Robert Reich Park

CTD-6

Observation

Baton Rouge Landing and the Centroplex have no effective connection to the center of the Downtown to the north.

Discussion

A pedestrian connection can be effected along the sidewalks of a rebalanced River Road. This can turn uphill into the Downtown along the renovated Lafayette Park (The Old State Capitol District). Another trajectory across Repentance Park is possible by modifying the edge of the parking podium (so called plaza) of the Governmental Building. An improvement is possible by leaving an open path, or by adding a proper arcade to the edge of the podium. A thorough rebuilding of the podium may be effected someday in the process of constructing a new building at the site available between the Centroplex Library and the Governmental Building.

As Repentance Park is a singularly unattractive name, it should be reassigned to the new walk at the edge of the podium (Repentance Walk). The park should be renamed Robert Reich Park, the designer of the park and the founder of the Landscape Architecture Program at L.S.U. Additional, though indirect, passage may be secured by opening an additional gate through the fence surrounding the grounds of the Old State Capitol, leaving the historic fence in place.

Recommendation

Modify Repentance Park by creating a connecting path or arcade at the top of the slope and by opening a gate in the fence that surrounds the Capitol. Change the name to Robert Reich Park.

Responsibility

Downtown Development District

Project Status

Pedestrian connection and renaming of Repentence Park will be reevaluated in the Visitor Amenity Package and in subsequent phases of the Centroplex Expansion project.

Implementation

Explanation of Terms

Product

Reconfigured Public Open Space

Responsibility

DDD

Implementing Agent

BREC

Feasibility Analysis

BREC

Initial Financing

BREC

Project Financing

CPF

Timing