East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority Programs
Community improvement plans
CHOCTAW CORRIDOR
Runs from Interstate 110 to the west down to Foster Drive to the east. A commercial and industrial stretch of property, this corridor touches boundaries of many established neighborhoods in North Baton Rouge. The remaining businesses are challenged to attract customers to the area due to safety concerns and the loss of local residents.
Choctaw Corridor Community Improvement Plan
- The Choctaw Corridor Community Improvement plan is complete. Follow the links below to view the plan, appendix, or implementation matrix.
- Community Improvement Plan (23.5 MB)
- Appendix (25.7 MB)
- Implementation Matrix (225 KB)
News
18 May 2010 - Our first public meeting
A group of about 45 Choctaw area residents gathered Tuesday at the Istrouma High School to work with members from the RDA and its consultant team to discuss and map out ideas for revitalizing their community. The meeting consisted of residents identifying assets within the community and challenges that need be addressed. Along with these challenges, the residents helped to locate potential sites for much needed development and revitalization projects. Types of development include: grocery stores or other types of shopping & services, clinics & pharmacies, daycare facilities, community centers, and new housing needs.
All the work and concerns voiced by the residents at this meeting are currently being evaluated and incorporated into plans that will be voted on by the residents at the next public meeting.
We greatly appreciate all the residents who volunteered their time at this meeting to let their voice be heard and helped to shape the future of the Choctaw Corridor. Please stay informed for future public meetings to continue the progress of moving forward in a positive direction.
Visioning Workshop Input Results
During the Visioning Workshop in the Choctaw Corridor area, many assets and challenges were identified by area residents and stakeholders. One major asset identified is the new fire station located on Choctaw Drive between North Acadian East and West. However, attendees noted that because of high crime levels in the area, they would like to see police presence at that location as well. Empty buildings at the intersection of Choctaw Drive and Plank Road were identified as both a challenge and an asset, because although they are unsightly, they provide opportunities for development such as a farmers market, arts district, retail, and entertainment. Additionally, attendees indicated another infill opportunity in the underused buildings at the intersection of Choctaw Drive and Foster Drive. Locations identified as housing opportunities were scattered throughout the Choctaw Corridor area, and attendees pointed out specifically a possibility for senior housing north of the Piggly Wiggly shopping center. Attendees also noted a desire for a community center, possibly in the Madison Avenue area near North 28th Street.
Alternative Implementation Workshops 2010.08.07
The intent of the Alternatives & Implementation Workshop on August 07, 2010 was to gain public input on the catalyst area concepts developed by the Phillips-Davis Legacy, BROWN+DANOS team based on conducted market analysis and information received from the community at the Visioning Workshop on May 18, 2010. First, an introduction regarding the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority’s mission and an outline of the 5 CIPs project was given by Mark Goodson and Karen Phillips followed with a brief description of the process completed up to this point. Following the introductory presentations, Dana Brown revealed the concept plans created for the identified target area within Choctaw Corridor. Attendees were given digital voting devices and were asked to vote on the concepts as a whole as well as individual components within each. After voting was completed, respondents took a brief break to visit participants of the Resource Fair while the consultant team made adjustments to the concepts. Finally, attendees reconvened at the tables and were shown an overall vision for the area and the preferred concepts illustrating their input were revealed. The Phillips-Davis Legacy, BROWN+DANOS team will continue to develop the Choctaw Corridor Community Improvement Plan based on input received at both the Visioning and Alternatives & Implementation Workshops, technical analysis, collaboration with the RDA, and the team’s expertise.
Market analysis of the area was conducted to determine what types of catalytic development could be supported and conceptual designs were developed based on both the market analysis and the input from community residents. Two concepts for the target area was created for presentation to the public.
Analysis of input received by area residents at the Choctaw Visioning Workshop identified several target areas for future catalyst development. One area along Choctaw Drive was chosen as a site for the new catalyst development, located east of N. Acadian Throughway and includes the large concrete parking area within the Piggly Wiggly shopping area. Residents illustrated desires to infill small commercial and mixed-use development fronting Choctaw Drive with a community center and independent senior living located behind. Façade improvements are proposed for the existing Piggly Wiggly building with single family homes planned just east of the store. Residents were also encouraging enhancements to the bayou to create a linear park with outdoor pavilions, walking trails, and seating to connect the new development with the neighborhood directly to the north. Design of the new catalyst development as well as plans for redevelopment and restoration of the entire corridor will continue to be refined over the next several weeks, and will be made available to the public in a final report.
Choctaw Corridor - Inventory Maps
