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Dear Neighbors,
We want to provide an important update regarding the proposed rezoning of the property located at 1482 Lobdell Avenue.
The GPOA Board has worked closely with the landowner to express its strong opposition to the original Neighborhood Commercial request, which was considered too aggressive for the location. While the Board's preferred outcome remains for the property to retain its A-1 residential zoning, we appreciate the landowner's willingness to engage in open dialogue and revise his request. The discussion amongst neighbors was clear to us.....they do not support any change to current zoning and expressed opposition to the zoning change requested. We provided guidance and direction to those in attendance on how the public process works on zoning matters and encouraged them to participate in the process by having their opinions heard by the City Parish. This includes encouraging them to express their written opposition to Planning and Zoning and to participate in the public meeting that will be held later this month. Should the rezoning to Neighborhood Office be approved, the Board will continue to work with the owner to ensure that any future use of the property remains compatible with the surrounding residential character of the neighborhood. As a reminder, the GPOA's mission includes:
Neighborhood Entrance Signage
Thanks to the generous contribution of a GPOA member, signage at three principal intersections have clearly delineated the boundaries of "Old Goodwood." Annual contributions from membership dues and modest donations have supported ongoing landscaping efforts and regular maintenance, including grass cutting, over the years. The recent removal of diseased trees marks the commencement of a comprehensive area renovation, with plans to introduce updated signage in the near future. Old Goodwood Crime Prevention
and Neighborhood District Appointment The Old Goodwood Crime Prevention District (OGCPNID) Board has an open seat for appointment by the Goodwood Property Owners Association (GPOA) in accordance with state law. OGCPNID was approved as Act 154 of the 2021 Louisiana Legislative Session. We invite individuals interested in serving on this board to submit nominations for consideration. Information on the OGCPINID can be found on their website www.oldgoodwoodcpnid.com. If you or someone you know would like to serve on the board, please provide a general resume along with a brief statement outlining your interest in the appointment. All nominations should be emailed to president@brgoodwood.com. Your involvement helps shape the safety and well-being of our neighborhood. Thank you for being an active part of our community! GPOA Spring Membership Meeting
On Tuesday evening, April 29, the Goodwood Neighborhood Association held its Spring membership meeting in the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Activity Center. More than 100 of our neighborhood members joined us for the event. The meeting provided updates on various events and initiatives since our October gathering and gave residents the opportunity to engage with Councilwoman Laurie Adams, Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse, and Mr. Fred Raiford from the EBR Department of Public Works. Additionally, our neighbor Jacob Smith with Boy Scout Troop 136 St. George made a presentation on the respectful retirement of American flags, collecting several bags of well-loved flags for retirement. The neighborhood financials remain strong with consistent membership, utilizing last year’s dues to support our neighborhood through beautification and grounds maintenance initiatives, and various other events and programs discussed below. The Old Goodwood website has been updated to serve as a comprehensive tool for residents. It now includes an updated calendar of events, information on recent activities, access to EBR services, emergency contact information, utility service provider contacts, and service request links. If you have ideas for how we can make this better, please let us know. The GPOA and CPNID have been collaborating on improving neighborhood entrance signage, with Dennis Vidrine providing further updates on this initiative. Several related beautification projects including removal of dead trees and landscaping in the medians on Lobdell have also been completed. Additionally, GPOA members have been working with the EBR School system to ensure several maintenance related projects at the Goodwood Elementary School were prioritized. Updates included projects by the school system to address window and aesthetic improvements, repair and replace damaged fencing, removal of dead trees, and the GPOA provided for the installation of new trees and shrubs along Lasalle. In December, we hosted a Holiday Social at the home of Drs. Chris and Sharon Werner, with over 200 residents enjoying the light exhibit and refreshments. This event is truly an amazing spectacle right in our neighborhood. In March, we hosted a movie night and exhibition with the BRPD K-9 unit with families from around the neighborhood. This past month, we participated in cleanup efforts in the park, repairing equipment and mulching trees and gardens as part of the Love the Boot initiative. We also hosted an Easter egg hunt with the Goodwood Community Church. Additionally, working with BREC, dead trees in Goodwood Park were removed and the GPOA supported the planting of two dozen new trees to enhance the park's canopy. Remember, volunteers are always needed. For anyone interested in volunteering, on the 4th Saturday of every month, our neighbor Jessica Diez continues to coordinate volunteers meeting at the corner of Jefferson and Goodwood to clean up major roadways and the park. Additional information on this can be found on our website. To highlight the evening’s discussions, Chief TJ Morse provided updates on BRPD initiatives, offering advice on security, encouraging the reporting of suspicious activity, and encouraged engaging with the police department to help identify and solve crimes. We are grateful for the law enforcement officers that support the safety and security in our neighborhood. Councilwoman Laurie Adams and Mr. Fred Raiford provided updates on community efforts related to the MoveBR initiatives, aimed at enhancing mobility in and around our neighborhood. Additional information and timelines for projects can be found on their website. In closing, we would like to provide you with a statement shared with the attendees regarding a neighborhood zoning/compliance issue that has been unfolding on social media. You can read the message by clicking HERE. We appreciate your patience on this item as we worked towards an agreeable path forward. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making our neighborhood a better place! We hope you will join us for the next event! |
Recently installed digital speed signage on Lobdell Avenue
Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt at Goodwood Park
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MOVEBR Project Completed on Lobdell Our neighborhood is line for a number of MOVEBR projects that GPOA has worked towards for a number of years. There are six projects in the works and we are pleased to report that the first of these was installed earlier this week. Flashing speed signs have been installed on Lobdell. Lobdell is defined by the city parish as a “feeder street” and carries a higher speed limit because of that designation. Lobdell is also a residential street and many of those who reside on Lobdell have complained for years about excessive speeding. The newly installed devices should help to remind motorists of there speed and should help to alleviate some of the concerns that residents have. GPOA has asked the City Parish to provide an update and status report of the remaining MOVEBR projects that are on tap for our neighborhood. We anticipate that we will have a full presentation at our April 29th GPOA Spring Membership Meeting. Love the Boot-April 5, 2025 Just a friendly reminder that our community will be participating in Louisiana's 'Love the Boot' litter campaign this weekend on April 5, 2025. We need your help to make this event a success! This is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together and enhance the beauty of our neighborhood. Our efforts will go beyond picking up litter; they will foster pride, promote sustainability, and ensure a cleaner, brighter future for generations to come. We need as many residents as possible to join us in this meaningful effort. Your time and energy will make a lasting impact, demonstrating the power of collective action. Let's unite to show our love for Louisiana by keeping our neighborhood clean! We will meet at 8:00 am on the corner of Government Street and Jefferson Highway, near Goodwood Park. Planned activities include general litter pickup and cleaning and landscaping projects at Goodwood Park. All necessary supplies will be provided. If you are interested in participating, please CLICK HERE for more details and to sign up for one of the special projects. The more people we have, the better! Easter Egg Hunt The Goodwood Neighborhood recently hosted a delightful Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12 that brought together over 30 children and their families. The event was a collaborative effort with the Goodwood Community Church, which added to the fun with face painting activities. The Easter Bunny made a special appearance, much to the delight of the young attendees. Everyone had a fantastic time, enjoying the festive atmosphere and community spirit. |