Along with pedestrian improvements, planners hope to improve the balance and flow of cars and people in the area. As the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge has thousands of state workers. One of the keys to the redevelopment plan is making the downtown area more diverse by adding shopping, recreation and housing. Baton Rouge also has some beautiful civic buildings, including the state capitol, in its downtown. The creation of a 22-acre riverfront park will enhance the public spaces around the capitol building.
Planners also hope to add native trees and small parks to further beautify the surroundings.
Though construction is just beginning, the project has already created a lot of excitement in the city. New businesses are moving in, property values are rising and the residents of Baton Rouge are looking forward to a rejuvenated downtown where they can live, work and play. If persistent and savvy, most developers find a way to get the permits they need to develop a piece of land. But a few bad apples just break the law. According to the suit, the developers illegally filled in fragile bayous and built an entire subdivision in a swamp.