The East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority’s proposed redevelopment of the former Entergy site at 1509 Government St. is drawing sharp criticism from several African-American members of the Metro Council.
Councilwoman Tara Wicker, who represents the district that includes the 6.2-acre site, says she doesn’t have problems per se with renderings for the site unveiled by planner Andres Duany at a public meeting Monday night. Rather, she says, it’s the way the RDA has handled the matter to date. Wicker says the authority is moving forward to develop a commercial project that doesn’t take into account the needs of low-income residents of the surrounding area.
“We firmly believe the RDA has lost sight of its mission,” says Wicker, adding she has personally spoken with all of her African-American colleagues on the council and they share her views. “We don’t hate the project. The project is irrelevant at this juncture, but the focus of the project and the process by which the RDA has gone to do this is very questionable and hugely concerning to us.”
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