Baton Rouge Growth and Development

[byrde]

What exactly does Direct General do? And what is a call center?

Direct General is an Auto Insurance company. They currently have their local operations in the Old Blue Cross buidling on Florida Blvd new Sharp Lane.

A call center is a customer service office. It is the place your call ends up when you place call call to customer service or Tech Support. There are several call centers around town.

[richyb83]

Louisiana has a $1.63BILLION Surplus !?!?

"A one in a lifetime opportunity with unexpected $dollars"?

BR Area Chamber proposals for Capitol Region

>>for Surplus Funds

*$25 MILLION for a Pennington Biomedical Research Center clinical research facility

*$250 million at LSU:($189 deferred maintenance,$61mil. for capital projects)

*$175mil. for road projects;

>widen I-12 from O'Neal Lane to Denham Springs; widen US Hwy.61 from Gonzales to US Hwy.190;

La. Hwy.1 to I-10 Connector and new Intracoastal Waterway bridge in WBR

*other priorities: funds toward a university research hospital in BR $275mil

a Port of Greater BR homeland security grant $ 4mil

>>for Recurring Funds

$25mil annually for LSU's flagship agenda....State funding for LSU is a joke compared to other flagship university's across the country

$6mil. in Pennington annual operating funds La. needs to learn this from North Carolina

$50mil. for market-based teacher pay(hard-to-fil subject areas)

$5mil to pilot one-on-one tutoring for at-risk children

http://www.businessreport.com/newsDetail.c...0251&cid=21

Edited December 2, 2006 by richyb83

[dan326]

Well,it looks like the large piece of land near O'Neal Lane is finally being developed into a TND,not very many details though. While I'm happy they are doing something nice with the land, I was kind of hoping they would build something a little more exciting.

http://www.businessreport.com/dailyreport.cfm

I found the officail site for the W aloft brand.Looks nice.

W aloft

Edited December 5, 2006 by dan326

[richyb83]

^^Alot of that property is in a flood-zone plain. Hopefully some of that will be a nature preserve with walking trails and lakes too.

Two more hotels for BR's largest hotel district-College/I-10. I know exactly where W Aloft will be built(in Esplanade); But still not exactly sure where Cambria Suites will be built?? On Constition Ave. on the other side of I-10?? Near Holiday Inn Express??

Edited December 5, 2006 by richyb83

[richyb83]

I noticed the old Prince Murat/Rodeway Inn on Nicholson Dr coming down over the weekend. I am glad to see this long vacant eyesore be demolished.

Anyone hear of the future for this large and high visibility location?

My answer back....

A developer will build condo's at that site in the near future. I thought I remember hearing 475-units ?? But not exactly sure. If that number is true it should be multi-storied...4, 5 or more floors ?? It's good to see the old hotel being demolished. Those grown-up weeds had the place looking like a jungle.

Business Report talked about this; The Prince Murat being demolished on Nicholson. They said a $50 million mixed-use development which will include condo's and a shopping center.

[byrde]

Two more hotels for BR's largest hotel district-College/I-10. I know exactly where W Aloft will be built(in Esplanade); But still not exactly sure where Cambria Suites will be built?? On Constition Ave. on the other side of I-10?? Near Holiday Inn Express??

Where will the W Aloft be built?

[dan326]

Right in front of Esplanade Mall, facing the interstate. The are going to rip up the parking lot to build it.

[dan326]

Here is a map.I think they mught build the Cambria Suites adjacent to Ruby Tuesdays becaue it seem like they have recently cleared the land there, just my opinion.

[Rardy]

Right in front of Esplanade Mall, facing the interstate. The are going to rip up the parking lot to build it.

Any word on potential height? Seems like it'll have to be quite verticle since that's a rather narrow strip they're building on.

[richyb83]

The last pic is Raising Cane's next to your guess; they also own that land you have as a guess; were the dirt is.. I'm not sure if that's going to be Cambria Suites location or not?? It's supposed to have 119 rooms.

Any word on potential height? Seems like it'll have to be quite verticle since that's a rather narrow strip they're building on.

Renderings have W aloft at only 5-stories(136-rooms). I was disapionted it was not 8 to 10 stories; esp. given the parking issues with the City Planning Commission. This is the "typical" protype W aloft according to some. Charlotte and Nashville are said to have nearly identical protoypes.

There are alot of hotels in the works in BR.

Edited December 7, 2006 by richyb83

[dan326]

Renderings have W aloft at only 5-stories(136-rooms). I was disapionted it was not 8 to 10 stories; esp. given the parking issues with the City Planning Commission. This is the "typical" prototype W aloft according to some. Charlotte and Nashville are said to have nearly identical protoypes.

