft 3H, Local Eco Vintage and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches increasingly competing for parking slots with old-timers such as Tres Bien Yoga & Massage, Pinetta's European Restaurant, Parrain's Seafood Restaurant and Duvic's Martini Bar.

Most of the Perkins Road overpass area was developed long before the code was put in place, making it difficult for newcomers to meet the requirements. The district retains many of its original buildings and limited lot sizes, and it wasn't really designed for the kind of traffic the area enjoys today. City officials and business owners agree some sort of solution is needed to preserve the character of the Perkins Road overpass district while still allowing it to grow.

Decades ago, the district was considered a bohemian counterculture neighborhood and mecca for live music. The Colonel's Club—now Chelsea's Café—and Ruby's—now George's—were hot spots for rock and roll and R&B, according to the Perkins Road Historic Merchants Association. Today, designer boutiques, antique shops and modern eateries are mixed in with historic icons. “It's one of those wonderful, smaller neighborhoods that has a lot of character and an eclectic feel,” DiResto says. “The funkiness is what might attract people from across the city, but it also has real appeal for the adjacent neighborhoods because of the walkability factor.”

Such mixed-use walkable areas are a key focus in FuturEBR, the land-use and development plan for East Baton Rouge Parish. In urban areas, such neighborhoods often experience a difficult transition played out in a vicious tug-of-war between parking and walkability. Chimes Street experienced a similar problem when a larger parking lot was redeveloped, leaving little more than on-street parking for retail shops along Highland Road.

Though it might seem counterintuitive, fewer parking restrictions—combined with measures designed to make the community more walkable—might help “tip the balance” in the Perkins Road district, DiResto says. Sidewalks extended from Acadian Village to City Park have already gone a long way toward increasing the appeal.

Chief traffic engineer Ingolf Partenheimer says those conducting the parking study will meet with business owners in the district in coming weeks to see how they might be willing to pitch in to fix the parking problem. DPW has identified some areas where the roadway might be widened for off-street parking, as well as areas where additional sidewalks might make it more feasible for patrons to park farther away. The city is also considering the possibility of engaging in a public-private partnership of sorts to secure available lots and connect them with sidewalks.

“We'd like to build a long-term plan for the future,” Partenheimer says. “If we're going to put parking in there, we're going to have to acquire some space. We want to take a look at what's affordable.”

*the rest of the article*

http://www.businessreport.com/article/20120305/BUSINESSREPORT0401/303059982/1001

[Antrell Williams]

Thats a good problem to have.

[itsjustme3]

Parking problems

Flush with bars, boutiques and restaurants, the hip and historic Perkins Road overpass district has a serious challenge that could hinder its growth.

For the past five years, the historic Perkins Road overpass district has experienced steady revitalization. The combination of comparatively affordable property, close proximity to LSU and a steady 20- and 30-something clientele from nearby neighborhoods like the Garden District, Southdowns and Old South Baton Rouge has attracted new restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Schlittz & Giggles added a location behind the newly developed Perkins Road Hardware complex in 2009, followed by a Rock-n-Sake around the corner and Frankie's Dawg House across a side street from Zippy's in 2010. Bet-R, an independent grocery store, added 3,700 square feet last year. The influx has left those businesses and other newcomers such as Stella Boutique, Bella Bella, Loft 3H, Local Eco Vintage and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches increasingly competing for parking slots with old-timers such as Tres Bien Yoga & Massage, Pinetta's European Restaurant, Parrain's Seafood Restaurant and Duvic's Martini Bar.

Most of the Perkins Road overpass area was developed long before the code was put in place, making it difficult for newcomers to meet the requirements. The district retains many of its original buildings and limited lot sizes, and it wasn't really designed for the kind of traffic the area enjoys today. City officials and business owners agree some sort of solution is needed to preserve the character of the Perkins Road overpass district while still allowing it to grow.

Decades ago, the district was considered a bohemian counterculture neighborhood and mecca for live music. The Colonel's Club—now Chelsea's Café—and Ruby's—now George's—were hot spots for rock and roll and R&B, according to the Perkins Road Historic Merchants Association. Today, designer boutiques, antique shops and modern eateries are mixed in with historic icons. “It's one of those wonderful, smaller neighborhoods that has a lot of character and an eclectic feel,” DiResto says. “The funkiness is what might attract people from across the city, but it also has real appeal for the adjacent neighborhoods because of the walkability factor.”

Such mixed-use walkable areas are a key focus in FuturEBR, the land-use and development plan for East Baton Rouge Parish. In urban areas, such neighborhoods often experience a difficult transition played out in a vicious tug-of-war between parking and walkability. Chimes Street experienced a similar problem when a larger parking lot was redeveloped, leaving little more than on-street parking for retail shops along Highland Road.

