Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developer proposes public‑private partnership to renovate Lucian Adams Sports Complex
Summary
A developer told Port Arthur City Council it seeks a short‑term lease for two fields and would invest to restore and eventually fully build out the Sergeant Lucian Adams Sports Complex under a phased public‑private partnership aligned with the city’s July 2024 master plan.
Cody Guidry, representing Fady’s Development Group and Southeast Texas Sports, pitched a public‑private partnership to Port Arthur City Council on July 15 to restore playing fields and pursue a full build‑out of the Sergeant Lucian Adams Sports Complex.
Guidry said the group is asking initially for a lease of two of the eight existing fields so the developer can make short‑term repairs — grading and leveling, new infield mix, lighting and fence repairs, pitchers’ mounds and bullpens — at “very minimal” cost to the city and get the fields tournament ready within three to four months. He said the group expects to host practices and weekend tournaments as soon as October 2025 and projected more visitors if the full master plan is built out.
The proposal is tied to a master plan the council approved in July 2024. Guidry described a longer term vision that he estimated would require a $30 million‑to‑$50 million private investment to add high‑quality turf, indoor facilities and multiuse fields for sports including baseball, soccer and pickleball.
Council members pressed for details about public access and pricing. Council member Beckham asked how citizens would use the facility; Guidry said the complex would operate on scheduled access, with opportunities for local groups and occasional free community uses to be negotiated with the city. Council member Frank and others asked whether community youth groups would be prioritized or charged the same as out‑of‑town tournament users; Guidry said investors would expect revenue from tournament rentals but the developer was prepared to work with the city on community access and occasional no‑fee uses.
Council member Kinlaw and others emphasized the need for clear, written terms and said they wanted the city to retain ownership of the land. Guidry and multiple council members said the initial two‑field lease would involve minimal city investment; longer‑term phases would be negotiated.
City staff agreed to move forward. City Manager Linda Brennan said she would meet with the developer to “hammer out the details” and return with a written agreement; Mayor Moses indicated the council directed the city manager to work with the developer.
The council did not vote on lease terms at the meeting; members expressed general support and asked staff to negotiate the specifics.
The presentation referenced partnerships the developer said it already has with a nonprofit (Athlete Sports Association) and tournament directors to market the complex and accelerate field use.
If the council directs staff to pursue a formal PPP, council members said they want the agreement to specify community access, maintenance responsibilities, lease length and conditions for return of the property to city control if the venture ends.
