Streetscape

This report consists of recommendations to provide pedes­trian amenities in the districts, corridors, and neighborhoods of Downtown Baton Rouge. The recommendations are based upon the principles of New Urbanism and the findings of a street-by-street analysis of the existing conditions of the Downtown streetscape. The findings of the street-by-street analysis are documented in the Transportation Section and the Streetscape Pattern Book. The recommendations for a pedestrian-oriented streetscape address the issues of pedestrian scale; district, cor­ridor, and neighborhood identity; and way finding.

Overall Recommendations for Streetscape

A. Define a Pedestrian Way

Visitors will be interested in recreation, entertainment, education, and inspiration. They will want to know about Baton Rouge’s unique features and how to find them easily. A pedestrian way must be provided and enhanced with safe and inviting places for both quiet and social activity. The Pedestrian Way should connect both existing and proposed features, and guide visitors through the districts corridors in a pleasant sequence. Pedestrian street furnishings should be located along the way as well.

Provide Safe Crossings: It is essential for safely marked pedes­trian crossings to be installed at intersections where the Pedestrian Way crosses district streets. Pedestrian crossings should be located at traffic lights. Pedestrian crossings can be made safer by marked crosswalks, curb bulbs, and medians. Examples of each of these are found in the Pattern Book.

[The Baton Rouge Downtown Transportation Plan rec­ommends paving crosswalks with textured materials at the Fifth Street/Spanish Town Road intersection and striping crossings on the Government Street Corridor to improve pedestrian safety. The Transportation Plan also recommends amid-block pedestrian crossing of Government Street at or near Napoleon Street with a push-button activation pedestrian signal. DPW has approved 3 pedestrian crosswalks across River Road at the Centroplex. DPW will also study other pedestrian crossings as new signals are installed.]

Paving: It is recommended that the pedestrian way be paved with a distinctive paving surface that is safe, universally acces­sible and consistent throughout Downtown. Sidewalks should be 8' wide if space is available.

Public Transit: The Capitol Transportation Corporation (CTC) provides bus service to Downtown on Route 14 and Route 9. Route 14, the Capitol Shuttle, travels between the CTC ter­minal to Downtown, The State Capitol, Sorrel Street, and the Centroplex. Route 9 provides bus service from Thomas Delpit Drive. Bus stops are located at most street corners along both routes. Additional bus shelters are needed in anticipation of the additional pedestrian traffic. Buses operate between 6:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. CTC is planning to add additional routes, daily hours, and weekend service.

The Jitney Loop: There was a system of street cars that serviced Downtown workers and residents. The Transportation section (see page V-2.9) has suggested that the route be restored.

Bikeways: Proposals for bikeways are contained in the Horizon Plan. In the Statewide Bicycle Pedestrian Plan, top priority was given to the construction of a two way 10' bike path on top of the Mississippi River levee. Bike racks should be located in strategic locations throughout the Downtown to coordinate with the sug­gested bike routes. The implementation of the Downtown part of the East Baton Rouge Parish Bicycle Pedestrian Plan should be included in the streetscape planning for Downtown. (A copy of this plan is available from the Planning Commission )

[Capitol Region Planning Commission (CRPC) contracted with Urban Systems to study the fea­sibility of extending bike paths along the River Road or along the levee. Using this information, Fred Raiford, DPW Director, was successful in get­ting a grant from the Corps of Engineers and TEA-21 to construct the bike trail connecting down­town with LSU. In the Fall of 2001, DPW hired Reich Associates and August Perez & Associates to design the bike path. A preliminary design proposal was submitted for public comment on February 27, 2002. Construction is scheduled to begin Spring 2003.]

Walking Map: A walking map of the entire Downtown should be developed which highlights the features and attractions of the districts, corridors, and neighborhoods.

[The Downtown Development District has maps of downtown points of interests, CTC bus routes, and bike rack locations available on their website: www.ci.baton-rouge.la.us/dept/ddd/.]