It seems like it should be more as Hampton Inn across the interstate has less rooms than W. I'll just hold on to the hopes that they gave us that rendering to keep us happy(or unhappy) until they could finalize the plans.

[richyb83]

BR Growth Coalition Inc./ Sterling Properties has some current/future outstanding projects listed;

*30-story mixed-use high-rise tower Office/Retail- to be developed at the former Advocate site. No details(date), but the fact it was mentioned is a BIG-DEAL!!! It will go well next to RiverPlace!!!

*Bass Pro in Denham Springs I-12/Range Ave.- (to start early 07')

*Cabela's in Gonzales near Tanger Mall- (to start early 07')

*Mall of Louisiana lifestyle center expansion; The Boulevard - has just started with completion of Picardy extension/over-pass

*Phase II is now completed on Stirling Millerville Center; Final phase will begin upon completion of Millerville Rd. widening to 5-lanes.

*Perkins Rowe- coming along nicely!!!! Phase I to be completed Spring 07'

*Settlement @ Willow Grove TND 300 lots on Perkins Road a few blocks from Perkins Rowe- currently

*500-acre mixed-use Project by Wampold Co. down Nicholson/Bluebonnet Extension (no set date)

*Ford Estate- TND Village/Southdowns Library Brach, Infil; Perkins Road (no set date) JTS- same developer of Citiplace and Perkins Rowe

Not to mention....

*Perkins Palms mixed-use lifestyle center(current)

*10-story condo at Southgate Towers- Nicholson/Burbank (now starting) and 6-story 121-room Staybridge Suites

2007 will be very exciting with all the new projects getting underway. As well as many being completed.

With additional projects not mentioned this list is too long to post

Still waiting word on the 250-acre TND infil at Smiley Heights not far from Bonne Carre. And 13-story Bluebonnet Hotel Ventures LLC

Edited December 8, 2006 by richyb83

[dan326]

Wow, what a list. So many TNDs, I didn't know B.R. had that many in the works. Still waiting to see what hotel that building will become.

[byrde]

Still waiting word on the 250-acre TND infil at Smiley Heights not far from Bonne Carre. And 13-story Bluebonnet Hotel Ventures LLC

I hope this one really happens and is sucessful.

[Rardy]

I hope this one really happens and is sucessful.

Definitely. that's a great location, between MoL, lifestyle center, and Perkins Rowe, not to mention close to I-10 and College. I always liked Bluebonnet, i think because of all the palm trees. they definitely add a cool effect.

[richyb83]

Baton Rouge Visitors Bureau boom$; windfall may fund new headquarters!

The Visitors Bureau is currently leasing it's HQ's at North Blvd. One option would be getting involved in a new commercial building that is proposed on state property near the Shaw Center.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/4861916.html

I wonder where exactly this state property could be ????

[dan326]

You know what would be a neat idea was if when the Woman's Hospital moved, the existing hospital was razed and then the tower left over was renevated interior and exterior and several more towers of similar height and design were built; wtih one being a hotel, one condos, one office, etc. with restaurants at the base.Something like the Lincoln Centre in Dallas

One thing I think would help out downtown a little would is if another one or two fast restaurants opened up, like a McDonald's and a Burger King.

Edited December 9, 2006 by dan326

[richyb83]

Thanks Dan! ^I wonder what will become of Women's Hospital after they move. It's still hard to believe they probably will move.

Here is an aerial compliments of Dan of the new Towne Center at Cedar Lodge and additional phases/ future development. The Residence Inn is going up fast! Omni Bank is nearly complete. Land has been cleared for the 276-unit Enclave at Cedar Lodge. Much of the horse ranch is still intact. A new Chase Bank branch will soon begin at the Business Park. The Reserve at Cedar Lodge is on the bottom left. Whole Foods is to the far right.

BTW C.A.M.D. stands for Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices. BR's attempt at Silicon Valley. This is what came of it; all the other technology sector has gone to the new La.Tech Park at Bonne Carre business center.

http://www.camd.lsu.edu/

Edited December 9, 2006 by richyb83

[brresident]

Wampold, Westmoreland go before Planning Commission

The public will get its first look at a 520-acre planned community on Bluebonnet Boulevard extension this evening when Mike Wampold goes before the Planning Commission with a conceptual use plan for Longwood Village. The self-contained development will have houses, office space, retailers, a school, a church and a community center. "The response to this has generally been very positive," says Wampold. "People are excited about seeing shopping and grocery stores come to that area." Morris & Ritchie Associates of Baltimore helped design Longwood Village. Plans are to put retailers toward the front of the development along Nicholson Drive and Bluebonnet, then put housing in the back. If the conceptual use plan is approved, Wampold says he will come back with a site plan for a section of Longwood Village. "We'll start building the single family homes first," he says. "We're about 12 months from breaking ground on those." Development of Longwood Village will take years, but plans are to eventually have 1,650 houses, apartments and townhomes, along with 750,000 square feet of retail space and 410,000 square feet of office space.

