A year from now, downtown Baton Rouge will be nearly unrecognizable.
That’s when construction will be complete on the redesign of Galvez Plaza and a new Town Square on North Boulevard.
Davis Rhorer, executive director of the Downtown Development District, said the entire area surrounding Galvez Plaza will be reconfigured.
Rhorer said one reason he believes the area needs to be redesigned is because it’s the site of the popular “Live After Five” concert series.
“It started out small, and it’s become big,” Rhorer said. “We’ve got 4,000 to 5,000 people out there.”
Rhorer said the redesign will include a large lawn, a stage and a dance area twice the size of the current one.
He said the new stage will also hold a large sculpture that will act as artwork when the stage is not in use.
Rhorer said the project isn’t just about beautifying the area.
“We’re making it more functional,” he said.
Rhorer said in addition to the “Live after Five” series, he hopes other local bands will choose to use the stage and its amenities for concerts and events.
“Live music in Baton Rouge is wonderful,” Rhorer said. “There are so many talented musicians in this region.”
The redesign is part of the North Boulevard Town Square project, which will be completed in two phases.
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, according to a Town Square project news release.
Rhorer said he believes the new design will attract more students and tourists.
“It’s designed to be a better link to the River Center,” he said.
Rhorer said the project is set to be completed this time next year.
Lauren Macke, biology sophomore, said she has only been downtown two or three times during her time living in the city, but she’s excited at the thought of something new to do in Baton Rouge.
“It’s something different,” she said. “A new experience.”
Will Buck, biology sophomore, said he feels the same way.
“Right now, it’s Tigerland or going to someone’s house,” he said. “This will be something new to do.”
Buck added that he thinks the area will be popular among students because the city plans to offer so many free events.
 
 
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Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]