Though crime, congestion and a struggling public transit system threaten continued growth and business development, Mayor Kip Holden says Baton Rouge is faring better than its peers across the country. “At a time when cities across this nation are reeling from the worst economic recession of our lifetimes, Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish are strong, thriving and enthusiastically planning for an even better future,” says Holden, who delivered his State of the City address before the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge this afternoon.
Holden touched on a wide range of issues in his 40-minute address, from the ongoing national search for a new police chief (though he had no new details) to his continued support for an interstate loop around the city. He notes the loop proposal has been on the table for three years. “Unfortunately, while some continue to debate, Baton Rouge has achieved the distinction of being named the city with the worst traffic in America among mid-sized cities,” he says. “I think it’s time to stop studying and take the test.”
The mayor also says he is committed to keeping the Bayou Country Superfest in the city after 2011 despite the Metro Council’s decision to strip its $300,000 allocation to the event. The two-day country music concert had an estimated $30 million economic impact in 2010.
As for promising projects in the pipeline, Holden points to next month’s release of the vision for the FuturEBR 30-year master plan for land use and development. Additionally, 21 Green Light Projects aimed at easing traffic congestion will be complete by the year’s end, he says.
During his address, Holden recognized representatives of Pinnacle Entertainment, which is set to open the city’s third casino in December. The project is expected to create 1,000 jobs. The mayor also pointed to the growing impact the movie industry is having in the city, noting 25 productions in 2010 accounted for 33,500 hotel nights.
A theme throughout Holden’s address was the power of positivism. He urged residents to work together to solve the city’s problems instead of being divided by negativity. “Make no mistake about it, despite our success, despite our plans when many cities are fighting for mere survival, there are still those who cannot see the vision, who are willing to let opportunity pass them by and who will always resist progress,” he says. “I ask you today to chose to work for a better community, rather than let anger and negativity tear us apart.”
