By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Sports 

The Shreveport-Bossier Journal has learned that the City of Shreveport is planning to — by the end of the week — announce which consulting firm has been chosen to review REV Entertainment’s proposal to build a multi-use stadium and mixed-use development at the State Fair Grounds.

Barring a surprise choice, it is expected that Baker Tilly, with locations in 20 states, will be awarded the bid.

Tuesday, a source involved with Shreveport city government told the Journal they would “be shocked” if Baker Tilly wasn’t the choice of a four-person evaluation committee. In late March, Mayor Tom Arceneaux said he planned on hiring Baker Tilly. However, it was decided that first, Requests for Proposals had to be issued. REV Entertainment recommended Baker Tilly, which was one of four companies to submit RFP’s by the May 17 deadline.

According to the RFP’s, the city’s estimate for building a 4,000-seat stadium—and other items associated with Phase 1/Part 1 of the project, is $105 million. REV Entertainment is owned by Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers, but there is no expectation that an MLB-affiliated minor league franchise would be a stadium tenant.

The REV Entertainment proposal, presented in March, includes an entertainment district, mixed-use facility and a 300-room hotel that could also be beneficial to nearby Willis-Knighton North Hospital.

Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com

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