Pharmacy planned downtown for downtown BR

After decades of going without, downtown Baton Rouge should have a full-service pharmacy by early next year.

T.J. Woodard told the Downtown Development District’s board Tuesday that he plans to open Prescriptions to Geaux in the 300 block of Third Street next to Faye’s Subs and Sandwiches and offer pickup and delivery service.

At this point, hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though Woodard said hours could be adjusted after he opens.

Also on the table are staying open until 6 p.m., closing a little earlier on Friday, or being open on the weekends, depending on what the market will support.

Woodard, whoworks at a Baton Rouge grocery store pharmacy, said he’s new to downtown, but has always heard friends talk about how badly downtown needs a drugstore.

Davis Rhorer called the announcement 40 years in the making.

He noted the DDD continues to work on bringing in a grocery store, another retail option considered crucial for a strong residential base downtown.

In other business:

ROAD WORK: David Guillory, acting director of the Department of Public Works, said DPW will do some pothole repair and other roadwork on Ninth and 10th streets and River Road before the upcoming Festival of Lights.

He said there also will be repairs of some sidewalks, particularly along Florida Street near the Chase towers.

Guillory said beginning next year the budget will include cleanup for the renovated Repentance Park and the new North Boulevard Town Square and could incorporate trash collection and sidewalk cleanup for Third, Fourth and Fifth streets.

DDD BUDGET: The DDD’s board proposed a budget with $620,062 in spending on $620,070 in revenue for 2013, which will be voted on next month.

TOWN SQUARE: Rhorer said the $1 million sculpture that will serve as the canopy for a stage for live performances at the town square will arrive in several pieces on Nov. 15.

It will then take about two weeks to assemble and another two weeks to add the stainless steel cladding to the surface.

The piece, paid for out of the state sales tax rebate fund, will support a truss system that will be put in place for downtown concerts and other performances.

NOLA: Carlos Sanchez, the managing editor for Nola Media Group’s 16-person Baton Rouge bureau, told the DDD that coverage in newspapers it will print and distribute here three days a week will be focused on Baton Rouge.

The company’s website will allow locals to select Baton Rouge from a pull-down menu and arrange the page accordingly, he said.

DDD AWARD: Rhorer said the DDD won its fifth straight award from the International Downtown Association, this time in the Public Spaces Category for the town square.

RIVER GATEWAY: After a year and a half, the DDD received permission for a 50-foot pedestrian right of way from Canadian National railroad for its planned gateway to the Mississippi River levee at Florida Boulevard.

SMART GROWTH: The Center for Planning Excellence said it has rescheduled its annual Smart Growth Summit for Nov. 26-28. Anyone already registered for the event, canceled due to Hurricane Isaac, is still automatically registered.