Central City News

CENTRAL — Building the Baton Rouge Loop across Central is about as popular in this community as turning Central Middle School into a land-based casino. Only one person in Central has been willing to say he’s for the Loop — Wade Giles, the chairman of the private Central Economic Development Foundation. On the other hand, […]

City Council Vote Could Block Loop Crossing City of Central CENTRAL — In a major setback for the proposed Baton Rouge Loop, the Central City Council Tuesday night voted to disapprove the Loop from crossing Central. The meeting began with an explanation by City Attorney Sherri Morris that no toll expressway can cross the City […]

CENTRAL — The Livingston Parish Council recently adopted a resolution strongly opposing the Baton Rouge Loop.  Now the ball is in Central’s court, and the Central City Council will have the opportunity to take an official position on behalf of the City of Central. Councilman Wayne Messina has introduced a resolution opposing the Loop and […]

Loop Gets Icey Reception from Central’s Voters CENTRAL — As the Baton Rouge Loop prepares its application for Federal Highway Administration approval, residents of Central are expressing their disapproval of the project in large numbers. More than 1,000 Central residents have already submitted comments, overwhelmingly against the Loop.  Loop promoters are hoping FHWA approval will open the […]

CENTRAL — Just last week, Central City Councilman Wayne Messina sponsored a resolution asking the Central City Council to take a position against the proposed Baton Rouge Loop.  But when he walked into BREC headquarters on Florida Boulevard Monday night for the Loop’s Open House, no one seemed to recognize him.  He wandered around to […]

With the Loop, The Central We Know and Love Will Become Just a Memory by Woody Jenkins CENTRAL — The next three weeks could be your last opportunity to express your views on the Baton Rouge Loop in any meaningful way that could make a difference.  Most people in Central think the Loop is dead.  How wrong they are!  […]

The following represents the opinions of Central City News editor Woody Jenkins: Question: Every big city has a loop around it.  I want one here.  Why shouldn’t Baton Rouge have a loop? Answer: Louisiana has massive transportation problems and a backlog of $13 billion in unfunded highway projects.  Many of these are desperately needed, such […]

Statements by Candidates for Mayor and Council during March 2010 Municipal Elections in City of Central I strongly oppose the Loop. — Mayor Mac Watts I haven’t seen a route yet that is acceptable to me. — Louis DeJohn I oppose the Loop. — Tony LoBue I’m opposed to the Loop, but if it happens, […]

Giles Property on Joor Road Could Be Site of Major Loop Interchange CENTRAL — Central businessman Wade Giles is chairman of the Central Economic Development Foundation and one of the few local residents who openly speaks out in favor of the proposed Baton Rouge Loop.  At last Tuesday’s Council meeting, he was the first person to take the […]

CENTRAL — Almost all Central’s elected officials said they were against the Baton Rouge Loop when they campaigned for Mayor and City Council in March 2010.  But last Tuesday, when Councilman Wayne Messina offered a resolution to put the City of Central on record against the Loop, several officials waffled and appeared ready to vote […]