Shreveport/Bossier City Development

[dimebag1980]

I know how you feel.. my wife and I are in our 20's I think the average age here in ole southern gardens is about 60! We will probably be moving in about a year or so.. sadly maybe out of state.

Yeah Southern Gardens seems to be a retiree area.

You may be moving out of state? Wow, man, where to?

[bigboyz05]

Yeah Southern Gardens seems to be a retiree area.

You may be moving out of state? Wow, man, where to?

Ya'll may think I'm crazy but even though I'm just 28 I like living around older people. They are quiet and don't have a lot of parties. Also when you go out of town you'd better believe an old neighbor will keep watch on your property. I guess I'm like that because as a child I was raised around older people.

[dimebag1980]

Ya'll may think I'm crazy but even though I'm just 28 I like living around older people. They are quiet and don't have a lot of parties. Also when you go out of town you'd better believe an old neighbor will keep watch on your property. I guess I'm like that because as a child I was raised around older people.

Nothing wrong with that. Growing up we always had elderly neighbors and they were great to have for many reasons, especially security. They'd keep a watch out for everything. And whenever they'd hear some strange noise at night, they would call us and we'd return the favor of helping them out.

I live on a street that's mostly 20-somethings and early 30-somethings, but even though it's such a youthful area, everyone looks out for one another. My next-door neighbor is the same age as me, and we look out for one another's property when one of us has to go out of town.

[bigboyz05]

Nothing wrong with that. Growing up we always had elderly neighbors and they were great to have for many reasons, especially security. They'd keep a watch out for everything. And whenever they'd hear some strange noise at night, they would call us and we'd return the favor of helping them out.

I live on a street that's mostly 20-somethings and early 30-somethings, but even though it's such a youthful area, everyone looks out for one another. My next-door neighbor is the same age as me, and we look out for one another's property when one of us has to go out of town.

That's really cool.

[woob]

That's really cool.

yeah I have an old neighbor who mows my yard all the time... I paid him like 20 bucks once, he just keeps doing it.. he says hes retired and bored.. more power to him!

about moving out of state it maybe a year or 2 down the road. My wifes family lives in Alabama.. at first I fought it, but it's just beautiful in the northern part of it.. plus my wife is capable of making much more money there. Huntsville is a hotbed for Technology.. it's kind of like Austin. There is a spring that flows from a rock in downtown that forms a big lake right smack in the middle of town.. the tenn river is to the south and moutains to the north.. I love Louisiana though.. I'm always going to be rooting for the Saints and Tigers!

[dimebag1980]

yeah I have an old neighbor who mows my yard all the time... I paid him like 20 bucks once, he just keeps doing it.. he says hes retired and bored.. more power to him!

about moving out of state it maybe a year or 2 down the road. My wifes family lives in Alabama.. at first I fought it, but it's just beautiful in the northern part of it.. plus my wife is capable of making much more money there. Huntsville is a hotbed for Technology.. it's kind of like Austin. There is a spring that flows from a rock in downtown that forms a big lake right smack in the middle of town.. the tenn river is to the south and moutains to the north.. I love Louisiana though.. I'm always going to be rooting for the Saints and Tigers!

Alabama!?

You're right, though, Huntsville has it going on with technology. If you guys do move, don't forget us here in the Shreveport-Bossier forum!

[fridayinla]

Even those it isn't new development, adaptive reuse is a positive trend in any city:

Businesses make existing buildings their own

[dimebag1980]

Even those it isn't new development, adaptive reuse is a positive trend in any city:

Businesses make existing buildings their own

Good point. I think it's great to give old buildings new life, and often this kind of development helps to build up a city's dying urban core. It's vital to the overall growth and prosperity of a city.

[dimebag1980]

Well, looks like the Shreveport-Bossier gambling market (among other Louisiana gambling markets) dodged the Texas bullet again. Phew that was a close one (again!!) Looks like Texas will most likely not be voting casino gambling in this year.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.d...EWS01/611150301

Or did we dodge a bullet? The referenced article mentions that with Louisiana's current tax rate on casino gambling, investment is going to STOP at casinos in Louisiana because no one is willing to invest millions more dollars into their properties when they're paying out the rear to the state!

