Councilmember Kenny outlines 'lockstep growth' plan to link Baker and Scotlandville, tackle food access gaps

Councilmember Kenny, District 2, said in an appearance on the Baker Forward program that his priorities include reestablishing a District 2 office, improving constituent services and addressing food‑access gaps near Southern University by recruiting sustainable grocery and commercial development.

Kenny, a Southern University alumnus who said he served as student‑body president and later worked as a legislative assistant to former state Rep. Ted James, said the proposals grew out of a listening tour he conducted after winning a runoff election. "One of the biggest things is implementing, a grocery store and other kind of really fruitful developments that's sustainable so it could be there for a long time," Councilmember Kenny said.

The proposal targets parts of North Baton Rouge that Kenny described as underserved. He identified District 2 as covering Scotlandville, the City of Baker, Allison, Greenwood Estates and Brownsville and said he wants those neighborhoods to share the benefits of nearby growth. "I call it lockstep growth," Kenny said, describing an approach in which development in one neighborhood is planned to benefit neighboring communities.

Kenny credited mentorship from Congressman Fields and former state Rep. Ted James for preparing him for public office. He traced his interest in politics to student leadership at Southern and said those mentors influenced his goal of representing younger leaders in local government. "When I was an undergrad, I was student body president of the student government at Southern University," he said, noting that experience and subsequent jobs inspired him to run.

The mayor introduced Kenny at the top of the segment and praised his community ties and work. The interview was conversational and did not include any formal motions, budget figures or commitments to specific funding sources. Kenny referenced local development projects and said organizations such as Helix and the school district are part of the backdrop for the vision he described, but the program did not include details about timelines, funding sources or formal council action.

Kenny also described strong family ties to the area and said his election felt like a "full circle" moment for relatives who remain in the community. He emphasized a governance style of listening and seeking common ground: "2 things could be true," he said, describing an approach that weighs multiple perspectives.

The mayor closed the segment by encouraging residents to tune in to the city's YouTube channel; no votes, ordinances or formal directives were issued during the program. Councilmember Kenny said he plans to continue outreach and constituent service work as his next steps.