In an inexplicable rush, the Shreveport City Council adopted a downtown vacant building/blight ordinance last month. The ordinance had been tabled for months. The Council gave no indication the ordinance would not only be removed from the table, but actually passed in one fell swoop. Mayor Tom Arceneaux requested a delay on the vote.
Major concerns have been raised by many building owners and economic development persons associated with and interested in the downtown area.
One sentiment that bears much basis is the fact that the city wide property standards code that has been on the books for many years is not enforced in the downtown footprint. A short drive down Texas Avenue from Common Street to Murphy Street
is evidence.
Another issue of significance is the requirements placed on the owner of a downtown vacant building to sell if it is not renovated/occupied. This mandate has serious constitutional challenges, both the U.S. Constitution and the Louisiana Constitution.
All this may be a tempest in a teapot for the present being since there is very little, if any, enforcement of property standards in the downtown area. But the ordinance as written can be considered to be anti-development at a time when Shreveport reportedly is open for business.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.