Though it might seem counterintuitive, fewer parking restrictions—combined with measures designed to make the community more walkable—might help “tip the balance” in the Perkins Road district, DiResto says. Sidewalks extended from Acadian Village to City Park have already gone a long way toward increasing the appeal.

Chief traffic engineer Ingolf Partenheimer says those conducting the parking study will meet with business owners in the district in coming weeks to see how they might be willing to pitch in to fix the parking problem. DPW has identified some areas where the roadway might be widened for off-street parking, as well as areas where additional sidewalks might make it more feasible for patrons to park farther away. The city is also considering the possibility of engaging in a public-private partnership of sorts to secure available lots and connect them with sidewalks.

“We'd like to build a long-term plan for the future,” Partenheimer says. “If we're going to put parking in there, we're going to have to acquire some space. We want to take a look at what's affordable.”

*the rest of the article*

http://www.businessreport.com/article/20120305/BUSINESSREPORT0401/303059982/1001

Two comments. 1) I don't have much pity for businesses that open up under a overpass and in a tightly restricted area. 2) the person who commented at the end of the article is laughably dumb as he moans and complains about the planning department and how life "used to be" back in the day. Just because people used to do something a long time ago doesn't make it right in 2012.

[buckett5425]

Parking problems

Flush with bars, boutiques and restaurants, the hip and historic Perkins Road overpass district has a serious challenge that could hinder its growth.

For the past five years, the historic Perkins Road overpass district has experienced steady revitalization. The combination of comparatively affordable property, close proximity to LSU and a steady 20- and 30-something clientele from nearby neighborhoods like the Garden District, Southdowns and Old South Baton Rouge has attracted new restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Schlittz & Giggles added a location behind the newly developed Perkins Road Hardware complex in 2009, followed by a Rock-n-Sake around the corner and Frankie's Dawg House across a side street from Zippy's in 2010. Bet-R, an independent grocery store, added 3,700 square feet last year. The influx has left those businesses and other newcomers such as Stella Boutique, Bella Bella, Loft 3H, Local Eco Vintage and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches increasingly competing for parking slots with old-timers such as Tres Bien Yoga & Massage, Pinetta's European Restaurant, Parrain's Seafood Restaurant and Duvic's Martini Bar.

Most of the Perkins Road overpass area was developed long before the code was put in place, making it difficult for newcomers to meet the requirements. The district retains many of its original buildings and limited lot sizes, and it wasn't really designed for the kind of traffic the area enjoys today. City officials and business owners agree some sort of solution is needed to preserve the character of the Perkins Road overpass district while still allowing it to grow.

Decades ago, the district was considered a bohemian counterculture neighborhood and mecca for live music. The Colonel's Club—now Chelsea's Café—and Ruby's—now George's—were hot spots for rock and roll and R&B, according to the Perkins Road Historic Merchants Association. Today, designer boutiques, antique shops and modern eateries are mixed in with historic icons. “It's one of those wonderful, smaller neighborhoods that has a lot of character and an eclectic feel,” DiResto says. “The funkiness is what might attract people from across the city, but it also has real appeal for the adjacent neighborhoods because of the walkability factor.”

Such mixed-use walkable areas are a key focus in FuturEBR, the land-use and development plan for East Baton Rouge Parish. In urban areas, such neighborhoods often experience a difficult transition played out in a vicious tug-of-war between parking and walkability. Chimes Street experienced a similar problem when a larger parking lot was redeveloped, leaving little more than on-street parking for retail shops along Highland Road.

Though it might seem counterintuitive, fewer parking restrictions—combined with measures designed to make the community more walkable—might help “tip the balance” in the Perkins Road district, DiResto says. Sidewalks extended from Acadian Village to City Park have already gone a long way toward increasing the appeal.

Chief traffic engineer Ingolf Partenheimer says those conducting the parking study will meet with business owners in the district in coming weeks to see how they might be willing to pitch in to fix the parking problem. DPW has identified some areas where the roadway might be widened for off-street parking, as well as areas where additional sidewalks might make it more feasible for patrons to park farther away. The city is also considering the possibility of engaging in a public-private partnership of sorts to secure available lots and connect them with sidewalks.

“We'd like to build a long-term plan for the future,” Partenheimer says. “If we're going to put parking in there, we're going to have to acquire some space. We want to take a look at what's affordable.”

*the rest of the article*

http://www.businessr.../303059982/1001

They DPW is finally starting to get it. By restricting parking more development will be encouraged. While this idea may not work at a suburban shopping center, it does work in urban"ish" walkable neighborhoods where the goal is to encourage street activity.

