Why Central Is No. 1 Choice for New Homeowners

CENTRAL — Enrollment in the new Central Community School System has grown by 68 percent in the past five years.

But that “boom” may be just the beginning, according to local realtor and insurance agent Chad Rizzuto.  Rizzuto, a life-long resident of Central, convinced his wife Jennifer, who grew up in Shenandoah in Southeast Baton Rouge, to buy a house in Northwoods subdivision in Central.  They have three children — Braxton, 7, and twins Hayden and Ella, 4.

When the twins came along, the Rizzutos needed more space and found a home they liked in Bellingrath.

All this week, Braxton has been enrolled in Todd McClure’s Football Camp with Coach Sid Edwards.  “He loves it!  The camp ends on Wednesday, but Braxton asked one of the coaches if he could come back Thursday!” Rizzuto said.

Being part of a wonderful community is one thing the Rizzutos love about Central, he said.

Rizzuto started school at Central Private and his parents transferred him to Parkview Baptist where he graduated.  As a result, he has many friends in South Baton Rouge.

As a realtor since 1997, Chad has seen the ups and downs of the real estate market and the ups and downs of the fortunes of Central.

“Before the new school district was created, Central families hired me to find them a home in Livingston Parish.  Now people in Livingston are looking for homes in Central,” he said.

Rizzuto listed three powerful drawing cards for Central:

• Great schools

• Low crime

• Family values and great neighborhoods

Central schools, which rank No. 2 among Louisiana’s 69 school districts, are the biggest attraction, he said.

“This is truly a community school system.  At Bellingrath Hills Elementary, we really felt we were part of the school.  The principal and the teachers were amazing.  Braxton just completed the first grade, and he learned so much.  They really welcome us at the school.  My wife has gone on field trips, and they let the twins come to school for Braxton’s birthday party.”

In August, Braxton will start at Tanglewood Elementary, the state’s No. 1 performing elementary school for the past three straight years.  Central’s 3rd graders have outscored all others on the state’s iLEAP test since 2009.  The school system was created in July 2007 when it was carved out of East Baton Rouge Parish, the 58th ranked school system.

One of the mysteries that confounds Chad Rizzuto is why families in Baton Rouge still haven’t discovered Central as the place to live.

One theory is that South Baton Rouge hasn’t had good public schools since the early 1970’s — 40 years ago.  As a result, people under 55 really have no memory of what good public schools are like.    They know they could move to Livingston or Ascension but they may not appreciate the lifestyle there.  And Central is simply not on their radar.

“We have far more people moving to Central from Livingston and Zachary than from Baton Rouge,” he said.

When they “wake up” to the reality of Central’s quality of life, that’s when the real boom will be begin.

Crime in Baton Rouge is out of control.  News of murder grabs the headlines day after day.  People increase security but ultimately don’t want to live in fear for the safety of their loved ones and themselves day after day.

Add to that the fact that public schools are “free” in Livingston, Ascension, Central, and Zachary, and there is a strong financial motive for leaving Baton Rouge.

Add to that the growing level of property taxes in Baton Rouge.  In 2011, the owner of a $300,000 home in Baton Rouge paid $2,500 in property taxes.

Now, with the passage of the CATS tax and property tax millage roll forward, that same homeowner will pay $2,950 in property taxes this year.

For families thinking of moving to Central, there are four negatives:

• Traffic congestion caused by commuters going to and from Livingston Parish during morning and afternoon drive times.

• Narrow, dangerous two-lane roads that have no shoulders and steep falloffs, such as Greenwell Springs, Wax, Sullivan, Hooper, and Denham roads.  These roads have been the scene of numerous fatalities.

• Lack of adequate parks

• Lack of retail shopping options

• Lack of restaurants

Rizzuto sees these problems differently. “Actually, we see all of these problems being solved.  For example, the Central Thruway will open up Central” to points south such as I-12.  Also, the new Magnolia Bridge will improve access to Livingston Parish, he said.

The widening of Joor Road three years ago has dramatically reduced driving times to Baton Rouge for the western part of Central.

Probably the most needed project is the widening of Hooper Road to four lanes from Joor to the Amite River and construction of a bridge across the Amite to Highway 16 in Livingston Parish.  That bridge has a projected traffic count of 25,000 cars a day, and most elected officials in Central see it as the No. 1 solution to Central’s traffic congestion.  But it apparently remains years away.

Widening of Hooper and Sullivan roads was announced three years ago with funding to be provided by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the City-Parish government, and the City of Central.  But the City-Parish has failed to come up with its share of the costs, apparently because of lagging tax collections.  So that project is on hold.

BREC is constructing a community park near the intersection of Hooper and Lovett roads.  But it is far short of the three parks promised by BREC in 2008.  At that time, BREC Supt. Bill Palmer pledged $6.25 million to then-Rep. Bodi White and Central Mayor Mac Watts for construction of a community park, a sports park, and the funding of the Greenwell Springs Historic Park.  The sports park and the historic park have never materialized.

Rizzuto says he sees tremendous growth in Central’s retail shopping offerings and in the opening of many new restaurants.

“The retail and restaurants are not yet where we want them to be, but they are getting there,” he said.

The bottom line for Chad Rizzuto: “I wouldn’t live anywhere else!  This is the place for me!”

For many young couples, Central isn’t perfect but it is far ahead of the alternatives.  Perhaps that’s why many people believe the real Central boom is just around the corner.

Chad Rizzuto continues to maintain his real estate license but is now working full time as a State Farm insurance agent, offering auto, home, life, and health insurance.  He can be reached at 225-572-7585.