re: LSU arena/River Center changes approved by Metro Council

Some additional details and a timeline from Business Report. LINK

quote:

---

Now that the Metro Council has approved an ordinance backing the new arena, what happens next?

According to Charles Landry, an attorney who has been hired to work with LSU on the new arena, TAF is currently in talks with two potential developers. The foundation is unable to disclose who those developers are at this time.

On Sunday, a list of RFP deliverables was sent to both of the potential developers. Those deliverables—detailed proposals relating to the arena’s design, construction and promotion—will need to be provided to TAF no later than June 30.

Landry says TAF will likely make a final decision on the developer within 30 to 60 days of receiving those proposals.

---

quote:

---

Where will the new arena be located?

The new arena will be constructed on LSU’s campus. More specifically, Landry says a site in the vicinity of the university’s baseball facilities on Skip Bertman Drive seems to make the most sense, though he stresses that nothing is set in stone.

One of the sites originally considered for the arena was the area next to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center where LSU’s track and field facilities are currently located. Those plans were scrapped, however, due to the considerable cost of relocating the track and field facilities.

Commercial Properties Realty Trust, which develops and manages property holdings of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, purchased about 40 acres of rundown land on Nicholson Drive last year. Landry says that land is “absolutely not” being considered for the arena, though establishments like hotels and restaurants will likely be constructed there to support the arena.

---

quote:

---

When will the new arena be completed?

While it is unclear when construction might commence, Landry says the arena is expected to be operational at some point in 2028, meaning the project will take about four years to complete. The PMAC, by comparison, took eight years to develop.

---

Here's the land CPRT recently acquired. Sounds like at least some of it will be developed into hotels and restaurants to support the new arena.