Beauregard Playground

BTN-5

Observation

Residents need a neighborhood park for their children.

Discussion A

South Boulevard Elementary has a playground that is kept locked and under used. The school does not want outsiders causing trouble, but this is a civic institution and should be willing to share the playground in exchange for maintenance from the city.

Recommendation A

Improve the school playground to serve both students and neighborhood residents. Give a key to resi-dents, and employ BREC to provide maintenance necessitated by neighborhood usage. The residents have suggested a park design with benches grouped and scattered, winding paths, and shade trees.

Discussion B

There is a large lot (64’ x 200’) on Mayflower Street between Napoleon and Joseph Streets with a $250,000 lien on it from the FDIC. It is under city control, and will necessarily remain empty for a long time.

Recommendation B

Negotiate a write down from the FDIC. Turn the designated lot into a sitting and play area for residents. If this happens, the adjacent air-conditioning unit for the Police Barracks must be wrapped in a sound-deadening wall.

Discussion C

There is a curving U-turn on-ramp between St. Louis and St. Ferdinand Streets, just south of Europe Street, that is unnecessary. Pending a study confirming the geometry, this ramp could be removed. The turnaround could instead take place on Europe or Mayflower Street (which can now connect through). This area would then become available for a park.

Recommendation C

Pending a study confirming the geometry, remove the U-turn ramp, connect Mayflower as a through street, and create a park on the ramp site.

Discussion D

The front yard of the Police Department between Royal and Napoleon Street could be available if the fence was pushed back. This site does not impose a security risk for the police barracks.

Recommendation D

Replace the existing fence with two small segments of fence coplanar with and connecting the three buildings. The area in front then becomes available to BREC as a community park.

Responsibility

Plan Baton Rouge and Downtown Devel-opment District

Project Status

Neighborhood park - No action.

Implementation

Explanation of Terms

Product

A New Playground

Responsibility

PBR & DDD

Implementing Agent

BREC

Feasibility Analysis

BREC

Initial Financing

BREC

Project Financing

BREC

Timing