Shreveport Mayor Cancels Fairgrounds Field Demolition Contract

This seems to be the story that just never ends. Fairgrounds Field has been scheduled for demolition for years now. The Caddo Parish Commission heard arguements back in October of 2022 concerning a temporary restraining order issued to halt demolition. Local businessman Linc Coleman expressed concerns about health issues caused by exposure to bat guano.

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Demolition was then held up because the State Fair of Louisiana came to town, and we couldn't have bulldozers stirring up more bat guano while thousands of visitors were on the fairgrounds site. Demolition was set to resume after the fair left town. But Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux told KEEL News Friday morning that he's completely canceled the demolition contract with the current company.

"Because of the pending litigation, we were incurring delay damages to the contractor, and we decided to just cut that off. That contract has been canceled." Mayor Arceneaux

Aceneaux said the city has come to an agreement with the contractor to pay for what work has been done to the amount of "the $330,000 range." When asked if the city was going to hire a new contractor, and when the demolition would resume, Arceneaux replied: "Right now, the plan is to wait and see."

Mayor Arceneaux is referring to the deal with Rev Entertainment coming to town to build a new baseball stadium, bring a team to town to play in that stadium, and manage the facility.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Texas based Rev Entertainment came to Shreveport last year to propose taking over the running of a new stadium and entertainment complex on the fairgrounds site. Rev Entertainment is the company that manages Globe Life Field, the facility for the Texas Rangers, as well as managing Choctaw Stadium in Arlington. According to their website:

The sports management division of REV Entertainment is responsible for overseeing and managing all business operations for partner sports affiliates, including the Arlington Renegades, the Down East Wood Ducks, and the Hickory Crawdads. The company is intimately involved in all day-to-day operations of our partner organizations, including ticket sales, operations, sponsorship, and marketing services. REV Entertainment provides a variety of tools to help our partner affiliates scale, market, and grow their brand and revenue. The unique partnership ultimately evolves each team’s overall brand recognition, revenue, and net profitability.

They've also announced:

REV Entertainment has announced a partnership with the City of Shreveport to bring baseball back to Shreveport. This includes new development in the Shreveport Fairgrounds area, including a ballpark to serve as the home for an independent baseball team. Together with the City of Shreveport, REV is developing a master plan for the area, including the future site of the ballpark.
The development of this project is being done in collaboration with The State Fair of Louisiana, Independence Bowl, the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, the Shreveport Mudbugs, and the Queensborough Neighborhood Association.

There are going to be nay-sayers in anything new, and I understand their position. Yes, we have a lot of issues and problems in Shreveport, but if you don't invest, if you don't take chances, you don't grow. I hope Mayor Arceneaux is able to work this exciting project to fruition, and let's have something Shreveport can be proud of again.

50+ Pictures of Shreveport's Abandoned Historic Fairgrounds Field

Before you know it, Shreveport's historic Fairgrounds Field will be will be exactly that - history. Once the legal wrangling is done, the proverbial endangered-bat-guano will hit the fan and the once glorious Ratchet-City cathedral to baseball will be demolished and gone.

Before it "bats" its final inning, let's take a final look at the glory that once was. I warn you though, it's kind of like seeing that super-hot girl from high school 20 years later - and time has not been kind.

These awesome pictures were provided by urban photographer extraordinaire Ron DeBello.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.