Shreveport Group Continues to Try to Save Fair Grounds Field

Get our free mobile app

FRIENDS OF FAIR GROUNDS FIELD MOUNTS NEW EFFORT TO STOP DEMOLITION OF SHREVEPORT’S BALLPARK 

After what has now been years of legal wrangling, political maneuvers, and contentious discussions, efforts to stop the demolition of Shreveport's Fairground Field by the local group called Friends of Fairgrounds Field continue.  'Friends' just recently released the following statement.

Friends of Fair Grounds Field is mounting a multi-faceted campaign to stop the City of Shreveport from bulldozing Shreveport’s multi-purpose stadium. Bill Robertson, with Friends of Fair Grounds Field, said the City has appropriated $600,000 in federal aid to demolish the ballpark and is making plans to hire a demolition contractor. 

 “I should say ‘mis-appropriated’ the federal dollars, because I don’t think Congress and the President intended American Rescue Plan funding to enable such a shortsighted proposal,” Robertson said. “We are asking all community and elected leaders representing the Fairgrounds, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Governor Jeff Landry, State legislators, Caddo Parish Commissioners and Caddo Parish School Board members, to help us block this irreversible course of action.”  

Robertson said Friends is asking Gov. Landry to direct the State Department of Health to intervene in the City’s demolition planning. The purpose is to certify that residents of Queensborough, other neighborhoods and the medical district near the Fairgrounds are not unwittingly exposed to toxic histoplasmosis from bat feces at Fair Grounds Field. 

“The State’s intervention in the City’s rushed and careless demolition attempt in 2022 prevented what could have been a catastrophic spread of dangerous biotoxins. The State should halt any renewed demolition until the City proves it has eliminated the threat to public health.”  

Robertson said Friends has asked Johnson and Kennedy, as federal officials, to verify the appropriateness of the City’s proposed use of ARP funding for the demolition. “ARP money should not be used to ‘rescue’ Shreveport officials from charges of neglect for allowing the stadium to deteriorate,” he said. Friends has also launched a petition drive at change.org to encourage citizens to join the campaign to renovate Fair Grounds Field. Future of Fair Grounds Field 2 | P a g e 26 August 2024 “We have beautiful architectural renderings that show what ‘s possible with the ballpark, if only the City would lift the death sentence it has imposed on the facility. The renderings are available for public inspection on our Facebook page, facebook.com/friendsoffairgroundsfield.” Robertson said the Facebook page also contains unanswered correspondence with City officials describing possible re-use of Fair Grounds Field.  

“We have no desire to be at odds with Mayor Arceneaux and the Council,” he said. “They leave us no choice by refusing to talk with us. They seem determined to rush recklessly into demolition. “The people of Shreveport built Fair Grounds Field under a previous mayor and City Council. Shreveport residents of today deserve to know why this mayor and council refuse to consider serious plans to save this multi-purpose facility for the continued enjoyment of everyone in Northwest Louisiana.”  

Despite the City’s refusal to work with Friends, the group has made significant progress in developing plans to rebuild and reprogram the park. Friends has:  

◼ Determined that the building is structurally sound;  

◼ Dispelled concerns that ballpark drainage issues cannot be solved; and  

◼ Met with interested parties, from public and private sectors, that see the stadium’s potential, want to participate in its revitalization, and have plans for its re-use.  

These plans call for a public/private partnership with joint funding. Robertson said Friends will not drop its lawsuit over City plans to demolish Fair Grounds Field. Such a move, he said, would “give the City a green light” to bulldoze the ballpark.  

“As an attorney, the Mayor knows he can meet with Friends in a way that does not compromise either side’s position.” Robertson said current City leaders appear eager to erase the work of previous City administrations and tear down public facilities like Fair Grounds Field and the Gardner Building housing Shreveport Police.  

“These are sturdy public buildings that have not been properly maintained. Renovating them as opposed to building new could save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. “Fair Grounds Field occupies a key corner of the 172-acre State Fair of Louisiana campus. Letting it deteriorate from neglect increases the possibility that the State Fair, a 118-year local institution, could leave Shreveport for another Louisiana city. Rumors to that effect are circulating here. “We would never forgive ourselves if we allowed that to happen.”