Beauregard Town Streetscape Improve-ments

SIG-6

Observation

The original plan for Beauregard Town is a fine example of the application of Traditional Neighborhood Development planning principles, as responsive to the basic needs of people today as it was 200 years ago. Although its integrity has been compromised , the structure of the original plan is still intact.

Discussion

The original plan of Beauregard Town should be emphasized by giving attention to its structural components. The structural components are: 1) The neighborhood edges or boundaries of the three boulevards (South Boulevard, East Boulevard, and North Boulevard) and the Mississippi River; 2) the central square, called Royal Square and the proposed Cathedral; 3) the diagonal streets and the plazas to which they connect; 4) the streetscape grid pattern in which the lots and residences were located; and 5) Government Street.

Recommendation

A. Define a Pedestrian Way

Beauregard’s original plan set forth a pedestrian way within the neighborhood. In the plan, Beauregard reserved a place for a church or a cathedral to be built on Royal Square in the center of the neighborhood. The Cathedral was the central feature of Beauregard Town to which all other features were connected. The church was directly connected to other important civic organizations by the diagonal streets. This direct connection was made from the church to the government building, from the church to the hospital, from the church to the college, and from the church to the convent. The physical linking of these institutions represented the belief in the importance of their interdependent relationships in community life. In addition Be-auregard planned three boulevards for a way to give pedestrians access to the Mississippi River. The pedestrian way around the neighborhood should follow Beauregard’s original plan.

Provide Safe Crossings: Provide Safe Crossings at inter-sections of South Boulevard and St. Louis, South Boulevard and St. Ferdinand, South Boulevard and East Boulevard, East Boulevard and Government Street, East Boulevard and North Boulevard, North Boulevard and Seventh, and North Boulevard and Fourth Street.

[The Baton Rouge Downtown Transportation Plan sug-gests a pedestrian crossing near Napoleon (Seventh Street) on Government.]

B. Create Pedestrian Scale

Signage: All features along the Pedestrian Way should be clearly marked with signs.

C. Enhance District Identity

Neighborhood identity would be enhanced by restoration of the integrity of Beauregard’s original plan. A vehicular entrance should be designed for the intersection of Government and East Boulevard, and the intersection of Government and St. Ferdi-nand. A pedestrian entrance should be created at the corner of France Street and St. Ferdinand.

Edges: It is very important to clearly identify and strengthen the edges of Beauregard Town. Emphasize the original edges of the three boulevards and the River. These edges should be developed as part of the Pedestrian Way in the same manner as North Boulevard. Live Oak could be repeated in medians to complement the existing ones on South Boulevard and East Boulevard.

Distinctive Paving: Install a distinctive paving pattern on the streets surrounding Royal Square, on Government Street, on the diagonal streets, and the streets connecting to the original plazas of the Beauregard Plan.

Project Status

No update.

Implementation

Explanation of Terms

Product

Streetscape Improvements

Responsibility

PBR & DDD

Implementing Agent

DPW

Feasibility Analysis

DDD

Initial Financing

PBR

Project Financing

CPF

Timing