Baton Rouge residents and business owners are taking a step toward revitalizing Government Street and creating a place where citizens want to work and live with Better Block Baton Rouge.
Transforming the Bedford and Beverly drive intersections of Government Street with a “road diet” Saturday, Better Block BR demonstrated what turning the area into a cycling friendly, walkable and commerce-filled street would be like.
John Price, assistant chief administrative officer for the city, said the project aims to spark dialogue about building an area Baton Rouge residents want to be a part of.
“What we are looking at is a complete street, so users of all ability can use the roads. Whether you’re 8 or 80, we want you to feel safe crossing the street,” Price said.
Lauren Marschall, project manager at the Center for Planning Excellence and Baton Rouge resident, said Better Block BR greatly depends on citizen response.
“Hopefully, they will be able to talk about complete streets and what they want to see,” Marschall said.
Kinesiology senior Brad Penny spent the day doing acrobatic yoga with Bayou Bouldering, a rock-climbing gym, yoga studio and juice bar in the works for Baton Rouge.
He said Baton Rouge has a need to revitalize like New Orleans has after Hurricane Katrina.
“Now we are trying to make this city a stone’s throw away from the art scene,” Penny said.
An area needs to be created that answers to people culturally and artistically, Price said.
Jennifer Wells, catering director and owner of Culinary Productions, participated in the project as a business owner and resident of the area.
Wells’ business set up a pop-up café on the sidewalk of the street during the project, and after seeing the effects, she said slowing down traffic and setting up bike lanes would revitalize the area.
“Any foot traffic with an economic impact would be wonderful,” Wells said.
Price said once traffic is slowed down, the area will begin to transform into an environment young people want to embrace, which he described as somewhere that’s more livable and sustainable and where people can live, work and play.
Penny also said Government Street has potential to become a youthful and attractive part of Baton Rouge.
“This is a great area to start. It’s a beautiful area and people are making the city their own and making it safe,” Penny said.
After discussion and planning, this two-block section of Government Street will be the first to change and other critical areas will follow, Price said.
