Grimmer says Juban Crossing groundbreaking will happen next month

A groundbreaking on the long-stalled Juban Crossing retail and residential development off Interstate 12 at Juban Road is now being planned for mid- to late November, says Livingston Parish President Mike Grimmer. “This is for sure; this one is on for sure,” says Grimmer, who first announced the project in December 2006 with an anticipated groundbreaking in the summer of 2007. In late 2008, Grimmer acknowledged the economic downturn had delayed the groundbreaking, but he still anticipated the development’s first stores would open in 2009. At roughly 1.6 million square feet of retail space, the development will feature at least five anchor retailers, four restaurants and some entertainment venues in addition to up to 1,000 residences, says Grimmer. He declined to name any of the prospective tenants. Creekstone Companies is developing Juban Crossing, and Grimmer says a number of the retailers will likely mirror those seen at the company’s Towne Center at Cedar Lodge development in Baton Rouge. Stephen Keller, Juban Crossing developer, says he anticipates announcing major retail tenants in the coming weeks. “We’re excited at what’s on the horizon,” he says. About 22 commercial lots are featured on the development plan. Juban Crossing is expected to take three years to construct, at an estimated cost of $300 million to $350 million, the parish president says. —Steve Sanoski