Caddo Parish Commissioner Mike Middleton talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the latest presentation by Gateway Development Corporation and their $1 billion, ten year plan to develop downtown Shreveport's Cross Bayou area.

The presentation to the commission, made by GDC representative Larry English, asked the parish, city and state for a total of $46 million, plus the cost of environmental cleanup the area.

Middleton tells KEEL listeners that the Commission owns property in the Cross Bayou region which "that would, hopefully, help them facilitate their needs. If they need that property, tell us what you have to offer."

The Commissioner questions the necessity of a non-binding resolution to open discussions with GDC, saying, "Non-binding is just a premise, it's just to start something. Then what do you need? 'Well, we need the land.' What do you need after that? 'Well, we need some money." I'm just leary of that."

During the meeting, the commission voted in favor of the resolution to open discussions with the consortium regarding the development, which GDC has said it hopes to begin before the end of this year.

More From News Radio 710 KEEL