Mayor Arceneaux set on demolishing Fair Ground Field
SHREVEPORT, La. ( KTAL/KMSS ) – According to Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux, demolishing the Fair Grounds Field, which has not been used since 2011, is the best financial decision for the city.
The Friends of Fair Ground Field says the property is worth fighting for. They have been involved in litigation with the city of Shreveport since 2022, when demolition was halted.
At the November 7th, Caddo Parish Commission Long Range Planning Committee meeting, the Friends of Fair Ground Field presented their plan. Their agenda is to have new management and ownership to rebuild the property into a space for youth sports, students, and the Queensboro Neighborhood.
Tentatively, the revitalization costs would be split among the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, the school board, and private contributors.
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However, Bill Robertson, a member of the Friends of Fair Ground Field, was not able to give a cost estimate, as he said the group had been denied access to the field.
"If you give us access, we can send our engineers and our architects in there, evaluate the facility carefully, determine what it needs. Determine how much money is needed to rehab it," said Robertson.
At the meeting there was comment from Greensborough residents, the Friends, community members, and Dr. Bonita Douzart with the Caddo Parish School Board.
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"If we lose Fair Grounds Field, we're going to lose the fair, we're going to start losing more and more activities for our city, and from the picture that I've been listening to, we need to think this over," said Douzart.
However, Mayor Arceneaux was set, saying, "the contract is on my desk to demolish fairgrounds field, I intend to sign it, and it is my belief that that is the best financial decision for the city of Shreveport."
"He says we've had 2 years but without access, and cooperation, what can we really do. Okay, what can we really do. We're knocking on the door. And we're hoping he can answer it," said Robertson.
Member of the Caddo Parish Committee said it was not their place to interfere and thanked the Mayor for his presence.
"I think we should take no further action and encourage the mayor and the city government to follow through with their plan for ultra-careful demolition of the stadium that poses no or very little risk to the neighborhood," said John-Paul Young, president of the Long Range Planning Committee with the Caddo Parish Commission.
