Possible new LSU arena gaining support

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Community partners are saying a new venue at LSU could be the first step in a much larger vision they have for the area.

Like many Baton Rouge locals, Ann Trappey remembers what it was like to see large concerts come to Baton Rouge.

“I can remember as a kid being at LSU on campus seeing lots of things come to the PMAC,” said Trappey. “That PMAC is not capable of bringing those big acts anymore.”

As the interim CEO at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Trappey is now working to bring those big acts back. BRAC is teaming up with Visit Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and the Tiger Athletic Foundation to build a new entertainment venue on LSU’s campus. The proposed $300-million venue would house LSU athletics and big concerts bringing in more than 3,500 people.

RELATED: Multiple groups announce support for new LSU arena, River Center changes

CEO of BRAF Chris Meyer said this plan will also allow them to reimagine the River Center.

“The River Center has a lot of potential to expand its convention space, add a headquarter hotel, retail shopping, restaurants,” said Meyer.

Meyer said these plans come from recent studies the organizations have done on the viability of the River Center and how to revitalize the music scene here to bring in more visitors and an economic boost beyond campus.

“The idea that one major investment could spur development not just in Baton Rouge and not just on campus, but to the whole corridor all the way from what’s going to be on LSU’s campus,” said Trappey. “It could potentially revitalize the entire Nicholson corridor down to downtown.”

“Downtown has to be that living room. It has to be the place that everyone comes together, and certainly we need to get back to our riverfront and redeveloping that at the same time we look at these two big projects is key,” said CEO of Visit Baton Rouge Jill Kidder.

Meyers said these two big projects are actually just the first step. He said plans for new, smaller venues could also be popping up near Memorial Park to compliment the new LSU arena.

“That’s what artists are telling us when we ask, ‘Why isn’t Baton Rouge batting at the rate it should be?’ and that’s because we really lack the quality of venues and the number of venues necessary to compete with other markets,” said Meyer.

Meyer said the best part is having everyone on the same page to get it done faster.

“Because they’re all planned together, coordinated together, now they can be executed in a fashion that ensures that we are all working on the same timelines,” said Meyer.

The proposal will be brought to the Metro Council at Wednesday night’s meeting. Meyer said if it’s approved, he could see all of these projects completed within the next five years.

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