[itsjustme3]

They DPW is finally starting to get it. By restricting parking more development will be encouraged.

lol

[steve3n8]

Acadian-Perkins Plaza development going up

A 36,000-square-foot development at the corner of Acadian Thruway and Perkins Road is beginning to come out of the ground and is on schedule for completion sometime in midsummer, says co-owner and property manager Jon Claitor. Acadian-Perkins Plaza is essentially a large addition to a small retail strip center that was built last year in the space formerly home to The Caterie, which burned down on New Year's Day 2010. That development has filled with an AT&T Store and Burgersmith on the ground floor and office spaces on the second floor. The new development will feature 18,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, and the same amount of office space on the second floor. Claitor says he's had a lot of interest from national retailers and restaurants thus far, especially in the 10 or so days since large steel beams were erected on-site. "My phone has been ringing off the hook since then," he says. Claitor says his general contractor on the project, Chris Town, is on pace to have the shell of the development complete by May 15. "We'll then have the office spaces complete by June 15 to July 1, and hopefully we'll have some retailers in there by then, too." Claitor says negotiations are still ongoing to land a grocery store in the former CVS location that will also neighbor the new development to the south. See a rendering of the development here.

Businessreport.com

[richyb83]

St. Patrick's Day Parade Route...Saturday March 17th...

[richyb83]

Bosco's moving into old Perkins Road Hardware

Little more than two years after opening in the University II Shopping Center just south of LSU on Nicholson Drive—and fewer than six months since closing—Bosco's Frozen Yogurt is set to reopen with a slight name change in the Perkins Road Hardware complex on Thursday. Bosco's Yogurt Bar retains the atmosphere and self-serve concept of the former LSU area shop, but is in a location that should prove even more successful, its owners say. Chad Hughes, a Bosco's co-founder who now owns the business with his wife, Christina Bourg, says the original store wasn't closed because the location was a bad fit for frozen yogurt sales. He simply came up with a concept he thinks is even better for that site: The Man Cave Haircut Bar. Think lots of spots on lots of big-screen TVs, and haircuts that come with a free beer. The niche bar is set to open in the coming weeks. "That location had also become oversaturated with yogurt places," Bourg says. The couple says Bosco's new location—the former home of Denim Library nestled between Jimmy John's and Rock-n-Sake—will be a better fit for the yogurt shop. "There's a lot more foot traffic, and all the bars and restaurants in this area keep it busy into the evenings," Hughes says. It also doesn't hurt that the Perkins Road Overpass area is currently without a self-serve frozen yogurt joint. Bosco's will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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

[cajun]

The Advocate confirms that a Trader Joe's is coming to Acadian Village on Perkins at Acadian near the Iberia Bank, Overpass area, and Galatoire's.

It will be their first Louisiana store.

Lots of cities larger than Baton Rouge don't have a store like that. Very impressive.

Edited July 20, 2012 by cajun

[itsjustme3]

Very cool. I was driving there this week and realized they will need to install a red light in between Acadian and the I-10 on ramp (on Perkins). Theres currently no light to all traffic in and out of the center. That will be 3 stop lights along a stretch of road that's probably no more than .10 of a mile.

[cajun]

The are not likely putting a light there....but I'd expect one on Perkins where Galatoire's will be.

[itsjustme3]

That's the area I'm talking about. I wasn't clear in my words. I haven't woken up yet

[richyb83]

Charcuterie planned for Perkins Road overpass area

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

[steve3n8]

Acadian Perkins Plaza is filling up

Leasing activity is picking up at Acadian Perkins Plaza, the Claitor family's newly renovated shopping center on the corner of Perkins Road and South Acadian Thruway. John Claitor confirms he is negotiating with two national restaurant chains interested in moving into the center, which was heavily damaged in a New Year's Day 2010 fire, as well as with local Subway franchisee Andy Kimball. "There are a lot of people in that area, and there aren't a lot of places to eat," says Kimball, who owns more than a dozen Subway restaurants in the area. "The location makes sense." While the Subway deal is still in the works, two other tenants have recently joined Burger Smith, an AT&T store, a skateboarding shop, and a belly dance studio in the center: Girly Cute Boutique and Euphoria Nails. Both have opened in the past month. Claitor declines to identify the national restaurant chains he's in talks with but says he's trying to be selective with prospective tenants, especially considering the higher-end strip center across the street—Commercial Property's Acadian Village, which has both a Galatoire's Bistro and a Trader Joe's under development. "We want to make sure we make the right choice with our tenant mix," says Claitor. "We don't want to just jump at the first thing that comes along." —Stephanie Riegel

Businessreport.com