Louisiana: WAKE THE HELL UP and lower the taxes on this industry! We are losing valuable market share to Mississippi! When - not if - Texas finally votes gambling in, it's all over, Louisiana. WAKE UP and make these changes WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

That's it, I'm off to compose a letter to Blanco. I'm tired of this state being so damned backward!

[jcasey]

Well, looks like the Shreveport-Bossier gambling market (among other Louisiana gambling markets) dodged the Texas bullet again. Phew that was a close one (again!!) Looks like Texas will most likely not be voting casino gambling in this year.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.d...EWS01/611150301

Or did we dodge a bullet? The referenced article mentions that with Louisiana's current tax rate on casino gambling, investment is going to STOP at casinos in Louisiana because no one is willing to invest millions more dollars into their properties when they're paying out the rear to the state!

Louisiana: WAKE THE HELL UP and lower the taxes on this industry! We are losing valuable market share to Mississippi! When - not if - Texas finally votes gambling in, it's all over, Louisiana. WAKE UP and make these changes WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

That's it, I'm off to compose a letter to Blanco. I'm tired of this state being so damned backward!

Post that once you've done it, because I would sure love to see it!!! You should sign it Anyone But You 2007!

[dimebag1980]

Post that once you've done it, because I would sure love to see it!!! You should sign it Anyone But You 2007!

I don't know if I'll sign it that way, but I definitely plan on being somewhat scathing. This state is losing out on SO MUCH with the restrictions we have on that industry. When it comes to the gambling industry, Mississippi is like Nevada, and Louisiana is like Illinois.

I'm not sure when I'll have my letter ready, but I'd like to have it before the weekend. I'm finding it tough to make all my points and not get too personal.

I will type out my letter over the next couple of days and try to proof it twice before sending.

[richyb83]

Keep us posted If Texas get's gambling it's gonna be "slim' pickin's".

[jcasey]

I don't know if I'll sign it that way, but I definitely plan on being somewhat scathing. This state is losing out on SO MUCH with the restrictions we have on that industry. When it comes to the gambling industry, Mississippi is like Nevada, and Louisiana is like Illinois.

I'm not sure when I'll have my letter ready, but I'd like to have it before the weekend. I'm finding it tough to make all my points and not get too personal.

I will type out my letter over the next couple of days and try to proof it twice before sending.

I think that her recent trips are purely political. Monroe has lost State Farm and The Guide Plant under her watch and she has lost so many votes there. She has no other options but to go to Asia and act like she can get them a Toyota plant. Yeah right. If Toyota was a real possibility why would you want to send it to Monroe. They clearly have a failing economy. We, on the other hand, have automotive experience and a port. This thing from Kuwait may happen, but I seriously doubt it. It would happen before Toyota did. Again, trying to get votes from the NO area because of how she failed them. I think she stinks as a governor.

Edited November 16, 2006 by jcasey

[dimebag1980]

Keep us posted If Texas get's gambling it's gonna be "slim' pickin's".

You're right, Richy. I wish, if only this one friggin time, Louisiana would be proactive rather than reactive. BEFORE Texas' citizens vote to allow casino gambling in their state, Louisiana needs to completely revamp our state laws governing this industry. We have lost so much market share to Mississippi already it's not even funny.

A few years back Shreveport-Bossier was pretty close to neck and neck with Biloxi in regard to the gambling markets. Biloxi is in Mississippi, however, and Shreveport-Bossier is in Louisiana. Mississippi has very low taxes on the casino industry, they do not regulate the size of the gambling floors, and they do not have a set number of licenses for the state. Anyone who thinks he can play with the big boys is welcome to open a casino in Mississippi, and it's up to the gamblers to determine if he sinks to the bottom or floats to the top.

Quite a few years ago Bossier City had the opportunity to become home to a Mirage Resort casino complex which would have included a large casino, a golf course, and a 500+ room hotel on Cane's Landing. The state screwed that up, and eventually Mirage got tired of waiting and they went elsewhere! That certainly doesn't sound like a healthy business environment to me!

