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Experts weigh in on area real estate market
BY TIMOTHY BOONE Business editor
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Food Truck Roundup rescheduled
Denham Springs Food Truck Roundup has been rescheduled for May 17. The event was planned for May 3 but postponed due to inclement weather
Food trucks will serve up their favorites from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. on Mattie Street in the city’s Antique District.
Blue Ducky 5K Waddle back
The Blue Ducky 5K Waddle, held in remembrance of Stephany Nicolosi, is returning for a second year May 17 in Springfield.
The Blue Ducky comes from Stephany’s love of the color blue and her love of rubber duckies. After her death, Nicolosi’s organ, eye and tissue donations helped eight lives. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Chris Klug Foundation, a nonprofit organization that educates on the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation.
The event will be held at Tickfaw State Park. Check-in is from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 17.
Race entry is $45 and covers the cost of entry to the race and swag items.
A virtual 5K has been added for May 24-31. For more information, visit, ultrasignup.com/ register.aspx?did=117645.
Cajun Country Jam
The Cajun Country Jam Memorial Day Festival is set for May 23-25 at North Park in Denham Springs.
The event, hosted by Chase Tyler, will feature performances by Frank Foster, Craig Moran, Dylan Scott, Wayne Toups, Parish County Line and others.
For details, visit tinyurl.com/ yap63kfj
Cruisin’ Da Bayou Car Show
2nd annual Cruisin’ Da bayou car show, fun run, and more.
Tickfaw River Village Campground is hosting its second Cruisin’ Da Bayou Car Show Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25
The weekend will include car, truck and bike show with a $25 per vehicle entry Call the Campground for to book a camping spot
A Cruise Fun Run is set for May 23 by Bayhi’s Landing Sign-up is $50 per team at 9 a.m. with stops at Black Lake Club, Manny’s, Boondocks Bar & Grill, Moonlight Inn, Daiquiri Shack and Bayhi’s Landing
5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. — teams may return to the pavilion to complete the fun run. winners announced immediately after There will be food, live music and drinks available.
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Elevated interest rates, inflation and rising insurance costs are expected to limit commercial and residential construction in metro Baton Rouge in 2025, which means the local real estate market will look about the same as it has for the past couple of years, according to local experts.
Speakers at the annual Trends in Real Estate seminar, which was held Thursday morning at L’Auberge Baton Rouge, said
rents will be about the same in the retail, office and multifamily sector, while home construction will remain flat.
“The volume is down because of interest rates, and I don’t see that changing,” said Tom Cook, an appraiser with Cook, Moore, Davenport & Associates, who gave a presentation on the residential market.
The number of new homes permitted in Ascension and Livingston parishes plunged in 2024, dropping by more than 15% and coming in at their lowest levels since 2015,
when Cook said he started tracking permits. Ascension and Livingston have both had development moratoriums to allow the fast-growing parishes to set growth rules. New home permits in East Baton Rouge Parish were up by 58% in 2024, which caused the metro area to see a 14.7% rise to 3,443 permits.
The dollar value of all homes sold in metro Baton Rouge peaked at $3.79 billion in 2022, but fell to $2.65 billion in 2024. That $1.14 billion drop had an impact on the local economy Since the average home price is $264,900, that is equivalent
to nearly 4,300 houses not being sold, which means less money for appraisers, home inspectors, title companies and real estate agents. One sector that has seen improvement in recent years is the industrial market, where the inventory remains tight and rental rates increased by nearly 4.7% from
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FINDS
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
Collins Thornton, 9, left, shows her twin sister Lucy a bookmark in a booth Saturday during the weekly Four Seasons Farmers Market.
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
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Library celebrates reading with ‘Color Our World’ summer
Community news report
Embrace your imagination during the Livingston Parish Library’s Summer Reading Program from May 19 through Aug. 3
This summer, the Livingston Parish Library is inviting readers on a journey of art and creativity.
The LPL’s Summer Reading Program challenges readers of all ages to read as many books as they can during the summer months. Participants can win prizes for reaching reading milestones and attending library events.
This year’s theme is Color Our World, highlighting the power art has to transform, uplift and connect us all, according to a news release.
“As summer approaches, we urge everyone to sign up for the Library’s summer reading program,” said Livingston Parish Library Director Michelle Parrish. “The Summer Reading Program is a great opportunity to rekindle your love for reading while also highlighting the library’s plethora of accessible resources, engaging events, and invaluable services designed to enrich our community.
“From fun activities, special events and breathtaking performers, to an always-growing collection of books, ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, databases, learning kits, board games, hobby kits, celebration kits, cultural passes and more, there is always something new to discover at your library.”
How it works Registration opens on Monday, May 19 through the Livingston Parish Library’s Summer Reading page on Beanstack. This online platform is where patrons log the books they’ve read and library events they’ve attended. Registration can be done online or in-person.
