Plan Baton Rouge

[richyb83]

Good to hear! Wow Emory! The MARTA was fun to ride...

Yeah Atlanta is the poster-child for sprawl...incredibily spread out! Everybody we know lives in the burbs out there too...

I'd like to check out Atlantic Station next time...Buckhead has a nice 3rd Skyline

That's what most say about what they miss here...

[cajun]

Oddly enough, some of my colleagues were involved with the Atlantic Station development.

The folks that were around for it complain about it. It was apparently leak-city when it was built....a nightmare from both the design and construction standpoint.

Still an interesting development.

[richyb83]

Hmmm...Atlantic Station sounds like Perkins Rowe on 'roids'....lol

[cajun]

Maybe someone can answer this....it's been bugging me.

A friend of mine at an engineering firm in Louisiana mentioned to me how all newly widened streets in Baton Rouge have space allocated for future bike paths, even if they are not painted in with the original design.

I looked over some of the layouts for the green light plan...and sure enough most have wider than normal auto lanes, sometimes up to 13' per lane.

He also pointed out how the new Nicholson expansion south of LSU will have a whopping 8' allocated to bike lanes on either side of the street.

There is enough room for two travel lanes on either side, street parking, AND a 3' bike path along with 6' sidewalks.

From an urban planning perspective, wouldn't it be beneficial to have street parking on some of these stretches? Does the line of parked cars not create a psychological barrier between the pedestian's environment and the car's environment?

On a street like Nicholson or Perkins, with cars zooming by at 40 mph or more, the sidewalks would have to be 6' or more from the travel lanes for safety without curbside parking. They are still building the sidewalks right up to the curb.

Why is street parking rarely ever built anymore when bike paths are? Cars are easily taxable. Bikes are not.

I'm not knocking bike paths by any means. Baton Rouge clearly needs more of them. I am just questioning these decisions that seem to be replicated nationwide....when so many want to see street side pedestrian environments and zero or near zero lot line developments.

Edited May 31, 2012 by cajun

[richyb83]

No doubt BR needs more street side pedestrain enviroments...why I was hoping Acadian Village would be like that along Perkins Road to compliment the Overpass District. The Green Light Plan has been a success...those 5th lane(suicide lanes) make things tough. BR is finally getting in on the act w/ more sidewalks. I don't like the set-up along Old Hammond Hwy where thw sidewalk is up against the road with cars traveling so fast...Millerville Road set up is better w/ the sidewalks set-back several feet away.

An update on today's walking tour at 4:00pm...will include this

12) River Center Library

The design of the new $19 million River Center Library will begin as the Metro Council approved the contract with WHLC Architects-Schwartz/ Silver - a joint venture, at a recent Metro Council meeting. The River Center Library, which is located on North Blvd adjacent to the new North Boulevard Town Square, will be the last stop on the walking tour. The library architect, Rex Cabanis of WHLC, will speak as well as Co-Acting Directors -Mary Stein and Patricia Husband about the design process of the library and planned programmed use.

[Antrell Williams]

They don't design the sidewalks with the intention for people to use them.

[richyb83]

DDD Commission Meeting

Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 8:00 a.m.

Louisiana State Museum, 660 N. Fourth Street

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Declare Quorum

3. Approve Agenda

4. Approve June 12th, 2012 Minutes

5. Board Action

6. Update from Previous Board Meeting

a. Governmental Issues

• Riverfront Development - Proposed Implementation Projects
  
  b. Development Initiatives
  • Downtown Greenway Planning Grant
    
  • North Boulevard Town Square Update
    
  • Repentance Park Update
    
  • Downtown Anti-Litter Initiatives
    
  • New Business Announcements
    o State Garage retail space
    o City Bar
    o Karmady Yoga & Massage
    
  • Events
    o Art Melt - July 14^th
    o I Do! Bridal Event - July 19^th
    o Capitol Park Museum - Summer Lecture Series
    o Belle Summer Concert Series
    o LASM
    o Manship Theatre Events / LSU MOA
    o Old Governor's Mansion - Heritage Lecture
    o River Center Events
    

