Start Small: Strong Towns Baton Rouge

Please enjoy a special guest post by local advocates Nick and Amanda Lanata, co-founders of Strong Towns. Like Perk Up Perkins, their work focuses on driving community-centered impact through small, tangible changes. Read more about their work below.

A volunteer stands with Nick and Amanda Lanata at a Strong Towns event.

Starting Small: Strong Beginnings

Strong Towns Baton Rouge started a few years ago as a Local Conversation group, led by Adam Chapman. Strong Towns seeks to replace America’s postwar pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. It advocates for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting. Local Conversations work to implement Strong Towns ideas on the ground.

The problem with big “bets”

We hear a lot about “transformational” projects in Baton Rouge. Big-ticket plans promise to solve our problems and spur economic growth. Our city is not alone in pursuing these big bets. However Strong Towns offers a different approach: cities built by many hands, growing incrementally over time. Cities grew and developed this way for thousands of years. People made a series of small bets. Not every “bet” will succeed and that’s okay. But think about it: failed small bets waste very few resources, while big bets use many years and millions of dollars.

Strong Towns volunteers cleaning up the Downtown Greenway in downtown Baton Rouge.

Build capacity with small projects

We’ve focused on small projects because we’re an all-volunteer group with limited time and resources. It seems counterintuitive: shouldn’t we do something big? These projects take time and resources that we don’t have right now. Small projects help us build steady momentum toward larger goals. Small bets.

We’ve seen great results from the Strong Towns Approach. Small projects have helped us:

●      Organize and complete projects quickly

●      Do something tangible to build momentum

●      Build our reputation as a group that gets things done

●      Grow our membership

●      Build partnerships

Of course, we have bigger goals for the future. However we need to grow our volunteer base and our skills before tackling complex projects and policy initiatives. 

A group of Strong Towns volunteers gather near a recently installed planter.

Our Projects

Litter cleanups

Check out a free litter cleanup kit from the library!

Replant downtown flower planters

We partnered with the Downtown Development District (DDD) to replant a dozen planters.

Walk audits

We partnered with Renoir Cultural District to look at pedestrian safety issues at the intersection of Donmoor Avenue and Harry Drive. While there, we cleaned the bus stop shelters too! Strong Towns volunteers supported the Perk Up Perkins Demonstration Project. We helped with walk audits and crosswalks.

Streetlight surveys

DDD requested help to identify burned-out streetlights. We partnered with Downtown East Social Ride and logged 46 lights in less than one hour. DDD provided the data to Entergy, and many of the lights have been fixed. We completed a second streetlight survey in our neighborhood, Beauregard Town. This survey targeted lighting under I-110. DDD is working with the state DOTD on repairs.

Building benches

Many CATS bus stops do not have any seating available. We’re building benches with the support of a Neighborhood Challenge Grant from Mid City Redevelopment Alliance. The benches will be placed on privately owned property, ideally near bus stops.

Making public comments

Showing up to public meetings is a game-changer. We aim to bring support and constructive ideas to city hall. Little known fact: Planning and Zoning meetings are possibly the most important meetings in town. Watch online or go in-person.

Building relationships with elected officials

We encourage every group member to schedule a “meet and greet” with their council member.

Resources:

Strongs Towns Approach: A four-step process for public investment

Facebook: @StrongTownsBR