Also back in the late 90s, Hard Rock Cafe was scouting a location near the Horseshoe Casino in downtown Bossier. This is serious, no joke. Why do you think they never moved forward with their plans? The market softened and started showing signs of weakening due to all the restrictions placed on the gambling industry!

Edited November 16, 2006 by SBCmetroguy

[jcasey]

You're right, Richy. I wish, if only this one friggin time, Louisiana would be proactive rather than reactive. BEFORE Texas' citizens vote to allow casino gambling in their state, Louisiana needs to completely revamp our state laws governing this industry. We have lost so much marke share to Mississippi already it's not even funny.

A few years back Shreveport-Bossier was pretty close to neck and neck with Biloxi in regard to the gambling markets. Biloxi is in Mississippi, however, and Shreveport-Bossier is in Louisiana. Mississippi has very low taxes on the casino industry, they do not regulate the size of the gambling floors, and they do not have a set number of licenses for the state. Anyone who thinks he can play with the big boys is welcome to open a casino in Mississippi, and it's up to the gamblers to determine if he sinks to the bottom or floats to the top.

Quite a few years ago Bossier City had the opportunity to become home to a Mirage Resort casino complex which would have included a large casino, a golf course, and a 500+ room hotel on Cane's Landing. The state screwed that up, and eventually Mirage got tired of waiting and they went elsewhere! That certainly doesn't sound like a healthy business environment to me!

Also back in the late 90s, Hard Rock Cafe was scouting a location near the Horseshoe Casino in downtown Bossier. This is serious, no joke. Why do you think they never moved forward with their plans? The market softened and started showing signs of weakening due to all the restrictions placed on the gambling industry!

Wow. I didn't know all of that. That stuff makes me want to cry. They need to fix it and get those companies back in here to talk turkey. Those are things we need. We don't need Diamond Jacks. We need something to draw tourists here. What is Louisiana thinking. Again, we are failed by our state.

Edited November 16, 2006 by jcasey

[dimebag1980]

Wow. I didn't know all of that. That stuff makes me want to cry. They need to fix it and get those companies back in here to talk turkey. Those are things we need. We don't need Diamond Jacks. We need something to draw tourists here. What is Louisiana thinking. Again, we are failed by our state.

The Hard Rock thing actually made it into the Times... ONCE and once only. It was never mentioned again, and it just happened to be around the time that this market began to get saturated.

Diamond Jacks... I was MORE than disappointed to hear that name. The name alone screams sleaze! Sounds to me like "Honest Ed's Gambling Palace!"

[fridayinla]

You're right, Richy. I wish, if only this one friggin time, Louisiana would be proactive rather than reactive. BEFORE Texas' citizens vote to allow casino gambling in their state, Louisiana needs to completely revamp our state laws governing this industry. We have lost so much market share to Mississippi already it's not even funny.

A few years back Shreveport-Bossier was pretty close to neck and neck with Biloxi in regard to the gambling markets. Biloxi is in Mississippi, however, and Shreveport-Bossier is in Louisiana. Mississippi has very low taxes on the casino industry, they do not regulate the size of the gambling floors, and they do not have a set number of licenses for the state. Anyone who thinks he can play with the big boys is welcome to open a casino in Mississippi, and it's up to the gamblers to determine if he sinks to the bottom or floats to the top.

Quite a few years ago Bossier City had the opportunity to become home to a Mirage Resort casino complex which would have included a large casino, a golf course, and a 500+ room hotel on Cane's Landing. The state screwed that up, and eventually Mirage got tired of waiting and they went elsewhere! That certainly doesn't sound like a healthy business environment to me!

Also back in the late 90s, Hard Rock Cafe was scouting a location near the Horseshoe Casino in downtown Bossier. This is serious, no joke. Why do you think they never moved forward with their plans? The market softened and started showing signs of weakening due to all the restrictions placed on the gambling industry!

Uh, knowing all of that makes me angry. Should we all write a letter to Blanco?

[dimebag1980]

Uh, knowing all of that makes me angry. Should we all write a letter to Blanco?

