Opinion ID: 780249
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Motion in Limine Ruling

Text: 26 Shreve Town contends that the district court, in its motion in limine ruling, erred in excluding information relating to the development and financing of the hotel. Although we normally review a district court's evidentiary ruling under an abuse of discretion standard, Shreve Town argues that the ruling should be reviewed de novo because the ruling amounted to a partial summary judgment ruling in favor of the City. 27 Shreve Town argues that the excluded evidence would have shown a violation of art. VII, § 14(A) of the Louisiana Constitution, which prohibits the City from subsidizing the development of the convention center hotel. Shreve Town further argues that the public purpose requirement can not be satisfied if the City plans to use its property in a manner prohibited by art. VII, § 14(A). In Chanse Gas, the court rejected an identical argument reasoning that once the public purpose has been established, the fact that private entity may develop and profit from the project does not negate its public nature and the fact that a private developer may build or operate the hotel does not violate art. [VII], § 14[(A)]. 794 So.2d at 975-76. Regardless of what standard of review applies, we hold that the district court did not err in excluding the evidence because the City's plans with respect to the hotel are not in violation of art. VII, § 14(A).