Governor John Bel Edwards and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation President/CEO, John Davies were joined by Justin Ehrenwerth, CEO/President of The Water Institute of The Gulf, in a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this week for the $25 million Center for Coastal & Deltaic Solutions.
“ Capitalizing on Louisiana’s growing stature as a center of global water management research and development, this iconic building contributes to the Baton Rouge skyline, marks the rebirth of the city’s former municipal dock, and serves as a focal point for the important work being done to save our coast ,” Gov. Edwards said.
“This project is the quintessential example of the impact we can make on our future through strategic investments in public-private partnerships.”
This event marks the third building on The Water Campus with two others set to break ground by year end. The 34,000 square-foot building designed by architects, Coleman Partners and Perkins+Will, will consist of office space on the second floor while also housing a 6,000 square-foot conference center on the third floor.
The building is located on the old Baton Rouge Municipal Dock Property (approximately 11 acres) – constructed in 1926 for $550,000.
The Estuary Conference and Event Venue will be play host to academic conventions, research conferences, as well as serve as an event venue for corporate events and private receptions. The first floor is a shared co-working space known as Waterworking.
The Water Campus, currently a $60 million urban development in downtown Baton Rouge, is the home of the Center for Coastal & Deltaic Solutions and The Water Institute of The Gulf, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority as well as the LSU Center for River Studies.