Plan Baton Rouge

[steve3n8]

Yaay, we need more more more so like the article says, we can get a grocery store downtown. A Rouses would be a good addition.

Yeah, don't get me wrong, projects like this are wonderful, but we need more High Rise Residential/Office buildings in Downtown.....hopefully within the next 5 years we will start to see that happening......

[Antrell Williams]

I completely agree. These small developments are testing the waters though for the bigger developments. Look at the bright side, RiverPlace isn't 100% dead. I would like to see 3-4 10-20 story office buildings.

[steve3n8]

New residential, retail and entertainment developments under way downtown

In addition to the construction of a 22-unit mixed-income apartment development at 438 Main Street, several other new developments are ongoing in downtown Baton Rouge. The Downtown Development District says a new Chinese restaurant will be opening within the next three weeks at 431 Third St., next to The Office. The restaurant’s renovation is nearing completion, owner Tony Hu told the DDD. Meanwhile, The Famous Theatre at 100 France St., Suite 1200, is set to open in the former SoGo Live location adjoining the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel; and Fleur Du Jour is moving its shop to the Kress Building at 447 Third St. Developers of the $4.7 million apartment building on Main Street downtown—Norman Chenevert and Helena and Kevin Cunningham—have purchased property for the project, recently begun construction and expect to be finished in about 10 months.

Businessreport.com

[Antrell Williams]

[richyb83]

Nice to see the next wave of development emerge downtown! Lots of small projects can add up!

Here was the Poll Results in todays BusinessReport earlier this afternoon...

What kind of developments do you think downtown Baton Rouge needs the most?

Thanks for your vote. Residential 33% 360 votes Restaurants 7% 81 votes Retail shops 26% 283 votes Bars 1% 15 votes Live entertainment 5% 57 votes Attractions 7% 84 votes Parks 2% 27 votes None of the above 5% 56 votes Don't know 2% 22 votes Don't care 6% 74 votes

Total Votes: 1059

Sorry these new digs make copy & paste like dental work!

Edited October 25, 2011 by richyb83

[Antrell Williams]

What did you vote for? I voted residential.

[richyb83]

Me too Antrell

[richyb83]

New Developments Underway in Downtown Baton Rouge

438 Main Street / New Chinese Restaurant / The Famous Theatre / Fleur Du Jour

Downtown development is popping up all over the area and there is even more on the way! The Downtown residential market got a boost today as the 22 unit mixed income apartment development at 438 Main Street broke ground. Developments like 438 Main Street are crucial to the Downtown residential market as we establish Downtown as a place to live, play, and work. With more residential units already in the development pipeline, it is clear that Downtown living is more than just a trend. It is a way of life that Baton Rougeans are ready and willing to embrace.

The developers behind the $4.7 million apartment building on Main Street downtown (rendering shown to left), Norman Chenevert and Helena and Kevin Cunningham, have purchased the property, begun construction and expect to be finished in about 10 months.

View a great article in The Advocate on this project

"As Downtown continues to grow it is imperative that we continue to look forward and provide housing to support our downtown work force. We envision a downtown that has all the necessary components to support all functions of living - a downtown where one can wake up in the morning and walk two blocks to work, eat lunch within a short walk from his or her office, get a prescription filled while on lunch break, stop by the market on his or her walk home, and perhaps go shopping, enjoy cultural and civic activity or dine out in one of our many downtown restaurants later that evening." - Davis Rhorer, Executive Director, DDD

In addition to the 438 Main Street development, several new businesses are currently making some exciting moves and additions.

New Chinese Restaurant

A new Chinese restaurant will be opening up at 431 Third Street next to The Office, offering another great dining option for downtown patrons. The owner, Tony Hu, hopes to have it open within the next three weeks. Currently the spot is undergoing renovations including beautiful new bamboo flooring and other decorative treatments. With this additional eatery, there will now be 61 restaurants within the Downtown Development District for all to enjoy.

The Famous Theatre

The Famous Theatre at 100 France Street, Suite 1200 is a new bar opening up in the former SOGO Live location connected to the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel. It will be a live entertainment venue with an adult atmosphere and live performances scheduled 2-3 times a week. It will have numerous features such as Ladies Night, Latin Night, and Techno Night, but the biggest special will be their Friday night Suitcase Party. Ladies who bring an overnight bag to the venue on Fridays will be eligible to win a free hotel room and casino bucks at the Belle of Baton Rouge Hotel for that night! For more information please contact Henry Augustus at 242-2220 or via email at [email protected].

