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Posted on November 14 at 3:37 a.m.

Fred and urbanplanner, thank you for striving towards clarification of misconceptions. I believe that during this stretch of time before December 10 it is important that those against and in support of Rouzan continue to educate themselves through research.

Have you ever heard of factcheck.org? I think that it would be helpful to have a similar blog/site dedicated towards listing links, resources, contact people, facts, etc. about Rouzan, TNDs and the challenges faced concerning this proposal.

I've been making contact with the ITE, DPW, as well as architects and planners of Rouzan, like Looney Ricks Kiss Architects (lrk.com), in order to pose questions and have concerns clarified. I have sent in questions to rouzan.net in hopes that the answers would be published in their FAQ. These things take time as well as a separation from the elevated stress levels associated with it, but it's a start.

Any other suggestions that you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

On A better idea

Posted on November 5 at 3:18 p.m.

I hope to be able to meet the posters here as well as people from within the Southdowns area this Wednesday night.

***NOTICE***

Public Meeting to be HeldWednesday, November 7th

JTS will be hosting a neighborhood open house at the Marriott Baton Rouge on Wednesday, November 7th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm for residents of those neighborhoods that surround the proposed Rouzan Traditional Neighborhood (formerly known as the Ford Property). JTS representatives will be on hand from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm to discuss the new Rouzan community and to answer questions from residents. Experts will be available for discussions and to gather community input throughout the evening on topics of interest including community design, traffic and drainage. Come for thirty minutes or stay for the entire four hours. We hope to see you there.

On A better idea

Posted on November 5 at 3:17 p.m.

Thank you too urbanplanner and Fred in sharing your insights about the matter. Our dialogue is important in understanding the proposal and its impact overall. In an ideal world it would be great if the Rouzan planning was done in conjunction with working on our streets to make that TND vision truly work, don't you think? The seed of that concept is nowhere to be seen in their plans as they've been presented to date.

Fred, I'd like to benefit from Rouzan retail as well, but let's not jump in our cars to do so. We are then defeating part of the purpose of the TND design of alleviating non-residential traffic. I wonder how many other non-Rouzan residents will be using their cars to travel there.

On A better idea

Posted on November 5 at 3:14 p.m.

Fourx5, I completely appreciate where you are coming from as I am a transplant from Central NJ. I lived in an urban setting where I was able to walk to do my shopping, laundry, dining, school, attend the university, and utilize public transportation to get into NYC, Philadelphia, and the surrounding cities, etc. I also witnessed the detrimental effects of rampid suburban sprawl throughout the state at the unfortunate loss of many of our green spaces and sense of community.

When moving here we selected a location close to the university, shopping, and downtown in hopes of having that connection with the flow of the city and its people. The last thing we wanted to experience was the separation of that in a complete suburban setting. We were happy to find the Southdowns neighborhood which provided a balance that we were looking for. Safety and minimal traffic flow on our street was a must as we have a young child, and we also consider walking and visiting with our neighbors an integral part of quality of life.

Believe me that I'd love to see the traffic situation on Perkins and Lee alleviated and this city becoming more green in their approaches to daily life. However, I do not see, yet, how the development of this one TND in this one location is going to benefit the overall city at the expense of the integrity of this neighborhood, as well as the overall functioning of the the Perkins, Lee, Glasgow, and Hyacinth areas. It's not just about me but about all of the commuters and business people that travel through this area everyday to get where they have to be. Call that self-absorbed if you will, I just consider it wise in making sure that I'm not signing onto something that hasn't been demonstrated as logical and practical in this space and time.

I'm very interested in your insights into the matter considering that you have TND experience. If you take a look at the following files, you will see what has been submitted by JTS about the project. Is it similar to what you have seen in CA? I know that BR,LA and CA are of different mindscapes and culture, but it's interesting to consider.

http://www.southsideca.org/uploads/Appli...

http://www.southsideca.org/uploads/Gener...

http://www.southsideca.org/uploads/Rouza...

http://www.southsideca.org/uploads/Rouza...

On A better idea

Posted on November 2 at 10:56 a.m.

I live on Arrowhead Street one block away from the Ford Property. I do not drive an SUV and do not have a walled garden. :)

I don't necessarily object to the proposal, but I do object to the fact that there has been nothing done to demonstrate that my street will stay safe and the integrity of my neighborhood upheld.

I understand those from the outside of my neighborhood being frustrated by the traffic situations that exist on Highland, Lee, and Perkins, but I do not understand or appreciate your judgement and stereotyping of residents within the Southside neighborhood.

Rouzan plans appear well thought out and have potential to take that particular section of the city forward. However, from what I understand from the presented plans, they are not in balance with the structure of my neighborhood. Basically, the connectivity of the streets from a "pedestrian friendly" Rouzan would be into streets without sidewalks or speed controls. I invite you to come stand in the front of my house during peak traffic hours and feel the breeze of the speeding cars cutting through my street. Please imagine my concern about more cars coming through to "alleviate" the traffic conditions of the area. We are not designed to lighten the load of the main arteries, and until I see that Mr. Spinosa, the planning commission, and other involved organizations have completed research and made definite plans to best manage that situation, I do not feel comfortable supporting the plans.

Someone mentioned moving ahead as a "real community". I believe that can only happen if judgements stop and we all work together in understanding the full impact, positive and negative, this will have on the area. Jumping on the bandwagon celebrating a new design as the salvation of Baton Rouge can have the same consequences as saying NO to any change whatsoever.

Like planarch said, let's push for dialogue and open communication for a more "participative and inclusive process."

On A better idea