  7. Strategic Plan

  a. Plan Baton Rouge II

  8. Ongoing Projects

  [*]CPEX

  [*]BREADA

  9. Correspondence

  10. Public Comment

[richyb83]

Funding flowing to Town Square, greenway and Repentance Park projects

The DOTD has approved spending $1.9 million in state and federal Transportation Enhancement Funds to improve and expand the North Boulevard Town Square. The north side of North Boulevard, between Third and Fourth streets, will be improved with the funds, which will also be used to upgrade the boulevard east one block to Fifth Street and west one block to River Road from the existing Town Square work. The St. Phillip Street Promenade will also be built, with the pavement to be similar to the Shaw Plaza brickwork, DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer says. The Metro Council has approved $325,000 in state sales tax rebates for improvements to nearby Repentance Park; and later this month the council will consider approving further rebate spending, including $200,000 for Lafayette Street improvements, $100,000 for riverfront gateway improvements, $50,000 to light the Town Square canopy structure, and $30,000 for Town Square signage. By law, rebate funds must go toward riverfront development.

The DDD also is working with the East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority to secure about $250,000 for the city's greenway project so that it can be made "shovel-ready" if and when grant funds materialize. Implementation of the first phase of the greenway is already funded.

In other downtown news, a Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is planned for the retail space in the state-owned garage on Third Street, with a possible opening date in October

http://www.businessreport.com/section/daily-reportPM

[Antrell Williams]

The original canopy is still being built?

[richyb83]

DDD Commission Meeting

Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 8:00 a.m.

The Woman's Club, 259 East Blvd.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Declare Quorum

3. Approve Agenda

4. Approve July 10th, 2012 Minutes

5. Board Action

6. Update from Previous Board Meeting

a. Governmental Issues

• Riverfront Development - Proposed Implementation Projects
  
  b. Development Initiatives
  • Downtown Greenway Update
    
  • Florida Street and River Road Levee Access/LASM improvements
    
  • Repentance Park Update
    
  • BREC Convention Street Park Update
    
  • The Elysian
    
  • Downtown Residential Façade Grant Program Update
    
  • Downtown Anti-Litter Initiatives
    
  • Commerce Building Acquisition
    
  • New Business Announcements
    o City Bar Open
    o Ameritas Technologies
    
  • Events
    o Belle Summer Concert Series - Aug. 17 & 24
    o B.R. Sickle Cell Community Fun Run / 5K - Aug. 25
    o Smart Growth Summit - Aug. 27 - 29
    o Kress Gallery & BR Walls Project Presents works by BR Wall Project - Aug. 30
    o B.R. Arts Market - Sept. 1
    o Live After Five Concerts - Sept. 7,14,21,28, Oct. 5,12,19,26
    o FUMC Cambodia Craft Sale - Sept. 9
    o Capitol Park Museum
    o Realtor's Expo - Nov. 1
    o LASM
    o Manship Theatre Events / LSU MOA
    o Old State Capitol - Exhibit
    o FHL/Old Governor's Mansion
    o River Center Events
    

  7. Strategic Plan

  a. Plan Baton Rouge II

  8. Ongoing Projects

  [*]CPEX

  [*]BREADA

  9. Correspondence

  10. Public Comment

[richyb83]

Downtown Greenway Grant Awarded

Mayor President Kip Holden announces the 2012 Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program (TCSP) Grant Awarded to Downtown Greenway Project at DDD Commission meeting today.

The Downtown Greenway, a functional green network of pedestrian and bicycle paths, has just been awarded $1,144,547 million in Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program (TCSP) funds for implementation.

The grant, offered through FHWA, assist communities in improving the efficiency of their transportation systems by reducing the environmental impacts of transportation and the need for costly future public infrastructure investments.

The grant will help connect North Boulevard Town Square with the planned greenway along I-110 via the North Boulevard Promenade - a multi-use pathway that will be constructed in the median under the beautiful North Boulevard Live Oaks. The connection is a very important piece in the overall greenway concept that plans to connect 7 BREC parks and neighborhoods along the greenway with LSU, Downtown, and the levee bike path.

