A national drugstore chain is planned as the next tenant in the City Year building at the corner of Third and Convention streets, a retail development that downtown residents have long wanted. The pharmacy would be the first of its kind in downtown in several decades and would be an essential next step in attracting new residential projects in the area. “The drugstore is certainly something that we need,” says Norman Chenevert, principal and founder of Chenevert Architects and a member of the Downtown Development District board. Chenevert has taken a keen interest in developing downtown residential areas, including units above his offices on Third Street. “That kind of drugstore would have a certain amount of groceries. You could get your basic milk and bread,” he says.
City Year plans on moving into the One Eleven building next the Shaw Center by November or December. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation owns the building at Third and Convention streets. Mukul Verma, a spokesman for BRAF says the organization does not discuss real estate deals until they are signed.—Olivia Watkins
