PAVING THE WAY
Creation of Arts and
Entertainment District
Capitol Park
Sheraton & Hilton
Shaw Center for the Arts
Restoration Renaissance
New Pedestrian
Experiences
OUTCOME & INSTANT IMPACT
Greenlight Program
Wayfinding Signage
Program
5-Mile Levee-top Bike
Path (connecting Downtown to
Historic Renovation
Tax Credits
Gap Financing Program
ABOUT US
The Downtown Development District
is the legislative designated agency charged with setting the
overall policy for the promotion and enhancement
of Downtown Baton Rouge, so as to benefit the
entire community. The DDD through adopted plans
directs the public improvements, facilities, and
services to be furnished, constructed or procured
while encouraging public input and disseminating
investments. Downtown Baton Rouge is the face
of the community. It is vitally important that it reflect an
image of social, economic and cultural health.
Since its inception, the DDD has helped bring nearly $2 Billion dollars in
public and private investments to the city, and today it continues fulfilling
Focuses on the “Big
Picture”
Plays a central role in
shaping and energizing
downtown
Nearly 2 billion invested
in downtown, thus far—
and many new projects
underway now
Judges’ Comments
The Judges combined the attributes of the Downtown Development District/Arts &
Entertainment District with those of the Kress Welsh Levy Project for one joint award.
New Stationary
Web Site
Together these two projects created a more walkable downtown offering services and
supports for livability, greening of the area, and developing river access. Both projects
demonstrated collaboration among many partners. The judges highlighted the re-use of
information regarding the aforementioned for
the public’s interest, as well as facilitates private
Downtown Development
District of Baton Rouge
serves as a new model
for downtown leadership
& management
Increasing the Walkability
and Connectivity of
Downtown
Town Square is key to
“creating a sense of
place” Downtown
Over $200 million in
Projects Planned Around
the New Center
Construction planned
Winter 2010
BUILDING A BRAND
Logo Update
Office Renovation
Tagline
$236 Million Planned
New Investments in the
Arts and Entertainment
District
CONCLUSION
lifestyles)
NORTH BOULEVARD TOWN SQUARE
Planned with extensive
community input
$8 Million Public
Investment
New epicenter for
cultural events
Weekly/Daily
programmed events
Investment Totaling More
Than $152 Million
LSU and promoting healthy, active
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
Certified Cultural
Product District
28 New Projects
historic buildings for residential living and inclusion of attractive universal design features.
INTERACTIVE & SOCIAL MEDIA
Walkability is being achieved with a redesign of intersections, sidewalk improvements
and quality destinations. A strong partnership between the city and the state has brought
businesses and government jobs back into the downtown area. The investment in historic
Downtownbatonrouge.org
Email Newsletter
Online Interactive
Parking Map
Weekend Events
Development Initiatives
Events Guidelines
Public Comment Portal
Tenant Listings
Facebook
Twitter
properties demonstrates a strong commitment to re-using structures and a willingness to
re-invest in an existing community rather than simply building new structures, further away
from downtown.
Although only offered once a week at present, access to fresh food is increasing with
its mission to “revitalize the downtown area as a major focal point of Baton
the weekend farmers market which provides healthy food choices for the surrounding
Rouge’s identity.”
neighborhood. The integration of housing options into the downtown community
Downtown is alive around the clock. People work, dine, shop and socialize.
Children play in fountains. Restaurants remain open in the evenings. Clubs
fill with music and life after sunset. When they tire, people walk back to
their homes in downtown.
A NEW MASTER PLAN
completes an important part of a livable community.
Looking to the future, the Judges encourage downtown Baton Rouge to consider ways to
Many local partners and stakeholders came together to create the new master plan:
Arts Council of Greater
Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge Area
Chamber
La. Department of
Culture, Recreation &
Tourism
City of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge Convention
& Visitors Bureau
Baton Rouge Area
Foundation
Historic Spanish Town
Civic Association
Beauregard Town Civic
Association
Center for Planning
Excellence
Forum 35
Downtown Business
Association
integrate more affordable housing options so people of all ages and incomes can live and
work there and enjoy the amenities year round. The Judges were pleased to see universal
design in one housing unit and would like to see these principles incorporated into some
of the extensive investments in the area including the wayfinding project. While downtown
Baton Rouge is well on its way to being a great place that supports a wide range of
people, these issues are important ones for people of all ages, but specifically for the
50+ population.