Vote ‘yes’ Nov. 4

A breakdown of the mayor’s bond proposal:

• 248 million on the ALIVE riverfront attraction

• 208 million to improve drainage and replace 38 crumbling bridges

• 145 million to expand the River Center

• 135 million for a new parish prison

• 87 million for a new headquarters for the sheriff’s office

• 49 million to upgrade the Governmental Building

• 46 million to (finally) synchronize traffic lights

• 43 million for a new juvenile detention center

• 28 million for eight new fire stations

On Nov. 4 East Baton Rouge Parish voters should support the sweeping program of improvements, upgrades and new construction in the mayor’s bold bond proposal that will put the parish on firm ground for growth for decades to come.

We view it as a $989 million investment that paves a bright future, patches up oversights from our past and properly connects Baton Rouge to its historic natural lifeline, the mighty Mississippi River.

You should resist the temptation to reject Mayor Kip Holden’s daring program out of hand because of the nation’s current economic crisis or fear of an impending recession.

While profound and perhaps even frightening, these are temporary economic conditions. The mayor’s plan, meanwhile, is something that will benefit the parish—and be paid for—over a period of three decades.

First, the plan calls for investing $208 million to address the critical public safety issues of drainage, roads and bridges. Proceeds from the bond sale would improve crucial drainage channels, which will only become more vital as the parish continues to grow. They’ll also pay for replacing and repairing crumbling bridges and roads and synchronizing traffic lights.

And speaking of public safety, the proposal also provides funds to build a new parish prison and juvenile detention center, moving them away from Metro Airport where they’ve been the first thing tourists see for far too long. The proposal also will establish a new sheriff’s office headquarters and build eight new fire stations, needed upgrades for our rapidly-growing city and parish. The plan also calls for expanding the River Center to make it competitive to attract more conventions.

The most controversial aspect of the mayor’s proposal calls for investing $248 million (plus $55 million from the state) in a riverfront destination called ALIVE. Appealing to both tourists and educators, it will celebrate life on the banks of the river that still dominates trade and tourism in Baton Rouge.

It is this most bold and daring component in the mayor’s proposal that makes the whole measure worthy of your support.

ALIVE promises to be a first-rate destination, one that will be designed and operated by the Audubon Foundation, which has earned respect and credibility by operating successful destinations in New Orleanssuch as the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas and the recently opened Insectarium. A signature riverfront destination worthy of the Mississippi River is long overdue. Our levees have been essential in preventing floods, but they also have obscured the Big Muddy from view, which has limited our opportunities to behold it. ALIVE will focus new attention on this great natural wonder, not to mention spark even more private sector investment.

The bond proposal means Baton Rouge will take a major step toward becoming America’s next great city.

Voters knew in October when they handed Kip Holden a 71% landslide victory they were choosing a man with vision and passion for this city. On Nov. 4 we have the chance to make history by helping Baton Rouge to carry out the bold plan for our future.