Ardendale

Located north of Florida Boulevard, Ardendale is a new community anchored by the promise of education. The McKay Automotive Technology Center, a campus of Baton Rouge Community College, opened in 2017 and is training hundreds of students annually. BRCC also opened a center for collision repair training next door. Nearby, East Baton Rouge Public Schools has started the EBR Career & Education Technical Center, where students can learn in-demand skills and get a job after graduation.

More training facilities are expected in Ardendale, which is sparking growth in the surrounding area. Ultimately, Ardendale will include housing, retail, offices and social services.

The East Baton Rouge Housing Authority won a $30 million HUD grant in 2019 to add housing and services to the Ardendale area. The Foundation started the project. Build Baton Rouge is now the developer, with staff support from the Foundation.