B. Create Pedestrian Scale

Pedestrian scale refers to those dimensions of external spaces that seem comfortable to the human eye and are in proportion to the human body. Pedestrian scale is created along the streetscape by the provision of furnishings that are the right size for people and appropriate for their activities. Benches, water fountains, trash receptacles, shelters, trees and landscaped areas, and at­tractive signs will attract visitors.

Street Furnishings: Benches should be strategically located throughout the districts, corridors, and neighborhoods along the Pedestrian Way. Trash receptacles and pedestrian street lamps should be installed near benches. For recommended brands and examples of furnishings, see the Pattern Book.

[Design and installation of street furnishings, light­ing, and signage was submitted as part of the DPW grant proposal. TEA-21 funding is also a possibility. The Downtown Merchants Association installed new benches, trash receptacles and bike racks on Third Street and in other strategic locations throughout downtown.]

Lighting: Lighting is an important safety feature. Install pedestrian lighting along the Pedestrian Way at appropriate intervals. Light sources should be relatively low to the ground to remain in scale with the human body and to provide light beneath the street tree canopy. When the pedestrian’s sense of security is a primary consideration, low mounting height with close spacing and vertical illumination pattern is the most ef­fective approach.

[DPW has installed decorative lightposts on River Road and Government Street along the newly rede­signed curve.]

Signage: Design a uniform signage system to clearly mark places and features in the districts, corridors, and neighborhoods. The Downtown Development District shall coordinate all new signage in Downtown.

[A Visitors’ Amenity Package is being developed for the Downtown Development District.]

Street Trees: Specific street trees will be suggested for each of the districts, corridors, and neighborhoods; thus, the species may change.

[300 trees were planted along Seventh, Convention and Main Streets through a donation by Paula G. Manship in memory of her late husband, Charles Manship. Baton Rouge Green planted the trees in collaboration with the Department of Public Works of the City of Baton Rouge in fall of 2000. During a design charrette conducted by the Louisiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the species and planting plan were determined as part of the award-winning Capitol City Enhancement Masterplan.]

Screened Parking: Surface parking lots have a negative impact on the pedestrian environment. Screen parking lots with a streetwall or, by special permission, with a clipped evergreen hedge (see Codes in General, page 88). Shade trees should be provided on green islands in surface parking lots, one for every 20 spaces. A list of recommended hedges, ground covers, and native shade trees can be found in the Pattern Book.

Shelters and Public Restrooms: Locate shelters, public rest­rooms, and drinking fountains along the Pedestrian Way.

C. Enhance District Identity

Distinctive Entrances: An entrance gives a place dignity and importance. Vehicular and pedestrian entrances announce the transition from one type of place to another. Entrances can be created with tree plantings, a different paving pattern, an arch over the street, or a well-designed sign. Examples of entrances can be found in the Pattern Book and the “Transit and Infor­mation Referral System Study” for Downtown Baton Rouge designed by Emerson & Associates.

[Capitol Park Interpretive Plan identifies major entries to Capitol Park.]

Defined Edges: Using street trees, banners, and signage, strength­en the edges of each district, corridor, and neighborhood.

Signs and Banners: Signs, banners, and a logo were designed for Downtown in the “Transit and Information Referral System Study”. The consistent use of the logo on signs and banners will enforce the identity of each geographic area. Logos will have to be developed for new designated areas for Plan Baton Rouge.

Holiday Lighting: Enhance the current holiday light program on North Boulevard and the Centroplex to ultimately light the entire Catfish Town District, the Old State Capitol District, the CBD, and State Capitol Park.

[Private companies have contributed towards en­hancing the holiday lighting that currently exists.]

Sense of Place: A crucial quality of a sense of place for people is a landscape that is visually coherent with its life and activities. There should be some sense of what makes each place differ­ent from other places. Native trees contribute to the sense of place. The Mississippi River is a strong and important natural feature, which could contribute strongly to the sense of place Downtown. Regional architecture and landscape design are recommended to enhance a district’s sense of place. Civic Art should be incorporated in the districts, corridors, and neighbor­hoods in collaboration with the Arts Council and Create Baton Rouge.

[The State of Louisiana has passed legislation which assigns “One Percent for Art” for all newly constructed state buildings.]