Most students returning to school have likely spotted the now empty 70-acre clearing at Lee and Burbank across from the Winn-Dixie. But details about future plans for the property have fueled what has become somewhat of a local legend.The tale of the “mystery lot” begins in September 2007 when the Baton Rouge Business Report said that the primely located property was slated to be home to a SuperTarget and Lowe’s.More than a year later, little information has come to light.Victory Real Estate Investments of Columbus, Ga., the owner of the plot, has yet to tip its hand as to what will become of the property. Really, they don’t even seem to want to acknowledge they are even holding any cards.The Daily Reveille has exhaustively attempted to inquire about “Arlington Creek Centre,” but the company has failed to provide any information in numerous calls and e-mails. Dealing with Victory Real Estate has been somewhat of a bizarre experience — even the most basic questions have met deflections and run-arounds.The company’s Web site appears to be the only outlet of information. The site, which apparently is aimed at prospective tenants, offers only a vague description and what appears to be an unlabeled map of the complex.It will include “large anchor stores, midsize specialty retailers… as well as restaurants,” according to the site.”Anchors” are an industry standard term to refer to national retailers that draw smaller tenants to come along side. The name of the game for realtors is to land a large volume retailer and then sell off the surrounding property at a higher price with promises of high volume.After hitting a brick wall in my quest to uncover the mystery, I was forced to be resourceful. Through the magic of Google maps and basic algebra, I’ve been able to estimate the size of the planned buildings based off the graphic from Victory Real Estate’s Web site.There appear to be seven main buildings that total around 500,000 square feet in all (quite close to the 516,000 square foot figure reported by the Business Report). Feeling pretty good about my estimates, two of the larger buildings in the complex stand out conspicuously — one is140,000 square feet and the other is 180,000 square feet.These two building sizes are typical for a big box retailer. According to company data, the average size of a SuperTarget is 174,000 square feet with Lowes’ stores averaging 113,000 square feet.The company also appears to be planning on allotting about 27 acres to sell as parcels or to develop in the future.Redirecting Ben Hur Road also appears to be in the company’s playbook.Gill Morin, land use and zoning coordinator for the City Planning Commission, said the property in question has held Planned Urban Development status since 2000. The PUD distinction would allow the development to include high volume retailers such as Wal-Mart, he said.Most of the opportunity for public input in the situation has already passed.”We’re in the eighth or ninth inning,” Morin said. “A lot of it has already been done.”But, the public will have an opportunity to raise issues about the development when the Metro Council meets on Oct. 15.Talks about the prospect of a big box store — or two — coming to this area would rightfully raise many questions among concerned residents and commuters.What will the development do to traffic in the area? With Nicholson and Lee already packed on their two lanes, what will be the impact of a new mega shopping center?Much of the area is prone to flooding. What will be done about drainage?Will the development’s architecture conform to tasteful standards?What will be the economic impact of yet another grocer locating in the area — lower prices or abandoned buildings?Baton Rouge still feels the effects of poor city planning from decades of lackluster urban development. We must engage in an active dialog to ensure the city will not continue its record of “dumb” growth.With Victory Real Estate’s Web site saying construction is planned for early 2009, there are serious doubts about whether public awareness about this project will ever build.So far, the company’s refusal to disseminate even the most basic details creates a cloud over their motives. Hopefully this behavior is not a reflective of their ultimate plans for the area.Talks about any project of this size will at least include a passionate debate about urban sprawl versus the convenience of large retailers. The best result for the community will be to have open and honest discussions with the developer to reach terms together.We have questions. And — if we want to turn the page on a history of poor planning we’ll need an engaged public to get the answers. —-Contact Mark Macmurdo at [email protected]