richyb83

April 8th ...not another like this for Decades 86% coverage Last chance: Our final opportunity to see a solar eclipse for decades https://www.wbrz.com/news/last-chance-our-final-opportunity-to-see-a-solar-eclipse-for-decades

Speedy Eats is getting close to deploying its first fully automated store https://www.businessreport.com/business/speedy-eats-is-getting-close-to-deploying-its-first-fully-automated-store

That's really cool Dan!! Nice pics! Have never been to either one .....sounds like that would be Fun! Have seen em at my cousin's large pond near Port Vincent and Ward Creek at Highland Road

Good call Dan 326...something about these new 4 story buildings looking better than all of the 3 story ones. From the 5th floor of the Children's Hospital The Marriott Hotel barely visible above the tree-line looking down the winding Constantin Boulevard Pardon the glare from the window

Been a while since i rode up Perkins Road .....looks totally different now! This was a quick pic 4 story condo's lined up behind Sprout's market #EDIT ....You can see the Apt/Condo's from the I-10/College Drive OVERPASS (even easier in Winter months) Goes pretty deep back too

I like the way you think! Excellent ideas! That would be a nice location adjacent to the Water Campus. hmmm I can't see the old PMAC not being demolished at some point. The maintenance of that building has to be very expensive. I heard the whole project is $450 mil that's a whopping cost. Kim Mulkey has been a catalyst

For sure ...Bon Marche was built in 1960...this had to be the 50's. Grandpa grew up here and told old stories from way back in the 30's or 40's of rabbit hunting Woods at Bon Marche and hearing Wolves howl were Cortana Mall was to one day go.

Thanks Cajun ; almost posted this yesterday but got side tracked Here's another another article ...but it's on a pay wall. BR needs to take it up a notch ; there is a reason big concerts pass on BR. Legendary Kim Mulkey is a big player in this too, Kim Mulkey has questions she'd like answered about LSU's plans for a new arena https://www.theadvocate.com/

How does downtown Baton Rouge stack up against other emerging downtowns? At the Downtown Development District’s meeting today, Executive Director Whitney Hoffman Sayal shared the findings of an International Downtown Association study comparing downtown Baton Rouge with other comparable U.S. downtown areas. The IDA classifies downtowns into three tiers defined by stage of development: established, growing and emerging. Baton Rouge falls into the “emerging” tier, alongside cities like Birmingham, Alabama; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Tampa, Florida. Emerging downtowns do not yet have the high citywide significance in terms of jobs and residents that more established downtowns do, but they do have “substantial potential” for growth, according to the IDA. Here are the key findings of the study: Between 2015 and 2020, downtown Baton Rouge employment grew by 7%. Other emerging downtowns saw their employment fall by 1% over the same period. Despite occupying less than 5% of the city’s land area, downtown Baton Rouge is home to 20% of the city’s jobs, compared with 17% in other emerging downtowns. Downtown Baton Rouge’s retail sales account for 4.6% of citywide retail sales, compared with 6% in other emerging downtowns. Downtown Baton Rouge’s retail sales totaled $50.4 million per square mile in 2023, compared with $302.6 million per square mile in other emerging downtowns. Downtown Baton Rouge has seven hotels with 1,175 hotel rooms. Other emerging downtowns, on average, have 15 hotels with 3,638 hotel rooms. Downtown Baton Rouge’s residential population grew by about 16% from 2012 to 2021, significantly outpacing East Baton Rouge Parish’s growth rate of 4% over the same period. Other emerging downtowns also grew by 16% over the same period. Downtown Baton Rouge is notable for its diverse population in terms of both age and race. Downtown is home to a balanced distribution of ages, and 70% of its residents identify as Black or African American. “Disparities are evident,” however, primarily due to the dividing presence of Interstates 10 and 110. Downtown Baton Rouge’s bike score and walk score—66 and 79, respectively—significantly exceed city averages. Other emerging downtowns have an average bike score and walk score of 70 and 80, respectively. https://www.businessreport.com/business/how-does-downtown-baton-rouge-stack-up-against-other-emerging-downtowns https://downtownbatonrouge.org/uploads/docs/IDAVODT23_Baton-Rouge_Web.pdf

Airline/ Florida Circle from way back! Look at how wooded the area is! Check out the State Capitol in the far background...