The TCSP grant award, along with numerous other successful grant applications, will bring the total dollars for construction to $3 million.

Design work for the Downtown Greenway will commence within the next few months after a nationwide call for proposals. The very best designers will be sought to envision and create this special recreation and sustainable transportation amenity for the community.

Creating a Downtown Greenway will require meeting significant challenges, but with public, local, state and federal acceptance, the Downtown Greenway will prove to be a great return on investment. Now is the time to invest in and implement new transportation infrastructure in Baton Rouge that will provide more viable choices to walk and bike, while stretching our transportation dollars. The Downtown Development District's (DDD) Downtown Greenway project will seek to implement a new greenway "active transportation" system that will do both.

And the Downtown Greenway is only the beginning. Organizations such as BREC, and the FUTUREBR Implementation Team are working to implement greenways throughout the city. As a major recommendation of FUTUREBR, the city's new comprehensive master plan, a city wide network of bike paths will make commuting and leisure by bike a safer and more viable alternative in our great city. For more information on Greenway Project, click

hereto view the 2010 Feasibility and Cost Study and here to see a map of routes.

Edited August 14, 2012 by richyb83

[richyb83]

Developers' interest spurs DDD to launch grocery survey

Developers have expressed interest in bringing a grocery story to downtown Baton Rouge, says DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer, and that has prompted the DDD to launch an online survey to gather input from Baton Rougeans about what type of grocery store they'd like to see downtown. Judging from the roughly 700 surveys that have already been filled out between Thursday afternoon, when the inquiry was launched, and this afternoon, there's strong interest in seeing a grocery store downtown, Rhorer says. "Definitely, the people want one downtown—there's no doubt about that—and, yes, there are some developers who have expressed interested in maybe coming down here," he says. "We're going to compile the responses we get, and then give the info to some people who have expressed interest in it." Rhorer says the survey will be available online through Wednesday. You can take it here.

http://www.businessreport.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=daily-reportPM&date=20120817

[itsjustme3]

Not sure why/how the DDD thinks a online survey, that anyone can fill out regardless of age or location, would be legit.

Anyone with Marketing Research experience would cringe at the thought.

[Antrell Williams]

You list your age and location on the survey. Surveying is a very detailed process that's takes all factors into accounts. For example, political surveys.

I filled out the survey myself; stating that I wouldnt live near it and my age.

Edited August 18, 2012 by Antrell Williams

[itsjustme3]

You list your age and location on the survey. Surveying is a very detailed process that's takes all factors into accounts. For example, political surveys.

I filled out the survey myself; stating that I wouldnt live near it and my age.

Online surveys are garbage. Its impossible to get a representative sample of the target population.

[Antrell Williams]

I'm sure they use more than an online survey to substantiate their claim.

[richyb83]

Survey: Locally owned grocery store preferred downtown

While a downtown Baton Rouge grocery store would greatly benefit the 2,200 residents who live in Beauregard and Spanish Town neighborhoods, as well as those who work downtown, DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer says many people who recently took a DDD grocery store survey say they would prefer it to be locally owned. With developers wanting to bring a grocery store downtown, the DDD last week surveyed 1,181 people and learned that 82% want to see a private store rather than a chain store. Rhorer, who notes 21,638 people live within two minutes of downtown, presented the survey's findings today at the Baton Rouge Press Club.

He says last week's announcement of the mixed-use Commerce Building at Laurel and North Third streets bringing 100 more residents to downtown is "huge" for a grocery store. "It invites the private sector to do more," Rhorer says. Among those surveyed, 59% are workers who commute to downtown; 32% say they would buy locally grown food; 48% say they visit their local grocery store five to eight times a month and typically spend between $30 and $100 a visit. See the complete survey results here.

http://www.businessreport.com/section/daily-reportPM

[richyb83]

Re: DDD Commission Meeting, Agenda

Our September DDD Commission Meeting will be held at the City Club, 355 North Boulevard on Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. Please mark your calendars to attend this important meeting.

Join us as we discuss a number of exciting projects including updates on the Commerce Building, Downtown Greenway, BR Walls Project - Wall #2 and a number of exciting events.

