A Few Ounces of Sanity

Can't find an online link, but a friend send this to me--looks like it's from the BR Business Report:

The state Department of Transportation and Development, which wants to establish Amtrak service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, should have a proposal for the project from Kansas City Southern and Amtrak no later than mid-month, says Cleo Allen, spokeswoman for DOTD. "Once we get that, then we'll be able to determine financial viability and where to start the ball rolling for the funding request," she says.
The project would require $25 million for three years of operation during hurricane recovery, with more money likely needed for capital improvements. FEMA and the Federal Highway Administration are two potential sources of funding. Initial service, with two trains departing daily from Baton Rouge and two from New Orleans, could begin 30 to 60 days after funding is firmed up, Allen says, adding that the need for light rail between the two cities has taken on a new urgency since Katrina. "This situation is different in that we're talking about a service for displaced workers, people who need to come to town for office jobs, reconstruction, to work on their own houses. This service would also really unite the region; the premise for the service is completely different and perhaps that make might a difference in how it's received."

Allen says she hopes passenger use will be high enough that train service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans can become permanent. Train stations at Memorial Stadium and in Ascension Parish are being considered. New Orleans has the Union Passenger terminal near the Superdome. (Steve Clark)

Well, it's about goddamned time. You'd think rail service between the largest and second largest cities in a particular region would be a no-brainer...but logic has never been a strong suit in the Gret Stet.

And, in a "will miracles ever cease" case, here's another snippet from the same publication:

New B.R. zoning rules would permit mixed use, walkable neighborhoods
A panel of the Smart Growth Task Force has started discussing a new zoning classification that permits traditional neighborhood projects, the ones that blend retail, offices and housing in a walkable community. Boo Thomas, executive director of Plan Baton Rouge, says there is widespread support for adopting TND zoning. The first traditional neighborhood development in Baton Rouge will be Willow Grove on Perkins Road by Richard Carmouche.

A neighborhood where you can actually walk--here in Baton Rouge? You've got to realize that at least half the neighborhoods in this town don't even have sidewalks ("Sidewalks? Whaddya need those for? You can't drive on em...")...

Geez. If the city keeps this up, there might actually be some clean air to breathe.