buckett5425

I don't have a concrete opinion on whether or not this is a positive or negative initiative, but I do feel that this entire process is divisive regardless of the outcome. I supposed it never bothered me that Baker, Central, and Zachary incorporated, because they were already so far removed from Baton Rouge and it was always their intent to flee to the suburbs and leave Baton Rouge. But to me, the residents of south baton rouge never fled the city proper, they simply chose to live in a growing area of the "city" that met their demographic needs, socially and economically. I believe that the majority of the people living on Seigen, Coursey, Highland, still feel like Baton Rouge residents. So to split off from the rest of the city because they are more economically diverse and politically active almost seems vindictive instead of a real solution for solving the issues of our city. That being said, I hope residents in that area, and the entire city, find means to increase the quality of education for their children. Personally, I am not looking forward to dealing with ANOTHER permitting office and having to educate clients about which city their piece of property is located and the different codes that will be applicable. It would be miserable, it's hard enough getting the different fire districts to cooperate when applying for a permit, haha.

Construction fencing has been placed around the site!

That is their objective, to show that roads should be shared with parking, pedestrians and green space, unfortunately so many roads have been widened at the expense of pedestrian immensities that only a 5' sidewalk remains. Claiming a part of the street is the only way to show their intent.

I think you're right, but Catfish Town was a failure for very different reasons. It opened during poor economic times, people were still fleeing to the suburbs, and it suffered from a poor design for retail (A more detailed analysis can be found in the in the downtown master plan phase one). River Park also suffers from a poor retail design, IMO. I also agree that its lack of connectivity and isolated single-use style will ultimately lead to its demise. Clements has basically proposed "Downtown Disney" next to a REAL FUNCTIONING DOWNTOWN. Perkins Rowe would be a better style of development for that particular site IMO.

It turned out pretty well! The DDD plans to cover that remaining portion of the parking deck, this story from the Advocate contains an image of the proposal. http://theadvocate.com/home/6224783-125/new-downtown-br-projects-unveiled

Holden Architects should hire a consultant to reconfigure the retail/entertainment area. They programmed the space to be a concert venue and then surrounded it with dining/retail options, but for a majority of the time the space is too large and will feel empty regardless of the number of shoppers. Spaces that feel empty deter shoppers. I think they are setting themselves up for failure and that would be very unfortunate for this particular project.

I think everyone tends to break the "rules" Bikes on the sidewalks. Pedestrians walking in the street. Cars parked on sidewalks/yards/ROW.

I like this project and think it will be a great addition to downtown. I use the Florida crossing to access the levee path and lets just say, it's not easy or safe right now for cyclists or pedestrians. I would tend to agree with you regarding the light beacons. However they will serve has a great way-finding tool at the terminus of Florida. I also giggled at the rendering, they "enhanced" the color of the grass along the levee but chose to ignore the grass near the river, when in fact, all of the grass is more of the brown color! They also added some pelicans, haha! Riding a bike along the levee path downtown is dangerous, there are no designated travel lanes and a lot of leisurely pedestrians, which I think is great, however not great when cyclists and pedestrians are sharing a path. The path from LSU to Downtown is only used by runners, not leisurely pedestrians, so sharing the path is very easy. I believe the DDD is trying to resolve this issue though, by looking at their planned paths, I think they are hoping to bring the cyclists off the levee just south of the belle, through downtown on a true bike path, and link back up with the levee near the planned Desoto Park, which leaves the downtown levee safer for pedestrians who are just hanging out.

Couldn't agree more, Buffalo Bayou is a wonderful amenity for the people of Houston. I believe in the plan for restoring the lakes, the dredged material was going to be used to create a wider, more natural shore line that would also accommodate a new path with upgraded amenities. Now if they could only find the money for the restoration!

