The vacant storefronts in the downtown Shreveport area have now increased and the number of downtown employees has decreased, which is a pattern that continues.
Red River Bank has moved from the Crystal Oil Building to American Tower and moved its commercial and private banking teams to the suburbs, leaving just a small branch operation in downtown.
The vacant store fronts in the downtown area now equal if not exceed the occupied buildings.
The downtown office capacity is overbuilt and most likely will never reach sustainable levels in the foreseeable future.
Caddo Sheriff Whitehorn will move his seventh floor Government Plaza offices to the recently purchased automall complex when renovation/remodeling is completed next year or early 2028.
The state office building, when opened next year, will add a large number of downtown employees with what will most likely be a marginal gain over further downtown employee loss and thus will have a low economic impact other than lunchtime eateries.
Conversion of office buildings to residential units is quite expensive and not economically viable without substantial state and tax incentives and the demand for market rate downtown rentals versus subsidized housing is questionable.
Bally's purchase of Sam's Town should increase gaming on this side of the river as well as employment, hotel occupancy and events at the Sam's Town facility, but it will not help downtown retail or residential occupancy.
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's vision to redevelop and rebrand downtown into an entertainment mecca, if accomplished, will not address office building vacancy and will not substantially increase meaningful downtown employment opportunities.
There is little hope that the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) can contribute any meaningful input/influence into downtown redevelopment because its executive director is a controversial former elected official who lacks a background in economic development and has a well-documented poor work ethic.
More downtown flower pots and benches will do little to "bring back" downtown.
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.