Plank & Scenic Rolling RFP

‍BATON ROUGE, LA (July 17, 2025) — Build Baton Rouge (BBR), the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority, has issued a rolling Request for Proposals (RFP) to attract developers and partners to lead transformational projects along the Plank Road and Scenic Highway corridors. The RFP seeks to deliver affordable housing, mixed-use projects, and community-serving facilities that align with long-standing neighborhood plans and public investments.

The RFP builds upon the Imagine Plank Road and Scotlandville Community Plans, community-led blueprints focused on equitable transit-oriented development, cultural preservation, and community wealth building. These corridors have seen significant momentum through the $53 million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, BREC’s greenway restoration, Erie Street Eco Park, and Southern University’s Cadence Innovation District.

“The communities along Plank Road and Scenic Highway have long carried the culture, creativity, and resilience of Baton Rouge,” said Deidre D. Robert, CEO of Build Baton Rouge. “This RFP is about more than buildings. It’s about honoring that legacy while building toward a future of inclusive growth and shared prosperity. We’re inviting partners who see that promise and are ready to help bring it to life.”

“Five years ago, we completed the Imagine Plank Road planning process with the community, and we’re still committed to bringing that vision to life.” Said Rodney Braxton, Board Chair of Build Baton Rouge. “This RFP is about turning momentum into action. It’s about building on the foundation that neighbors, stakeholders, and this agency laid together, and inviting new partners to join us in moving these projects from paper to reality.”

“We’ve structured this RFP to prioritize alignment with adopted corridor plans, leverage recent infrastructure investments, and deliver measurable community benefit,” said Marlee P. Miller, Chief Operating Officer of Build Baton Rouge. “We’re looking for proposals that are financially sound, transit-accessible, and rooted in the needs and assets of the neighborhoods they serve. Our goal is to catalyze projects that are not only shovel-ready, but equity-driven.”

Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. Eligible project types include housing, retail, office, adaptive reuse, or cultural and community facilities. Submissions will be evaluated for impact, feasibility, and alignment with local planning goals.