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As River Center renovation, downtown rejuvenation looms, residents are mixed on plan
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BATON ROUGE — The Baton Rouge Metro Council discussed the renovation of the River Center at its meeting Wednesday afternoon.
The Baton Rouge River Center was built in 1977. Since opening its doors, the building has seen many innovations and renovations. However, their next renovation is aiming to be their most ambitious one yet.
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome is looking to introduce a plan that would put up an estimated $120 million to turn the space into a convention center with a hotel — keeping an auditorium for events with limited seating.
Some residents said they would love to see a hotel with the River Center.
“If they're voting on a hotel, I think a hotel would definitely be a great addition to the River Center," resident Claudine Diamond said.
“I think it would increase tourism, and you would have more places open downtown at night because whenever they have leave the River Center, [tourists] are going to wonder around downtown,” Diamond said.
If the Metro Council approves this plan, the project still has a long way to go, including the city selecting a project team and a developer.
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