Enhancing Safety and Brightness in Downtown Baton Rouge
Downtown Baton Rouge is set for a significant transformation as local officials and community members work together to improve the area’s lighting. The mayor’s office and the Downtown Development District (DDD) are planning to replace the current yellow-tinted bulbs with brighter LED lights, aiming to make the downtown area safer and more inviting.
Currently, some parts of downtown remain dimly lit during the evening, which can be concerning for residents who enjoy walking or spending time outdoors after dark. Thomas Kelly, a local resident, shared his experience: “I do notice that it’s a lot darker in this particular area where my dog and I like to walk.” Dylan Wax, another resident, added, “There are sections at night, if I’m walking my dog, I’ll make sure not to go by or something because it’s really dark.”
The proposed changes aim to address these concerns by upgrading the lighting infrastructure. The new LED lights, which were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, will provide a whiter light that is known to enhance feelings of safety. Whitney Hoffman Sayal, Executive Director of the DDD, explained, “The light is a whiter light, and we know through environmental design that whiter light does, just inherently, make you feel safer.”
In addition to improving safety, the LED upgrade is expected to reduce maintenance costs over time. Traditional bulbs require frequent replacements, but LED lights are more durable and energy-efficient, offering long-term savings for the city.
To fund the project, the mayor’s office and the DDD are seeking approval from the metro council to amend the DDD’s budget. The total cost of the upgrades is estimated at $66,000, with the DDD and the city sharing the expense.
The plan involves two phases of implementation. Phase one will focus on the Central Business District, covering Government Street from the South up to North Street and from the river to the interstate. Phase two will extend the upgrades to Downtown East, including Myrtle Street to the south up to Spanish Town Road and from the interstate to 14th Street.
Residents have expressed optimism about the changes. Dylan Wax said, “If I know we have those lights up, it will be easier to go out on the patio and just hang out with the family.” Thomas Kelly added, “I think it’s going to make it much brighter, much safer and it’s going to get more enjoyment and you’re going to see a stronger community come together because of the safety feature behind it.”
The metro council will review the lighting plan during its meeting on Wednesday. The DDD has also expressed hope that the LED upgrades will eventually be implemented across all downtown areas, creating a more vibrant and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
