Local leaders today unveiled an updated master plan for Downtown Baton Rouge that was created by national consultants, local planners and public officials with input from the public.

Plan Baton Rouge Phase II, led by Chan Krieger Sieniewicz of Cambridge, Mass., is a master plan and economic strategic plan that builds upon the original Plan Baton Rouge and develops directions for future growth in the downtown area..

Components of the updated plan include:

• Creating a central green space that would be the preeminent downtown park.
• Planting and maintaining an urban forest.
• Making Third Street a vibrant entertainment corridor.
• Ensuring the cleanliness and safety of the downtown area..
• Taking advantage of the Mississippi Riverfront.
• Establishing integrated public parking policies.

“Plan Baton Rouge Phase II heralds a new wave of economic development downtown and the DDD will position itself in the forefront of implementation efforts,” said Davis Rhorer, executive director of the Downtown Development District.

With costs totaling $588,000, the plan was sponsored by Fannie Mae, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, the City of Baton Rouge, the Center for Planning Excellence, the Downtown Development District, the Downtown Business Association, and the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

The new plan can be viewed at http://downtownbatonrouge.org/devMasterPlans.asp

The goal of Plan Baton Rouge Phase II is to help make downtown a more vibrant place to live, work, shop, dine, learn and play.

Following approval by the city-parish Planning Commission, Plan Baton Rouge Phase II will be presented to the Metro-Council for adoption.  The plan will then be incorporated into the new Comprehensive Master Plan for East Baton Rouge Parish.

Downtown Baton Rouge has also been selected as a mobile workshop for the American Planning Association’s 2010 National Planning Conference in New Orleans April 10–13 because of its comprehensive planning and implementation efforts.  Planners from all over the country will visit downtown Baton Rouge for a working session on downtown improvements and planning.

After Plan Baton Rouge Phase II was unveiled at a press conference Monday, John Schneider and Brace Godfrey of Cyntreniks LLC announced details of the complete tenant mix for the retail space at the first floor of the Kress at Third and Main.  The development follows the recommendations in Plan Baton Rouge Phase II.