Internationally renowned firm will meld best practices with unique
local needs to develop comprehensive plan for downtown.
Baton Rouge, LA – Internationally renowned planning group Sasaki has been selected to lead Plan Baton Rouge III, a planning initiative focused on advancing downtown Baton Rouge. Planning meetings began in earnest yesterday (February 17th), with consultants visiting Baton Rouge to meet with community partners for kickoff meetings tours of the downtown area. The selection was announced this morning at a press conference held by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Downtown Development District, Visit Baton Rouge, and other community champions.
The firm beat out 22 other competitors to lead the initiative, which will build on previous plans for downtown, including Plan Baton Rouge I & II, launched in 1998 and 2009, respectively. These earlier plans established a framework for coordinated actions that have fostered public/private partnerships, resulting in over $3 billion in new investments downtown within the last two decades. In addition to award winning work all across the globe, Sasaki has worked in Baton Rouge to master plan large community assets like the Baton Rouge Lakes, Greenwood Park and the Baton Rouge Zoo.
The planning process will take place over as many as 12 months and will feature ample opportunities for members of the community to provide their feedback. Planning is also intended to dovetail with existing community developments to ensure enhancement of community assets rather than duplication of efforts. Multiple local firms have also been engaged as subcontractors on this work including Franklin Associates (Engagement and Outreach), CSRS (Local Planning and Engineering), Vectura (Traffic), Trahan Architects (Architectural Advisor), and James Lima Planning + Development (Economic Development).
“Sasaki is an exceptional choice for this initiative. I’m eager to see the prosperity Plan Baton Rouge III will bring to the downtown area, and how that economic growth will extend throughout the rest of the parish,” said Mayor-President Sid Edwards.
“Previous versions of this plan have resulted in the development of new buildings, businesses, and living opportunities that have made life in Baton Rouge better, not only for the residents of the downtown area, but also for anyone visiting it. A strong precedent was set with Plan Baton Rouge I & II that our community is willing to work together to make transformational change happen,” said Chris Meyer, president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Founation.
A steering committee co-chaired by Helena Cunningham (National Housing Consultant Services), Eric Dexter (BRAF), Marty Engquist, Todd Graves (Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers), and Mike Wampold (Wampold Companies) will oversee the next stages of the planning process. “As someone who grew up in Baton Rouge and built a business here, I know how important a vibrant downtown is to the heart of our city. Plan Baton Rouge III is an opportunity to build on our momentum, bring new energy to downtown, and create a place where businesses thrive, families gather, and visitors want to explore. I’m proud to support this effort and excited to see the bold vision that will shape the future of our capital city,” said Graves.
Sasaki’s principal planner for the project is Joshua Brooks, a Baton Rouge native. “We are thrilled to have been selected to lead the next evolution of Plan Baton Rouge. The past two iterations of this plan have led to important changes in Downtown Baton Rouge’s job base, public realm, visitor experience, and cultural fabric. Sasaki is excited to work with the community, the various project partners, and our world-class consultant partners to craft a strategic vision for Downtown’s economic vitality and authentic character to better serve as both a regional destination and neighborhood on its own,” said Brooks.
###
About Sasaki: Sasaki has been a leader in the design industry for 70 years. The firm is known for blending disciplines, engaging with clients and communities, drawing on history and context, and using data and emerging technologies to shape the built environment. With offices in Boston, Denver, New York, Shanghai, and Los Angeles, Sasaki’s 300+ professionals partner with education, civic, institutional, and commercial clients around the world. Sasaki’s integrated services span architecture, interior design, planning and urban design, space planning, landscape architecture, and civil engineering.
About Plan Baton Rouge: Plan Baton Rouge is a long-term initiative to continuously invest in downtown Baton Rouge through comprehensive master planning efforts. First launched in 1998, the plan has leveraged $500 million in public investment with more than $3 billion in private funding over two iterations. Its success is evident in projects like the Shaw Center for the Arts, the Capitol Park complex of state government headquarters buildings, and revitalized hotels such as the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center and Rivermark Centre. Ongoing work aims to enhance downtown’s livability, vibrancy, and connectivity, including initiatives for new housing, green spaces, and entertainment districts.