Baton Rouge's Downtown Development District: 30 Years of Progress by Baton Rouge Business Report

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30 YEARS OF PROGRESS CELEBRATING BATON ROUGEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

For over 30 years, the Downtown Development District has been passionate in its work to INITIATE, INCUBATE, and SUPPORT partnerships that develop and enhance Downtown Baton Rouge.

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DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND DAVIS RHORER CONGRATULATIONS ON 30 YEARS OF GROWTH Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thankful to partner with people whose vision aligns with ours; to revitalize the heart of the city we call home through projects like the Chase North Tower, Chase South Tower, City Plaza, II City Plaza and the Watermark.

NORTH & SOUTH CHASE TOWERS

WATERMARK HOTEL

II CITY PLAZA

CITY PLAZA

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

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STATE GOVERNMENT CONSOLIDATION AT CAPITOL PARK

THE BATON ROUGE 2000 update proposed a visionary redevelopment plan for the area around the State Capitol. Authorized by Act 761 in the 1990 Louisiana Legislative Session, the Capitol Park Master Plan called for the consolidation of state offices that had been spread out all over the city. Today, Capitol Park includes the nation’s tallest State Capitol building, the historic Pentagon Barracks, and more than a dozen new buildings that emulate the art deco style of the Louisiana State Capitol. Nearly complete, this effort has brought more than 3,000 state workers to the downtown area and resulted in the creation of more than 2 million square feet of new class “A” office buildings. Capitol Park is more than just a consolidation of buildings. Through the Capitol Park Interpretive Plan, the area around the State Capitol has been transformed into a tourist-friendly campus of governmental buildings, cultural exhibits, and educational activities.

GROWING THE BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY

GUIDED BY community-driven master plans and utilizing economic incentives, the Downtown Development District, or DDD, works closely with the private sector and nonprofit philanthropic organizations to aid their development and entrepreneurship efforts. These partnerships have accelerated current development to an unprecedented and exciting level. With over 1.5 million tourists per year, 1,000 annual events, restaurants, historic attractions, hotels, and daily visibility of over 140,000 people, downtown is the first-choice location for business or pleasure in Baton Rouge.

BATON ROUGE 2000

IN 1983, the City of Baton Rouge recognized that decades of sprawl had stifled growth and development in our city’s center, and initiated the Baton Rouge 2000 plan. This plan established a blue print for downtown’s revitalization and the creation of the Downtown Development District. In 1985, the Louisiana Legislature formally established the DDD, and the organization received its first funding in 1987 to implement the Baton Rouge 2000 Update upon its completion. Since its inception, the DDD has helped bring billions of dollars in public and private investments to the city.

A SOLID FOUNDATION

THE DDD LAUNCHED many planning initiatives during the first 15 years of its existence, setting a tone for redevelopment that is evident throughout Downtown Baton Rouge today. The early days of progress gave hope to many that better days were on the horizon. They also provided a solid foundation for the investments that have created the thriving 24-hour city that we now call home.

AS A PROUD PARTNER, WE JOIN IN CONGRATULATING THE DDD ON 30 YEARS OF SUCCESS!

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

PRESERVING OUR HISTORY & CULTURAL ASSETS

IT WAS NOT long ago that many of our city’s oldest and most valued cultural treasures were mostly abandoned or in a state of disrepair. Baton Rouge has always been home to unique landmarks such as the Old Governor’s Mansion, the Old State Capitol, and the Old Arsenal Museum, but until the DDD began raising awareness about the effort to revitalize downtown, these attractions were not recognized as invaluable cultural assets. For example, as recently as 1991, the Old State Capitol was closed to the public. Recognizing the irreplaceable value of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, a Gothic architectural treasure that stands high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in Downtown Baton Rouge, the DDD joined a group of state and community leaders in soliciting funding for restoration. After decades of neglect, the Old State Capitol required massive upgrading and remodeling. In April of 1994, the State completed the first phase of a multimillion-dollar preservation project and the 150-year-old statehouse once again opened its doors under the auspices of the Secretary of State.

RESTORATION RENAISSANCE

TODAY, MORE AND more Baton Rougeans are moving downtown and choosing to live at the epicenter of the emerging 24-hour city. The DDD began generating this wave of new downtown residents almost 30 years ago when it initiated the Restoration Renaissance program to promote the benefits of urban living and historic neighborhoods. By raising awareness about available properties and tax credit incentives for residential restorations, the DDD’s Restoration Renaissance program helped to stabilize Baton Rouge’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods.