Program participants are catego-
rized based on their ages, and each age group has different requirements to complete their reading challenges.
Once participants complete their challenge, they can visit their local branch to claim their program completion prize. However, they can keep reading to earn more entries in the library’s end-of-summer grand prize drawings.
Summer Reading age groups
The Summer Reading Program is broken into four age groups, listed below:
n Read-To-Me (Ages 0-5): To complete the challenge, you must earn 10 points by reading and logging 10 picture books.
n Youth (Ages 6-12): To complete the challenge, earn three points by reading and logging three chapter books or 180 minutes of reading.
n Teen (Ages 13-18): To complete the challenge, earn three points by logging three chapter books, 180 minutes of reading, three activities or a mix of all three.
n Adult (Ages 18+): To complete the
challenge, earn three points by logging three chapter books, 180 minutes of reading, three activities or a combination.
How to enter grand prize drawings
All participants must apply their earned tickets in Beanstack to be entered into the end-of-summer grand prize drawings. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3.
Kickoff day
Celebrate the start of the summer reading season during the Livingston Parish Library’s special Summer Reading Program Kickoff Day on Tuesday, May 27.
Kickoff Day will be held at all five parish library branches, and those who attend will receive a kickoff prize available only on this day This prize is in addition to the summer reading program registration prize all receive for signing up.
During the Kickoff Day, attendees will also get to create a masterpiece for the library’s Tiny Art Show All supplies will be provided to make a miniature work of art to display at the library through the end of June.
What’s on the schedule
With more than 300 events planned for this summer, the library has a full slate of entertainment lined up.
Some of the featured performers and presenters include LA Snake ID, the Crescent Circus, Lady Chops, the Tri-Parish Ballet, Harvey Rabbit, Nature on the Geaux, the Youth Ballet, Wall to Wall Martial Arts, and Red Stick Spice Company
There will also be escape rooms, DIY classes, art workshops, gardening programs, food demonstrations, book clubs and other activities.
For the latest on program information, follow the library’s social media pages, visit your local library, or visit www.mylpl.info/SummerReading.
Dive into these picks for Livingston Library book clubs
Community news report
All Livingston Parish Library branches host monthly book clubs for adults Each book club features a different “Book of the Month” that participants read and discuss during their monthly gathering. Whether you’re looking for a group of book lovers or need a book recommendation, the library has something for readers. For more information on a book club, call the branch. Here are the May Livingston Parish Library book club selections.
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‘Malibu Rising’ is a May selection at one of the Livingston Parish book clubs.
Sunny Side Up Inspirational Book Club: Members reads uplifting fiction and sometimes nonfiction that generates discussion among its members. For more information, call the Watson Branch at (225) 686-4180 Meets at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, at the Watson Branch. May selection is “The Love of My Life” by Rosie Walsh. From the bestselling author of “Ghosted” comes a love story wrapped in a mystery. Joyful Reads Book Club: Meets at the South Branch on the first Tuesday of every month for coffee and a lively discussion on the month’s inspirational book. For more information, call the branch at (225) 686-4170 Meets at 10:30 a.m., May 6 to discuss “Where Butterflies Wander” by Suzanne Redfearn. Spine Tinglers Book Club:
This club reads thrilling fiction with a good mystery and some spine-tingling suspense. For more information, call the Watson Branch at (225) 686-4180. The next meeting starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at the Watson Branch to discuss “Little Secrets” by Jennifer Hillier Box of Chocolates Book Club: Readers never know what you’re going to get in this club. For more information, call the branch at (225) 686-4140. In May, the club meets at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch to discuss “Allie and Bea” by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
ASB Book Club: In this book club, titles are selected from member suggestions as well as librarian cultivation. Members are encouraged to read titles they might not normally pick up on their own, expanding their literary horizons. For more information, call the Albany-Springfield Branch at (225) 686-4130. Next up, the club discusses “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins
Reid at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 19, at the AlbanySpringfield Branch. Main Branch Book Club: No matter what kind of books you like, there’s something for everyone in the Main Branch Book Club. Count on a lively discussion among friends. For more information, call the branch at (225) 686-4160. 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at the Main Branch in Livingston. For May, members are reading “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand
South Branch Bookies: This long-established book club hosts a fun and friendly gathering of readers. Friendship, laughter, and heartfelt opinions about the title of the month await everyone who joins this monthly South Branch tradition For more information, call the branch at (225) 6864170. May’s selection. “None of This is True” by Lisa Jewell, is up for discussion at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, at the South Branch.
Louisiana historic preservation group registering cemeteries across the state
Community news report
Since launched six months ago, 135 historic cemeteries have been registered in the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation’s Louisiana Register of Historic Cemeteries
The register is a public database to increase awareness of historic cemeteries for their protection, maintenance and respect for those buried within them.
