Not just for jurors anymore

In late May, the city-parish and its design team unveiled the preferred plans for a new $4.1 million North Boulevard Town Square downtown. The pedestrian-friendly design calls for a Town Lawn with bench seating and waterfalls, a tree-shaded Live Oak Plaza with chess tables, and a 35-foot tall multimedia tower at the entrance to Third Street. The tower would be equipped with two large, high-definition screens facing East and West for broadcasting news, creative programming, and LSU and Southern University football games. Officials say construction could begin as early as next year.