Situated between the University and Old South Baton Rouge stands Tiger Town – an area with history dating back to the early 1920s. But fires, crime and poor management contributed to a slow decline in appearance. Until recently, broken sidewalks, decaying buildings and crime were the most notable features of Tiger Town and the Northgate community, according to University archivist Barry Cowan. “When I went to school here, in the late ’80s, it was sort of a decrepit area,” Cowan said. “Crime and absent landlords have been the real problems… Chimes Street used to also be a popular hangout spot for some thuggish biker gangs.” Highland Coffees owner Clarke Cadzow explained the area’s frequent association with crime. “We actually don’t see a whole lot here,” Cadzow said. “If the area looks nice and looks like it doesn’t have crime, then that will help.” LSU Police Department spokes- man Cory Lalonde agreed. “For the most part, crime is spread out,” he explained. “There is no one particular hotspot.” Still, members of the Northgate Merchants Association are working against the forces of history in order to restore the area to its former glory. Cadzow said the association finished putting in a brick sidewalk over the summer. “We also added bike racks and some benches,” he said. “When people walk by, they are going to see it and think, ‘this area must be special.’ That is really what we want to convey; the area has a lot of history and it is important to the community and LSU.” But local homeowners are also concerned about shedding negative connotations, according to Mary Duchein, who owns properties in the area. “I love seeing the area improve,” Duchein said. “There have been wonderful improvements since I purchased the properties a few years ago. We talk to each other occasionally, and it is clear that we all really care about making it a better place.” Ongoing improvements include renovations to two properties near the end of Carlotta Street, which were recently purchased by realtor Mike Doiron. The Department of Public Works is also working to improve the area’s sewer system as part of the city’s $1.3 billion Sanitary Sewer Overflow project. According to Cadzow, Tiger Manor, an apartment complex located on State Street, has also played a part in improving the area. “They have really done a tremendous job, leading by example,” Cadzow said. “Tiger Manor purchased the apartments that sit in front of their complex and did a lot to bring them back from being less than attractive.” Tiger Manor paved sidewalks and added streetlights that stretch to Circle K on the corner of State Street and Highland Road. The complex tore down a State Street house this summer to make way for a pedestrian walkway and added offices, Duchein said. There are several other projects in the works. Cadzow said the Northgate Merchants Association is currently “pushing hard to make the area more bike-friendly and improve sidewalks in the area,” but also has long term plans to install a parking garage.
____ Contact Joshua Bergeron at [email protected]