PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

CONTACT: Davis S. Rhorer, Downtown Development District,
389-5520, drhorer@brgov.com

DATE: January 21, 2009

Downtown Development District Commission Announces New Officers for 2009

The Downtown Development District (DDD) is proud to announce that Van R. Mayhall, Jr., has been elected Chairman of the DDD Commission. Mr. Mayhall is joined on the Executive Committee by Ms. Cheri Ausberry, Vice Chairwoman; Ms. Christine Nichols, Treasurer; and Mr. Norman Chenevert, Secretary. Mr. Derrell Cohoon, Ms. Fran Gladden, and Mr. Mark Bensabat make up the rest of the seven-member Commission. The officers were elected at the January 13th Downtown Development District Commission meeting.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as Chairman of the DDD Commission. We are at a pivotal point in the revitalization of Downtown Baton Rouge. Tremendous investment has been made over the past twenty-two years, and now we have to take Downtown to the next level." That next level includes a stronger residential base and additional retail offerings, according to DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer. "2009 will be all about implementation," says Rhorer. "Plan Baton Rouge II, the new master plan for Downtown, will be near completion in late spring. Its focus is on incentivizing residential and retail development and the DDD is posturing itself for success in implementation."

Meetings of the Downtown Development District Commission are held on the second Tuesday of every month. To participate in the current Downtown Development Survey and sign up to receive email announcements and other news, please visit www.downtownbatonrouge.org. The current survey will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23rd.

Mr. Van Mayhall