The East Baton Rouge Planning Commission took a significant step toward reshaping the city’s urban core on Monday, voting unanimously to approve Plan Baton Rouge III. This ambitious master plan, the third iteration of its kind, seeks to fundamentally transform the city’s relationship with the Mississippi River, aiming to turn the downtown area into a regional destination for residents and visitors alike.
The proposal, developed by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) in partnership with the design firm Sasaki, serves as a long-term roadmap for the city’s future. By focusing on the riverfront—which planners have dubbed the city’s “front porch”—the initiative outlines 80 specific recommendations meant to be implemented over the next decade. The overarching goal is to triple the downtown residential population by enhancing quality of life through improved transportation, expanded retail and new entertainment options.
A Vision for the Riverfront
During the commission meeting, Sasaki Principal Josh Brooks presented the framework of the plan, describing it as a strategic move to position Baton Rouge as a premier “riverfront city.” The proposal is not merely about physical construction; We see designed to integrate with broader economic and land-use trends currently shaping the region. According to projections shared during the presentation, the plan is expected to generate a combined $37 million in new sales and property tax revenue, a figure intended to bolster the economic case for the revitalization effort.
“All of the recommendations position themselves within other things that are happening in the context of economic development trends, transportation trends, land use trends that are happening, so that what is being recommended is not an isolation, but rather something that can position Baton Rouge for the broader future, and a plan that can be for everyone, not just the residents of downtown,” Brooks said.
Stakeholder Concerns and Community Input
While the commission’s vote was unanimous, the proposal has encountered some friction from property owners, particularly regarding the suggested development of a youth sports and entertainment complex. The plan envisions this facility being located on land north of The Queen casino.
Michael Grace, an associate at Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips, represented several property owners in that area who expressed opposition to the plan. Grace noted that his clients are specifically concerned about the potential for the land to be rezoned for recreational use. However, Planning Director Ryan Holcomb clarified during the proceedings that the current plan does not, in fact, move to rezone these private properties.
Addressing these concerns, Eric Dexter, vice president of civic leadership at BRAF, emphasized that the implementation phase will require ongoing cooperation. “Today is not about a plan on paper, but it’s one that must be true collaboration, especially with the folks that own the property that you’re talking about, and everybody being inclusive here,” noted Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman.
Looking Toward Implementation
The approval from the Planning Commission marks only the first in a series of necessary regulatory hurdles. The plan is now slated to move to the Metropolitan Council for further review. This next stage is critical for the integration of the proposal into FuturEBR, the parish’s comprehensive master plan, which dictates long-term growth and infrastructure priorities for the area.
For city officials and commissioners, the plan represents a personal and professional milestone. Commissioner Rossie Washington Jr., reflecting on his history in the parish, expressed his support for the vision. “Just as someone that was that was born, raised here, and was educated here, that’s built a career here, has had the opportunity to serve the parish on several different boards and several different capacities. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to support a plan like this,” Washington said.
The Metropolitan Council is scheduled to hear the plan on June 17. Following that session, the council will determine whether to adopt the recommendations into the official parish comprehensive plan, a move that would provide the legal and administrative framework required to begin the 10-year development cycle. As the city moves forward, residents and business owners are encouraged to keep track of upcoming council dockets through the official City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge website, where public records and meeting agendas are posted regularly.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the proposed riverfront developments in the comments section below. Stay tuned to time.news for continued coverage of this project as it moves through the Metropolitan Council.