Here is more ...curious to see some site plans soon Major residential development proposed on land currently owned by L’Auberge https://www.wafb.com/2024/02/17/major-residential-development-proposed-land-currently-owned-by-lauberge/ A combination of single and multi-family homes are part of a new project being proposed along the Mississippi River, just south of L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge. The project, by developer Mike Wampold, involves about 85 acres of land along the river near the area where Highway 30 intersects with Bluebonnet Boulevard. The property, currently owned by L’Auberge’s parent company, PENN Entertainment, will be sold to Wampold for the project, WAFB has learned. Wampold is asking the East Baton Rouge Parish Planning Commission to rezone the property from Residential Neighborhood to Mixed Use. The developer is also asking that the land be rezoned from Rural to Planning Unit Development, commonly known as a PUD. While final plans could change, the zoning shifts could make way for a maximum of 250 single-family homes, 700 multi-family homes such as apartments and condos, and up to 150,000 square feet of commercial office space on that piece of land, according to an application filed with the East Baton Rouge Parish Planning Commission. The zoning requests, considered to be a major change, are set to be considered by the Planning Commission next month. If approved at that stage, the project would still need to have a public hearing and a vote by the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro-Council.

DDD COMMISSION MEETING, AGENDA Our February DDD Commission Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. We will meet at The Residences at Rivermark, 451 Florida Street. Visitor parking will be available at the I Rivermark Centre Garage. DDD COMMISSION MEETING, AGENDA THE RESIDENCES @ RIVERMARK 1. Call to Order 2. Declare Quorum 3. Approve Agenda 4. Approve January 9th, 2024 Minutes 5. Board Action Officer Election 2025 Carryforward Funds Entertainment Study 6. Governmental Issues DDD Project Development Director 7. Update from the Previous Board Meeting Downtown Greenway/Louisiana Ave. & 14th St. Florida Corridor Plan Event Data 8. Initiatives IDA Top Issues Council IDA Value Report LACDB/ DDD Website Downtown Lighting 9. Events 225 Fest HOLI Fest City Year Event Corporate Cup Red Beans and Rice Festival American Heart Walk Manship Theatre LSU MOA Capitol Park Museum Old State Capitol River Center LASM USS KIDD Baton Rouge Arts Market Red Stick Farmers Market 10. Commission Announcements and Updates 11. Public Comment 12. Adjournment

Could a mixed-use development be planned near L’Auberge? https://www.businessreport.com/realestate/could-a-mixed-use-development-be-coming-by-lauberge A pair of applications filed with the East Baton Rouge Parish Planning Commission indicate that some major changes could be coming to the area surrounding L’Auberge Casino. An engineer with Stantec has filed requests to change the future land use of 85 acres next to L’Auberge Casino future from residential neighborhood to mixed-use, and rezoned from rural to planned unit development. The total property that includes the acreage in question is just under 540 acres. The land is located south of L’Auberge Crossing and east of River Road, and is owned by Pinnacle Entertainment, the parent company of L’Auberge. The specific proposed use is listed in the application is “a casino, recreational vehicle resort, single-family residential neighborhoods, medium and high density residential, commercial buildings and open space.” The Planning Commission is currently expected to take up the pair of requests at its March meeting. The requests must still be approved by the Metro Council. See the full agenda.

Thanks for all of those post Cajun! The growth down that way is impressive! At least widen I-10 to Grosse Tete / Ramah. Hard to imagine them ever widening the 17 1/2 mile long Atchafayla Basin Bridge. The old Ardendale thread is "Archived" ; hasn't seen a post since 2015! Time flies .... Ardendale Development (formerly known as Smiley Heights) Ardendale senior housing project in Baton Rouge gets $850k grant https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/ardendale-senior-housing-in-baton-rouge-gets-850k-grant/article_5cc375d2-c140-11ee-b4d4-ab4823622cad.html

Baton Rouge streetlight upgrades may take time to brighten entire city https://www.wafb.com/2024/02/01/baton-rouge-streetlight-upgrades-may-take-time-brighten-entire-city/

