SIRA is the Shreveport Implementation and Rehabilitation Authority.
SIRA was donated a five-acre lot on Greenwood Road in January of last year (2025).
SIRA completed the purchase of the old YWCA on Pierre Avenue mid-summer of last year.
SIRA has been funded $100,000 by the City of Shreveport.
SIRA has now hired an operations manager on an $80,000 plus contract.
SIRA has yet to post a “FOR SALE” sign on these two properties that it owns.
SIRA's stated purpose is to encourage development on undeveloped properties in neglected areas.
Other than hiring an out-of-town firm to do busy work, SIRA has made no real progress since the article below was published on August 21 of last year.
If “FOR SALE” signs ARE NOT posted by the next board meeting in May one can expect a full listing with photos and contact information of board members, city employees assisting SIRA and its operations manager to be posted in a Settle Talk along with pictures of the two properties owned by this entity.
Who knows, after that The Inquisitor front page may cover the SIRA players.
Hey SIRA—Give me a sign, give me a sign, give me a sign—or go the house and shut down the parade.
WHAT WILL SIRA DO WITH IT'S FIVE ACRE NEIGHBORHOOD TRACT AND THE OLD PIERRE AVENUE YMCA--AND WHEN
SIRA is the Shreveport Implementation and Redevelopment Authority.
SIRA was created by an act of the State legislature, and its role is to effectuate redevelopment of properties in Shreveport.
SIRA owns an empty five acre tract on Exposition Avenue. It was donated to SIRA in January of this year. This land is in a neighborhood of modest, well-kept homes.
SIRA has recently completed the purchase of the old YMCA on Pierre Avenue. The City of Shreveport funded SIRA with $550,000 to buy this old building. A recent appraisal has valued this dilapidated structure at substantially less than the purchase price.
SIRA was funded $100,000 in the City's 2025 budget. What funding, if any, will be in the 2026 City budget for SIRA is unknown at this time.
The SIRA Board is busy getting a post office box, engaging a website designer, hiring a CPA firm, approving an annual budget, developing policies and procedures along with planning a board retreat.
In the meantime, the grass is growing on SIRA's five acre tract. And drugs are still being sold on the corner of the SIRA's building on Pierre Avenue.
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.