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PROMOTING HIGHER USES FOR SURFACE LOTS/REVIEW PROCESS FOR DEMOLITION

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE, but it was not long ago that the heart of our city was characterized by gap-toothed streets and surface parking lots, rather than the renovated attractions and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes that bring thousands of visitors and residents downtown today. This transformation is due in large part to a historic preservation demo ordinance that was championed by the Downtown Development District, Center for Planning Excellence, East Baton Rouge Planning Commission, and The Foundation for Historical Louisiana. The ordinance was adopted by the Baton Rouge Metro Council in 2004. Recognizing that downtown Baton Rouge was home to many historic structures that made up the urban fabric of our community, the aforementioned entities began calling for necessary changes to stop the steady demolition of historic properties to make way for surface parking lots. As a result, ordinances and zoning restrictions are now in place to preserve historic buildings and encourage new parking structures.

Grand Re-Opening

Issue Date: 12-4-18 Ad proof #2

CONGRATULATIONS

Baton Rouge Downtown Development District on your 30th Anniversary. Your passion for progress is still growing strong! Here’s to staying connected for years to come, Your friends at Cox and Cox Business

coxbusiness.com

CAPITALIZING ON THE RIVERFRONT

PLANS TO CAPITALIZE on Downtown Baton Rouge’s greatest natural asset first came to life in 1990 with the creation of the Riverfront Development Plan. In addition to upgrades that were necessary to stabilize the levee, the plan proposed aesthetic improvements and other public and private projects that would allow the structure to be utilized in a completely different way. Using the natural terrain of the majestic river to create theater-style seating for more than 65,000 people, the Riverfront Development was greeted with great enthusiasm by the community when it opened in 1994, and annual events such as the Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration on the Levee have grown in attendance year after year. The overwhelming success of this development encouraged the DDD to explore further recreational, residential, and commercial opportunities for the riverfront. A new and updated Riverfront Development Plan was done in 2006 and offered recommendations for additional riverfront improvements including pedestrian scale enhancements to River Road, the creation of North Boulevard Town Square, development of DeSoto Park, and the redesign of Repentance Park.

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

ENERGIZING BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE DOWNTOWN Baton Rouge Arts & Entertainment District was formed in 2008 to provide a means for growth and development through arts and entertainment related activities. The goal was to create a district that had a balance of arts and entertainment and a positive reflection of Baton Rouge. Found in the heart of downtown and highlighted by Third Street, the Arts & Entertainment District has galleries, shops, restaurants, nightlife, festivals, and free concert series, all within walking distance, contributing to an enjoyable downtown experience.

111 NORTH

Thank you to the Downtown Development District for continuing to enrich the Baton Rouge community over the past 30 years.

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PLAN BATON ROUGE AND PLAN BATON ROUGE II

THE PLAN BATON ROUGE Master Plan continues to be a tremendous asset in the development of Downtown Baton Rouge after completion of over 80 percent of the recommended projects. These accomplishments can be seen throughout downtown and across its skyline. In 2008, Plan Baton Rouge Phase Two, an economically based urban design vision and implementation plan for the next phase of development in Downtown Baton Rouge was unveiled. Plan Baton Rouge Phase Two builds upon the original Plan Baton Rouge with the overarching goal of making downtown a more vibrant place to live, work, shop, dine, learn, and play. The plan recommends alternative development incentives to encourage investments that will support, enhance, and leverage new projects. It recommends specific residential, commercial, mixed-use, public space, and infrastructure developments, including strategies for adding housing downtown, expanding the DDD boundary, improving regional mobility and access, and “greening” downtown.

Issue Date: 12-4-18 Ad proof #1

Issue Date: 12-4-18 Ad proof #4

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• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

s r e e h C to Downtown Development

Sailing into the future

WITH THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

CONGRATULATIONS DDD ON 30 YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO BATON ROUGE!

District on your 30th!

& Ton y Ma the rne OW NER S: Ern ie, Dal e

Thank you

The USS KIDD VETERANS MUSEUM’s main goal is to preserve history, educate our community, & serve the veterans who sacrificed for our freedom. The Fletcher-class destroyer served in WWII, the Korean War, & the Cold War. Explore her decks, see the aircraft that soared through the skies of Southeast Asia, touch the names of the fallen Americans at the Louisiana Memorial Plaza, & so much more.

305 SOUTH RIVER ROAD • BATON ROUGE,LA • USSKIDD.COM • 225-342-1942

Downtown Baton Rouge! “WE WILL CONTINUE GIVING YOU OUR BEST!” FAMILY OWNED FOR OVER 35 YEARS

440 NORTH THIRD ST | 225.343.0600

mathernes .com

www.

