BATON ROUGE — A pair of proposals aimed to help redevelop the Raising Cane’s River Center will be introduced at the Metro Council Wednesday night, including a pitch for Visit Baton Rouge to take over interim management of facilities and to contract with a former local executive for consulting services.

The first proposal looks to authorize Mayor-President Sid Edwards to execute a memorandum of understanding between the city-parish and its tourism agency Visit Baton Rouge. The MOU would establish the framework and guidance for Visit Baton Rouge to serve as the interim manager of River Center facilities.

The appointment looks to fill a critical operational gap until a long-term developer is chosen for the venue’s multi-million dollar expansion and downtown hotel project.

Per the MOU, Visit Baton Rouge will not manage daily operations directly or hire new city staff, but will instead hire an experienced, third-party facility management firm to run day-to-day operations and venue staffing.

Visit Baton Rouge will operate on a "cost-plus" model, with the city-parish reimbursing direct operating costs and paying an administrative oversight fee. The city retains financial risk for utility costs, major capital repairs and overall revenue shortfalls, according to documents.

Edwards is also looking to execute a professional services agreement with former local tourism executive Butch Spyridon, through his Total BS LLC, for professional consulting services in connection to the River Center redevelopment project. Spyridon spent 30 years at the helm of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., and prior to that, worked with the formerly-named Baton Rouge Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The contract’s term would last from August 2026 through July 2028, for $250,000 the first year and $275,000 the second year plus a car allowance.

Under the proposed terms, Spyridon is eligible to receive a $300 daily per diem for lodging and meals while working in Baton Rouge, plus $224 in mileage reimbursement for each 320-mile round trip from his home to Baton Rouge.

Edwards was expected to hold a press conference about the River Center on Wednesday morning, but it was rescheduled to Aug. 17.