1012 Corridor

Apparently, South Louisiana’s love of shopping trumps a slumping economy.

Two monstrous mixed-use developments slated for construction along the 10/12 corridor – 471-acre, $751 million Juban Crossing and the 400-acre, $900 million Summit Fremaux – still are forging ahead.

Livingston Parish President Mike Grimmer says Juban Crossing's first shops are slated to open in 2009, provided the project gets final approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Professional office space, entertainment venues, restaurants, hotels and residences will soon follow, with the intention of forming a “hometown” atmosphere.

He did not identify any establishments by name, but did say many of the same stores in Baton Rouge’s Towne Center have agreed to locate in Juban Crossing. The first phase of construction will primarily include the retail center, with national anchor stores flanking specialty stores in an open-air environment.

“I sometimes think the Corps is out to torpedo projects by taking so long to make a decision,” Grimmer says. “If the salaries of those decision makers were based on performance like everyone else, they would turn their projects over in 60 days.”

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality also delayed the project by barring sewer discharge into Gray's Creek. The parish then obtained a permit to discharge into West Coyell. Later, the DEQ decided to allow the city of Denham Springs to discharge into Gray's Creek.

“I guess I have seen stranger things,” Grimmer says, “but we need to keep all of our projects moving to be successful. We went through the fire and back with Bass Pro, and look what a success story that has been for the state as well as Livingston Parish.”

Grimmer, the council and the Livingston Economic Development Council have been collaborating with real-estate investment group Creekstone Companies on the project, jointly announced nearly a year ago. It will be the largest mixed-use community in the region and a cornerstone of rapid growth along the Interstate 12 corridor.

“Juban Crossing will be a huge economic boom to Livingston Parish and the region,” Grimmer says. “As an attractive place to live, visit, shop or work, this will be an engine for new jobs, tax revenue – even tourism.” It is expected to produce more than 3,000 jobs.

Last month, Bayer Properties founder Jeffrey Bayer told a gathering of St. Tammany parish leaders and economic development officials the complex along Interstate 10 between Fremaux Avenue and Old Spanish Trail in Slidell could experience some delays, but remains viable.

Bayer says the development has commitments from Dillard’s and Barnes & Noble, as well as several restaurants he did not name. A contract for a five-story hotel is also in the works.

“The retail leasing market in this country has slowed down and it will slow down some more,” Bayer says. “But even with what is going on the world today, there continues to be strong interest in this project. This one generally has more interest than any other retail development project we have. The project is leasing very nicely.

Bayer’s Birmingham, Ala., firm is developing the site with Louisiana businessman Robert Levis. Bayer did not say how the original timeline might change. The first phase is set for completion in 2010. Plans call for Summit Fremaux to contain 1 million square feet of retail space for stores and restaurants, 500,000 square feet of medical facilities and up to 325,000 square feet of commercial office space, as well as single and multifamily homes.