richyb83

For sure Dan 326! Approaching Winter Storm from the West ; prompting School Closures for Tomorrow Sunset after Rain storm couple weeks ago

New Baton Rouge road project will connect Essen to Bluebonnet; here's how it will work City officials broke ground this week on a project to extend Constantin Boulevard out to Bluebonnet Boulevard. The project, part of Mayor Broome’s billion-dollar “MovEBR” program, will extend Constantin Boulevard (formerly known as Dijon Avenue) from Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital to Bluebonnet Boulevard, creating a new connection between Bluebonnet and Essen Lane. The roadway will consist of two lanes of traffic and sidewalks in each direction, separated by a median in the center and fit with lighting. The project will use improved turning lanes for Bluebonnet at Interstate 10 and dedicated turning lanes onto Bluebonnet as well, according to city officials. The new road will also connect to BREC’s Ward Creek Greenway and MOVEBR’s new Midway Drive, another new two-lane road currently under construction that will connect Constantin to Picardy Avenue. The two projects together, officials say, will help move traffic and improve walkability in the area. https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/baton-rouge-breaks-ground-on-constantin-boulevard-project/article_46e4aa00-b179-11ee-b66e-032b78a60183.html Could a new road built through College Drive parking lots fix traffic woes? New project says yes https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/movebr-project-for-college-drive-aims-to-ease-traffic-woes/article_20b44fc6-25d2-11ee-b8d7-47d31254d4dd.html

An Arctic blast could be causing an Icy mess late Monday into Tuesday across the Region. 6:00AM Tuesday GFS Model has the Icy Mess as far south as the BR area

Exciting news for Downtown Baton Rouge! The Origin Hotel Baton Rouge, along with its restaurant Passé, is set to open its doors tomorrow, January 11th at 5 p.m. Passé's meal service offers a delightful fusion of American Diner fare with a hint of French influence. Rooms are available for booking through their website and various channels. Origin Hotel 87 guest rooms, including four suites 1,740 sq. ft. flexible meeting & event space State-of-the-art fitness center Complimentary bike rentals Passé All Day Cafe, an onsite restaurant & bar Eye in the Sky Roof Deck, a private events space Pet-friendly accommodations Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi Wyndham Rewards program ADA Accessibility & Feature https://downtownbatonrouge.org/discover-downtown/places/origin-hotel

https://downtownbatonrouge.org/uploads/docs/2023DevelopmentYearbook_Web.pdf 2023 Development Yearbook The Downtown Development District works to initiate, incubate, and support partnerships that develop and enhance the district, using community-driven master plans and economic incentives to aid private-sector and nonprofit philanthropic organizations in their development and entrepreneurship efforts. These partnerships are key to continuing the momentum and excitement we have for the future of Downtown. In 2023, we completed a 5-year strategic plan under the leadership of the new Executive Director, Whitney Hoffman Sayal, AICP. It will guide the priorities of the office and the formation of new and continued partnerships with a shared interest in downtown. We also released our 2023 Downtown Development Toolkit, highlighting downtown’s positive trends and data including the rise in residential, as well as high occupancy rates in both offices and hotels. The 2023 Yearbook features developments over the past year, provides a snapshot of data and statistics, highlights projects in the pipeline, and features a list of acknowledgments and recognition. In addition, this document showcases the Downtown Development District’s projects, events, and initiatives driving the next phase of development. https://downtownbatonrouge.org/about-ddd/projects-news-room/2024/2023-development-yearbook

This is pretty cool.... Repurposing old church site into a nursery, Baton Rouge's Plant Barn continues to grow https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/baton-rouges-plant-barn-continues-to-grow/article_0d324418-a998-11ee-83c6-939eb3703f73.html

