The newly remodeled state office building on Fannin Street should be completed and occupied by the fall of next year (2027).
Approximately 800 workers will be housed in this building which has a 650-car parking garage.
Many, including DDA Executive Director Cedric Glover, have touted that the opening of this building will herald a renaissance for downtown Shreveport.
It is doubtful that this will be the case.
The workers in the current state office building on Fairfield are largely a brown bag crowd. With the move to the new digs on Fannin, this crowd will have the advantage of a cafeteria in the building.
Additionally, the east side of the building will have terraces and gardens that can provide outside lunchtime spaces during temperate weather.
It is not likely that many of these workers will walk two city blocks to Texas Street to dine or shop in an hour-long lunch period.
The same is true for visitors going to the state office building.
The state office building will certainly be a great addition to Fannin Street and the downtown area from the point of view of an anchor on Fannin Street.
Having more people—both workers and building visitors—will certainly “introduce” many to downtown that are not accustomed to going to that area.
However, more downtown visitors to the building will tax the limited parking opportunities in that area since most Shreveporters are accustomed to free parking with short walks.
Bottomline, the building is a great addition to the downtown Shreveport area that is needed. How much it will offset the continuing loss of downtown tenants, businesses and hew development will not be known for several years.
Assuming the cell phone tent that is always present in front of the Fairfield building moves to Fannin Street, it's very unlikely those patrons will help downtown businesses.