Introducing Urban Connectivity: The Louisiana Boardwalk
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/louisiana_boardwalk/Louisiana-Boardwalk-1.jpg)
The Red River is the picturesque setting for Bossier City's unique shopping and entertainment destination, The Louisiana Boardwalk. Across the Red River from downtown Shreveport, the project's first phase opened in spectacular fashion in November 2003, with the state's first Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. The remainder of the Louisiana Boardwalk opened in May 2005, joining the vibrant casino district nestled along the majestic riverfront for nearly a half-mile. Louisiana Boardwalk is the first lifestyle center in the state of Louisiana to offer outlet shopping, an entertainment district and riverfront dining.
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That place looks fantastic! This being a new development, Jacksonville can easily model this place in its entirety.
Some of this looks nice. Lord knows we could use a new convention center. And casinos downtown would be great. But I don't really think Jacksonville needs a glorified outlet mall.
Urban areas are unique and different types of uses tend stimulate different types of results. However, the most important thing to take away from this series is the idea of urban connectivity and how locating complementing uses around each other in a pedestrian setting stimulates synergy, foot traffic and vibrancy. Although they all got to this point using different methods, that's the common element between the Louisiana Boardwalk, Pittsburgh's Strip District and Oklahoma City's Bricktown District, that we continue to struggle with in Jacksonville and must find away to embrace, if revitalization is the goal.