land release: who qualifies and how to apply

The East Baton Rouge Parish Planning Commission released 120 acres of parish-owned land for private development on July 6.

The move aligns with rising construction activity recorded in the first half of 2026, when parish building permits climbed 14 percent over the same period last year. Developers and nonprofits now face a narrow window to secure sites before the next round of zoning reviews scheduled for September.

Target zones and local partners

Two clusters anchor the release. One sits along Scenic Highway north of the Interstate 110 interchange, adjacent to the planned extension of the Metro Airport Connector road project. The second occupies former industrial lots on North 22nd Street in the Parkview neighborhood, where the Baton Rouge Area Foundation has already funded stormwater upgrades. Both areas fall inside the parish’s 2024 Land Use and Development Plan update that prioritizes mixed-income housing and light manufacturing.

Applicants must demonstrate at least three years of local development experience or partner with an East Baton Rouge-based nonprofit. Preference points go to proposals that reserve 25 percent of units for households earning under 60 percent of area median income, a threshold set at $38,400 for a family of four in the latest HUD figures released in April.

Numbers and deadlines

Minimum bids start at $38,000 per acre, reflecting the 2025 assessed land values compiled by the parish assessor’s office. The commission will accept applications through August 22 at its office on 222 St. Louis Street. A public scoring session is set for September 3 in the City-Parish Council chambers on North Boulevard.

Interested parties can download the application packet from the parish planning department website or pick up printed copies at the main library branch on Goodwood Boulevard. Staff will hold two informational sessions, one on July 15 at the Baker Community Center and another on July 22 at the Scotlandville Branch Library. Final awards are expected by October 1, with closing required within 90 days of selection.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.