Laurel Plaza

DPC-4

Observation

The Downtown does not have effective visual access to the river. Laurel Street provides an opportunity to create a place where the river can be viewed.

Discussion

The Mississippi River has a mystical attraction to residents of Baton Rouge. It is capable of providing an anchor for the retail, somewhat less effective than the cinemas, but nevertheless of consequence. Even if River Road could be easily crossed, a view of the river must be secured from the east side of River Road. At the termination of Laurel Street there are building sites available on both sides of the street. The city should vacate the street at this last block and donate it to adjacent owners on the condition of a joint development of a publicly accessible plaza. This space would be at the elevation of the Lafayette Street overlooking the embankment to the river. The sides of this plaza would be made available to restaurants and bars.

Recommendation

Engage the landowners on either side of Laurel Street in a discussion for the joint development of a plaza over a vacated Laurel St. with the assigning of ownership as an incentive.

Responsibility

Downtown Development District

Project Status

If Hartley-Vey builds Riverfront Towers, they would be very willing to work with Plan Baton Rouge to develop the public square next to Riverfront Towers. In December 1999, David Vey said that the 26-story mixed-use project is on hold.

Implementation

Explanation of Terms


Product

New Public Square

Responsibility

DDD

Implementing Agent

Property Owners

Feasibility Analysis

PI

Initial Financing

PI

Project Financing

PI (at the time of building construction)

Timing

P2