Smaller Spanish Town development called an ‘improvement’
Historic Spanish Town Civic Association Chairman David Brown expressed some relief today to the announcement of a new, smaller size of the Capitol Lofts development overlooking Arsenal Park. But it remains to be seen whether the apartment building will ever be acceptable under the neighborhood’s historic district ordinance, let alone by the neighbors themselves. “It is an improvement,” Brown says. “I understand they’re going to develop something, and I want to work with them. So far we haven’t worked with them much, but we’ve been hearing from them, and they appear to be listening to some extent.”
Brown says the footprint of the building will require demolishing several houses that contribute to the neighborhood’s historic district status. The drawings he’s seen so far don't appear to keep with the character of the neighborhood, Brown says, among other concerns. Originally, developer David Slaughter planned a 115-unit development, which would have required a zoning change from A4 to A5. Slaughter now says he plans to stay within A4, and says the project will likely have closer to 75 units.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the designs and the renderings working within the A4 guidelines,” says Foundation for Historical Louisiana Executive Director Carolyn Bennett. Bennett sits on the city-parish Historic Preservation Commission, which would have to sign off on the development before construction; however, Slaughter can appeal the commission’s decision to the Metro Council. The project will go before the city-parish Planning Commission July 20.—David Jacobs
Video USA closes Burbank store
The Video USA movie rental store at Bluebonnet Boulevard near Burbank Drive closed over the weekend and is now selling off its remaining inventory of DVDs and video games at a discount, store manager Frank Nams says. The manager says residential growth in the neighborhood was not as swift as he had expected. "The anticipated building and growth we were advised of when taking the store never materialized," Nams says. "And we were sharing customers with our other store on Lee Drive. Coupling that with a change in the marketplace, we elected not to renew our lease." The store first opened in 2002. Video USA has no plans to close its three additional locations in Baton Rouge. The company closed its Government Street store several years ago, about 18 months after the Winn-Dixie that anchored the shopping center shut down.—Jeff Roedel
Hotel planned near Siegen-Industriplex intersection
A 58-room hotel is being planned near the Siegen Lane-Industriplex Boulevard intersection. A permit for a four-story Highland Inn on Honore Lane has been filed with the city-parish building inspector's office. A 104-room Holiday Inn Express opened up near the proposed Highland Inn location earlier this year.
Hancock Bank joins AppOne platform
Another major financial institution has joined the AppOne network, which links independent auto dealers and lenders. Hancock Bank has signed up with the Baton Rouge-based company, joining the likes of Dow Louisiana Federal Credit Union and Wachovia Dealer Services. Hancock says the deal allows it to book more auto loans and reduce risk, while AppOne says it gives auto lots access to another good lender.
Initial state unemployment claims drop sharply
Unemployment insurance claims for newly laid-off workers in Louisiana fell more than 25% for the week ending June 27, the Louisiana Workforce Commission reported today. For the latest week, there were 4,655 new initial claims for benefits. That compares with 6,113 such claims for the week ending June 20. Those figures were goosed by a six-week shutdown at the Shreveport General Motors assembly plant, which started June 15. There was an increase in the number of people who continued receiving unemployment benefits. As of the latest tally, 59,504 were still getting benefits, compared with the previous week's total of 57,408.
DOTD gets $16 million for Gustav repairs
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has been awarded a $16 million federal grant to pay for highway damages caused by Hurricane Gustav, U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy announced today. The grant comes from the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program. The DOTD will determine which roads it will fix with the money, says Wes Climer, a spokesman for Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge. The money can be used for emergency repairs to restore traffic flow or protect facilities, or to bring back highways to their pre-disaster condition.
Business Report weekly planner: Jindal to speak to Rotary Club...Martin, Carter to participate in school innovation panel...Monsour meets with black chamber
Wednesday: A free seminar on transforming businesses with Customer Relationship Management Systems will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Louisiana Office Supply Conference Center. The event, sponsored by Bascom-Hunter, will teach companies about technology that can automate the sales force, marketing and contact management. For details, click here.
Wednesday: Gov. Bobby Jindal will speak to the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge at noon at Boudreaux's on Government Street. To reserve a seat for guests, e-mail sarah@rotarybr.org.
Thursday: Advance Innovative Education will host a leadership panel discussion on school innovation from 9 a.m. to noon at LSU's Energy, Coast & Environment Building. Participants include LSU Chancellor Michael Martin, State Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, and Shirl Gilbert of the Recovery School District. For more information, e-mail erin@advanceie.org .
Thursday: Metro Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards will hold a focus group meeting with the East Baton Rouge Parish Redevelopment Authority at 2 p.m. at the Delmont Service Center. Walter Monsour, president and CEO of the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority, and Mark Goodson, vice president, will be on hand to talk about the RDA and get an idea of what residents want to see the agency do.
Friday: Walter Monsour, president and CEO of the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority, will be the guest speaker at the Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce's monthly executive luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Drusilla Seafood. To RSVP, click here.
See the full list of upcoming events here.
