Last week’s power of point/rally session on downtown development drew a diverse crowd, including two from the tourist bureau (they only travel in pairs), two from DDA, representatives from the Chamber, SRAC and Committee of 100, four downtown property owners two of which were a couple, five commercial relators two of which were building managers, six media people, the mayor, and others with 90 minutes to kill while getting a free box lunch.
When asking for audience participation on downtown problems, the consensus of knowledgeable attendees listed the most pressing challenge was office building occupancy of approximately 50% which does not include totally empty office buildings like the Johnson Building, the Slattery Building and a few other smaller buildings.
And when asked for suggestions on improving the downtown environs, the following were made that could be done NOW, which most likely could be accomplished within the city’s current budget structure:
1. Time downtown red lights
2. Require temporary fences by G-Unit on two locations to be removed
3. Enforce the existing downtown property standards ordinance
4. Enforce open container ordinance in public areas
5. Have Streetscape improve its downtown cleanup
6. Enforce panhandling ordinance
7. Enforce new state law prohibiting sleeping in public places
8. Enforce existing laws and ordinances on drug use
9. Improve traffic signage
10. Repair/update downtown lighting
11. Paint light poles
12. Stop unpermitted street gatherings with law enforcement
13. Add and update directional signage
14. Install more parking meters
The announced goal of this new downtown effort is to “do the doable” in small steps.
This list was compiled by the input of knowable downtown folks who have, for all practical purposes, given up on DDA accomplishing meaningful improvements to the downtown area.
Stay tuned for the next Settle Talk reviewing this meeting and the downtown challenges that LOCALs know and can identify without paying out of town “experts”.
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.