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Mayor Waites touts Baker's growth and urges investment in Main Street and Plank Road
Summary
Mayor Darnell Waites told a small crowd that Baker's economic development districts are thriving, urged businesses to invest along Main Street and Plank Road, highlighted a nearby zoo project as a regional draw and raised concerns about managing charter school growth.
At a Baker community event, Mayor Darnell Waites outlined a vision to draw businesses and housing to the city by promoting existing economic development districts and key corridors.
Waites said the city's current momentum stems from small meetings and years of steady effort, and urged residents to act as connectors to bring corporate investment into Baker. "We planted the seeds," he said, adding that "we are where we wanted to be." He framed the work as long-term, saying Baker is planning for the next 20 to 25 years.
The mayor pointed to two major travel corridors served by newly created economic development districts and said they attract substantial traffic. He named Senator Barrow and Representative Carter as early supporters of the districts and urged businesses and bankers in the audience to take notice. Waites described Main Street as a potential hub for opportunity zones and said there are three shopping centers along that corridor and "60 acres" available near Rose Hill for development.
Waites also highlighted a large zoo project in North Baton Rouge, saying Sharon Weston Broome helped keep the facility in the region. "Now, they going to spend $300 million on that zoo. It's going to bring 100,000 people in there monthly when they finally get it done," he said, and urged Baker to capture visits by directing zoo visitors into nearby Baker businesses.
On Plank Road, Waites described ongoing revitalization efforts. "Plank Road is set," he said, noting the street has been developed from "nothing" and expressing an intent to create a mixed-use corridor with restaurants and outdoor spaces appealing to younger residents. He noted Dr. Vincent was in attendance.
Addressing schools, Waites said charter schools have proliferated and relayed a personal remark that "your schools got issues now," arguing the city should let charter schools help raise grades while ensuring they do not "take over everything." He tied school quality to housing investment and said some developers began building before charters appeared because they saw potential.
Waites closed by urging residents to "go back and talk to somebody" and to keep telling Baker's story to spur further growth. He thanked attendees for coming and encouraged them to take food provided at the event.
The event moved on after a brief host acknowledgement thanking the mayor.