Longwood Village isn't the only big item on the agenda. The commission is set to vote on a zoning change for the Westmoreland Shopping Center, where the Resource Group wants to build a mixed-use development in the heart of Mid City. On the planning side, there are proposals for a new 45,000-square-foot medical office building at the Baton Rouge Clinic, a new shopping center at Highland and East Perkins roads and a shopping center/Holiday Inn Express on Siegen Lane, next to Academy Sports.

http://www.businessreport.com/dailyreport.html

1650 units of residential......wow. That means that this is probably the largest residential development since Tara and Sherwood. It's unusual to see more than 150 or 200 in Baton Rouge because the large chunks of land is mostly taken, and all that is left is the smaller pieces. Since it is planned unit, I am going to guess that is it expensive. Since it is expensive, I am going to predict that most homeowners will be high income (statistically republicans in this state). 1650 units- that is like having 2800-3000 republican voters moving in. What will that do to Baton Rouge?

It said that it will incorporate a Church and school. That is going to be neat. I hope the church has the old european look like so many south Louisiana structures have.

Edited December 11, 2006 by brresident

[richyb83]

Redeveloping Westmoreland is going to be a major piece of the puzzle to helping Mid-City. It's good to see that area turning it around in a positive way!

People are excited about seeing shopping and grocery stores come to that area." Morris & Ritchie Associates of Baltimore helped design Longwood Village. Plans are to put retailers toward the front of the development along Nicholson Drive and Bluebonnet, then put housing in the back. If the conceptual use plan is approved, Wampold says he will come back with a site plan for a section of Longwood Village. "We'll start building the single family homes first," he says. "We're about 12 months from breaking ground on those." Development of Longwood Village will take years, but plans are to eventually have 1,650 houses, apartments and townhomes, along with 750,000 square feet of retail space and 410,000 square feet of office space.

That's going to takes years to finish developing 520-acres What will happens if Pinnacle resort casino gets approved??? Will this master-planned community like having a silly casino in their neighborhood??

[richyb83]

A City in the Suburbs

New Wells Fargo Bldg. going on top of a parking garage at Perkins Rowe

This stretch of Perkins Road will be widened to 5-lanes begining next month.(Essen to Siegen)

At only 2-lanes this area is a traffic nightmare!!!

Edited December 11, 2006 by richyb83

[dan326]

Wow, I have not been over there in a lonnnggg time! I didn't realise they had that much done. For a moment I was wondering why Richy was posting pictures of other cities in this thread, but that's us! What are they going to do with the land ment for Wells Fargo orignally?

You know, I would have thought they would have knocked down the McDonalds and then reincoperated it into Perkins Rowe.

I can't wait for this to get finished.

I remeber when I first saw that big field being cleared out and the fondation layed I thought it was going to be RiverPlace because I had just found out about RiverPlace the day before I my mom said their would be condos.But what actually happened was much better. I don't know why I ever thought they were going to build a 36 story tower there, but I guess it could be justified with the Galleria in Houston.

Edited December 12, 2006 by dan326

[byrde]

You know, I would have thought they would have knocked down the McDonalds and then reincoperated it into Perkins Rowe.

Dan if my memory serves me correctly, the Micky D's was built knowing Perkins Rowe was coming. That's why the signs for that particular McD are not like most.

[brresident]

This stretch of Perkins Road will be widened to 5-lanes begining next month.(Essen to Siegen)

At only 2-lanes this area is a traffic nightmare!!!

Not just five lanes...it is getting expensive Old Hammond treatment. The road will be 10" thick re-inforced concrete with 12' center lanes, 14' outer lanes, concrete barrier curb and gutter, and 5' sidewalks on either side.

In order to do this, they will have to start on the outer two lanes first (keeping at least two lanes open all the time).

The new street will be btw 1.5' and 6" lower than the current road- and it won't have open ditches.

It will be so nice when it is done in 150 years.

Edited December 12, 2006 by brresident

[Rardy]

It will be so nice when it is done in 150 years.

I'm afraid you're right!