Two decades later, how did we do?

Sometimes we don’t stop to reflect on the past and take stock of how we are doing.

I was looking through an old bound volume of Business Report and came across the 20th anniversary issue. It looked back at 1982-2002. In the next issue, I wrote a column looking forward, listing the ideas and goals I hoped to see in the next 20 years, up to 2022. Well, that has come and gone, but I thought I would share that old list and have you reflect on what you hoped life would be like today in our Capital City. Here it is: 

I came up with a few suggestions for a “Baton Rouge 2022.” Mine include:

• A thriving and vibrant riverfront and downtown, including a waterfront park
• A two-lane exit ramp off the Mississippi River Bridge
• A “loop” with another bridge south of Baton Rouge
• More grid streets and synchronized lights to ease traffic
• Recognition of the Pennington Center and LSU as the primary economic engines for the high-tech future in our city and state, and appropriate funding
• Bon Carré/La. Tech Park filled and flourishing with new tech companies
• The Capitol House and Swaggart building renovated and returned to commerce
• EBR public schools declared unitary
• An innovative BREC park system that redesigns City Park as a “signature central park”
• A community that has overcome racial divisions
• A Baton Rouge Area Foundation with $500 million in assets
• School vouchers, charter schools and online learning as options for parents
• A strong economy with good jobs for graduates to keep them in Baton Rouge
• An elaborate e-government that increases services and reduces the size of government
• A healthy arts community offering a wide range of entertainment options
• A Double-A minor-league baseball team playing in a new stadium
• A revamped charity health care delivery system (including Earl K. Long Hospital)
• Safe streets and neighborhoods with well-paid police officers and firefighters
• A sewer system that serves citizens and enables development (without breaking the bank)
• A growing port with a new headquarters on the old city dock
• A revised Horizon Plan that encourages “smart growth” and offers incentives for New Urbanism and inner-city development
• A top destination for retirees in the United States
• A growing tax base as population increases and businesses expand
• More green space, bike paths and sidewalks; and adequate mass transit including light rail from the suburbs to our business center downtown

What do you want to see? Can it happen? You might just have to hang around another 20 years and find out.

So, if you were here in Baton Rouge in 2002, you can look at this list and ask yourself two questions: 1) Which of these goals did you even agree with and believe were possible? 2) How did Baton Rouge do, and what grade would you give us? Maybe you are satisfied with the way things are now—as we talk about some of the same challenges two decades later.

Looking at this list, there are a few wins: Gov Jindal got rid of our antiquated charity hospital system; Wampold Companies converted Swaggart building to a Renaissance hotel and BRAF renovated Capitol House to a Hilton: EBR schools declared unitary in 2003: Gov Jindal expanded school choice; and LSU baseball built a new stadium and added three national champion titles (instead of a double-A team).

Others on the list are in progress. But there are failures, shortcomings, or missed opportunities. We must ask ourselves, “Why?” 

Was it a lack of leadership? Fear of risk? No political courage? Little communication? Lack of community pride or unity?

What did we learn in the past 24 years? We must take that collective wisdom and experience and share it with the next generation, who are where we were in 2002—looking at the future.

What are their dreams for the next 20 years—and how can they succeed where we failed, having no regrets in 2046? I pray they will achieve their goals and leave their children and Baton Rouge in a much better place in America than where we rank today.

AI won’t replace this

There is much talk today about all the jobs that AI will eliminate.  But I was reminded recently that there are some jobs and skills that AI just can’t touch. One such job was the carpenter across the street shown in the photo here. Wow.

I also recently had to call an electrician, followed by a plumber. Don’t see how AI could do what they did.

Finally, I recently celebrated with my family America’s 250th along with my grandson’s third birthday. AI could never replicate our joy and his smile and happiness in the photo above. That was the real deal.