JOIN US NEXT WEEK AT THE WATER CAMPUS! JANUARY DDD COMMISSION MEETING Don't miss out on the insights and updates at the Downtown Development District's January Commission Meeting, hosted at the Estuary Conference and Event Venue in the Water Campus this Tuesday, January 9th at 8 a.m. Topics include as Board Action, Governmental Issues, and a recap of the previous board meeting. Stay informed about ongoing initiatives, including the 2023 Downtown Development Yearbook, exciting developments with new businesses, and upcoming events! DDD COMMISSION MEETING, AGENDA The ESTUARY, 1110 River Road 1. Call to Order 2. Declare Quorum 3. Approve Agenda 4. Approve December 12, 2023 Minutes 5. Board Action Nominating Committee 6. Governmental Issues 2024 City Parish Budget 7. Update from the Previous Board Meeting Placer ai 617 North Boulevard Demolition 8. Initiatives 2023 Downtown Development Yearbook Retail Survey Results Third Street Lighting Upgrades Town Square Landscape Refurbishment Louisiana Ave./14th Street Improvements Water Institute President & CEO 9. New Businesses The Garden House 121 Convention Street 9. Events MPAC Louisiana Marathon Right to Life March Mardi Gras Parades 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

HAPPY NEW YEAR! ......Good bye 2023

2023 was the Driest year in BR since 2011....had it not been for the Wet December it would have been Driest since 2000.

Hope everybody had a Merry Christmas! The biggest Baton Rouge developments planned for 2024: apartments, Aldi stores, more https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/the-biggest-baton-rouge-developments-planned-for-2024/article_2ebe0fe8-a4db-11ee-aade-97619fc30a25.html

Glad the Hwy 415 Connector will finally be built in WBR w new Intracoastal Waterway Bridge...but really disappointed this will not TIE into the NEW Mississippi River Bridge. La. 415 connector near Baton Rouge gets federal loan, could start construction in 2026 https://www.nola.com/news/politics/la-415-connector-near-baton-rouge-gets-887-million-loan/article_fa32d2ee-9ba3-11ee-8a4d-fb1fbe14be05.html

Mid-City Makers Market makes a comeback just in time for the holidays https://www.wbrz.com/news/mid-city-makers-market-makes-a-comeback-just-in-time-for-the-holidays

After Siegen barricades proven to be effective, councilman pushes for more on O'Neal underpass https://www.wbrz.com/news/after-siegen-barricades-proven-to-be-effective-councilman-pushes-for-more-on-o-neal-underpass The I-12 underpass at O'Neal Lane has become home to more than just passing cars. Stolen cars, trash and tents are popping up left and right. District 9 councilman, Dwight Hudson, says the city has tried to clean up the area for years, to no avail. The efforts have been futile and a waste of resources. "As of late, when we do those clean up days, literally we're seeing encampments back the same day so it's become a blight issue and a litter issue so we're looking for a more permanent way to address that issue," Hudson said. Hudson isn't sure what a permanent solution would entail, but he's been working with DOTD to see what the options look like. "We talked about putting up bollards on a track that can be pulled down for them to go and inspect the bridge. We've also talked about kind of square tubing like what's being done on Bluebonnet right now," Hudson said. This week, DOTD installed barricades on a section of the I-10 underpass on Bluebonnet Boulevard. The same metal fencing was placed on the Siegen Lane underpass in July after volunteers from Keep Tiger Town Beautiful discovered a massive stash of pharmacy-grade drugs and more. But the challenge is unique for O'Neal Lane because of the structure's design. It's larger than the Siegen and Bluebonnet underpasses, which would require a more expensive barricade. "Of course with anything, it's a funding issue," Hudson said. "It's a little bit unique from the other areas which have been sort of small barricade-type structures they've had to put up. This is a much larger structure so it's going to take some more doing." DOTD has not fully committed to the idea yet, and even if they did, the question remains of where the unhoused would migrate to next. "When we go in to remove one of those encampments, we take our homeless outreach team with us, and they offer a suite of services," Hudson said. Councilman Hudson says he brought the same idea up to DOTD two years ago, but was turned down.

North Boulevard Promenade deserves something like this! Cajun & Dan326 have each mentioned this too... See what's happening to a former downtown Baton Rouge bank building https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/see-whats-happening-to-a-former-downtown-bank-building/article_b8ce0608-99fe-11ee-9b4f-5b04f6524fa5.html Demolition work is set to begin soon on a former bank building at 617 North Blvd., the first step in a plan to turn the property into a six-story apartment building. Key Real Estate is partnering with John O. Hearin, who built The Heron apartments next door for the “cousin building,” dubbed The Heron II. The development is still in the design phase, but Michael Lang, managing principal of development for Key, said it will have 200 to 240 units. The apartment development may include some sort of retail component, such as a row of townhomes that serve as a live-work space. Lang and Hearin have said they are targeting the complex for young professionals who work downtown, along with older LSU and Southern University students. The building had been a branch of Baton Rouge Bank and Whitney National Bank.