Fleur Du Jour

Fleur Du Jour is currently moving their shop to the Historic Kress Building at 447 Third Street. Fleur Du Jour is a professional licensed florist that specializes in holiday decorating and weddings, but can handle any type of events such as birthdays, new babies, just because, showers, graduations, rehearsal dinners and more. Their passion for new and unusual design through flowers is what fuels their creativity. Starting in the near future, Fleur Du Jour will be open Monday-Friday from 9AM-4:30PM and Saturday from 9AM-12PM. Visit www.fleurdujourla.com/main.html for more information.

[Antrell Williams]

Where did you find all this?

[dan326]

I voted residential too. Great too see all these projects!

[steve3n8]

Clear Channel planning 'Downtown Radio'

Clear Channel has approached the Downtown Business Association with plans for "Downtown Radio," which would broadcast 1970s and 1980s music along with news about downtown events, association President John Smith told the Downtown Development District Commission this morning. The station would be accessible at 97.7 FM within 25 miles of downtown by the first quarter of next year, Smith says. Clear Channel will be discussing its plans for the new station at 5:15 p.m. today at Hotel Indigo, he says, adding that "Downtown Radio" "is something that will happen."

Also discussed at today's meeting:

—The DDD approved a budget of $713,520 for 2012, not counting an $82,350 surplus left over from this year. The board also approved goals for next year, which include branding and marketing of the Arts and Entertainment District, conducting a residential market analysis for developers to aid in efficient growth, and creating a design resource center at which developers and the public can converge and have access to planning documents.

—The district has been awarded a $1.9 million that will go toward the planned Downtown Greenway, which would run from Memorial Stadium, through downtown to Brooks City Park, 2.75 miles in all. Acceptance of the grant will be on the Metro Council agenda in the next few weeks, DDD Director Davis Rhorer says. The DDD has applied for another grant, but should have enough funds already to begin construction plans for the entire trail and to implement the first phase, possibly from the North Boulevard Town Square as far as Brooks City Park, Rhorer says.

Businessreport.com

[steve3n8]

Tessier Building spaces near completion

The commercial spaces in the historic Tessier Building downtown on Lafayette Street should be complete by the end of the year, architect Dyke Nelson says. The building will also feature three apartments. He says the Tessier is the oldest commercial building in Baton Rouge, although its exact age is debatable. Nelson says some claim the building was constructed in 1764; he says documentation shows it's been in existence since at least 1812.

Businessreport.com

[itsjustme3]

Clear Channel planning 'Downtown Radio'

Clear Channel has approached the Downtown Business Association with plans for "Downtown Radio," which would broadcast 1970s and 1980s music

How is this different than any other Baton Rouge classic rock station?

[richyb83]

Though not mentioned; almost seems like the Victory Park plan...some mid-rise housing would work well...

DOWNTOWN PARK CONSIDERED

BREC will put a park on two acres at the northwest corner of North Seventh and Convention streets downtown by the end of next year.

Reed Richard, BREC’s assistant director of planning and engineering, told the Downtown Development District board Tuesday that there are two possible designs for the Convention Street park. One is with a circular walkway and the other is bisected diagonally, but both would include public art installations, places to sit and pathways for visitors, he said.

“Both offer the same type of experience,” he said, “a place for social interaction and passive recreation, reading, performances, public art.”

BREC will hold an open house 5-6 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Kress Gallery at Kress at Third and Main downtown to take public input on which layout people prefer.

Richard said he expects BREC will make a decision by the end of the month.

http://theadvocate.c...considered.html

Edited November 10, 2011 by richyb83

[Antrell Williams]

I've been thinking downtown needs a new modern park in a new location. The east side of downtown needs more attention.

[richyb83]

These little pocket parks are cool...can not wait to see some renderings of the proposed mixed-use development that will be built next to it!

BREC Convention Street Park Open House

Please join us on November 17 from 5-6pm at the Kress Gallery

In the cities' downtown master plan, Plan Baton Rouge, it was recommended that a small pocket park be developed just west of the Post Office site.

View the map from Plan Baton Rouge

BREC has embraced this suggestion and is now in the early stages of designing a new downtown park that will connect with the future Downtown Greenway. It will be located in an empty lot at Seventh and Convention Streets.

