Baton Rouge, La. – January 23, 2023 – Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced today the launch of the Florida Corridor Master Plan. The master plan is a product of the Cortana Corridor Economic District, created in 2021 in cooperation with Build Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Metropolitan Councilman Cleve Dunn, Jr., with funding approved by the Metropolitan Council.
“Redeveloping the Florida Corridor was a key commitment for my second term beginning in 2021. We are proud to move forward with a plan to revitalize one of the most important economic corridors in East Baton Rouge Parish,” said Mayor Broome. “The master plan will capitalize on key investments along the Florida Corridor, like the new Amazon Fulfillment Center, and provide a unifying vision for north and south EBR.”
The purpose of the master plan is to provide a clear guide for economic development projects within the district, while leveraging concurrent investments in infrastructure along and adjacent to the Florida Corridor. The master plan will address transportation, land use, urban design, and community development through a lens of equitable investment.
“This master plan is a step towards revitalizing the Florida Corridor and the creation of a new community center for District 6. This vital work, which I committed to during my 2020 election, will benefit our entire community and my district in particular,” said Metropolitan Councilman Cleve Dunn, Jr. “I am excited to see our efforts one step closer to bringing more cultural assets to the area, including a new community center.”
The plan will, among other goals, stimulate job creation by enhancing the feasibility of private sector projects, while catalyzing development in target areas where it might not otherwise be economically feasible. A focus on stakeholder engagement and partnerships with local agencies will make this plan uniquely positioned to transform one of the City-Parish’s most traveled thoroughfares.
“Florida Boulevard is often viewed as a dividing line between the Baton Rouge community, but it can and should be the uniting line,” said Adam Knapp, BRAC president and CEO. “BRAC’s strategic plan calls for concentrated redevelopment efforts in North Baton Rouge and developing the Florida corridor from the river to the Livingston Parish line will be a bold way to do so.”
“Proper planning is essential to effective redevelopment. We hope to provide a master plan that will be a long term road-map for innovative place-based investments,” said Rodney Braxton, Build Baton Rouge Chairman.
The Cortana Corridor Economic Development District is administered by Build Baton Rouge and is governed by a five-member board of directors. The District was created to leverage investments surrounding the Amazon Fulfillment Center and to provide projects that enhance the district for the surrounding communities and to attract and retain jobs. The master plan is the first priority project for the district. An RFP for the master plan has been released and a consultant could be chosen by March.