Mid City in motion

StartUp

Mid City in motion

Published Oct 1, 2012 at 6:00 pm (Updated Oct 1, 2012)

Click a photo to enlarge

With the help of New Market Tax Credits, a pair of projects is poised to enhance the arts scene and further redevelopment efforts along Government Street in Mid City. The planned artists community next to the Circa 1857 complex, at the intersection of South 19th Street, is “good to go” now that a commitment for financing the project has been secured, says developer Danny McGlynn.

McGlynn, who owns the Circa 1857 complex with business partner Dennis Hargroder, secured $8.1 million in New Market Tax Credits from the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority, and they're also receiving $2.4 million in the tax credits from Chase Bank, McGlynn says.

The final hurdle toward securing the project was recently cleared when a commitment for financing was signed with an undisclosed bank.

McGlynn and Hargroder received the redevelopment authority tax credits in conjunction with a comprehensive renovation of the Darensbourg building, located just down Government Street, across from the Westmoreland Shopping Center, which will also include streetscape upgrades.

Ritter Maher Architects is overseeing that portion of the project, and will begin renovating the building into its new offices later this month or early November, says Scott Ritter. The firm, which got its start nine years ago downtown, has been located at 4880 Bluebonnet Blvd. for the past seven years. Its offices will be housed on the second floor of the roughly 8,000-square-foot building, while the ground floor will be dedicated to as yet undetermined arts uses.

Ritter says ideas for the space range from a gallery to glass blowing. As both he and business partner Stephen Maher are graduates of nearby Catholic High, Ritter says they're also discussing the possibility of a partnership with the school.

“We're just big fans of Mid City. There's some really positive things going on in that area, and we're looking forward to being a part of it,” says Ritter. The redevelopment should take six to eight months—ending in time for the firm's 10-year anniversary.