Initiatives


Old South Baton Rouge Strategic Plan

The planning process for downtown was originally envisioned as a model that could be used in other areas of the city. With recent opportunities, we are now ready to turn to our next area of focus. 

The Strategic Neighborhood Revitalization and Economic Development Plan will coordinate efforts underway and provide an overall vision for this area by creating guidelines for future physical improvements.  The Strategic Plan will identify strategies to strengthen and preserve the residential neighborhoods and provide an effective guide for decision-making. This area will greatly benefit from reestablishing its connectivity with surrounding areas, both physically and financially.  An opportunity exists to leverage new investment through new commercial and residential projects. Another goal is to generate new development that both serves the existing neighborhood, but also attracts a wider, deeper market by capitalizing on the assets of this area.

Smart Growth Initiative

Baton Rouge has reached the tipping point of growth and development where the future direction and solutions to issues of livability, affordable housing and traffic congestion have the potential to be shaped by the Smart Growth movement taking place nationwide.

Plan Baton Rouge has been recognized nationally for its success in focusing citizens and public agencies on a common goal.  Plan Baton Rouge introduced the concepts of new urbanism and downtown is well on its way to remarkable success because of proactive planning.  The downtown plan is widely recognized in the community as a Smart Growth model because it relies on existing infrastructure, balances the needs of the auto and pedestrian, enhances the pedestrian experience and offers a centripetal force for sprawl. 

Over five years ago, the Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish, Bobby Simpson, formed a Smart Growth Task Force.  One objective of this group is to educate citizens and government leaders about Smart Growth opportunities.  Through the work of the task force, many impediments to Smart Growth have been identified and potential solutions are being studied.  Boo Thomas, Executive Director of Plan Baton Rouge, is chair of the Mayor’s Smart Growth Task Force.

New Urbanism

The Congress for the New Urbanism views disinvestment in central cities, the spread of placeless sprawl, increasing separation by race and income, environmental deterioration, loss of agricultural lands and wilderness, and the erosion of society's built heritage as one interrelated community building challenge.

New Urbanists stand for the restoration of existing urban centers and towns within coherent metropolitan regions, the reconfiguration of sprawling suburbs into communities of real neighborhoods and diverse districts, the conversation of natural environments, and the preservation of our built legacy.

More on New Urbanism

 

What is Plan Baton Rouge?

Plan Baton Rouge is a blueprint for the re-development of downtown into a 24-hour city that will attract workers, students, tourists, and local residents.

Plan Baton Rouge, a plan to renew our downtown, will transform downtown into a 24-hour destination where we will be proud to bring our visitors when they come to Baton Rouge. But more importantly, downtown will become a place we can all gather together as a community. As Plan Baton Rouge progresses, Downtown Baton Rouge will attract restaurants, art galleries, retail shops, drug stores, and neighborhood service facilities neatly accented with attractive open spaces for all to enjoy together. The neighborhoods will thrive and maintain their unique character. Downtown streets will be attractive for the pedestrian and will flow with ease for those getting around by car. The potential for true rebirth in downtown Baton Rouge is amazing but the key to its reality is you - the voices of the citizens of Baton Rouge. We need your support. Plan Baton Rouge is your plan.

Copies of the plan are available at Dupre's Printing (225.343.1307) for $22.00 per copy.