The Business Report often covers local stories that aren't necessarily related directly to business. I agree with the national coverage of the issue too, the media has generalized the matter and eliminated the back story. However, every article I have read did make a mention of the DA and his refusal to prosecute these cases. The HuffPost article I read early also added an "edit" mentioning the Sheriff's apology and new stance on the issue, but I doubt that will make it to the cable networks. Regardless of good/bad reporting, I am more concerned that a story as this one will negatively affect Baton Rouge's image. It could however serve as a wake up call, but considering most of our politicians are remaining silent, I find it unlikely. Delgado has certainly taken the lead on this issue, most likely to raise his profile within the community, but I hope it doesn't backfire against him in future elections.

The Business Report has been noticeably silent on this issue. I suppose this has something to do with their one moderate voice, J.R. Ball, leaving for Nola.com.

I was referring to the general public and the tone generated from the advocate article and I was not singling out a single person on this forum. For the record, no one in this forum made such a statement, but I think we all knew that already, but thanks for clarifying... You have really made communicating on this forum rather frustrating. No longer can anyone have a general casual discussion over a topic, every word must be meticulously stated as if you are on trial, because if you leave any room for error in your statement, you will narrow in on it and make that the topic of discussion, ignoring the actual content of the statement. Sorry, but I'm not looking to engage in those types of debates with you.

I am referring to the public at large.

Out gay men don't go to parks to find tricks. Closeted "straight" married men go to parks to DISCRETELY find tricks. It's that simple and I really wish that more people were aware of that before labeling all gay men as sexual perverts.

The sidewalks they added are a joke, most of them only serve as another surface to park a car on.

Often times to generate investment in an area it first must receive some sort of civic investment, be it a new road, new overpass, or new pedestrian improvements. The Perkins Overpass Area is one of Baton Rouge's few walkable neighborhood centers, although it does need a lot of help. To help generate private investment in the area, the city can make all of the necessary pedestrian investments we've been referring to. This lowers the risk for a private land owner to remove the parking in front of their store and replace it with a mixed use building and the original building remains behind. This becomes a wise investment because the over all streetscape is improved and increased foot traffic replaces the lost parking. Its been done successfully in other cities, can easily be done here if the right policies are in place. Ill just stop here, but this needs to happen in a few other areas of the city as well. But I am sure you will have something awful to say about it and will explain that widening the roads would be a better idea. Discussion over.

I have been on the road behind those businesses. But what does that have to do with existing buildings along Perkins being redeveloped into mixed-use or empty lots along Perkins being developed?

The vibrant area of Prytania Cajun is referring too is in the middle of a neighborhood and only stretches for three blocks. There is plenty of room for more investment and the small scale of the project areas allows for a sharp focus and concentration of investment. There are several empty lots in that area and several buildings that could use a "Perkin's Hardware" style makeover, meaning bring the entrance up to the street with residential above.

I actually enjoy the overpass, I think it adds a level of character and complexity to the area and makes for an interesting space in front of Chelsea's. That being said, I think a pedestrian/bike cross at grade should tie the neighborhood and commercial area together. I also agree with the Prytania comparison, that is a nice little area. However, I will never understand why there are two Chase Bank locations directly across from each other right there. The ROW along Prytania appears to be about 54' and allows for everything we've been discussing.

The ROW and width of the street are very different. The current street width is 36' which includes two 12' travel lanes and a 6' shoulder on either side. However the ROW extends much further than this, but appears smaller because of how different properties have made use of the space, either with landscaping, sidewalks, or parking that backs into the street (which is dangerous and causes many of the traffic delays.) A more efficient use of the 60' of ROW to would allow for two travel lanes, on street parking, and large sidewalks. It would also be much more functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The amount of space available along the road is deceiving because of different building setbacks, the shoulder and parking lots that back out into the street. The ROW is 60' which is wide enough for two 12' travel lanes, on street parking on both sides, and at least 6 to 8 feet or more of side walks on either side. I would love to see this happen Cajun.

The north end zone plaza improvements will be completed before kickoff and of course the south end zone expansion will not be.

There is a path under the overpass. But its exists only as a dirt path because people use it, not because there is a sidewalk with lighting.

People said the same of the Shaw Center.

Juice bars are the next new concept, just like the "frozen yogurt" explosion that happened two years ago.