John Schneider, Derek Fitch and Brace Godfrey III have formed Vision City Development Group. Fitch says the group, made up of principals from Cyntreniks, will continue to work downtown while expanding their focus into Mid City and Old South Baton Rouge. “I guess you could look at us as the for-profit Redevelopment Authority,” Fitch said at today’s Downtown Development District meeting. Schneider attempted to make the announcement but broke down while talking about how the late Brace Godfrey Jr., his longtime friend, convinced him to return to Baton Rouge and be part of Cyntreniks in 2005. Cyntreniks is responsible for the redevelopment of the Kress at Third & Main and the Hotel King, which now carries the Hotel Indigo brand. Fitch and Godfrey say the Cyntreniks name will continue under the Vision City umbrella.
Also discussed at today’s DDD meeting:
— A groundbreaking will be held Friday for the $5.7 million first phase of the North Boulevard Town Square and Galvez Plaza redesign.
— The board selected new leadership. Cheri Ausberry is now chairwoman, Christine Nichols is vice-chair, Norman Chenevert is treasurer and Fran Gladden is secretary.
— Renovations to the Prince Apartments on North Boulevard are wrapping up, and the eight units are now available for lease, DDD director Davis Rhorer says, calling the building an “art deco masterpiece.” —David Jacobs
