Baton Rouge officials bundled up Jan. 14 to break ground at the new North Boulevard Town Square.
The Town Square is located downtown on North Boulevard between Fifth Street and River Road. The area will consist of a lawn to be used for outdoor movie showings, small concerts, fitness classes and receptions, according to a news release from East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden’s office.
The nearby Galvez Plaza will also be redesigned to include a permanent event stage and an interactive fountain.
Scott Dyer, spokesman for the Mayor’s Office, said a larger area is necessary because of the recent popularity of the downtown Baton Rouge area.
“When we did ‘Live after Five,’ there were so many people, almost too many to accomodate,” Dyer said. “Some of this is to address that.”
The project will be completed in two phases, according to the release.
Phase I will be funded by $5.7 million in city-parish and Federal Transit Authority funds, and Phase II will be funded by $1.9 million in leveraged federal dollars through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
Holden spoke at the ceremony and encouraged attendees to photograph the existing space and look at the photos again in a year when the Town Square is completed.
“Put them side by side, and you will see one of the most amazing transitions this city has ever seen,” he said.
Holden said the new green space will give families an area to come together downtown — something he believes will aid the city’s future.
“We’re building a new Baton Rouge,” he said. “It’s going to be America’s next great city.”
Sen. Mary Landrieu said she aided in garnering funding for the project to support the city’s leaders in their efforts.
Landrieu said she wanted to attend the ceremony because she believes in the value of the project.
“This is one of the most promising cities in the South,” she said.
Baton Rouge City Councilwoman Tara Wicker said the development of the new Town Square hits close to home for her because she has four children.
Wicker said she’s excited to take her family to the area when it’s completed and hopes it gives her children a sense of loyalty to the city.
“We want our children to choose to stay in Baton Rouge and have families and children of their own here,” she said.
Holden said the Town Square will attract more visitors and conventions to the area translating into more money for the city.
“This is a new beginning for Baton Rouge,” Holden said.