By HARRIET PROTHRO PENROD
Tom Arceneaux wasn’t sure how serious to take the news back in October when former Mayor Adrian Perkins held a press conference to announce the City of Shreveport had entered into a cooperative relationship with Arlington, Texas-based REV Entertainment that would bring professional baseball back to this area.
Five months later, things have changed quite a bit. Arceneaux is now the mayor of Shreveport and he’s got a little different take on the proposed development.
When the City of Shreveport and REV Entertainment held a press conference in the Independence Stadium Skybox Thursday morning to give an update on the master plan for the project, Arceneaux said he was “cautiously optimistic” that the concept would become a reality.
On Thursday, Arceneaux was joined by Shreveport Councilwoman Ursula Bowman and REV Entertainment President Sean Decker to discuss the proposed development concept that would include a ballpark as the anchor.
“We’re thrilled to be back here,” said Decker. “We wanted to let you know where we’ve been since we were in this room last October.”
Conceptual images displayed at the press conference showed the overall plans for the entertainment complex that would be developed in three phases and located right off I-20 near Independence Stadium and the State Fair Grounds.
“Part of the reason I’m more optimistic is because we’ve got a whole lot more information now (than back in October),” said Arceneaux. “REV has stepped up to the plate to develop that information.
“I did not know what public investment was being asked. Now I know it’s a really big public investment.”
Arceneaux said two things must be determined – the feasibility of the project and how it can be done without issuing general obligation bonds. The mayor said he could guarantee there would be no tax increases to build the project.
“There will be no general bonds and no property taxes,” he said.
The City of Shreveport is conducting a feasibility study on the plan. Once the study is completed, construction would begin on Phase I, which would include the ballpark. Future plans for the mixed-use development also include restaurants, bars and a hotel.
And what baseball team would be playing in the new ballpark?
“We would either buy a team and move it here,” said Decker, “or create and operate our own team here. Most likely, it would be a high-level independent league team.”
When asked for an update about the status of the city’s former home for minor league baseball, dilapidated Fair Grounds Field, Arceneaux said demolition was in limbo because it remained in the litigation process.
“The outcome of litigation is still pending,” he said, “but I’m 100 percent confident that if we do this deal with REV, it will be demolished.”
Contact Harriet at sbjharriet@gmail.com