Is Plan for a Bossier Entertainment District Dead on Arrival?

Some opposition is starting to bubble up about the plan to create a special entertainment district in Bossier City that would include the East Bank District, the Boardwalk, the casinos, Chasing Aces and Bass Pro Shop. And KEEL News has now learned this plan could be completely scrapped.

Bossier City Councilman Chris Smith has been spearheading the effort and says the plan would benefit the entire area and encourage visitors to enjoy more of the businesses in the district when they come down to visit one of them. He says the district would include more lighting, sidewalk upgrades, a walking bridge over the roadway and shuttles to transport folks from one venue to another.

What Would Pay for These Improvements?

The proposal would include a 2% sales tax increase at the businesses located in the district. That money would be used to pay for improvements in the area. Smith says it could be used to offer incentives for businesses that locate in the area. But a specially appointed board would be appointed to make recommendations on how the money is spent. Those proposals would then have to be approved by the full City Council.

Bossier City Council Might Be Split on This Plan

We don't know yet how all of the individual council members feel about this proposal. But we do know Councilman Vince Maggio can't vote on it because he has a conflict of interest. He apparently is part owner of some property in the district. Councilman Brian Hammons says he will let KEEL know as soon as possible if he supports this proposal. He's apparently still evaluating the details. We also contacted Councilman Craton Cochran and he tells us "right now, we are taking a lot of information in from different entities and at this time, I will defer to Chris Smith, but I do believe it is being pulled from the agenda. Cochran also tells KEEL News "I think transparency was missing." He says:

When we started talking about taxing baseball caps and janitorial supplies, I started to lose a little bit of faith. We had a meeting today including reps from the East Bank District, the casinos and the Boardwalk and many concerns were raised.

Cochran adds "I think when the public speaks, and when the public raises the red flag, I hear it loud and clear."

We also checked in with Councilwoman Debra Ross and are also waiting to hear her opinion on the plan.

SEE HOW SOME OF THE OPPOSITION TO THIS PLAN BUBBLED UP

What Do the Businesses in the Area Think About the Plan?

Several business owners have been raising concerns behind the scenes. There have been several town hall meetings about this proposal and most of the business owners expressed support for the plan. They hope this new district will continue to grow and all will thrive. KEEL News did speak to Beau Hays who owns BeauxJax Crafthouse in the East Bank District. He led the charge to make the East Bank what it is today. Hays told KEEL News:

It is my understanding that it is being removed from the agenda. We are committed to working with private businesses throughout the East Bank, the Boardwalk and the casinos to make the entire area continue to thrive.

 

We also reached out to Mayor Tommy Chandler and he did not know about the plan to pull this proposal from the agenda. He said "I have not received a text."