River Center Interim Management

At a glance

• What: Two August 26, 2026 resolutions on the River Center: a memorandum of understanding for Visit Baton Rouge to provide interim management of the River Center facilities, and a consulting agreement with Total BS, LLC for the River Center Project.
• Where it stands: Both were approved 9-0 on August 26. The Total BS contract was approved as amended (funding source and period corrected). Public comment was opposed from two people, supportive from one, and neutral from one.
• Next: Execution of the agreements; no further Council action is scheduled in the minutes read. See also Raising Cane's Naming Agreement Extension.

Visit Baton Rouge memorandum (Resolution 59600)

Authorizes the Mayor-President to sign a memorandum of understanding between Visit Baton Rouge (VBR) and the City-Parish setting the framework and process by which the City-Parish engages VBR to provide interim management of the River Center facilities.

• Motion to approve: Councilwoman Coleman, seconded by Councilman Moak. Vote 9-0, with Councilwoman Adams, Councilwoman Harris and Councilman Hudson absent.
• Public comment: Jill Kidder appeared in favor but did not wish to speak. Pennie May Landry spoke in opposition. Darrell Glasper spoke without favor or opposition. Phillip Lillard submitted an emailed comment in opposition.

Total BS consulting agreement (Resolution 59601)

Professional services agreement with Total BS, LLC for consulting services connected with the River Center Project.

• Term: August 2026 to July 31, 2028. Amount: $250,000 for the first year and $275,000 for the second year, a total of $525,000.
• Funding: the River Center Capital Improvement Fund.
• Motion: Councilwoman Coleman, seconded by Councilman Moak, to approve as amended, correcting the funding source to read "River Center Capital Improvement Fund" and the period to read "August 2026 to July 31, 2028." Vote 9-0, with Councilwoman Adams, Councilwoman Harris and Councilman Hudson absent.
• Public comment: Jill Kidder in favor (did not speak); Pennie May Landry spoke in opposition; Phillip Lillard emailed opposition.

Sources

• Metropolitan Council regular meeting minutes, August 26, 2026: https://www.brla.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08262026-2428

Log

2026-08-26 - Metropolitan Council

Both resolutions had been introduced August 12 and received their public hearing. Approved 9-0. Pennie May Landry and Phillip Lillard opposed both; Jill Kidder supported both without speaking; Darrell Glasper addressed only the VBR memorandum and took no side.