COUNCIL UNDECIDED?-The Shreveport City Council met yesterday during a planning session where the focus was on Mayor Ollie Tyler’s proposal to have a Sports and Mixed Use Complex developed along Cross Bayou just north of Downtown. Council members discussed a resolution to take the first steps to securing $30 million dollars in bonds to fund the Sports Arena, the mixed–use complex however would be privately funded by Corporate Realty of Birmingham, Alabama to the tune of $100 million or more. Ever since the mayor announced the project last April, social media has been abuzz with commentary, much of it against the proposal as people cite past sports teams coming and going and even pointing out the problems of past city projects like the Red River Entertainment District.
According to many media reports some city council members aren’t so sure that the project is a good idea based on feedback from constituents. However Mayor Tyler told KSLA TV Channel 12 News that she would still pursue the project as long as she is able. The Shreveport City Council meets again Tuesday and may hear a council member’s resolution to oppose the Sports Arena and the NBA G League Expansion to Shreveport.