I am reposting the following information concerning the Juban Crossing Development. I believe this will have a major impact on the Open Door Baptist Church. I have given much thought to the opportunities afforded this ministry as a result this and the other growth taking place around us. Lamar Powell
Published Article:
Juban Crossing developer Stephen Keller says the first phase of Livingston Parish’s largest retail and residential development will break ground within three months, and will include up to 450,000 square feet of retail space, a 16-screen movie theater, a minimum massachusetts college of pharmacy and health science of four national chain restaurants, the first of four 120-room hotels, a drugstore, two banks and a gas station. Keller, of Creekstone Companies, also says two national retailers have signed letters of intent to anchor the development. “We are in various stages of negotiations on letters of intent with several others at this time,” says Keller, who declined to name the retailers. Parish President Mike Grimmer has said a number of the retailers will likely mirror those seen at Creekstone’s Towne Center development in Baton Rouge, which includes Whole Foods, the Gap, Books-A-Million and P.F. Changs. To be built in three phases, the $350 million project is also expected to include up to 1,000 residents when complete.
On Monday, the Livingston Parish Council breathed new life into the long-stalled project when it approved increasing the sales tax in the development area by another 1%. Keller’s attorney, Scott Crawford, had said rejection of the additional tax could kill the project. In 2007 the council approved a 1% sales tax in the 470-acre development area to help fund infrastructure. The extra 1% approved Monday will also go toward those costs, which are estimated at $150 million. Keller says the first Juban Crossing stores will open in the fall of 2012. When they do, shoppers in the district will pay 10.5% in sales taxes. For the full story, click here. —Steve Sanoski
Juban Crossing developer Stephen Keller says the first phase of Livingston Parish’s largest retail and residential development will break ground within three months, and will include up to 450,000 square feet of retail space, a 16-screen movie theater, a minimum of four national chain restaurants, the first of four 120-room hotels, a drugstore, two banks and a gas station. Keller, of Creekstone Companies, also says two national retailers have signed letters of intent to anchor the development. “We are in various stages of negotiations on letters of intent with several others at this time,” says Keller, who declined to name the retailers. Parish President Mike Grimmer has said a number of the retailers will likely mirror those seen at Creekstone’s Towne Center development in Baton Rouge, which includes Whole Foods, the Gap, Books-A-Million and P.F. Changs. To be built in three phases, the $350 million project is also expected to include up to 1,000 residents when complete.
On Monday, the Livingston Parish Council breathed new life into the long-stalled project when it approved increasing the sales tax in the development area by another 1%. Keller’s attorney, Scott Crawford, had said rejection of the additional tax could kill the project. The board voted 7-2 to approve the increase. In 2007 the council approved a 1% sales tax in the 470-acre development area to help fund infrastructure. The extra 1% approved Monday will also go toward those costs, which are estimated at $150 million. The 2% additional sales tax is expected to generate $100 million to $120 million over 25 to 30 years.
Keller says the first Juban Crossing stores will open in the fall of 2012. When they do, shoppers in the district will pay 10.5% in sales taxes. Elsewhere in the parish, sales taxes range from 8 to 9.5%. In the Bass Pro Shops TIF district in Denham Springs, sales tax is 10%. In contrast to that deal, the 2% in sales tax dedicated to infrastructure at Juban Crossing will not go toward building any of the retail stores, and the state is not dedicating any of its 4% sales tax share to the project.
Juban Crossing was first announced in 2006 with an expected 2007 opening, but the economy has delayed its progress.