FIRST FREE SUNDAYS - LSU Center for River Studies River Model https://downtownbatonrouge.org/discover-downtown/events/first-free-sundays-lsu-center-for-river-studies-river-model Visitors are invited to explore the award-winning coastal-themed exhibit space and river model at the LSU Center for River Studies for FREE on the first Sunday of each month from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The Center’s interactive exhibit space offers opportunities for guests of all ages to learn more about the history of the Mississippi River, Louisiana’s disappearing wetlands, and ongoing coastal restoration projects across the coast. CPRA staff will be on-hand throughout the day to lead discussions and answer questions. You’ll also have the chance to attend a unique educational presentation using world-class projector equipment on the river model. https://coastal.la.gov/center-for-river-studies/

MESSAGE FROM THE DDD LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL KICK-OFF TO DOWNTOWN PARADES Get ready for an unforgettable Mardi Gras experience in Downtown Baton Rouge! The 2024 CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts Parade, celebrating its 25th Anniversary with the theme "Party Like It's 1999," is set to roll on Sunday, January 28th. The parade line-up kicks off at 1 p.m., and the parade procession starts at 2 p.m., contributing to Captial Area Animal Welfare Society's largest annual fundraiser! But that's not all! Lace up your running shoes for the Mardi Gras Mambo 10k/15k/1 Mile Fun Run this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. starting and finishing at the lively North Boulevard Town Square. Whether you're participating in the One Mile Fun Run, the 10k, or the 15k, this event is a perfect way for the whole family to revel in the spirit of Mardi Gras season. Learn more below and come celebrate Mardi Gras downtown this weekend with a day full of festivities, fundraising, and fun! KREWE OF MUTTS PARADE MARDI GRAS MAMBO

EXPLORE SPANISH TOWN'S RICH HISTORY! NEW SPANISH TOWN HISTORICAL STRUCTURE SURVEY Discover the history of every house in Spanish Town with the completion of the 2023 Building Survey, now accessible online using the link below! Conducted by Kelly Calhoun, Calhoun Preservation, LLC, this survey offers historical details and pictures in pdf form, providing a unique glimpse into our neighborhood's past. Celebrate this achievement as it coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the Historic Spanish Town Civic Association. LEARN MORE

^ Such interesting times to be living in .... Louisiana Supreme Court to hear arguments on City of St. George incorporation https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/louisiana-supreme-court-to-hear-city-of-st-george-arguments/article_d8aa7286-b97f-11ee-8e9e-5b3c350bbec2.html

NICE Pics! Thanks for the Tour! Man that's some serious COLD up there in IOWA! Suburban Waukee is taking it to the next level! West DeMoines is spread out! The Top Golf in BR looks cool from I-10 near Siegen!

Yes indeed Dan 326! Like the 4th floor roof top addition! Origin Hotel opens in downtown Baton Rouge https://www.wafb.com/2024/01/18/origin-hotel-opens-downtown-baton-rouge/

CHECK OUT THE RIVERMARK CENTRE! RIVERMARK CENTRE UPDATES AND ULI TOUR Ever wondered what it's like to live at Rivermark Centre? Well, wonder no more! Immerse yourself in a first-person tour of the Residences at Rivermark and get a glimpse of the extraordinary everyday life awaiting you. For more details on all amenities or to schedule a personalized tour, simply visit Rivermark Centre's website through the link below! 2024 is also being kicked off with an exciting event at the Rivermark Centre! The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is hosting an event this afternoon featuring a special building tour of Mike Wampold's Rivermark Centre, where success converges as both a thriving office space and residential haven. Office staff will be attending this event and are looking foward to the tour! RIVERMARK TOUR VIDEO LEARN MORE

Yeah they are popping up all over the place! Didn't even realize they built a new one down O'Neal Lane! Need to check it out! Wonder how the Aldi up in Central is doing in the Shoe Creek Development across from Wal-mart? Thanks Cajun! Was just about to post this in the quiet Livingston Parish thread on the page . A thriving/ growing area...but disappointed a Houston developer would set it it up like that!

Cool angle for most of Downtown BR