The new park will provide additional green space, while linking our two historic downtown neighborhoods, Spanish Town and Beauregard Town, with each other and the downtown office workforce. BREC will present their conceptual plans for the park this Thursday, and all are invited to engage in a discussion about the future of the site. View a slide show of the conceptual plans

When: Thursday, November 17, 5-6PM

Where: Kress Gallery - 447 Third Street map location

[Antrell Williams]

How will this "connect" Spanish Town and Beauregard Town?

[richyb83]

A nice little gathering place for residents would meet up between the two neighborhoods I'm guessing

This could go in FuturEBR thread as well

438 Main Street Groundbreaking Ceremony Held

FutureBR Implementation

The Downtown residential market got a boost today as the 22 unit mixed income apartment development at 438 Main Street broke ground. Developments like 438 Main Street are crucial to the Downtown residential market as we establish Downtown as a place to live, play, and work. With more residential units already in the development pipeline, it is clear that Downtown living is more than just a trend. It is a way of life that Baton Rougeans are ready and willing to embrace. The developers behind the $4.7 million apartment building on Main Street downtown, Norman Chenevert and Helena and Kevin Cunningham, have purchased the property, begun construction and expect to be finished in about 10 months. The project is being financed by Liberty Bank, the contractor is Milton J. Womack Inc and the architect is Chenevert

[steve3n8]

Downtown cleaning up for Bowling Congress

With the 2012 US. Bowling Congress set to begin Feb. 11, the Downtown Development District wants to put Baton Rouge’s best face on by cleaning up or removing poles, missing parking meters and posts without signs.

“When company’s coming into town, it’s always good to get ready for them,” said Davis Rhorer, executive director of the district.

The Bowling Congress is expected to draw 100,000 bowlers.

Rhorer said the streetscape work will be the final touch to prepare for the congress. Other steps include the Baton Rouge River Center’s $19 million expansion and work on the North Boulevard Town Square, which should be completed in January.

Rhorer said DDD intern Chase Williston and contract worker Caleb Heine spent six weeks going through the 40-block central business district and cataloguing poles missing signs; parking meter posts lacking meters; and clutter, such as metal bands, once used to support banners, that remained wrapped around poles.

“We found 160 instances of missing signage and clutter,” Rhorer said.

Rhorer said taking care of rusted poles jutting randomly out of the streetscape is not just for visitors, either.

“It is for visitors, but it’s also for us, too. It’s for the community,” he said.

Removing the vacant sign and meter posts and cutting off the metal bands isn’t complicated, shouldn’t cost much or take very long to do, Rhorer said. He hopes the work can be completed by the time the Bowling Congress begins.

“The way we have this broken out, we can tackle it block by block, and it shouldn’t take long at all,” Rhorer said.

The district turned its clutter list over late Friday to William Daniel, who heads the city-parish Department of Public Works.

http://theadvocate.com/news/1530174-123/downtown-cleaning-up-for-bowling.html

[steve3n8]

Poll respondents: Continue spending downtown

Nearly half of East Baton Rouge Parish residents who responded to a recent poll want local government to spend more money "improving the downtown area" over the next 10 years. Nearly 22% think it should spend the same amount, and almost 27% say it should spend less. Almost 66% support building a significant downtown riverfront attraction. Other findings of the survey include:

• More than 90% of respondents say the parish needs improvement, including 33% who say it needs a "complete overhaul."

• Just 44% say they would be sorry to move out of the parish, with high-income, white residents most often saying they would be sorry to leave.

• About 57% say they'd support higher taxes to build a new mass transit system, and 64% support a light rail line connecting downtown, LSU, Perkins Road and the Mall of Louisiana.

The survey, performed by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab for the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, is part of BRAF's CityStats project. A total of 1,618 people participated in the telephone poll; the margin of error was 2.5%. Read the full 17-page report by clicking here.

Businessreport.com

[Antrell Williams]

Poll respondents: Continue spending downtown

Nearly half of East Baton Rouge Parish residents who responded to a recent poll want local government to spend more money "improving the downtown area" over the next 10 years. Nearly 22% think it should spend the same amount, and almost 27% say it should spend less. Almost 66% support building a significant downtown riverfront attraction. Other findings of the survey include:

• More than 90% of respondents say the parish needs improvement, including 33% who say it needs a "complete overhaul."

• Just 44% say they would be sorry to move out of the parish, with high-income, white residents most often saying they would be sorry to leave.

