The Downtown Development District (DDD) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana has received the 2009 Award of Distinction in Downtown Leadership and Management from The International Downtown Association (IDA).

The project submitted (formation and creation of measures for the Arts & Entertainment District as an example of a work project) was one of 77 award submissions The International Downtown Association (IDA) received this year as part of its Downtown Achievement Awards. "The number and breadth of entries made judging a difficult task," said Jane Jenkins, chairman of IDA and the awards program. "The awards jury was impressed with the accomplishments of the winners and is pleased to honor the Downtown Development District of Baton Rouge, Louisiana among them."

"Having the Downtown Development District recognized by its peers and this preeminent organization demonstrates how leadership in successful partnerships of planning and implementation, are shaping our great city. This is a model for others to emulate. Congratulations to the Board and Staff," commented Mayor President Kip Holden.

"We take our role in developing our downtown area of the city with the utmost respect and care. Under the leadership of our Mayor and Metropolitan Council, many great things are underway now. The momentum in development is evident. It is an exciting time to be in Baton Rouge," commented Van Mayhall Jr, Downtown Development District Board Chairman.

"We are elated over this award from IDA. It is a direct reflection of the community and the cooperative spirit of Baton Rouge. The DDD would not be where it is today without the help and support of our Mayor, the Metropolitan Council, public and non-profit agencies and the private sector, who continually step up to the plate and invest in downtown Baton Rouge," stated Davis Rhorer, the Executive Director of the Downtown Development District. " Winning back to back major awards from the IDA (The DDD won for its comprehensive wayfinding signage program in 2008.) conveys that Baton Rouge is on the radar in downtown circles worldwide and is certainly a place to check out."

The 2009 Downtown Achievement Award winners were recognized during IDA's 55th Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 11-15th, 2009.
The Downtown Baton Rouge Arts & Entertainment District (the District) is the latest example of the Downtown Development District's (DDD) successful and innovative approach to downtown leadership and management. Officially established in 2008, this 15 block, mixed-use residential area is anchored by historic neighborhoods and buildings, North Boulevard Town Square, Capitol Park and the majestic banks of the Mississippi Riverfront. With a growing number of restaurants, galleries, shops and live entertainment venues, the District brings together downtown visitors, workers, and residents for a variety of culturally inspired activities.

Since its inception in 1987, the DDD has worked tirelessly to transform downtown Baton Rouge, driving extensive community planning processes and providing services to support $2.36 billion of public and private projects. In the coming years it will continue building on these successes by further activating development, enhancing the pedestrian experience and implementing a comprehensive greening program. As the primary agency responsible for executing the Plan Baton Rouge II master plan, the DDD will continue playing a central role in shaping and energizing downtown.

Founded in 1954, the International Downtown Association has more than 650 member organizations worldwide including: North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Through our network of committed individuals, rich body of knowledge and unique capacity to nurture community-building partnerships, IDA is a guiding force in creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well being of towns, cities and regions of the world.

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Downtown Baton Rouge Arts & Entertainment District (the District) is the latest example of the Downtown Development District’s (DDD) successful and innovative approach to downtown leadership and management.  Officially established in 2008, this 15 block, mixed-use residential area is anchored by historic neighborhoods and buildings, North Boulevard Town Square, Capitol Park and the majestic banks of the Mississippi Riverfront.  With a growing number of restaurants, galleries, shops and live entertainment venues, the District brings together downtown visitors, workers, and residents for a variety of culturally inspired activities. 

Key initiatives that paved the way for the creation of the District include:

Creating Capitol Park- Working with the State of Louisiana, the DDD developed and implemented the Capitol Park Master Plan to consolidate state office buildings that were spread throughout all the city. This $294 million massive consolidation project brought more than 3,000 state workers downtown and resulted in the creation of more than 2 million square feet of new class “A” office buildings, as well as 2 million square feet of new parking garages.

Attracting New Investments- The DDD used Capitol Park as a catalyst to attract major private investments to the area. As a result of a deal the DDD facilitated with investors, the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel opened in 2001, becoming the first hotel built downtown in over 50 years. In 2005, the $55 million Shaw Center for the Arts opened its doors bringing a state-of-the-art performing arts theater, LSU Museum of Art and 17,000 square feet of gallery space downtown. And in 2006, the DDD forged a public, private, non-profit partnership to facilitate financing for the $70 million renovation of the historic Heidelberg which is now the Hilton Hotel.

