When Business Report marked its 20th anniversary in 2002, Rolfe McCollister looked ahead and wrote out the ideas and goals he hoped to see over the next 20 years—a wish list he dubbed “Baton Rouge 2022.” That year has since come and gone. In Business Report’s latest edition, he’s revisiting the old list and asking readers to weigh in on how the Capital City measured up. A sampling:
- A thriving and vibrant riverfront and downtown, including a waterfront park
- An innovative BREC park system that redesigns City Park as a “signature central park”
- The Capitol House and Swaggart building renovated and returned to commerce
- A “loop” with another bridge south of Baton Rouge
- A community that has overcome racial divisions
- A Double-A minor-league baseball team playing in a new stadium
- Safe streets and neighborhoods with well-paid police officers and firefighters
- A top destination for retirees in the United States
- More green space, bike paths and sidewalks; and adequate mass transit including light rail from the suburbs to our business center downtown
Some of it came to pass. Much didn’t. Read the full column for the full list—the wins, the misses and the goals still in progress—plus McCollister’s take on the jobs and joys AI will never touch.
