You have heard it before.

Shreveport needs—and deserves—a local law school.

In 2012 Louisiana College purchased the Joe D. Waggoner Building on Fannin Street.

The college paid $400 grand for the building.

And then another $4.2 million, or so, for asbestos removal and repairs to the roof, elevators, HVAC system , electrical and plumbing.

The law school never opened. The building has been for sale since 2014.

For the last 3 years, the Commission has listed a law school on its legislative priorities.

Now there is a revival in the “bring a law school to Shreveport” talk. And although this building has not been directly mentioned in the mix, it certainly would be great location for a downtown location.

On April 1 the Long Range Planning Committee of the Caddo Commission voted to begin the initial stages of a process to support the establishment of a law school here.

If approved by the full body, the Commission will move $100 thousand from their general fund into a reserve fund intended to support a Louisiana Board of Regents study for another Louisiana law school. Potentially the school could be opened in conjunction with Southern University System. However this is not a requirement for the Commission commitment.

This proposal is to hold the moneys for a designated interval. If progress is not made on the law school, the funds would revert back to the general fund.

The proposed study could cost as much as $200,000. The goal of the Commission committing $100,000 is to show the local commitment to the Regents. The Commission wants Caddo Parish to be first in line for a new law school if one is approved by the Regents.

More information on this proposal will be forthcoming soon. The Commission has its next work session on Monday April 15.