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

CALLING DOWNTOWN HOME

DOWNTOWN IS QUICKLY becoming one of the most desirable places to live in Baton Rouge; the residential developments currently planned or under construction will bring a total of over 532 additional units to the downtown market. Downtown Baton Rouge is buzzing with new residents and new housing opportunities. Along with new residents, comes a greater need for essential services such as health-related supplies, groceries, and public greenspaces. In addition to Matherneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market at 440 on Third, a full-service supermarket and deli, downtown has also gained its first pharmacy in over 40 years, as well as a walk-in health and wellness clinic. These critical services help to support the new population of downtown dwellers and the many residents in downtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic neighborhoods.

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GREENING OF DOWNTOWN

DOWNTOWN BATON ROUGE has worked to connect numerous civic and cultural institutions near the River Center and City Hall campuses through a unified system of greenspaces known collectively as the “Central Green.” Since their completion between 2012 and 2018, North Boulevard Town Square, Galvez Plaza, The Crest Stage, Repentance Park, and City Hall Plaza have been host to over 250 annual events. Events have been and continue to be a major economic driver of downtown development; a perfect synergistic relationship between businesses, attractions, and guests. The Downtown Greenway, a 2.75-mile interconnected network of bike/pedestrian pathways connecting Baton Rouge’s public parks and recreational facilities, inner city communities, and cultural attractions through the use of greenways—or linear parks—is also being planned and implemented by the DDD. The North Boulevard Promenade component has been constructed and the TJ Jemison Boulevard leg that will eventually connect downtown to City Park and its surrounding neighborhoods will start construction in early 2019. Work also continues to improve downtown’s riverfront with new multi-use pathways along River Road, better accessibility, enhanced visitor wayfinding signage, and establishment of a denser tree canopy. Over 100 total riverboat stops are planned for 2019 at the city’s dock facility, prompting current improvements such as the rehabilitation of Riverfront Plaza, and numerous other visitor amenities.

Experience Makes the Difference Public private partnerships can shape neighborhoods and transform cities. But making them happen takes a delicate balance. We help you put all the pieces in place, from assembling land parcels, to structuring transactions and financing, to navigating regulations, to creating cooperative relationships.

fishmanhaygood.com

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

MOVING FORWARD

THE DDD STAYS committed to the continued success of Downtown Baton Rouge. As downtown grows, the organization is adapting to the needs of the current downtown community. With 45 projects currently under construction or in planning including additional residential development, there are no signs of slowing. The DDD will continue its efforts to support the steady growth of downtown with initiatives that improve quality of place, create a safe and clean urban environment, and increase business opportunities.

Issue Date: 12.04.2018 Ad proof #2

• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

Top Gains 2014 Top Gains 2015

NOW ENROLLING

2019-2020 School Year

Mentorship STEAM Academy is an open enrollment public charter high school serving scholars with a high intensity of learning and purpose.

Music Production

The town Down ouge R n o t a B ol Scho High

Mentoring Dual Enrollment

Project-based Learning

Saturday School Air Force Sports JROTC

Film Downtown

Robotics

Graphic Design Location Creative Writing Free Boot Camp Engineering ACT Tutoring Internship & Art

Job Shadowing

Top Gains 2017 Air Force JROTC 1:1 Technology Advanced Placement Classes Honors Classes Robotics/Engineering Music/Film Production TUITION - FREE LAPTOP - FREE MEALS - FREE BUSING - FREE TUTORING - FREE Mentorship STEAM Academy 339 Florida Street Baton Rouge, LA 70801 www.mentorshipbr.org 225-346-5180

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• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

One Vibrant Downtown Two Great Hotels

DDD COMMISSION

Ric Kearny CHAIRMAN Scott Hensgens VICE CHAIRMAN Melanie C. Montanaro TREASURER Gordon LeBlanc SECRETARY Cheryl S. McCormick Eric Dexter Fran Gladden

260 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801

DDD STAFF

(225) 831-4646

Davis S. Rhorer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Gabriel Vicknair ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Whitney Hoffman Sayal DEVELOPMENT PROJECT DIRECTOR Casey Tate SPECIAL EVENT AND MARKETING COODINATOR Mary Olinde ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST

www.courtyardbatonrouge downtown.com

462 Lafayette Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801

CONNECT WITH US Downtown Development District 247 Florida Street, Baton Rouge [225] 389-5520 • ddd@brgov.com

(225) 382-2100

Issue Date: 12.04 Ad proof #2

BTRDN_Hampton_ Suites@hilton.com

• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

www.whlcarchitecture.com

are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

Congratulations

TO DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ON YOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY.

SPENCER CALAHAN INJURY LAWYERS We are proud to share in the success of downtown Baton Rouge. As DDD continues to move forward, so are we. We opened our doors in 2001 on St. Louis Street and in 2019 our new building will be completed in the same location.

2001

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

2019

Downtown Baton Rouge | 827 St Louis St. | Baton Rouge, LA 70802 | (225) 387-2323 | calahanlaw.com