Will Central’s Landscape Change Soon? Mayor Unveils Main Street 2030 Plan

Central Mayor Wade Evans spoke to the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge about his Main Street 2030 plan. 

The mayor’s vision includes a proposed flood detention project that would create a 130-acre lake in the heart of Central. This man-made lake would bring 310 homes near Beaver Bayou out of the 100-year flood plain. 

In addition, the city would purchase the red and yellow tracks of land to relocate the dirt from the project. The plan is to build up areas that have not been brought into commerce because of flooding. Hopefully, this would allow these areas to be developed and thrive.Public/private partnerships would provide financing to make new investments possible.

The city is working with a real estate investment trust and hopes to build Surf Lake, a man-made 800 foot lake that would rise and fall, creating seven-foot tall barrel roll waves, multiple waves per hour at a rate of two waves per minute.

Mayor Evans said that as soon as the City of Central is able to purchase the property, the city would sign a non-disclosure agreement with the developer and get started on the plan for this project.

The mayor hopes the Main Street 2030 Plan for the City of Central will promote Central as a destination for sports tourism. 

There are already plans for a rodeo arena. Former Sen. Bodi White secured $12 million to build that project.

Mayor Evans is working with FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program on an indoor Emergency Shelter/Recreational Center (BRIC). The Emergency shelter/recreation center would include eight basketball courts and 16 volleyball courts.

The plan would include an equestrian-friendly RV park, a new BREC Park, and opportunities for commercial development. A hotel would be planned on the northern portion of that area.

New roads are also part of the plan. These inner city roads would  connect the heart of the city’s commerce. 

The plan includes a connector road from the light at Central High School north toward Hooper.

Other ideas include creating Central’s downtown area with Sullivan Road north of Hooper Road the main street corridor. The intersection of Hooper Road and Sullivan Road along with the School Board Office and City Hall would anchor the downtown area.

Mayor Evans envisions Central’s downtown area with ribbon driveways and bungalow style homes along the Sullivan Road’s downtown area.

The mayor said the City of Central has an area of 62.8 square miles, which is similar to the size of Baton Rouge which has 88 square miles. 

Mayor Evans said the City of Central has room for an inner city area, a suburban area, and a rural area.