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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.

 

IS RENOVATION OF SHREVEPORT'S PETROLEUM TOWER ON HOLD

With much fanfare it was announced in March of this year that Petroleum Tower in downtown Shreveport was set undergo a $30 million redevelopment. The DDA announced that the renovation project would introduce a mix of residential and retail space.

The long-vacant structure on the corner of Texas and Edward Streets was to converted into 117 modern, market-rate residential units with retail space on the ground floor.

The Shreveport City Council approved in March a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for the project. Under the PILOT terms, the property will pay 10% of the property taxes that would normally be owed each year. The 20-year agreement will begin once construction is complete  and a certificate of occupancy issued.

This building was acquired in early 2021 by Louisiana Historic Redevelopment LLC, an Illinois-based development group.

In March of this year it was reported that work on the project was expected to being in six months with completion sometime in 2026. This timeline for the construction start-up is still open, however reports are that the financing for this project is not yet in place.

Previous owners of this sixteen story building gutted the interior in plans for  development and removed the asbestosis. The building owners also have acquired two structures on Edwards Street that is planned for parking for the renovated tower.

SORTING OUT THE ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR THE CADDO PARISH PICKLEBALL PROPOSAL-- A COMPLEX OR A PARK

SHREVEPORT MPC BOARD TO GET STARTED ON FINDING NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR