re: Could the area between Downtown and LSU ever turn decent?

Yes but it'll take a combination of different factors/investment from various parties. CPRT/BRAF recently buying 22 blighted properties alongside Nicholson is a good start.

LINK

quote:

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Commercial Properties Realty Trust has purchased 22 tracts in the Nicholson Drive corridor for $3.02 million.

Tina Rance, CPRT’s vice president of marketing and hospitality, says the trust does not have any immediate plans for the properties.

“We continue to buy blighted property around the Water Campus to improve the corridor between LSU and downtown,” Rance says.

Carrol Castille’s company CC River District LLC was the seller. In 2019, Castille’s tracts were included as part of developer Michel Moreno’s River District. But the 42-acre package never found a buyer.

The real estate investment partner of BRAF, CPRT manages and develops properties on the foundation’s behalf. The trust developed The Water Campus and IBM office complex, as well as luxury residential properties 525 Lafayette, OneEleven on Third Street, Onyx Residences and 200 Water Street.

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