buckett5425

Ok.

A big box retailer is looking to locate in the Cortana Area. Nothing special, but it is investment nonetheless, could spur some further power center type development.

I went too! I was there from 5-545, what time were you there Dan? I know the building is in schematic design stages, but over all, I was disappointed. It's a nice modern building, but it isn't an iconic design, at least not yet. I also thought the public spaces were too large and too numerous, meaning the library may always feel empty regardless of the number of patrons. I would prefer the Starbucks technique, which is to purposefully design the spaces smaller than required, so they always appear full of people which makes the spaces feel more inviting, exciting, and engaging.

I agree, however this new park is a much more functional design.

I realized today that the main entrance to the new Hampton Downtown is at the rear of the property adjacent to the parking lot and not the street. So much for creating activity on the street, which Hotel Indigo and Hilton do so well.

DMJ always leaves the best comments. Unfortunately right now, there is a disconnect between the UDC, FutureBR, developers, and potential tenants. I have designed several build-to-suit projects for Government Street, which falls under an overlay district requiring parking to be in the rear or side with the building along the front of the street. Yet, three times now, these project have fallen through because the developer or potential tenant refuses to locate to an area where their parking will not be located at the front of the store. So currently, the UDC is hindering development, even though, long term, if everyone followed the UDC development requirements, it would benefit the entire corridor. I hope the BetterBlocks demonstration is a success, I'll be there, I hope everyone else can stop by as well.

Judging by the design, it looks like there are two to three levels of parking. Also, the Welcome Center Garage sits empty all day long, not exactly sure why the State built it. The other adjacent state garage is never at capacity either.

Both the Advocate and NOLA.com have different renderings at different perspectives. http://photos.nola.com/4500/gallery/baton_rouge_ibm_unveils_architectural_renderings/index.html http://theadvocate.com/home/5551260-125/ibm-to-bring-800-jobs I think the building responds intelligently to each street it fronts. Lafayette receives the most storefront, Main receives the business entrance, and laurel has town homes, that compliments the Coffee House across the street and can't support retail regardless.

I agree with Cajun, that this development will renew interest downtown and spur further development, at least along Lafayette Street. There are still two empty lots along River Road, each could fit two towers each, for those of your hoping for something big and tall

I have always liked the idea of the future buildings along river road being no taller than lets say 12 stories, while the taller buildings are several blocks back, I think it creates a nice profile for the skyline. Either way, I am glad that if they state is going to give out candy to corporations, that they at least invest that money downtown.

Rendering has been released by the Business Report. Its a decent looking building, only 8 stories though, but I guess beggars can't be choosers.

Wouldn't surprise me if IBM builds the building, sells it, and then leases it back from the new owner. However, if a developer gets involved earlier in the project and builds to suit, wouldn't surprise me if they included some speculative office space and high end condos, since IBM would most likely sign a 10 year lease and occupy most of the building freeing up some of the developers funds and lowering their risk.

I agree the area under the overpass would probably fit more vehicles if it were paved. However, there is something "cool" about the gravel, its different, speaks to the green movement (permeable parking surfaces), and in my opinion, adds a layer of character other districts in the city don't have. One only has to travel under I-110 to see what a sea of concrete looks like under an overpass, its not so welcoming.

I like what I see so far. The inclusion of the awning windows will add a lot of variety to the facade.

If it is your opinion that debating the areas of Perkins and Magazine is pointless, would you mind telling us as to why you think that?

Actually, the uptown section of Magazine Street is broken up into four distinct retail clusters all separated by blocks of residential. Each cluster is roughly 4-8 blocks in length and architectural styles vary between them. If the current empty lots on Perkins were redeveloped properly, meaning 2-3 stories, mixed-use, a street scape, the corridor could be very similar to one of the Magazine Street retail clusters. It would actually increase vehicle and pedestrian safety in the area by allowing cars to turn only at intersecting streets rather than at every curb-cut into a business. As for your comments regarding Schlitz, your bitter comments didn't enhance your point in anyway, other than make you look cynical. That is the point I was trying to make.

In New Orleans, Magazine Street is thriving and Id say maybe only 5% of those business even provide 1/3 of the required number of parking spots. There is absolutely no reason why a similar development style can't thrive in Baton Rouge, and the parking under the interstate is a BONUS for the area, not a detractor. How initially calling the downtown Schlitz dirty related to your arguement about the Perking Corridor is also beyond me.

Working?

Gravel roads and potholes, have you traveled to Ascension and Livingston Parishes lately? I never said the parking situation near the Overpass area was perfect, but it is by no means a reason to trash area businesses and then go on to call other businesses small and dirty.

Trolling, or simply making a point? If we expect to have walk-able, culturally rich neighborhoods, we will all have to get out of our cars once and a while and walk further and 20' to the business. Avoiding center parts of town because they aren't suburban enough for you, is, as you describe, the old fashioned thing to do.

Exactly. I mean, if you can't park directly outside of the front door of the business you wish to patron, on beautifully newly laid asphalt, why even bother going?

I believe the DDD is planning the Greenway in a way that incorporates existing BREC parks in order to secure some funding from BREC.

Couldn't agree more. That owner has no idea how to make his developments attractive.

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.

Dan, was that picture taken today, did they finally install the last segment of the canopy?