How many years have motorists traveling into downtown Shreveport on the Texas Street bridge been subjected to the ugly view of a topless building with crumbling exterior walls? The short answer is "too darned long." The site of 114 Texas St. has not been a welcome sign by any means, and to say it is a municipal eyesore is a gross understatement.
The building is owned by 114 Texas, LLC. This limited liability company is based in Monroe, and its registered agent, manager and member (owner) is Marcus Hunter of Monroe. Hunter purchased the building in November 2019 for $22,400 at an adjudicated property sale.
Hunter has done nothing to preserve the building or to mitigate further damage from the elements since his purchase.
Shreveport Property Standards Dept. (PSD) cited the building for its numerous property violations. Hunter took no affirmative action on the citations, and the case was forwarded to Shreveport's Environmental Court.
On Oct. 8, the court found that 114 Texas, LLC was guilty of the cited violations. The court fined the property owner $500, assessed administrative costs of $200 and set a daily fine of $300 retroactive to Oct. 8 if the PSD has to abate the property.
The court further ruled that 114 Texas, LLC. had 180 days from Oct. 8 to abate the property. Failing the same, the PSD will abate the property at the cost of the land owner.
Shreveport's Environmental Court has heard over 240 cases, and it is finally bringing a long-needed vehicle to quickly and effectively adjudicate property standards violations. This case, along with the orders to clean up the grounds of the former Shreveport Country Club, are high-profile examples of how effective this court can be for the city.