Finally, Caddo Administrator Erica Bryant fessed up to the Caddo Commission.
The long heralded $10 million Caddo Parish pickleball complex for southeast Shreveport is set to be constructed on land owned by the Forbing YMCA.
The Caddo Administration has always said the YMCA agreed to lease the property to the parish for a nominal sum.
Later before the Commission's approval, the Administration said the YMCA would manage the complex.
No dollar amount has ever been provided for the lease, much less the management fee for the complex.
At the Commission’s work session yesterday, Bryant stated that no lease had been signed with the YMCA, but that there was a “verbal agreement” on the property.
The Caddo Administration has steadfastly refused to fully and openly comply with public records requests for information on the pickleball complex, the lease negotiations and any agreements with the firm that prepared the pickleball complex package.
All this mystery on the pickleball complex while the Commission is now going to send to voters a proposal on a $60 million general obligation bond for a sports complex.
One only wonders how transparent the Administration will be on the real details of this proposed sports complex.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.