Six months into the program, 135 historic cemeteries have been registered and a visual glossary has been launched with hundreds of photos from around the state. At least one historic cemetery from each parish
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is now represented in the register Nominations are taken from the public through an online form. Information is gathered about the age, boundary, symbolism and condition of burial grounds, as well as the types of markers and veteran burials from various wars In order for a site to be certified on the Louisiana Register of Historic Cemeteries, at least one of the following conditions must be met:
n Must be 50+ years since the first burial;
n Must contain the burial of a person of local, state, or national importance by reason of civic, public, or
tourism.com/Events/Details/182. New Walker map planned The city of Walker and Mr Map of Slidell have entered into an agreement to produce a cartoon map for the city Local businesses can purchase $495 caricature images for the map.
military service, cultural achievement, or historical significance;
n Must contain structures that are considered architecturally significant
Patterns are starting to emerge in different regions of the state, from the number of cemeteries to burial customs, according to a news release. For example, wooden markers and grave houses appear from Beauregard to Claiborne parishes, while the number of cemeteries in Washington Parish is ten times greater than in St. James Parish. Factors for this could include topography and religious customs. St. James is predominantly Catholic, with the highest
“This is an opportunity to showcase our growing community” Mayor Jimmy Watson said.
REAL ESTATE
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to recent economic development wins like the $5.8 billion steel plant Hyundai Motor Group plans to build in Donaldsonville.
“There’s a lot of positive momentum to capitalize on,” Scroggs said. “This could be a period of renaissance for our region.”
The key is to build more industrial space in metro Baton Rouge. Over the past two years, Scroggs said 47 businesses — including Fortune 500 companies — asked about warehouse and distribution space in the area, but dropped plans because there wasn’t enough space for them. There are only two major empty spaces — a 250,000-squarefoot warehouse in Port Allen that Conn’s had until it went bankrupt and a 211,000-square-foot maritime facility on the Port Allen Lock.
Bill Sanders, also of Lee & Associates, said the office market has improved after a rough couple of years following the COVID pandemic. More employees started going back to the office and tenants started leveling up and going into newer buildings with amenities such as fitness centers.
The occupancy rate for Class A office space, such as the newer buildings downtown, increased from 73.8% in 2023 to 83.6% in 2024.
“There’s a flight to quality,” Sanders said.
One uncertain part of the office market is the fate of One American Place. The 24-story building was seized
by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office last year and was purchased by the lender Wilmington National Trust Association. The owners of One American Place owed $24.2 million in principal, interest and late charges on $31.5 million they borrowed in 2018. Sanders said it could take several years for One American Place to find a buyer, and the building’s tenants could seek a more stable option. McGlinchey Stafford announced in September it was moving out of the building after more than 30 years; officials with the law firm said the uncertainty surrounding One American Place was a factor in the decision to relocate.
Brian Andrews, executive director of the Real Estate Institute at LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business, said the market is in an uncertain place. The shifting tariffs being implemented by President Donald Trump are causing concern and could lead to more inflation. That may hinder the outlook for more interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. But Andrews said the market always moves in a cycle and things will eventually be OK.
“Stop doomscrolling and don’t do anything stupid,” he said.
The Trends seminar started in 1988 as a joint project of the commercial and investment division of LSU’s Real Estate Research Institute. The goal of the program is to educate members of the division, their clients and other real estate practitioners in the Baton Rouge area about the local real estate market.
ground close to the natural levee of the Mississippi River Washington Parish, by contrast, is predominantly Protestant, and has hilly topography throughout Brian Davis, executive director for the Louisiana Trust, said, “Historic cemeteries are the archives of communities & can often tell us more about those who lived there, from family connections and civic involvement to occupation or military service. They are also telling us more about villages which no longer survive. We’re asking the public to share what information and stories they have about cemeteries connected with their families.”
“Walker’s growth has led the area over the past ten years and this is a unique opportunity to personalize that growth through Mr Map.” The city will showcase 10 Walker sites. To participate, call (985) 201-4589 or email mrcartoonmap@gmail.com.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@theadvocate. com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK Construction continues on the new subdivision, Benton at Magnolia Woods, April 8 near the intersection of Magnolia Woods and Highland Road in Baton Rouge.
SPORTS & SCHOOLS
Holden advances in baseball playoffs
With apologies to fans of the late musician Prince, the Holden baseball team is not quite ready to party like its 1999. But 2010?
That’s a different story
Before Thursday, it had been 15 years since Holden advanced to the quarterfinals of the LHSAA playoffs. Until then, Holden competed mostly in the Class B playoffs but also as a Division V nonselect school for a couple of years
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
The classification didn’t matter It also didn’t matter if you called the LHSAA’s round of
16 teams the regionals or the second round — Holden was unable to get past it until last week.
