50 Cent vs. Shreveport: Mayor Says He Won’t Negotiate on Instagram

There seems to be a bump in the road for the deal between the City of Shreveport and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Jackson recently made some comments about difficulties in getting things done. The mogul says he still says he wants to create an entertainment hub downtown, and bring film and television production to Millennium Studios.

But there have been some serious flooding issues at that complex. Mayor Tom Arceneaux says the city is working to correct those problems.

During a recent podcast, Jackson commented about problems in getting started in Shreveport.

It just the idea of revitalizing the city without the city support, exactly, is not a good idea. You're never going to win if you're fighting with the city, man. The government, their local stuff is a little crazy.

 

Is 50 Cent Still Moving Forward with his Shreveport Investment?

Right now, not much is being done. Construction has not yet started on the G-Dome in downtown Shreveport and no events are planned by the G-Unit team. But the state contract for reimbursement calls for at least 26 events every year. 

KEEL News caught up with Mayor Tom Arceneaux to ask him about this kerfuffle. We asked the Mayor if he's difficult to deal with in this negotiation with Jackson. Arceneaux tells us "I am pretty steady and consistent and we have a deal with Mr. Jackson and I assume he will be an honorable person and that he will comply with his end of the bargain. We are honorable people. We will comply with our end of the bargain."

Arceneaux adds:

I really think this has more to do with some of his desires in the Red River District about which we do not have a contract. His scope expanded tremendously from a few million dollars to $120 million dollars that comes with some reimbursement commitments from the state. I believe that's what they are working on. That's certainly what they should be working on and I trust that they will comply with their obligations with the state and to the city of Shreveport.

Arceneaux also told KEEL News he does not intend to negotiate or discuss any business plans with Mr. Jackson either through podcasts or Instagram. "I am available to discuss those things at any time and I am more than happy to have a face to face discussion or a telephone conversation with Mr. Jackson."

What Is the Communication Breakdown Between Shreveport and 50 Cent?

We asked the Mayor if there has been a communication breakdown between he and Jackson. The Mayor says his staff has been talking with Jackson's team about the things that they are dealing with at Stageworks and Millennium Studios. Arceneaux says "We have not had any further discussion about a potential arrangement with the Red River Entertainment District."

Mayor Arceneaux says he has put a call in to Jackson, but he has not heard back from him.

We said that seems like there is a communication breakdown.

The Mayor says "he seems to communicate in other different means which I am not going to do." Is that frustrating for the Mayor? Arceneaux says "this doesn't move the ball forward. That has to do with a potential transaction that we have not made that is possibly on the table." The rest of the transaction is done. We are working for a solution for the water intrusion at Millennium. But there is nothing that prevents moving forward with events at the Stageworks complex."