An urban trail proposed by the Downtown Development District that would connect public parks from the Capitol Lakes through downtown and under Interstate 110 to City Park could cost anywhere from $2.7 million to $12.1 million, depending on how ambitious the design is.
ABMB Engineering was hired by the district to look at the range of costs and how the 3-mile trail could be broken up and developed in phases.
Downtown Development District Executive Director Davis Rhorer has said that key to funding the project will likely be breaking it into portions and working on it one at a time, getting grants and other federal money with local matches and possibly local fundraising.
Lawrence Lambert told the district on Tuesday the study found the most bare-bones version of the 8- to 10-foot-wide trail would cost $2.7 million.
Depending on the amenities, which the Downtown Development District has said could include sculptures, programmed lighting, benches, and even a small skate park or basketball court, could be $12.1 million.
Also announced at the meeting:
► The Louisiana Art and Science Museum will upgrade its planetarium in advance of a major conference of planetarium operators next year. A 3-D projector will be added and the screen will be replaced with one that is seamless, unlike the current screen, which is made up of panels.
► A long-delayed Police Department storefront should open up in the state parking lot at Third and Convention streets by the end of the year, with a Roly Poly sandwich shop next door.
► The Beauregard Town Civic Association and First United Methodist Church are putting in the city’s first organic community garden across from the church next to the Women’s Clubhouse near I- 110.
The Rev. Chris Andrews told the group that after deciding the plot of land near the Interstate would make a good spot for a community garden, organizers were surprised to find the site was not owned by the city or the state but by the family of LSU basketball great Bob Petit.
Pettit’s family was surprised, too, and said since they weren’t even aware they owned it they’d be happy to donate it to the cause, asking only that the garden contain the name of Pettit’s mother.
By Chad Calder
Source: The Advocate