Square at the Centroplex

CTD-1

[Square will not be built due to space requirements for Convention Center Expansion at Centroplex].

Observation

River Road fragments Baton Rouge Landing into several weak destinations for visitors, rather than the one strong place that the statistics show it can be.

Discussion

While River Road must generally be rebalanced to allow pedestrian access (see Transportation), its design at the curve of Government Road is of particular importance as this portion constitutes the center of Baton Rouge Landing. The visitors to the many tourist destinations of this district, including the Centroplex, the two museums, and the USS Kidd rarely visit the adjacent facilities. River Road, rather than being a place of gathering, keeps them as separate destinations. It is difficult to cross and unpleasant to walk along. The most thorough solution is to replace the high-speed curve by a right angle intersection controlled by a street light. This will slow the traffic considerably and force it to pause periodically for the flow of pedestrians. This intersection should be further developed into a square, to give a common front to all of the principal buildings. The southern leg of this square would place a road adjacent to the two brick buildings at the forecourt of the atrium, improving their commercial viability, as they are currently invisible behind Columbus Park. The eastern leg of the square would serve as a high capacity bus drop-off for the convention facilities, eliminating the need for the existing drop off that so unpleasantly widens River Road at Repentance Park. The statue of Columbus would be relocated to the maritime plaza.

Recommendation

Secure a planner/landscape architect/architect to study and to prepare technical drawings that will implement the square as shown in Exhibit A. Integral to this project is the elimination of the existing passenger drop-off on River Road. A suitable landscape is to be designed for the square, resilient to crowds and as a setting for the square at the Centroplex.

Responsibility

Downtown Development District

Project Status

The Columbus statue will be relocated closer to the USS Kidd due to the River Road realignment. The River Road area will be enhanced with pedestrian signals and crosswalks and new lighting standards have been installed.

Implementation

Explanation of Terms


Product

New Public Square

Responsibility

DDD

Implementing Agent

DPW

Feasibility Analysis

DPW

Initial Financing

PBR

Project Financing

CPF

Timing

P1


Exhibit A: Liner Buildings