The Rockets, seeded sixth this year after going 18-11 in the regular season, got over the hump after slipping by No 11 Anacoco 6-5 at Orbit Park.
Getting to the finish line, as the score suggests, was no easy task.
The game started out as a pitcher’s duel. Through 51/2 innings, Anacoco’s Kyle Scott held Holden
to one hit while Rockets starter Colton Lewis limited the Indians to three. To that point, the only score of the game was an unearned run by Holden in the bottom of the first, but things changed when the starters began to hit their pitch count limits.
Holden chased Scott in the bottom of the sixth taking advantage of a hit-by-pitch, an error and two hits to score three runs. Lewis lasted only two batters into the top of the seventh before hitting his pitch limit and exiting.
Anacoco responded by picking
up two hits off reliever Caden Rivett on its way to a four-run uprising. Things got so intense that Holden coach Chase Hymel was ejected after arguing a close play at second base. Hymel’s fiery outburst was indicative of Holden’s desire to win, and it showed in extra innings, when Holden scored in the bottom of the eighth to win the game. With two outs, Holden sandwiched two walks around Easteon Hutchinson’s single before Rivett drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the winning run.
Lewis summed up Holden’s feelings after the game.
Landon Watts, left, and Josiah Shockley, of Albany High School, sign a commitment to join Northwestern State University’s Bass Fishing Team during a recently school ceremony.
NSU Bass Fishing Team adds two members from Albany High School
Community news report
Landon Watts and Josiah Shockley, of Albany High School, have signed commitment papers to join Northwestern State University’s Bass Fishing Team Watts and Shockley are twoyear national qualifiers, four-year state qualifiers and have a number of top five finishes in tournaments. They will receive a $500 signing scholarship from the Dylan Kyle Poche Foundation. NSU’s Bass Fishing Team has enjoyed continued success this year, ranking as high as third in the nation after finishing in the top 15 the last two years, a news release said. Information on the fishing team is available at https://www.facebook.com/nsufishingteam/.
Community news report
The Albany High School Class of 2025 will graduate at 6 p.m May 20 at Southeastern Louisiana University End of the year celebrations for the 111 graduating seniors included an awards night Tuesday and planned senior breakfast and walk through of the students’ elementary school May 8 at 8 a.m. and a senior sunset sendoff at 6:30 p.m. May 9 with food and fireworks Micheal Kober was named the school’s 12th grade Student of the Year, earning a 36 on his ACT and 1490 on his SAT. He has also excelled in Advanced Placement
“We’re making history here at Holden,” he said. “I think we’re going to win in the next round. I think we’re going to get it.” According to Holden, its No. 6 seeding this year is its highest ever Regardless, how a team plays determines results on the field, and Holden has already produced a season to remember as it readies for its next opponent.
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the LivingstonTangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Live Oak Middle teacher wins Red Stick Mom Teacher of Year
Community news report
Kari Smith a Live Oak
Middle teacher in the Livingston Parish School District, has been named Teacher of the Year by Red Stick Mom. Red Stick Mom is a locally-focused parenting resource for moms and families.
Smith
Nominated by Karen Miller, Smith has dedicated over 11 years to teaching.
“She makes learning engaging and fun and always goes the extra mile to ensure each student feels seen and special,” a news release said.
“Whether she’s planning creative challenges for the annual Math Quiz Bowl, organizing an unforgettable field trip to an LSU Women’s Basketball game or incorporating games to keep students engaged, she constantly finds new ways to make education memorable and fun.” In addition to teaching, Smith volunteers for after-hours events and often uses her own funds to provide supplies and prizes for her students. In 2024, she returned to school to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership, all while continuing to teach full-time. Her dedication doesn’t stop at the classroom; a few years ago, she also served as a foster parent, stepping in when she saw a need in her community Smith won several prizes with the honor, including one week of summer camp from Kidcam and four movie tickets.
Maurepas High announces Class of 2025
Community news report
Maurepas High seniors graduate May 16 during a 6:30 p.m. ceremony
The Class of 2025 will take part in a bell-ringing ceremony at 9 a.m. May 9 and senior breakfast and awards ceremony at 9 a.m. May 15.
The class includes: Remi Amelia Behrens Nevaeh Alexis Bercegeay Jay Michael Cannon Manning Doyle Carroll Destin Joseph Clark Jody Wayne Darbonne
Destiny Faye Durgaspersad Gracie Mae Hinrichs John Allen Hutchings Mackenzie Elizabeth Hutson, * Ephrem Zane Kitchens Autumn Alexis Larkin # Hunter R. Loupe-Berthelot, * Madison Ainsley Patton * Jordyn Leigh Pickrell Nathan Reed Pickrell * summa cum laude 3.75 and above # magna cum laude 3.5 -3.749
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Michael Kober