- By Darren Svan, KTBS Senior Investigative Reporter
SHREVEPORT, La. -- New survey results reveal that people who are passionate about the future of downtown Shreveport and those who work there say it’s going through an identity struggle and the path forward is not clearly defined.
Will it mostly become an entertainment, business or residential hub – or all three? Or is it a district that is inching closer to economic decline?
Respondents were consistent about one thing – public safety. An overwhelming majority feel safe during the day, whereas relatively few have the same opinion at night.
"Right now, we're a relative downtown destination at night,” said economic development Director Bill Sabo said. “If you're going to the Noble Savage, you're going to the Noble Savage. You're going to Robinson, you're going to Robinson Theater. You don't necessarily get out and just walk around. ... I think getting more storefronts and retail and restaurants is really the thing that will make more change than anything."
Consultant Downtown Strategies is helping the city develop plans over a three-year span to revitalize the downtown district. Results of a 45-question survey and market analysis were released to city officials last week, an initial step toward developing strategies to attract new businesses and visitors.
City officials previously said that success will be measured by whether Shreveport can build consensus around two dozen or so achievable initiatives and complete them.
The consultant’s market analysis examined topics like consumer trends, demographics and commute patterns, with a section of survey results completed by 372 local respondents.
Around 45% are unsure about the direction of downtown, and another 34% believe it’s headed in the wrong direction; 21% believe it’s headed in the right direction.
“I think the biggest takeaways are one: within a 10-minute drive of downtown, the population swells from 80,000 to 125,000 during the day,” Sabo said. “What the survey also said was they wanted more restaurants, nice bars, and boutiques downtown, and that people would come down here to shop. We also know we need some type of small grocery store or bodega, and that's going to be one of our priorities that we're going to look for.”
Sabo said it’s easy to demonstrate to people who are “unsure” through thoughtful implementation of identified priorities or inexpensive strategies that the city is making progress.
He suggests, among other ideas, organizing small street events that bring visitors directly to downtown businesses, rather than concentrating an entire event at Festival Plaza. It could involve closing off a single block to traffic and helping a merchant’s association organize a pottery festival or street performances.
“Potential” is the single most common word residents use, the survey said, followed closely by “empty” and “vacant.”
Long-vacant landmarks shape perception, while residents love the historic buildings, walkability and riverfront.
“Better lighting, visible security, and more people on the street after dark come up again and again,” the survey said.
About 60% say current businesses fail to meet their needs, listed as clothing, everyday goods, a small grocery store or bodega, and gift shops or boutiques.
Financial resources should be directed at safety, attracting a retail and restaurant mix, and better nighttime lighting.
Business owners named the historic lighting system as a top concern, and survey comments asked repeatedly for them to be repaired.
"If more light makes people feel safe, we can figure out how to fix that,” Sabo said.
Restaurants fared better, with 62% satisfied, although they added requests for more variety and quick lunch options.
In November, Downtown Strategies will deliver initial recommendations to Sabo and other officials. They’re looking for programs and ideas that may not be apparent, and approaches being used successfully in other cities that are adaptable to Shreveport.
The survey and revitalization project is funded in part by the Downtown Development Authority, and is part of the DDA’s effort to update the Downtown 2010 Redevelopment Strategy.
The contract with Downtown Strategies is $135,000.