What's to come of professional baseball in Shreveport?
On Thursday morning REV Entertainment joined with the Shreveport Mayor and District G City Councilmember to discuss the future of the multi-sport facility that was announced in October 2022.
On Oct. 17, Former Mayor Adrian Perkins announced that professional baseball was coming back to Shreveport with the help of REV Entertainment.
REV Entertainment is an Arlington-based events business created by the Texas Rangers Baseballs Club Events Department that uses its unique services to create a meaningful experience and memory while driving revenue.
Five months later REV Entertainment decided to host a second press conference with the City of Shreveport to give an update on what's happening with this project.
Learn more: Get to know the company working to help bring baseball back to Shreveport
"We thought it was important to get here," said Sean Decker, President of REV Entertainment. "I think October was the last time we did an event like this, and we thought it was really important to do another event to update the community on where we are."
Decker continued by saying that transparency is important when talking about such a large investment into a city. "There's been a lot of questions about this project," said Mayor Tom Arceneaux. "We felt like it was the time to let the public know that we are moving forward."
During the press conference questions such as funding and timelines were answered by Decker and Arceneaux. Funding being at the top of the list, Arceneaux clarified that the city will not use general obligation bonds or dedicate property taxes to this project but will have to pay debt services on it.
When it comes to timelines it is all conclusive following a feasibility study. Right now, the City of Shreveport is conducting a feasibility study on the proposed project plan introduced by REV Entertainment.
Arceneaux said that he hopes to have that study completed before the end of this year. Once completed REV Entertainment can began Phase 1, which will include the development of a ballpark and likely a hotel.
More: Is baseball coming back to Shreveport? Mayor announces first steps at Fair Ground Field
There are three phases to REV Entertainment's project plan.
Phase One is a mixed-use development including the ballpark and possibly a hotel.
Phase Two is adding assets for the State Fair and more demand drivers such as livestock.
Phase Three is based on the market and could result in residential development.
Decker said that the completion of all these phases are dependent on the community and its market but he did say he hopes to have Phase One completed and running by April 2026.
Once Phase One is completed REV Entertainment will either buy or create a team for Shreveport that will represent the community. "With our affiliation with the Texas Rangers oftentimes the concept that we're going to come here and put the Rangers 'T' everywhere. And that's not our intention, what's of interest to us is to create a brand that is indigenous to this market," said Decker.
Decker explained that he wants this team to be something citizens of Shreveport can identify with and want to wear it across their chest.
"We are here for a transformative project for the fairgrounds and this area," said Arceneaux.
Arceneaux also confirmed that at this time the demolition of the Fair Grounds baseball field is in limbo as it remains in the litigation process.
Read: Former minor league Shreveport baseball field to be demolished at cost of half a million
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What's to come of professional baseball in Shreveport?
