OLD SOUTH BATON ROUGE Strategic Neighborhood Revitalization and Economic Development Plan

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OLD SOUTH BATON ROUGE Strategic Neighborhood
Revitalization and Economic Development Plan

• Community Kick-Off Meeting
• May 2, 2005

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www.osbr.planbr.org
Old South Baton Rouge Info.
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(No Transcript)
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Meeting Agenda

• Introductions
• Overview of Process
• Observations
• Community Assets Survey
• Group Discussion
• Group Reporting of Results

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Planning Process
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Project Overview

• Task 1 Review Relevant Planning Studies and
  Other Background Data
• Task 2 Kick Off Meeting and Project Scoping
• Task 3 Key Stakeholder Interviews
• Task 4 Property Inventory and Analysis
• Task 5 Physical Analysis of Neighborhood
  Conditions

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Project Overview

• Task 6 Real Estate Market Study
• Task 7 Retail Market Study
• Task 8 Preparation and Refinement of Strategic
  Revitalization and Economic
  Development Plan
• Task 9 Public Involvement Process
• Task 10 Strategic Plan Documentation and
  Implementation

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OSBR Organizational Structure
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The End Product

• Detailed Revitalization Strategy for OSBR
• Public Support for a Vision of Neighborhood
  Renewal
• Enhanced Grassroots Capacity to Implement Change
• Identification of Economic Development
  Opportunities
• Identification of Residential Development/Rehabili
  tation Opportunities
• Short Long-Term Action Strategy with
  Implementation Responsibilities
• Strategic Recommendations for Removing Obstacles
  to Reinvestment
• Identification of Future Implementation
  Partnerships

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Old South Baton Rouge Observations

• History of OSBR is rich but not widely promoted
  or visible to the community
• The local population is underserved in
• Retail shopping options
• Employment opportunities
• Recreational facilities
• Housing
• Critical infrastructure (I.e., drainage, roads,
  etc.)
• New investment
• Perceptions of crime are undermining
  revitalization potential

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Old South Baton Rouge Observations

• Many residents are skeptical and suspicious about
  revitalization prospects.
• LSU growth needs
• Downtown expansion
• Plan Baton Rouge associated with downtown
  revitalization
• Lack of public investment interest in the past.
  Why now?

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Community Priorities

• Grocery Store
• Pharmacy
• Community Policing
• Recreational Facilities/Programs
• Jobs, Training, Job Placement
• Decent, Safe Housing
• Social Services
• Input into Decisions
• Good Information to Make Decisions

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Old South Baton Rouge Assets

• Churches and schools are strong institutions
• Local people are desiring positive change
• History is rich and proud
• Convenient highway access
• Key location between LSU and downtown
• Mississippi River
• Broad community interest in revitalization
• Baton Rouge Area Foundation
• City/Parish
• LSU
• Housing Authority
• Very good land potential

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Old South Baton Rouge Constraints

• Local skepticism about benefits to OSBR
• Negative community perceptions
• Large number of adjudicated properties
• Crime
• Lack of long-term funding commitments through
  municipal bonding
• School busing issues
• Lack of grassroots community organizations to
  undertake improvement projects and make needs
  heard
• Private development community is undervaluing
  OSBR as an investment location

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Asset Survey
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My Neighborhood Is

• Landmarks
• Paths
• Activity Centers
• Features
• Edges and Barriers
• Districts

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If I Could Fix One Thing

• What would it be?
• __________________________
• __________________________
• __________________________

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My Neighborhood Assets

• Groups, clubs, and organizations
• Places, features, and buildings
• Skills, equipment, and knowledge
• Resources and funding

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Making My Neighborhood Better

• Things WE can do
• Things we can do with a PARTNER
• Things the CITY should do

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Questions and Answers/Next Steps

• Every community has more assets than anyone
  knows.
• By focusing on the assets, skills, and strengths
  of those that comprise the community, the
  community itself is able to create solutions for
  local problems without relying exclusively on
  larger institutions.
• They are able to take ownership of the plan and
  move forward with its implementation.

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Thank you!