InRegister • July 2008
32
InRetrospect
“Just dream withme now,” Gwen tells her passengers as she weaves deftlythrough Louise and Washington streets, past spotty businesses on ThomasDelpit and Eddie Robinson, then by vacant houses near HopeVI housing under construction. “Imagine townhouses with porches overlookingthis park and the walking trails that will eventually connectBrooks Park and
City Park…”
That’s how Gwen Hamilton, directorof special programs for the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, describedOld South Baton Rouge to InRegister during an interview forits September 2007 issue. Working with the Center for PlanningExcellence (CPEX), an arm of BRAF, she is spearheadingefforts to revitalize this neighborhood.
At the time, she toldpublisher Chris Russo Blackwood that taking people on tours ofthe neighborhood was the favorite part of her job, adding,“Because I live here as well, I can reallysee the changes.”
But since September, many of those changesare evident to anyone driving in the area that stretchesfrom Dalrymple to River Road, South Boulevard to Chimes Street.A portion of the first phase of the $18.6million HOPE VI housing project is complete and now hasresidents.
Then there’s the recent opening of the newly renovatedCity Brooks Community Park, which Gwen says is having apositive impact on the community.
“Historically, the fact thatthe iron fence that separated the two parks is nowgone is significant,” she continues. “The trail that knitsthe two communities together … to me that’s symbolic. Nowthere’s this seamless flow from one to the other andthat means a lot.”
Also significant is the YMCA’s $1.8 million renovation of its Baranco Clark branch, which islocated on Thomas
Delpit Drive.
As exciting as these veryvisible changes in the community landscape are, the “mostexciting news right now” is the recent awarding of thefirst round of Façade Improvement Grants. Secured by Mark Goodsonwith CPEX, the grant program is intended to encourage commercialand industrial property owners to reinvest in and renovate theirproperties, and in doing so, improve the aesthetic nature ofproperties located within the designated focus area in order toattract new businesses and retain
existing businesses.
The $5,000grants are matched by the recipients and include a freedesign consultation. The initial grant recipients are Ingram’s Upholstery &Ingram’s Fabricated Filters, 1419 Thomas Delpit Dr.; Inga’s Subs &Salads, 254 W. Chimes St.; Marlene’s Salon, 2156 Thomas DelpitDr.; and, new to the neighborhood, A&R Wings &Things, 1480
Thomas Delpit Dr.
“We’ve already gotten twophone calls from existing businesses that want to be includedin the next round of grants,” adds Gwen.
When CPEXrepresentative Jeremy Tennant showed up at her salon with grantapplication papers, owner Marlene Roberson asked him, “What areyou trying to sell me?” When he explained he wasn’tselling but giving her something, she decided to listen tohis pitch.
“Even after I got the papers, Ididn’t believe it,” recalls Marlene, who grew up in OSBRon Buchannan Street and graduated from McKinley High.
Located onthe corner of Thomas Delpit and Polk, Marlene has beenin business for 25 years. The building, which she owns,houses her salon as well as a barber shop.
Whileshe hasn’t met with Jeremy and design planners to comeup with specifics, she plans to use her grant moneyto get a better door, paint the overhang, restripe theparking lot and install downspouts to drain the building’s roof.She’s also fixing up what used to be a washateriaon the opposite side of the building to help kidsin the neighborhood.
“My sister’s a nurse and socialworker, and my best friend works in the school systemwith homeless kids,” explains Marlene. “I want to fixit up for them to use with their kids …make it a safe place for these kids. That’s mymission for that.”
As she talks about the project thatshould get underway later this summer, Marlene’s passion for OSBRand its residents is
quite obvious.
“I’ve had someof the same customers forever,” she says, laughing infectiously. “The same people come every week … they come herelike it’s their job.
“I’m glad to see thechanges to the neighborhood,” continues Marlene. “I’m excited aboutthe houses being built.”
By PAM BORDELON
Progress in OldSouth BR
Baranco Clark YMCA undergoing renovation
Hope IV RiverSouth project today
Marlene Roberson
Gwen
Hamilton
