Metro Council approves taxing district near LSU

The parish now has another district with the power to raise taxes and redirect the proceeds into development, this time in the emerging corridor around West Lee, Burbank and LSU. The district was established on Wednesday evening to build a sports tourism facility, in line with a desire by Baton Rouge officials to draw more tournaments to the parish.

Why it matters: Baton Rouge already has more than a dozen economic development districts. Some sit in places where growth is obvious. Others seem to exist mostly on paper, collecting little and changing less. Even so, such districts can help nudge investment in corridors that matter to the broader city.

The details: The Metro Council on Wednesday approved the Bayou Fountain Economic Development District, covering mostly open land between Jennifer Jean Drive, West Lee and Burbank. Under the ordinance, the district may levy new taxes within its boundaries to help finance economic development projects, specifically a sports tourism facility.

In backing the project, Council Member Jennifer Racca noted that Greg Stringfellow is among the leaders of the sports tourism project and thanked him for his role. He has a successful track record in the business. He helped build and open Elite Sports Academy on Burbank, and serves as its president.

Council records show the area now generates about $3.1m in sales. The district will have its own governing board and may impose an extra 2% in sales and hotel taxes on top of existing levies, and up to 5 mills in ad valorem taxes. The district will collect incremental taxes from projects, but, over time, share the proceeds with the city-parish.

The bigger picture: Baton Rouge is starting to see that its obsession with sports can do more than fill weekends. It can help drive the economy. The push for the LSU arena and the proposed sports tourism complex in St. George are also signs of that shift.