Mid City Redevelopment Alliance graduates to independent status

The Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, established 20 years ago as an affiliate organization of the General Health System, is breaking away from the General and establishing itself as an independent nonprofit. Samuel Sanders, MCRA executive director, says the change will allow the alliance to be more nimble and better able to partner with national organizations, which in turn opens more funding opportunities. Sanders hopes to be able to announce a new partnership next week. Baton Rouge General Medical Center–Mid City, the largest employer in the area, will continue to support MCRA, CEO Bill Holman says. “It was always the plan that one day we would be on our own,” Sanders says. “It’s graduation. That’s what it feels like.” Sanders says the organization is debt-free, has about six months of reserve operating funds on hand and recently purchased its building on North 19th Street. The alliance celebrated its 20-year anniversary today with a luncheon honoring Elizabeth “Boo” Thomas, CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence and the first director of MCRA. The alliance works to facilitate growth and investment in the Mid City area, particularly in a 67-block “target neighborhood” bounded by North Street, North Boulevard, Live Oak Drive and 22nd Street. —David Jacobs