River Park plans unveiled

The proposed master plan for River Park, a potentially $600 million multi-use development on 36.3 acres next to Hollywood Casino, was unveiled at this morning’s Downtown Development District meeting. The plan calls for 800 to 1,200 condominium units; 250,000 square feet of neighborhood retail (grocery, pharmacy and dry cleaning) and destination retail (clothing, accessories, restaurants and entertainment); 640,000 square feet of office space; 280-room flag hotel; 220-room suite hotel; meeting, convention and exhibition space; and 6,000 residential and commercial parking spaces. Its 1,500 linear feet of high-bank riverfront will be accessible to the public.

For the project to go forward, the site will need to be rezoned; developer Pete Clements plans to file the zoning application this week. Construction of a four-lane railroad underpass to provide access for the hotel and retail complex is projected to start in the third quarter of this year and finish by the end of 2009. If approved as envisioned, the development itself is expected to be built out over the next 10 to 15 years at a cost of up to $600 million, adding the equivalent of 10 to 12 city blocks to downtown Baton Rouge, organizers say. To see renderings, click here.

In 1994, Clements was sentenced to 51 months in prison for tax evasion and lying to the IRS. The conviction stemmed from money he received from the now-defunct Place Vendome shopping mall project, according to media reports from the time. "What I went through was an experience I wouldn't wish on anybody else, but I think I came out of it a better person," he said this morning. He said the conviction was no reflection on his ability to develop property.--David Jacobs

Starbucks—not CC's—coming to Baton Rouge General

That steaming latte you'll soon be able to purchase at Baton Rouge General's Mid City and Bluebonnet hospital campuses will be from Starbucks rather than CC's Community Coffee House. Scott Miller, a spokesman for the General, says hospital officials talked with CC's but couldn't agree to terms. CC's wanted to own and operate its shops, while the General wanted a partnership that would allow it to sell fancy coffee but also sandwiches and gift shop items. The CC's store model would not allow that, and Starbucks agreed, Miller says. The General's partnership with Starbucks, dubbed "Proudly Brewing," will feature Starbucks coffee made with Starbucks equipment and Starbucks-trained baristas, although the General will own and operate the coffee shops. The shop will open at the Mid City campus this summer. "We're really looking forward to offering this to our employees, visitors and patients," Miller says. Community Coffee CEO Matt Saurage says the talks with Baton Rouge General took place before CC's got into licensing stores. Now the company has two licensed coffee shops, both at LSU. Two more are under construction at an undisclosed location on the North Shore. "We like to be engaged whenever we can," Saurage says.--Steve Clark

Opposition surfaces for Sharper

Metro Councilman Byron Sharper, a Democratic staple of the increasingly diverse District 7, which stretches from College Drive to Scenic Highway, will be facing at least one opponent this fall. While other names have been slow to surface, local attorney Suchitra S. Dyer has officially thrown her hat in the ring. “This race is about Baton Rouge’s future, and our key objectives for this election are to increase home ownership access across the district, increase crime prevention efforts, create a five-year housing plan and provide opportunities for individual and business growth through enhanced workforce training and economic development,” she said in a prepared statement released to Daily Report.

An associate professor at Baton Rouge Community College, Dyer is no political newbie; she previously served as executive director of the influential Black Caucus in the Louisiana Legislature. Dyer has some strong connections as well, and should be able to tap into the existing Democratic network that was established by fellow attorney Jason DeCuir, who recently ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the state Legislature and Congress.

As for political firepower, she’ll have no shortage of that. Sharper’s ongoing criminal case has been a mainstay in local media outlets, and last month it was transferred to the state Attorney General's Office. According to police reports, Sharper allegedly tried to kiss an 18-year-old woman after he gave her a ride home on March 4. After the woman rejected him, he then followed her into her home, where the woman reported being grabbed and rubbed. But even if Sharper is convicted, he would not lose his seat on the Metro Council—yet he would be subject to a $500 fine, possibly six months in prison and even more negative press coverage.--Jeremy Alford

Gulf Coast Bank buys Coursey site for branch

Gulf Coast Bank has purchased a 30,000-square-foot parcel on Coursey Boulevard next to The Chimes East with plans to build a third Baton Rouge branch. The Metairie-based bank, which also has a regional office under construction on Jefferson Highway, paid $480,000 for the land. Jacob Richardson of Kurz & Hebert Commercial Real Estate represented Gulf Coast Bank, while Jonathan Starns of Donnie Jarreau Companies represented the seller. The land was part of a 2.2-acre tract that Jarreau bought last year for commercial retail. Jarreau plans to develop the rest of the 1.7 acres.

LSU AgCenter professor using microwave to kill shipboard pests

The New York Times has an article on Dorian Boldor, an assistant professor at the LSU AgCenter who has found another use for microwaves. Boldor and his colleagues used powerful microwaves to heat the ballast water in cargo ships to kill off alien organisms. Ships often take on thousands of tons of water for stability, then dump the ballast when they get to port, releasing unknown algae and larvae in new environments. Boldor, who published his findings in Environmental Science and Technology, says while the microwaves are good at quickly heating large amounts of water, the cost is currently impractical. But it could be put to use with cheaper technologies in the future. Read the story here.

Small businesses head to Legislature on Wednesday

Small Business Day at the Capitol, an event that gives small firms a chance to find out how state government works, will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Louisiana State Museum. The event, sponsored by the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's largest small business advocacy group, will feature speeches from Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, Treasurer John Kennedy, Labor Secretary Tim Barfield and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret. Registration is $25; to sign up go to nfib.com.

Real Estate Weekly: Burbank Wal-Mart delayed until 2010

Real Estate Weekly is out with news about a delay for the Burbank Drive Wal-Mart Supercenter, an expansion in Carriage Wood Estates and the latest columns from Brian Andrews and Tom Cook. To read the newsletter, click here.

News roundup: Pinnacle gets additional $48 million insurance settlement; churches using lure of free gasoline to attract worshipers; superdelegate Nagin says he supports Obama

Related to Katrina lawsuit: Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. said Tuesday it will receive an additional $48 million from Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Co. to settle a lawsuit related to Hurricane Katrina damage at a former Biloxi, Miss., casino and its Boomtown New Orleans facility. The Las Vegas-based casino operator said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that Allianz will make the payment around June 8 in exchange for the release of all claims and an agreement that Pinnacle will dismiss its lawsuit with prejudice. Pinnacle previously received $5 million from Allianz. Pray at the pump: Churches across the U.S. are offering free gasoline as an incentive to growing their congregations. First Baptist Church of Snellville, Ga., had a drawing for $500 gas cards, USA Today reports. Churches in Missouri and Ohio are also offering gasoline at reduced prices as a way of showing Christian compassion and helping the community. New superdelegate takes a stand: New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says he's backing U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in the presidential race, The New York Times reports. Nagin, who was elected as a Democratic Party superdelegate earlier this month, says Obama has the best vision for rebuilding the Gulf Coast and praised his dedication to New Orleans. "Sen. Obama represents a new generation of leadership, one that can help heal the divisions of the past and unify this country so that together we can build a stronger future," Nagin said in a statement.