• About 57% say they'd support higher taxes to build a new mass transit system, and 64% support a light rail line connecting downtown, LSU, Perkins Road and the Mall of Louisiana.

The survey, performed by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab for the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, is part of BRAF's CityStats project. A total of 1,618 people participated in the telephone poll; the margin of error was 2.5%. Read the full 17-page report by clicking here.

Businessreport.com

This is really interesting!

If a overwhelming majority supports a significant riverfront attraction then why was the bond proposal a few years ago voted down, it wa largely because ALIVE was in it, right?

I can't believe that majority of parish residents would support paying higher taxes for a transit system, along with the insanely high amount of people supporting a light rail. The resident sample must not have been random among all the demographics because it doesn't make sense as much as I'd like to believe.

[steve3n8]

This is really interesting!

If a overwhelming majority supports a significant riverfront attraction then why was the bond proposal a few years ago voted down, it wa largely because ALIVE was in it, right?

I can't believe that majority of parish residents would support paying higher taxes for a transit system, along with the insanely high amount of people supporting a light rail. The resident sample must not have been random among all the demographics because it doesn't make sense as much as I'd like to believe.

Your right, but hey.....as long as we can get these things implemented and move forward, I'm not complaining.

[Antrell Williams]

Your right, but hey.....as long as we can get these things implemented and move forward, I'm not complaining.

I'm with you but it still doesn't make sense as to why so many people oppose things like a new library and a stage cover yet 64% of people want a light rail? I'm not complaining because hopefully the Metro Council falls for it since they're pretty slow to catch on to things but I don't believe it without more visible support for the advancement of the city through the young and older citizens.

[itsjustme3]

Poll respondents: Continue spending downtown

Nearly half of East Baton Rouge Parish residents who responded to a recent poll want local government to spend more money "improving the downtown area" over the next 10 years. Nearly 22% think it should spend the same amount, and almost 27% say it should spend less. Almost 66% support building a significant downtown riverfront attraction. Other findings of the survey include:

• More than 90% of respondents say the parish needs improvement, including 33% who say it needs a "complete overhaul."

• Just 44% say they would be sorry to move out of the parish, with high-income, white residents most often saying they would be sorry to leave.

• About 57% say they'd support higher taxes to build a new mass transit system, and 64% support a light rail line connecting downtown, LSU, Perkins Road and the Mall of Louisiana.

The survey, performed by the LSU Public Policy Research Lab for the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, is part of BRAF's CityStats project. A total of 1,618 people participated in the telephone poll; the margin of error was 2.5%. Read the full 17-page report by clicking here.

Businessreport.com

Oh well in that case I can't WAIT to pay for higher taxes and I'm sure that any new taxes, like for CATS awful service, would surely pass overwhelmingly!

/sarcasm

I'd love to know what percentage of survey responders are actually property owners and would be affected by new taxes.

[richyb83]

I posted this in Riverfront thread back in October...can go in this thread as well....will they really get rid of the main fountain at Repentance Park??

Construction Commences on Repentance Park

Plan Baton Rouge II Projects Moving Forward

Construction has officially begun on Repentance Park with completion expected to be in late summer. Proposed by the Riverfront Master Plan and Plan BR II, the $3.5 million project paid for by state sales tax rebate, is to be reconfigured as a public open space connecting the Municipal Campus, River Center Campus, North Boulevard Town Square, and the Arts & Entertainment District.

A portion of the existing parapet wall at City Hall Plaza will be removed, encouraging pedestrians to move west into a grove of shade trees that pushes out onto the highest terrace of Repentance Park. The highest terrace will feature with over 700 water jets under the shade grove.

The new design will encourage more pedestrian activity in the City Hall Plaza area and Repentance Park with a direct ADA connection to North Boulevard Town Square, the Old State Capitol Grounds and the Shaw Center for the Arts by way of a pedestrian promenade along St. Phillip Street.

The transition down to River Road will be a gradual sloped lawn that will create an amphitheater type space for concerts and other performances. A lit pathway will descend along the southern edge of the site, complete with benches oriented toward the Old State Capitol grounds. The design team includes Reed Hildebrand Associates Inc., Reich Associates, Trahan Architects, Suzanne Turner Associates, ABMB Engineers, Craul Land Scientists and LAM Partners. Contractor for the project is Arrighi Construction. View the entire plan at our website...

Use the map below as a guide for pedestrian circulation to/from the River Center during construction...