BR Proud
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Redevelopment plans for Florida Boulevard were officially launched Monday, according to Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.
The mayor said the master plan aims to give a clear guide for economic development projects and address transportation, land use, urban design and community development.
“Redeveloping the Florida Corridor was a key commitment for my second term beginning in 2021. We are proud to move forward with a plan to revitalize one of the most important economic corridors in East Baton Rouge Parish,” said Mayor Broome. “The master plan will capitalize on key investments along the Florida Corridor, like the new Amazon Fulfillment Center, and provide a unifying vision for north and south EBR.”
Build Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Metropolitan Councilman Cleve Dunn Jr. are partners in the master plan. Funding was approved by Metropolitan Council, according to the mayor’s office.
“This master plan is a step towards revitalizing the Florida Corridor and the creation of a new community center for District 6. This vital work, which I committed to during my 2020 election, will benefit our entire community and my district in particular,” said Dunn. “I am excited to see our efforts one step closer to bringing more cultural assets to the area, including a new community center.” Baton Rouge leaders hope to create more jobs in the Florida Boulevard area.
“Florida Boulevard is often viewed as a dividing line between the Baton Rouge community, but it can and should be the uniting line,” said Adam Knapp, BRAC president and CEO. “BRAC’s strategic plan calls for concentrated redevelopment efforts in North Baton Rouge and developing the Florida corridor from the river to the Livingston Parish line will be a bold way to do so.”
“Proper planning is essential to effective redevelopment. We hope to provide a master plan that will be a long term road-map for innovative place-based investments,” said Rodney Braxton, Build Baton Rouge chairman.
The mayor’s office said a consultant for the master plan project could be chosen by March.