(The Center Square) – A 30,000-square-foot, dome-style entertainment venue in downtown Shreveport is part of a multimillion-dollar plan using public and private dollars to try to revive the city’s economy.
The $22 million “G-Dome” is set to begin construction after securing a funding commitment from the state that includes the renovation of two other downtown buildings. The developments are part of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s ambitious vision to make Shreveport a hub for the film and entertainment industry.
“This could be Vegas, Nashville or Austin – we want to compete,” said Orville Hall, a growth adviser for Jackson’s G-Unit Film & Television. “I believe (Shreveport) will step up in a long-term way to make this work.”
On Tuesday, the G-Dome won unanimous approval from the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals to skirt current setback and building height restrictions. Estimated to reach 160 feet, the dome “is still shorter than most of the high-rises and most of the hotels, perfectly appropriate in the entertainment district,” project architect Kevin Bryan told the board.
Project supporters hope it will lure the 13 million people in the region to Shreveport for live entertainment, casinos, restaurants and river cruises. “Once these activities start, they will not stop,” Hall said.
Jackson, a New York City native, created his production company in 2003 and has produced content for Fox Entertainment, Fox News, Hulu, Netflix, Starz and BET+. His interest in Shreveport started in 2023 after discovering two large-scale, city-owned film and TV production venues that were underutilized.
Louisiana offers generous tax breaks for the industry, and Jackson’s company recently inked a $124 million financial commitment with the state to modernize the venues and build the G-Dome.
According to Hall, Jackson decided he could not produce film and TV content without addressing the deserted appearance of Shreveport’s downtown district, which has experienced a decades-long economic collapse. “(The dome) is an economic development idea that he knew would affect the city,” Hall said.
A cooperative endeavor agreement signed on Jan. 12 between Louisiana Economic Development and Jackson’s company caps the state’s commitment for reimbursement funds at $12.5 million for construction-related costs. Jackson is expected to pay the remaining $9.5 million, along with any cost overruns.
State reimbursement is eligible for capital construction costs such as design, site improvements, equipment and permanent systems. The building will be treated, to some degree, as a multi-purpose public space and public-benefit asset.
Under the agreement’s terms, the city and state are each provided rent-free access on two weekdays and one weekend for community or public purposes. The city and state also are entitled to use the dome’s exterior roof projection system at no cost for public notices or marketing events, and Jackson’s company must host 26 live events each year at the G-Dome and G-Stage, a film and television soundstage he is leasing from the city.
The public money can be clawed back if the dome’s public use or required number of live events are not met. Oversight of the funds lies with two appointed boards at the city and state levels.
Questions remain over the availability of downtown parking and adequate security for events. It’s not clear whether those responsibilities would fall to the city or to Jackson’s company.
Hall suggested using the blueprint of Jackson’s 2024 Humor & Harmony Festival, which drew an estimated 30,000 people to downtown. The event, considered a marketing and business success, used shuttle buses, idle parking garages and curbside space. The company spent $600,000 on security and police, he said.
Cedric Glover, executive director of the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority, agreed with his suggestion. “Our downtown has the capacity to handle it,” Glover said.
