East Baton Rouge (La.) Parish board chooses architects for high school renovation

From The Baton Rouge Advocate: More than a year after voters decided to renovate Baton Rouge Magnet High School, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has hired architects for the $63 million project. The delay was caused in part by debates among board members about how aggressively to try to hire minority firms. The board decision clears the way for the hiring of two Baton Rouge-based architectural firms — Chenevert Architects and Remson Haley Herpin Architects — in a joint venture. The district hopes to start construction work by summer 2010. The students at Baton Rouge Magnet will spend two years away from their 82-year-old campus during the renovations and expansion.