Thinking the green way

If you were one of the many at the Better Block BR public workshop last week, you know there are quite a few folks in town who have a passionate interest in smart growth in Baton Rouge. Next week, you’ll get another chance to share your thoughts on smart growth and alternative transportation pathways as Downtown Development District hosts three days of public workshops and discussions on the proposed Downtown Greenway.

The 2.75-mile trail route, which can be found here, links City Park to downtown (mostly underneath Interstate 110) and then on to Memorial Park just northeast of downtown.

Whitney Cooper, development project director of DDD, says the public is invited to all the workshops and focus groups, many of which are focused on specific nodes or sections of the proposed greenway. The project already has grant funding and technical assistance from the EPA and consultant firms will likely be presenting preliminary design schemes this summer.

Below is the info for each event:

Tuesday, March 5. 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Meet and Greet and Project Overview, at the Design Resource Center, 247 Florida St. 11 a.m.-noon: Focus Group: Alternative Transportation, also at the Design Resource Center. 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.: Workshop 1: Expressway Park, at the Expressway Park Recreation Center, 935 11th St.

Wednesday, March 6. 9:30 a.m.-noon: Workshop 2: Government Street to North Boulevard, at the Design Resource Center. 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Workshop 3: 7th Street at Convention Street and Capitol Park, at the Design Resource Center.

Thursday, March 7. 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Core Team Briefing, at the Design Resource Center. 11 a.m.-noon: Focus Group: Implementation and Management, at the Design Resource Center. 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Public Presentation and Open House, at the Old State Capitol.

For more information on the Greenway project and these events, visit Downtown Development District.