All the presentations, press releases, etc. to date have listed Gateway Development Consortium, LLC. The proposed Binding Memorandum of Understand (MOU) lists Gateway Louisiana, LLC.
The January 16 issue of The Shreveport Times reported on this change. Below is my responsive email to the Times reporter:
“The statement by the spokesperson for the developers for Cross Bayou adds more confusion than clarity.
Ms. Dunbar said ‘Gateway Louisiana is an LLC entity jointly owned by Gateway Development Consortium and Saber Fund Real Estate Advisors. It was created so that rather than the city having to negotiate with two different companies, it can negotiate with a single entity…’
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s records on Gateway Louisiana, LLC are not consistent with Ms. Dunbar’s statement.
It shows the following: The LLC is not in good standing for failure to file Annual Report The managers are Geoffrey Vitale and Lacy Howe The address for Vitale and How is 4319 Bluebonnet Blvd, Baton Rouge The members of the LLC are not listed The LLC was formed 12/27/2017.
This Gateway Development was set up in Dec. 2017. That was before Gateway Development Consortium (GDC( was formed—which was in Feb. 2018.
Managers of a limited liability company (LLC) are the equivalent of chief executive officers. The members a LLC are the owners.
The listed address of Vitale and Howe is an insurance company. A call to that office indicated that Howe has an office in that building.
Howe did not return a text asking about his relationship to Gateway Development Consortium (GDC).
Ms. Dunbar did not return an email inquiring about GDC and Gateway Development.
Vitale is a New York developer. Vitale and Howe have jointly developed property in Baton Rouge.
It is possible that GDC and Saber Fund Real Estate Advisors now the owners (members) of Gateway Louisiana. This determination should be made before the Shreveport city council votes on the pending resolution to authorize the mayor to enter into a binding resolution with Gateway Louisiana. Certainly Shreveport officials should know the identity of the persons/entities with whom contracting with. “