We will begin promptly at 8 a.m. Attached below is the agenda for your perusal, and we thank City Club for hosting us.

See you on Tuesday at 8 a.m. and please let me know if you have any questions.

Parking Map

Add to calendar

Thanks,

Davis

[email protected]

DDD Commission Meeting

Tuesday, September 11, 2012, 8:00 a.m.

City Club, 355 North Blvd.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Declare Quorum

3. Approve Agenda

4. Approve August 14th, 2012 Minutes

5. Board Action

6. Update from Previous Board Meeting

a. Governmental Issues

b. Development Initiatives

• Downtown Greenway Update
  
• Galvez Plaza Stage Canopy Update
  
• Florida Street and River Road Levee Access/LASM improvements
  
• Repentance Park Update
  
• Commerce Building Update
  
• Spanish Town Investment
  
• Downtown Grocery Store Survey
  
• BR Walls Project - Wall #2
  
• Events
  o John Wax /Katie Knoeringer /Michael Secor Opening Reception - Sept. 13
  o Live After Five Concerts - Sept. 14,21,28, Oct. 5,12,19,26
  o Baton Rouge Concert Band - Sept. 16
  o Zombie Bash 5K - Oct. 5
  o Yappy Halloween Walk / 5K Run - Oct. 6
  o B.R. Arts Market - Oct. 6
  o Columbus Day Fiesta - Oct. 7
  o Sunday in the Park - Oct. 7,14,21,28, Nov. 4,11
  o 2012 Jambalaya Jam - Oct. 11
  o FUMC Cambodia Craft Sale - Oct. 14
  o Realtor's Expo - Nov. 1
  o LASM
  o Manship Theatre Events / LSU MOA
  o Old State Capitol - Exhibit
  o FHL/Old Governor's Mansion - "Masquerade at the Mansion" Oct. 11
  o River Center Events
  
  7. Strategic Plan
  a. Plan Baton Rouge II
  8. Ongoing Projects
  • CPEX
    
  • BREADA
    

  9. Correspondence

  10. Public Comment

[richyb83]

Wonder how this meeting went?? Not a lot of info....rendering with interior of Main Street Market looks nice...wouldn't let me post the pic

Downtown market redesign planned

Rendering by Commercial Design Interiors Group -- An artist's rendering shows the interior of the Main Street Market downtown, as envisioned by a team of professional and student interior designers.

The Main Street Market may be getting an overhaul early next year, with a new floor plan and design to better accommodate the weekend and lunchtime crowds.

http://theadvocate.c...edesign-planned

[itsjustme3]

Survey: Locally owned grocery store preferred downtown

While a downtown Baton Rouge grocery store would greatly benefit the 2,200 residents who live in Beauregard and Spanish Town neighborhoods, as well as those who work downtown, DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer says many people who recently took a DDD grocery store survey say they would prefer it to be locally owned.

Funny. These 2000 people don't have a grocery store, yet want a private one instead of a chain.

[dan326]

^ Well ya know it's pollitically correct to verbally promote local over chain stores.

[Antrell Williams]

Is there something wrong with wanting a local store?

Edited September 12, 2012 by Antrell Williams

[cajun]

Is there something wrong with wanting a local store?

In Baton Rouge's case, have found that the local chains (those based on the gulf coast) have better fresh seafood, produce, and meat than the capitol area chains...unless you are talking about Fresh Market or Whole Foods.

Louisiana is lucky to be so close to great seafood and locally grown products. It isn't easy getting seafood that has never been frozen up to Atlanta unless you go to Whole Foods.

Promoting local stores isn't done just for the sake of being trendy down there. Baton Rouge and New Orleans have more independent stores than any city their size that I've been to.

Also, most chains are 30,000 square feet or more....with the notable exception of trader Joe's- which is already building a location on Perkins. A locally owned store would probably have a better chance in the smaller retail spaces downtown.

Edited September 13, 2012 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

The customer loyalty is also a large factor with locally owned stores.

[dan326]

Hmm, good point, I didn't think of the seafood.

Edited September 14, 2012 by dan326