Total Duration:
2010 – 2014
Estimated Investment:
Multi-year, multi-million-dollar strategy (planning + implementation)
Impact: Developed community-informed reinvestment strategies for five historic Baton Rouge neighborhoods, guiding housing, infrastructure, transit, and economic development.
Public Benefit: Provides long-term, community-driven frameworks to channel investment into the neighborhoods that need it most—ensuring revitalization without displacement.
In 2011 and 2012 Build Baton Rouge led comprehensive planning efforts over eighteen months to create Community Improvement Plans for five districts within East Baton Rouge Parish, including the Choctaw Corridor, Northdale, Melrose East, Scotlandville Gateway, and Zion City & Glen Oaks. The plans are community-driven with residents and other stakeholders providing input for guiding the future reinvestment and development in their communities to ensure that redevelopment efforts are sustainable and in keeping with each respective community’s needs, character, and vision, as determined through discussions between Build Baton Rouge, elected officials, and community stakeholders. In addition, the plans deliver action-oriented strategies that identify opportunities for reinvestment back into the community, while building upon the momentum of other revitalization efforts currently underway.
Only one of the plans, the Scotlandville Gateway plan, was incorporated into the FutureBR master plan. In October 2018, the Metropolitan Council approved the plan areas and additional redevelopment focus areas as targeted areas for redevelopment, requiring Build Baton Rouge to deliver quarterly updates on progress under the plans.
Focuses on revitalizing the Swan Avenue and Scenic Highway corridors, improving civic spaces, and supporting small businesses and green infrastructure.
Emphasizes infill housing, safety, lighting, and neighborhood-scale commercial development near BRCC and major corridors.
Guides reinvestment in transitional areas between industrial and residential uses, with a focus on walkability, housing, and public space.
Targets commercial corridor improvements, flood mitigation, and redevelopment of underused parcels along key neighborhood streets.
Reimagines Northdale’s edges and gateways through infill housing, facade upgrades, and new connections to adjacent assets and corridors.
Create data-driven, community-informed roadmaps for reinvestment
Identify catalytic redevelopment sites and opportunity parcels
Guide infrastructure, housing, and corridor improvement decisions
Support equitable development that reflects neighborhood identity
Provide implementation tools for public, private, and nonprofit partners
Help attract funding aligned with local priorities
Beyond buildings and infrastructure, every BBR project aims to create lasting impact. These benefits reflect how the project improves lives, supports neighborhood growth, and contributes to Baton Rouge’s long-term vitality.
Benefits:
The Community Improvement Plans reflect the vision and voice of neighborhoods across North Baton Rouge. As implementation continues, these plans remain essential tools for shaping investment that builds on local strengths and creates lasting opportunity.
Get the latest on housing, redevelopment, and community impact from BBR.
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