While it is mentioned, it rarely gets as much coverage as more grandiose endeavors which feature urban planners and lots of government action, one of the most effective ways to revive a downtown is the arrival of a cinema. While not exactly the type of anchor that a Untied Artists 10 screen or more theater might be, this might fit baton Rouge’s downtown quite well:
A 75-seat movie theater that would play first-run movies and documentaries could be part of the Kress at Third & Main building. John Schneider, president of Cyntreniks of Baton Rouge, which is redeveloping the historic building, told the Downtown Development District Commission this morning that he’s looking at the financial viability and feasibility of putting a theater in the building.
Schneider says he wants to include a place in the building to screen documentaries about the lunch counter sit-ins that happened in the old Kress Department store and the redevelopment of the site. “We could also use this space to show first-run movies that might not come to Baton Rouge,” Schneider says. “And people who are shooting movies in the area could screen dailies in the theater.” The Kress building, which will include office and residential space, is scheduled to open in September.
That is an interesting mix of uses for the space, and would further diversify the entertainment and nightlife mix downtown maybe the question in the photo below isn’t so odd anymore. Of course, it still expresses the sense of insecurity which this city still possesses. The photo is from the deck at the top of the Shaw Center, an art museum, gallery, LSU school of Art, performance space, bar and restaurant, and more.
Here is a look at the center itself:
[tags] Baton Rouge, Downtown, urban redevelopment, planning, movie theater [/tags]
About Lance
I want to thank everybody who has encouraged me over the past few years to do this. I doubt it will hold but a few people's interest, but that is okay with me. Special thanks go to Peter over at http://www.liberalcapitalist.com.
I value my privacy a great deal, so I will guess you will have to get to know me over time to find out much. I am in the financial services, wealth management, investing or whatever you want to call it business. I have children, my oldest is entering college.
I have no great or imposing academic background, my grades varied from high enough to get invited to an honors program at my university to frustrating enough to cause my father great grief. My major was history, with a minor in ethics. My main interest towards the end was in the history of economic ideas before life took a turn and I ended up never going on to graduate school. However, I have a fair knowledge of history, economics, investing and would probably be considered well read. My tastes are eclectic and I pretty much find the entire world interesting.
I have an enduring interest in how people learn about and analyze the world; my posts here will examine this topic in detail over time. I make no claims to be above the very biases and errors I see in others, in fact it is my belief that we are incapable of escaping them, only moderating their control over us.
I am a member of no political party, but I would broadly consider myself a man of the right. I am inclined to free market economics, limited government and a fairly narrow view of the role of the state. A small L libertarian if you will. However, if you are looking for broad based "the left believes..." or "wingers are so...." types of attacks on liberals, conservatives, neo-cons or whatever enemy you want to slam, look elsewhere.
Lance
Nifty info Lance.
I’m originally from Baton Rouge (born and lived there 23/26 years of my life), whereas now I’m in S’port for med school.
And that little building the Shaw Center has is pretty damn classy and Tsunami gots some sushi…
Are you originally from Baton Rouge?
Now, the inner-cynical libertarian in me wonders how much of the dreaded hand of “teh guberment” is driving all of this…
Of course, if I actually got some sense in my head, I would read something like The BR Advocate online…
Anyhow, thanks for posting this.
I am from Baton Rouge, and I have started to post more on Baton Rouge and La. issues. Something I expect will continue. Just look in the La. and Urban planning categories for most of it. Not a lot as of yet.
The city government does have a hand, and many want to put even more power into the hand of planning agencies. However, for the most part it has been led by individuals, business and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. BRAF has done some outstanding things, and is one the best and has over the last ten years turned into one of the largest community foundations in the country. Their for profit arm, a real estate investment trust, or REIT, has sunk a lot of money into projects downtown. It stunned a friend who left in 2004 to see what it looks like now and the number of projects in the works. The Shaw center obviously gets its name from the Shaw Group, which donated a huge sum for it.
Unfortunately the BRAF for all its wonderful work may end up causing more damage than good. They have established the Center for Planning Excellence, and needless to say they want a regional plan. The model, Portland. Massive restrictions, subsides, and dirigiste planning is coming down the road. Thus my community activism. On one hand get things moving before it hits, show we don’t need it, and resist it in as practical a manner as possible.
Where did you go to HS? Baton Rouge High grad myself.
Catholic High grad of 2000.
Nice job Lance! I can appreciate your enthusiasm!! These are exciting times in downtown Baton Rouge for sure. All the consolidation of the new state office buildings around Capitol Park was a great start. So was the addition of the Planetarium at the LASM. Then Shaw Center for the Arts really set things off! The roof-top deck has some of the best views of the city! Still the re-opening of the renovated Hilton Capitol Center marked the renaissance downtown; it compliments the Shaw Center and provided a synergy/vibe that continues to grow! An Arts & Entertainment District is emerging along Third Street/Lafayette Street. Also the high-rise cranes are dotting the southern CBD with II City Plaza and new Courthouse under construction!! The old Advocate site has been cleared and figures to be something special along the riverfront in the near future?? Many other redevelopment projects are in the works too. The residential componet is finally starting to take off as well with One Eleven, Kress, and hopefully soon the 30+ story RiverPlace tower. Check us out in the ever growing Baton Rouge forums on urbanplanet.org sometime.
Thanks Richy. I’ll visit the forum this evening.