buckett5425

"...limited understanding of city planning..." ...and what are you credentials?

...its better than none.

"Were not off to a good start if you begin by comparing NOLA to BR" So, you admit that in New Orleans, some people with "real jobs" do commute to work via bike? So if its not the humidity preventing people in Baton Rouge from biking to work, could it be something else? Perhaps a lack of infrastructure and the suburban nature of the city? The new greenways will most likely not create a biking commuter culture in BR, they will however be a wonderful recreational amenity. That being said, the areas of town that are more urban, such as Perkins Overpass and Government Street will most likely see some sort of commuter biking culture in the near future, more so from the demographic and culture of the surrounding neighborhoods, but it is very unlikely to see the same in the more suburban areas of the city/parish.

Come visit NOLA.

I think its how you interpret "transform the skyline"....the building isn't going to be tall, 3 stories max depending on the final scheme that is selected. Several schemes were presented by the CP & P+W team. It his however in a prominent location along the riverfront so height isn't as much of a factor when considering how it will "transform the skyline."

"BUMP - Baton Rouge Urban Renewal & Mobility Plan" Urban Renewal? What is this, 1960? I suppose our local representatives haven't been told that highways and loop roads prohibit urban renewal, not support it... This plan is a mess, I am sure we can all find better ways to spend 1 Billion than a 4 lane highway, am I right?

It looks nice, but it also doesn't look like its taking up the whole site, it appears to be positioned next to Last In Concepts office on what is currently a field of grass? I wonder what they have in mind for the rest of the site?

I wouldn't say its about the absorption of 4,700 units, but the relocation of 4,700 hundred units from parts of town that have fallen out of favor compared to something "shiny and new." Renters are now given more options, no longer are the only places with decent multifamily located in the corporate or bluebonnet/perkins areas. It will be interesting what the Baton Rouge market ultimately favors. Our downtown area is underdeveloped, so it won't be hard to fill those units, but those units will be filled at the expense of units located on corporate and similar areas. This of course is nothing new, as units become older, people always prefer newer developments.

He won the bid selection for the river center library study, The Crest, and the visitor center at Magnolia Mound. However, because the visitor center is being paid for with a private donation, he may have been awarded the job without there being a public bid. He only has like three employees right now though, so not exactly sure what's going on there....His management style has chased away many of his employees...

Where do you think pawn shops and liquor stores would pop up?

Front Door Architects normally does pretty high-end stuff, but I wouldn't be surprised if they purchased this warehouse as an investment and plan to occupy the property until they flip it or build a true mixed-use building and in the mean time keep exterior renovations to a minimum. But itsjustme3 brings up a valid point, does the state plan to relocate the Division of surplus Property and Department of Corrections Services that occupies most of that land? If that is the case, then the 18,000 SF warehouse is nearly all that would remain on the proposed site and not affect the design or layout at all.

Congrats on all the success btw. It's not that I disagree with you, there are plenty of egotistical architects out there, but at the same time, architects are often blamed for decisions that were not their own. As someone who is on the development side of the table, I know you know this. I can't tell you the number of times a developer asks for a certain design, the architect provides it, ignoring their own design instincts to give the developer exactly what they want, only for the developer to value engineer it and strip away every decent element of the project that would have most benefited the end user, the public. Often times an architect defending against value engineering is seen as being egotistical, while in fact, they are fighting to give the public the best possible building. But guess what, when the building does it get built and is unattractive, who often gets blamed, the developer or the architect? When a contractor value engineers on site destroying the character of a building, who gets blamed for the final product by the public, the contractor or the architect? When a mechanical engineer says screw the design and places an air return in the middle of a feature wall to save the owner money, who gets blamed for the ugly feature wall, the engineer or the architect? That being said, and I have said this before, the new downtown library is ugly IMO. But some of that blame should be pinned on the owner, the Library Board. The building program and features they have requested far exceed the budget they have created. Yes, the architect could have done a better job with the design, but at the same time, the library has requested a "flashy modern building" trying to mimic the Bilbao effect, did the architect not provide that? P.S. there are still many firms out their specializing in "traditional architecture" (w/e that means) but because the cost of construction is so high, they really only design high end homes for wealthy clients. Also, those design circles have their own publications and awards.

I think someone may have wanted to be an architect and is slightly bitter their life took them in a different direction?

I bet it comes with tan stucco and a mansard roof, this is Baton Rouge after all!

There is no need for sidewalks in the suburbs, everyone travels by car. Even roads that have received sidewalks, such as Perkins, are rarely used by pedestrians and are now being covered with overgrown grass. Sidewalks only serve a purpose where people will use them, usually in areas of town that predate the 1950's.

Speaking of moving people moving....I moved to New Orleans last week. Its everything I thought it would be...simply amazing.

They must be marketing towards people like Richy, as someone who actually enjoys downtown and would attend such an event.

I will have to agree with itjustme3 on this one. Student housing is seen as a prime investment for investment groups because the tenants (students) aren't paying the rent and its easy to price gouge the parents who will always pay on time.

You are more than welcome to make ad hominem statements.

That is for you to decide!

I meant to post this story from nola.com by Richard Campanella a while back. One only needs to look at the history of New Orleans to see where this is headed.

While I am sure it has been resolved by the engineers, there is no mention in the article about the intersection at Constitution. I think it would need to be eliminated to permanently reduce traffic congestion.

I really like the place in 2006, but stopped eating there shortly after. I can not find the story about the maggots, but it was reported by NBC 33 maybe four years ago? However, googling "Great Wall Baton Rouge Health Inspections" brings up many other articles regarding the unsanitary conditions of that place. I am trying to protect my anonymity, but I've been in that kitchen recently, I won't eat there.

Great Wall is still open and is being renovated right now. However, they have failed multiple health inspections and maggots have been found in the food on the buffet. The place is pretty terrible IMO.

The floor plans are very different from the renderings, not sure how I feel about it.