Revitalizing Historic Neighborhoods- Through its Restoration Renaissance Program, the DDD raised awareness about available properties and tax credit incentives for residential restorations in two of Baton Rouge’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods, Spanish Town and Beauregard Town. By going beyond the “call of duty,” the DDD helped transform these
once blighted neighborhoods into thriving “art house” communities with each touting its own cultural uniqueness and diversity.

Over the last three years, the DDD has led several new initiatives that directly supported development in the District. These include:

Financial Incentives
•  Tax Savings- As a certified Cultural Product District, original works of art sold within the District are exempt from state and local sales taxes.
•  Historic Tax Credits- State and Federal tax credits are available to cover up to 45% of renovation costs for historic homes and buildings in the District.
•  Gap Financing Program- Recognizing that some developments need more than traditional financing, the DDD is creating a low interest loan program to provide gap financing for projects that will bring more residents and businesses downtown.

New Public Developments
•  Downtown Baton Rouge Wayfinding Signage Project- This innovative program, which received IDA’s 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award, has dramatically improved downtown’s streetscape and enhanced its unique visual identity. Through Phase 2 of the project, downtown traffic lights and pedestrian crossings are also being improved.
•  New Bike Path- Construction of this 5-mile bike and pedestrian path atop the Mississippi River levee helps promote healthy and active lifestyles and a greener, more sustainable community. By connecting downtown to Louisiana State University, with a population of over 30,000 students, the path also helps bring more young, creative people downtown.
•  North Boulevard Town Square- DDD is managing all aspects of planning, design and construction for this $4.5 million development, which will become the new epicenter for cultural events. Because Baton Rouge has never had a town center before, this project is key to “creating a sense of place” downtown. With funding in place, construction begins later this year.

New Marketing & Outreach Efforts
The DDD is working to rebrand downtown and the Arts & Entertainment District. Key initiatives include:
•  Transforming its website, www.downtownbatonrouge.org, from a government-hosted and rarely visited Web page
to a dynamic, interactive online tool that gets hundreds of hits every week;
•  Developing an e-mail database, which now includes more than 15,000 subscribers;
•  Utilizing Facebook and Twitter to keep downtown’s online community up-to-date on the latest news and events;
•  Hiring a full-time staff member to direct promotions and marketing in the District;
•  Publishing an Event Procedures and Guidelines booklet, which serves as a one-stop source of information and streamlines the process for organizing events.

New Policies & Plans

INNOVATION & REPLICATION
The Arts & Entertainment District reflects the culmination of many plans, projects and initiatives the DDD has led over the past two decades to reposition Louisiana’s Capital City as a regional arts and entertainment hub.  This initiative exemplifies the DDD’s innovative approach to development, and shows the DDD has gone far beyond the basics to create an entirely new model for downtown leadership and management. The DDD is not a traditional downtown organization in that it does not exclusively focus on “clean and safety” programs. The DDD’s strong relationship with the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Public Works ensures that downtown’s most basic needs are being met, so it can focus on the “bigger picture.”  Thus, the DDD operates like an economic development agency—proving that downtown organizations can effectively lead and manage critical downtown development initiatives.

With just four full-time employees and an annual budget less than $600,000, the DDD has also proven its ability to do more with less.

DIVERSITY & REPRESENTATION
The DDD provides an open forum where stakeholders can come together to develop programs and initiatives that benefit many different aspects of downtown’s diverse community. From bankers and developers to local leaders, government workers, business owners, residents and local artists—everyone has a seat at the table.

OUTCOME
The impact of DDD initiatives has been significant. Twenty-eight new projects totaling more than $152 million were completed in and around the Arts & Entertainment District just last year—and more than $236 million will be spent on planning and construction projects that are underway now. With a variety of restaurants, shops, galleries and live music events, the District is already a thriving hotbed of activity. And there is no doubt it’s safer, stronger, cleaner, greener, and better marketed than before.  

CONCLUSION
Since its inception in 1987, the DDD has worked tirelessly to transform downtown Baton Rouge, driving extensive community planning processes and providing services to support $2.36 billion of public and private projects. In the coming years it will continue building on these successes by further activating development, enhancing the pedestrian experience and implementing a comprehensive greening program. As the primary agency responsible for executing the Plan Baton Rouge II master plan, the DDD will continue playing a central role in shaping and energizing downtown.