Plan Baton Rouge

[richyb83]

DDD meeting celebrates new town square

The Downtown Development District has long rotated the site of its monthly meetings, convening in historic buildings, restaurants and corporate boardrooms as a way to highlight new businesses downtown and bring them into the fold.

On Tuesday, the DDD held its meeting outside on a sunny April day to mark the completion of the first phase of the North Boulevard Town Square, the $7 million public park designers hope will be the social and cultural heart of Baton Rouge.

The reconfiguration of the streets within the square created an entire acre of open green space downtown. The square includes a fountain, chairs and tables, a covered bus stop and a programmable media tower with a high-definition screen, which showed a montage of more than 200 photos sent in by Baton Rougeans.

The installation of the sculpture cover for the Galvez Plaza stage is scheduled to be completed in June. Work should begin later this year on the $2 million second phase, which will improve the sidewalk along the northern side of North Boulevard and along St. Philip Street and extend the park space along the median from Fourth Street to Fifth Street.

Rhorer said his research took him to some of the best urban parks in the nation, and that the town square “is up there among the finest in the country.” He said the square has been recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects and the International Downtown Association and is up for an award from the National Conference of Mayors.

“This is a homegrown project and it’s for the city,” Furr told the audience.

The DDD also saw the final design for the planned BREC park at Seventh and Convention streets. The public chose between two designs late last year, but the final version got some tweaks to incorporate a pergola from the design not chosen.

Reed Richard, BREC’s assistant director of planning and engineering, said construction will begin in the next two weeks and the $230,000 park should be done by August.

The design features a radial promenade that terminates at a circular perennial garden. Features will include an arcing retaining wall that will provide a split elevation in the landscape, public art, historical markers, a rain garden and a garden pergola, which is a shade structure made of slats or beams and sometimes includes vegetation. It will include benches and a misting station for joggers and cyclists.

The land was home to the former post office annex and was donated to BREC by the federal General Services Administration. The site was cleared in late 2008. The park will help meet the goal laid out in Plan Baton Rouge Phase II to help link the downtown neighborhoods of Beauregard Town and Spanish Town with Seventh and Napoleon streets, which would meet at opposite corners of the park

http://theadvocate.com/news/business/2536909-123/ddd-meeting-celebrates-new-town

[oneman83]

Can someone please tell me when are we going to see some new skyscrapers in downtown B.R. I really don't understand the problem.

[itsjustme3]

Can someone please tell me when are we going to see some new skyscrapers in downtown B.R. I really don't understand the problem.

A you joking? You do realize this country is in the middle of a financial crisis, do you not?

[Antrell Williams]

Can someone please tell me when are we going to see some new skyscrapers in downtown B.R. I really don't understand the problem.

At least 5mins.

[oneman83]

If we were in that much of a financial crisis, then nothing would be getting built at all.

[cajun]

If we were in that much of a financial crisis, then nothing would be getting built at all.

Great point.

Baton Rouge's economy isn't doing too badly relative to some of its peers.

[Antrell Williams]

If we were in that much of a financial crisis, then nothing would be getting built at all.

Small things get built all the time, skyscrapers need more funding, therefore in these times it's pretty hard to get one finalized and to ground breaking.

[itsjustme3]

If we were in that much of a financial crisis, then nothing would be getting built at all.

You're right. Silly me. I forgot all the skyscrapers they are building in the southeastern part of the country, especially in Louisiana.

[cajun]

You're right. Silly me. I forgot all the skyscrapers they are building in the southeastern part of the country, especially in Louisiana.

No one is saying that the national economy isn't

in the tank. It actually seems to be getting worse lately. What we are seeing is that large sources for funding are cutting back while local banks are doing the opposite. The larger the project, the more challenging it is.

What is the occupancy rate for class A office in Baton Rouge, anyways? I know many want to see massive towers being built downtown. They might have to wait a while.

City Plaza 2 probably absorbed much of the downtown demand for the next 5 or 6 years. The growth downtown will be in the hospitality and entertainment not really commercial office for a while.

Edited April 20, 2012 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

One American Place lost tenants to II City Plaza, I wonder if the aging of that building will drive up demand for office space?

[cajun]

One American Place lost tenants to II City Plaza, I wonder if the aging of that building will drive up demand for office space?

It is in need of some investment.

City Plaza 2 and the Chase buildings are nicer office space.

Edited April 22, 2012 by cajun

[richyb83]

DDD Commission Meeting

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 8:00 a.m.

Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd., 2nd Floor, House Chambers

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Declare Quorum

3. Approve Agenda

4. Approve April 10th, 2012 Minutes

5. Board Action

6. Update from Previous Board Meeting

a. Governmental Issues

b. Development Initiatives

• North Boulevard Town Square Update
  
• Repentance Park Update
  
• Baton Rouge Walls Project Update
  
• Tessier Building Update
  
• Residential Development
  
• Grant Programs
  
• New Business Announcement
  
• Events
  o Live After Five - May 11, 18, 25 & June 1
  o Baton Rouge Greek Festival - May 12
  o FUMC Cambodia Craft Sale - May 13
  o Sunday in the Park - May 13
  o Baton Rouge Walk With Me - May 19
  o Candlelight Memorial - May 20
  o Run for the Children - May 26
  o Capitol Park Museum
  o LASM
  o Manship Theatre Events / LSU MOA
  o Old Governor's Mansion
  o Old State Capitol
  o River Center Events
  
  7. Strategic Plan
  a. Plan Baton Rouge II
  8. Ongoing Projects
  • CPEX
    
  • BREADA
    

  9. Correspondence

  10. Public Comment

[buckett5425]

The old and ugly radio tower located downtown behind the AT&T building, east of the chase towers, has been dismantled. I hope they aren't replacing it with another radio tower! The skyline looks just that much better!

Edited May 10, 2012 by buckett5425

[richyb83]

Thanks for the head's up....will have to go check that out!

[cajun]

The old and ugly radio tower located downtown behind the AT&T building, west of the chase towers, has been dismantled. I hope they aren't replacing it with another radio tower! The skyline looks just that much better!

Nice! That was pretty old school.

If they must put a tower in, there are at least 10 very cool designs that don't look awful.

BTW....Anyone ever see the cell phone tower in Madison, MS off highway 55? Looks like a stainless Washington Monument.

[richyb83]

Never seen it before Cajun...will have to check that out...

There's the 4th floor

Work on the 438 Main Street apartment project downtown is well under way and expected to be completed in late summer. The $4.7 million project will feature 22 apartments total: 17 at affordable housing rates as low as $300 a month, and the rest at market-rates ranging up to $1,100. The architect on the project is Chenevert Architects, and the general contractor is Milton J. Womack Inc

http://www.businessr...inessreport0113

Edited May 15, 2012 by richyb83

[cajun]

Glad it is coming up so fast. Not my favorite building from an architectural standpoint, but I wouldn't complain if 3 more similar to it got off the ground in that area.

If enough smaller rental units were available downtown, you could easily get students to rent there, along with younger folks with jobs in state government or downtown.

Both the Laurel street and Main street corridors east of 4th are chock full of surface parking or 1-2 level retail/commercial buildings that no one would miss, with a few exceptions. This would be an ideal residential and mixed use zone.

Maybe one day main street east of 110 will see some investment.

Edited May 16, 2012 by cajun

[all2neat]

I don't have a link but the radio tower on the att building was removed so they could add a couple floors.

[richyb83]

Thanks for the head's up...that's cool Not sure if the AT&T Bldg is currently 5-floors??

Edited May 23, 2012 by richyb83

[buckett5425]

I don't have a link but the radio tower on the att building was removed so they could add a couple floors.

The radio tower sat behind the building. I believe ATT removed it simply as a public service, to improve the skyline and because the tower hadn't been used in decades there may have been a future liability issue. It will be interesting to see what the new floors look like. ATT's server buildings are always featureless due to the program of the building.

[richyb83]

Should article say...Will add two more floors making it 8?? It should be interesting watching the construction of the additional floors

AT&T to upgrade BR facility

AT&T will spend $2 million overhauling the electrical system and adding two standby generators to its downtown facility, an upgrade that will add two floors to the eight-story building by April 2013.

The large antenna that’s been on the building for years was removed earlier this month in preparation for the work.

AT&T spokeswoman Sue Sperry said the company learned from Hurricane Gustav that it needed greater emergency capacity in cases of power loss. And the rising Mississippi River last year made it realize having sensitive power equipment in the basement presented a potential problem as well.

With the building’s electrical system needing an overhaul — no one can remember the last time the antenna was used — the company decided to make the investment and upgrade the “nerve center” of its Baton Rouge metro area operations, she said.

Sperry said the building, at 333 N. Sixth St., serves as the key communications switching and network center for greater Baton Rouge. Calls between landlines and cellphones for all carriers are routed through the facility, as well as cell-to-cell calls for AT&T and occasionally other carriers.

Sperry said that other than a “cleaner skyline” without the tower, customers won’t notice much.

But she said the facility is no longer at risk if the river spills over the levee, and customers will have better service in emergency situations.

Sperry said the alternate-power system on the new top floors will be done by April and the electrical system overhaul will be done by the end of the year.

At a news conference Tuesday, Mayor-President Kip Holden emphasized critical businesses need to upgrade their emergency power if needed. “I am honored to join AT&T in making this announcement about upgrades they are making in the downtown area,” Holden said in a news release. “Not only will this modernization make the Baton Rouge skyline even more appealing, the planned upgrades will also help our city be better prepared for natural disasters.”

http://theadvocate.com/news/business/2901705-123/att-to-upgrade-br-facility

[richyb83]

Gather Round' Downtown Walking Tour

Private sector initiatives present a new wave of development in Downtown BR

Please save the date and join us for a walking tour of eleven private sector initiatives in various stages of development. And...see a sneak preview of the DDD's new Design Resource Center and Offices during early stages of renovation. Click here to download a printable map of the walking tour.

