Downtown to host planetarium conference next month

Published Jun 12, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Jun 12, 2012)

So far 512 delegates have signed up to attend the 2012 International Planetarium Society Conference July 22-26 at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, planetarium director Jon Elvert says. By comparison, about 475 people attended the conference in Chicago in 2008. There will be an event for the community on the night of July 24. IPS is the largest planetarium society in the world. Also discussed at today's Downtown Development District meeting:

—The design contract with WHLC Architecture for the River Center library has been signed. "This has to be one of the hardest-fought projects we have ever had in downtown Baton Rouge," says DDD Chairwoman Chris Nichols.
—The Metro Council has approved spending $889,200 in federal grant funds to improve the intersection of Florida Street and River Road.
—The $11 million budget supplement proposed by Mayor Kip Holden, while 93% dedicated to public safety, includes $200,000 for pedestrian improvements along Lafayette Street, $30,000 for Town Square signage, $50,000 for the Galvez Plaza stage canopy, and $100,000 for "riverfront gateway" enhancements that include intersection and streetscape improvements, DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer says.

The money for downtown is comprised of state sales tax rebates dedicated to riverfront projects. —David Jacobs