Well, I'll tell you what, if she heard from enough people about the restrictions on our casino industry, she'd at least have to think about it.

[jcasey]

Well, I'll tell you what, if she heard from enough people about the restrictions on our casino industry, she'd at least have to think about it.

Seeing all that she has done so far makes me wonder if she thinks at all. Maybe I am just uninformed, but has she done anything positive or progressive in her term? Seems like she has had a lot of nice vacations though.

[dimebag1980]

Seeing all that she has done so far makes me wonder if she thinks at all. Maybe I am just uninformed, but has she done anything positive or progressive in her term? Seems like she has had a lot of nice vacations though.

I'm stumped.

I can't honestly name one, but I'm so lost on her it's unreal.

[jcasey]

You know I have been thinking. As everyone knows we need a serious university. I think LSUS is in a good location. I think they need to go big. They need to expand their campus and build some nice apartment style dorms as Tech and ULM have done. I think they need to make it feel like a real college and not just a community college. They need to expand their curriculum and offer things people would want to come here for. They should also should work closely with Tech and LSUHSC and act as a satellite for Tech's engineering and LSUHSC's medical professional programs. Good idea or no?

I would say maybe even a name change. LSUS seems to satellite-ish (because that's what it is now). UL would be good. ULL is trying to claim UL and ULM has not done even that. Let's just step in and take it! Make them the satellites!

Edited November 16, 2006 by jcasey

[Rardy]

You know I have been thinking. As everyone knows we need a serious university. I think LSUS is in a good location. I think they need to go big. They need to expand their campus and build some nice apartment style dorms as Tech and ULM have done. I think they need to make it feel like a real college and not just a community college. They need to expand their curriculum and offer things people would want to come here for. They should also should work closely with Tech and LSUHSC and act as a satellite for Tech's engineering and LSUHSC's medical professional programs. Good idea or no?

I would say maybe even a name change. LSUS seems to satellite-ish (because that's what it is now). UL would be good. ULL is trying to claim UL and ULM has not done even that. Let's just step in and take it! Make them the satellites!

Good idea, but LSU and UL are different systems. LSUS would get smacked with a lawsuit if they tried to become UL. How about the University of Shreveport? Univ. of New Orleans was LSU-NO (I *think*) before they changed over.

[baffroom]

Good idea, but LSU and UL are different systems. LSUS would get smacked with a lawsuit if they tried to become UL. How about the University of Shreveport? Univ. of New Orleans was LSU-NO (I *think*) before they changed over.

Yeah, UNO used to be LSU NO and is part of the LSU system.

I think LSUS mainly has an image problem. People barely know it exists -- it needs to market itself more. LSU BR has gained huge name recognition due to its sports programs. LSUS needs to do something. It's ridiculous that people go all the way to Ruston and Natchitoches to get business and general studies degrees when they could do it and still live in SBC.

About the gaming restrictions -- its ridiculous they restrict it so much. They already allow gambling, and are reaping the rewards of it. I'm not saying we need casinos on every corner, but maybe allow them to operate in certain areas with less restrictions. Maybe create districts where they can operate

[fridayinla]

Quite a few years ago Bossier City had the opportunity to become home to a Mirage Resort casino complex which would have included a large casino, a golf course, and a 500+ room hotel on Cane's Landing. The state screwed that up, and eventually Mirage got tired of waiting and they went elsewhere! That certainly doesn't sound like a healthy business environment to me!

Well, even though Shreveport may have missed out on a posh Mirage resort - I can't help but believe that something great is being planned for Cane's Landing. That large chunk of riverfront land is oozing with potential. Why can't someone just plan a nice development AND COMMIT to it?! If John Good and his development team don't want to build that highrise hotel, fine - sell the land to somebody else who will.

[jcasey]

Hey everyone, check this out. It is a story on KTBS about the airport trying to lure Southwest back! This would be so awesome. On a sour note, the article also says that the airport authority voted to sell some of the airports land for low income housing. Does Shreveport really need more low income housing? I wonder who this developer, Jeff Dunman, is related to or is owed a favor by.

http://www.ktbs.com/news/local/4669221.html