Friday, June, 1, 4PM. Meet at the present DDD office - 227 Florida St.

The walk will conclude in North Boulevard Town Square at the final Spring Live After Five concert featuring Island Fever (Summer Party Jam!) to celebrate these great investments in Downtown Baton Rouge!

1) DDD's Design Resource Center & Offices

The new Downtown Development District office will house a Design Resource Center which will serve as a publically accessible repository of past and current planning documents and provide a mutual platform of voice and interaction. This Design Resource Center allows private design and development entities to engage the local community in an effort to share ideas and voice opinions over the future development of Downtown Baton Rouge. Ultimately the center will inform citizens on the direction of Baton Rouge as outlined in Plan Baton Rouge II, FutureBR and other adopted master plans. Opening Summer 2012 2) City Bar

Construction is underway for City Bar's second location which is the old Avoyelles location at 333 Third Street. City Bar already has a reputation in Downtown Lafayette. The establishment was named "Best Bar in Acadiana" in 2011 and soon they will be adding to the excitement of Downtown Baton Rouge's vibrant nightlife. Opening June 2012 3) Tessier Building & Lafayette House

Located near the corner of Lafayette and Laurel Streets in Downtown Baton Rouge, the recently opened Tessier building, a mixed use development, is recognized as the oldest building in Baton Rouge. This townhouse style building features Spanish-Colonial architecture, high ceilings, wood floors, a full range of appliances, large expanses of glass, huge balconies nearly 10 feet deep, and the building's original cast-iron gallery fencing. Also on this tour stop is The Lafayette House site which will bring additional residential units with its new construction slated to start later this year. 4) Hampton Inn

The $17 million Hampton Inn & Suites at Lafayette and Main Streets is now under construction. The 137 room hotel is an exampple of several finacial and creative partnerships converging to create this star development in downtown. Forty-two of the guest rooms will have balconies and 36 will be suites. The hotel will have 1,00 square feet of meeting space, an executive boardroom, a business center and an exercise room. This will be the third hotel on the Lafayette street corridor in the Arts and Entertainment District. Opening January 2013. 5) Restaurant IPO

Restaurant IPO, 421 Third Street, is a new eatery owned by the same hospitality group that brought The Office Bar to Downtown Baton Rouge. This great new restaurant will be serving a fun mix of tasty small plates and savory entrees that the chef is calling "inspired Southern Tapas". Restaurant IPO will be open for lunch and dinner six days a week and is scheduled to open the doors in June 2012 6) 431 Third Street

The former vacant Dragon Cafe' resturant space at 431 Third Street is undergoing major renovations. This attractive space will be the location for a new restaurant, adding another element to the already lively Third Street. Follow the Downtown Development District for more information on the restaurant at 431 Third Street... 7) 438 Main Street

438 Main Street, now under construction, is a 22-unit apartment building offering affordable housing downtown. Seventeen of the units will be affordable housing rate ranging from $300 to $1,100, with three units going as low as $300, and five units will be market rate. Opening Fall 2012 8) Blend

"Blend", Baton Rouge's newest wine bar, is opening at the corner of Third and Laurel Street. The interior of Blend mixes the exposed brick and cypress beams of traditional Downtown architecture with fun and vibrant modern design elements. Opening June 2012 9) BR Walls Project Location

The BR Walls Project will transform the existing beige and grey walls of 340 Florida Street into modern works of art. The first murals will be painted along Florida street, then spread throughout other buildings in the Arts and Entertainment District. Out of respect for historic structures, most of the artwork will be printed on large, vinyl banners that are fastened to buildings creating an outdoor gallery setting. 10) New Restaurant

A new restaurant will be located in the State Parking Garage at Third and Convention streets. Construction will begin Summer 2012. Follow the Downtown Development District for more information on the restaurant... 11) BR Walls Project Office

Come and explore the home office of the BR walls Project, 337 North Boulevard Town Square. This is where the group collaborates with artists, fundraisers and business owners for future downtown art installations. Their hope is that their efforts will lay the groundwork for future projects to bring together

[cajun]

Good find. Looks like 2012 will be a good year for downtown.

[richyb83]

Thanks Cajun! Things do look promising for Downtown in 2012..all of these smaller projects are adding up! The developments seem to come in waves...slowing down; then picking back up.

How's Atlanta with that 16-lane freeway running thru the middle of it? Are you in the city "proper"??

[cajun]

Haha. My workplace is off Georgia 400 @ Abernathy....one of the last Marta stops. My wife is at Emory.

We ended up in the northern suburbs like everyone else our age and near some relatives. We love it. The schools are incredible, and we got an amazing deal on our house.

I lived in Buckhead for a couple of years when I was younger. Nice place, but my wife wanted to be closer to some of her extended family. We still head out to the city when we can find a babysitter.

Overall, even Atlanta proper is mostly suburban. Lots of chain restaurants and not as many distinctive feeling places as you'd think for a city this size. I miss the food and LSU.

I travel to Baltimore, Memphis, Houston, and Chicago pretty often for my job. Never know....I may end up in one of those cities one day.