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Council approves $1.16M contract for owner’s adviser on River Center expansion after split public comment
Summary
The Metropolitan Council authorized a two-year, not-to-exceed $1,160,000 professional-services agreement with Hunt & Partners to serve as owner’s adviser on the Baton Rouge Convention Center expansion and a headquarters hotel; the vote followed public debate over project need, funding sources and overlap with an LSU arena proposal.
The Metropolitan Council voted to return a negotiated contract to the council with authorization for the mayor-president to execute a professional services agreement with Hunt & Partners to serve as the city-parish owner’s adviser on the Baton Rouge Convention Center expansion and headquarters hotel project. The contract term is two years and capped at $1,160,000.
Councilman Justin Hudson moved approval and Councilwoman Jen Rocca (later referenced by name in discussion) seconded the motion; the item carried without recorded opposition. The finance director confirmed the $1,160,000 is not general-fund money but comes from a dedicated state sales-tax rebate specifically earmarked for River Center or riverfront capital improvements.
Public testimony split sharply. Opponents included Darrell Glasser and Penny Mae Landry, who warned about the city’s budget deficit and questioned using additional consultant funds when other urgent needs exist. Glasser urged the council to fund the contract from council members’ districts, saying, “If you wanna do it, all 12 of you pay the $1,160,000.” Penny Mae Landry and others asked the council to pause major new investments until the LSU arena debate (a separate project) is resolved.
Supporters, including Jill Kidder of Visit Baton Rouge and members of the mayor’s oversight committee for the River Center, argued the owner’s adviser is essential to develop a competitive plan and attract a private-sector partner. Kidder said the River Center could not be competitive for regional conventions “without a headquarters hotel attached to your center,” and that the advisory contract was part of an RFP process that received 13 proposals and interviewed five. Councilman Aaron Mook and others who served on the oversight committee said the selection process was public and competitive.
Speakers described the contract’s purpose: Hunt & Partners will represent the public (as owner’s adviser) in planning improvements, vet construction and cost estimates, and help identify a developer for a public-private partnership including a headquarters hotel. Proponents said the company will help the city prepare an actionable plan and attract events that increase hotel occupancy and overnight stays.
Council members emphasized that the contract is meant to generate more revenue by making the convention center competitive and by leveraging non-general-fund revenue. Councilman Mook noted the committee interviewed multiple firms and the selection followed an RFP and scoring process. Council members also stressed the funds for the contract are limited to a dedicated revenue source and cannot be used for general services.
What’s next: The mayor-president will execute the professional-services agreement and the adviser will begin work to develop plans and cost estimates; the River Center oversight committee is expected to continue public meetings on the project and to report back to council as work proceeds.
