Some Mid-City residents not happy with new business development

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - A popular new hangout spot in the Mid-City area of Baton Rouge is getting a lot of attention. Some of it is good and some of it is bad.

Millennial Park on Florida Boulevard has been opened since last spring.

It’s filled with colorful shipping containers that have turned into businesses. Patrons can eat, shop, listen to music, and enjoy several events a year.

The owner says he’s hopeful this will help revitalize the area.

“Government Street is doing amazing and we want to bring that same vibe and that same Spirit over here to Florida boulevard,” says Millennial Park CEO Cameron Jackson.

However, the new development has been met with some scrutiny. Some residents, who live behind the park, have complained about parking and noise issues and want it closed.

One homeowner went as far as creating a website with a list of complaints compiled since Millennial Park opened - including parking and noise complaints.

”We’re taking all of the neighbors’ concerns, the four or five of them that have had the problems, and we’re making sure that we’re doing everything that we can so that we can help it out,” said Jackson.

The website also highlights complaints about Jackson’s plan to rezone the property to open a bar, as some fear it will bring rowdy late nights to the area.

”That hasn’t happened here and it never had happened to you so I don’t know why they would think something like that would just happen all of a sudden,” Jackson says.

Jackson also says he hopes to use some of the alcohol sales to reinvest in the neighborhood and surrounding area.

”Government Street is doing amazing, and we want to bring that same vibe and that same spirit over here to Florida boulevard,” Jackson says.

The rezoning plan will go in front of the East Baton Rouge Metro Council at the next meeting. Several residents are planning to attend and fight the approval.

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