Agreed Dan326! DDD COMMISSION MEETING, AGENDA Our December DDD Commission Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. We will meet at The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center - Heidelberg Room, 201 Lafayette Street. 1. Call to Order 2. Declare Quorum 3. Approve Agenda 4. Approve November 14, 2023 Minutes 5. Board Action DDD Officers DDD Commission Meeting Cadence 6. Governmental Issues Metro Council Budget Approval My BR app 7. Update from the Previous Board Meeting Festival of Lights & Christmas Parade Downtown Retail Study 8. Initiatives LSU Landscape Architecture Riverfront Study Placer.ai IDA Value Report BRAAM Mural Manship Theatre Executive Director 9. Events Red Stick Revelry 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

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS THIS FRIDAY FROM 4 P.M. TO 9 P.M. Immerse yourself in the festive spirit this Friday, December 1st, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at North Boulevard Town Square! Experience the enchanting lighting of a 35-foot Christmas tree, complemented by a spectacular fireworks display. Engage in winter activities like free ice skating and playing in real snow at the Snow Village. Be captivated by holiday performers, including Krampus, Jack Frost, Santa's Elves, and Santa himself. Parking is available in the River Center Parking Garage and the 3rd Street Garage. To find out more details and explore everything taking place this Friday at the Festival of Lights, please check the link provided below!

Festival of Lights in downtown Baton Rouge on Friday: 4 things to know https://downtownbatonrouge.org/discover-downtown/events/2023-festival-of-lights https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/baton-rouges-downtown-festival-of-lights-4-things-to-know/article_982c6218-8af5-11ee-b2c5-ef1b848c2062.html# /imager/images/48745/FOL2019_21785fe914baaf3e4d2e91bc4e0841d6.jpg

Already down to 34 here in EBR few weeks ago.

Radar that tracks storms in New Orleans, Baton Rouge is moving, will be down for months. Why? https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/weather_traffic/national-weather-service-moving-radar-in-new-orleans-area/article_df341b3c-8546-59c2-ba53-f641fe246bf2.html

https://www.theclubhouseatrouzan.com/silo-farm The Farm brings a unique way of life to our community, unlike any other in Baton Rouge. Nutritional and Environmental Health Personal Raised Planters Horticulture Classes Farm Manager, Allison Guidroz

See which Baton Rouge developments earned Good Growth Awards https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/see-which-baton-rouge-developments-earned-good-growth-awards/article_e7ceaec0-74de-11ee-939a-0350b2492a19.html Twelve top developments built locally over the past two years were recognized Thursday night by the Baton Rouge Growth Coalition's Good Growth Awards. The awards honor developments that are "raising the bar" on development in Baton Rouge, through smart growth principles and finding interesting ways of reusing properties. Twenty developments were nominated for the awards, which are presented every two years. Award winners were: The home at 6125 Sevenoaks in Baton Rouge The Arts Council of Baton Rouge's Cary Saurage Community Arts Center The Dantin Builders home in the Rouzan development The Dawson Park Apartments in Baton Rouge The East Baton Rouge Council on Aging Administrative Facility/Kitchen and Lotus Village development The Louisiana Farm Bureau headquarters The Great Hearts Harveston charter school The remodeled Jubans restaurant Phase 1 of the Materra mixed use development in Baton Rouge The improvements to the Raising Cane’s River Center Theatre The Rivermark Centre The Silo Farm in Rouzan.

DOTD to begin widening I-10 at City Park Lake this month as expansion project moves into next phase https://www.wbrz.com/news/dotd-to-begin-widening-i-10-at-city-park-lake-this-month-as-expansion-project-moves-into-next-phase

A Cloudy Mid November sunset from NE Louisiana

Monroe From the 18th Street R.R. Overpass Did my best..trying to see the Town's Tallest building in Downtown above the tree-line to the LEFT a Mile away