Shreveport/Bossier City Development

[dimebag1980]

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.

I still hate that we don't have a major university, and we're surrounded by smaller cities who all have larger universities: Monroe, Ruston, Natchitoches, Tyler, Longview, Texarkana. We're literally the big fish in that pond but yet we're by far the most underserved as far as higher education options go.

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

We need the casinos to be allowed to operate only within a specified district, for sure. There is already what freeway signage refers to as the "casino district," and that's the whole downtown riverfront area. But if they were all next door to one another, more like in Las Vegas, the foot traffic would be amazing. Add that to a better business climate (i.e., lower taxes, no major licensing restrictions, no gaming space restrictions) and you have a very vibrant casino district where each property is feeding off its neighbor and more and more attractions are added to entice visitors to their properties.

[dimebag1980]

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.

I agree, and I hope someone has a vision for Cane's Landing. I have a vision for a very nice, upscale shopping and condominium development for that land, very similar to what I envision for Cross Bayou. My plan, however, would include relocating the low-income housing just across the levee from Cane's Landing. I honestly think building condos or upscale retailers right across the levee from a bad neighborhood is stupid.

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

That would be awesome. Southwest's biggest issue is flying out of airports where they can fill the larger planes, and since they're a discount airline it's harder for them to make money if they don't. If they go to the regional jets like what American, Continental, etc fly out of Shreveport, there is no doubt in my mind Southwest could fill those jets here.

This low-income housing thing doesn't surprise me. There are two or three brand new low-income developments off Shreveport-Blanchard Highway now, one at Roy Road and the other at David Raines. And guess what? Yep, there's another one planned for just down the street in MLK. The answer is NO, Shreveport doesn't need more low-income housing. You don't see Bossier bending over backward to build brand new slums (is that an oxymoron?) do you? Heck no!

[dan326]

Maybe they start to build some of those mixed income developments. Does Shreveport have any TNDs?

[imaterry78247]

I could have gotten it wrong with 175,000... it might have been 185,000. As a matter of fact, I believe it IS 185,000. Little Rock is around 180,000 and is actually expected to pass Shreveport up in the next Census.

I'm with you, it seems strange to have a city that's growing so much residentially and commercially actually losing population! But that's what the latest Census estimate says. The big loss of population shows that all the new home construction in southeast Shreveport isn't slowing things down at all. That shows just how many people are moving out, and it seems the vast majority are moving to any of the following places: Bossier City, Benton, Haughton, Greenwood, Stonewall. This is why Stonewall is experiencing major growing pains right now, because people are moving down there just to be out of the city. Sad, isn't it?

Right now, Jerry Jones is ahead by a narrow margin. Let's all hope to God that he wins and this city is able to change for the better. With the people who are supporting Glover, there is no doubt in my mind the city will stay the way it is right now. I'm watching the election results come in little-by-little on the Times' main page, and it's scary to think it's as close as we all figured it would be!!

All I can say man that it is really sad that Shreveport is losing population. Really sad!

[dimebag1980]

All I can say man that it is really sad that Shreveport is losing population. Really sad!

Typical inner-city flight, but it is a problem. I really hope it can be reversed before it's too late. New Orleans and Detroit are two very prime examples of how this can happen. While the suburbs boom, the inner city takes a major population hit.

[dimebag1980]

Maybe they start to build some of those mixed income developments. Does Shreveport have any TNDs?

Oh yeah, Island Park and Provenance are the main TNDs in the construction phase right now, and both are in south Shreveport. South Shreveport is where the vast majority of Shreveport's growth is occurring but is also part of the problem as well. As the population shifts from the inner city, lots of the people are heading to south Shreveport and points even further south, like DeSoto Parish. In a desperate attempt to keep up with the tax dollars and population numbers, Shreveport keeps expanding its city limits further and further south. Shreveport has always been a city that has grown in a "round" pattern around the city center, but south Shreveport is a very linear area following I-49, Ellerbe Road, and Norris Ferry Road.

Edited November 17, 2006 by SBCmetroguy

[fridayinla]

Maybe they start to build some of those mixed income developments. Does Shreveport have any TNDs?

Yes, there's the Provenance development in southwest Shreveport:

http://www.yourprovenance.com/au/aboutus.htm

I think Phase I should be nearly complete by now.

[dimebag1980]

Yes, there's the Provenance development in southwest Shreveport:

http://www.yourprovenance.com/au/aboutus.htm

I think Phase I should be nearly complete by now.

Phase I is moving along quite nicely. A few homes are complete, some nearing completion, and quite a few started. Also many more lots have been cleared. The retail area is also coming along nicely.

[fridayinla]

"The Louisiana Bond Commission approved $500,000 in cash Thursday for planning a digital music broadcasting center backers say is another step toward their goal of reviving the 'Louisiana Hayride'... The center will be an incubator for the music and film industries in Shreveport...

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu said Shreveport is becoming a leader in the rebirth of the cultural economy. 'It is a wonderful outgrowth of the film tax credit program and an example to the rest of the state of the value of the cultural economy.'"

Here's the article:

La. OKs $500K for digital recording center in Shreveport

Edited November 17, 2006 by fridayinla

[dimebag1980]

The Louisiana Bond Commission approved $500,000 in cash Thursday for planning a digital music broadcasting center backers say is another step toward their goal of reviving the "Louisiana Hayride."

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu said Shreveport is becoming a leader in the rebirth of the cultural economy. "It is a wonderful outgrowth of the film tax credit program and an example to the rest of the state of the value of the cultural economy."

Here's the artcile:

La. OKs $500K for digital recording center in Shreveport

LOL

Great minds think alike?

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=32535

[fridayinla]

Looks like the convention center hotel construction is dragging and the new target date for completion is February 2007:

Delays with convention center hotel bring attention to city's problem with contractor

Can anything ever just go as planned? Geez...

Edited November 17, 2006 by fridayinla

[dimebag1980]

Looks like the convention center hotel construction is dragging and the new target date for completion is February 2007:

Delays with convention center hotel bring attention to city's problem with contractor

Can anything ever just go as planned? Geez...

It also seems Tommy Clark isn't very receptive to discussing the issue with the City Council and they're pretty upset about that.

I honestly thought Walton was a great company to build this hotel, but I'm not so sure anymore. They're a large, reputable outfit but they have been less than spectacular on this project.

[woob]

It also seems Tommy Clark isn't very receptive to discussing the issue with the City Council and they're pretty upset about that.

I honestly thought Walton was a great company to build this hotel, but I'm not so sure anymore. They're a large, reputable outfit but they have been less than spectacular on this project.

I'm tired of the construction I have to drive by there everyday... and to be honest with you...I don't think I like the design of the building... anyone else think it's kind of plain?

[dimebag1980]

I'm tired of the construction I have to drive by there everyday... and to be honest with you...I don't think I like the design of the building... anyone else think it's kind of plain?

I like a lot of aspects of the design, but I don't like the overall design. It's simply not packaged well. Once the top two floors' windows are put in and the Hilton logo is slapped onto it, it'll look better but it never will be "great." I actually liked the original design better, not to mention the original height of 17 floors!

Edited November 18, 2006 by SBCmetroguy

[bigboyz05]

"The Louisiana Bond Commission approved $500,000 in cash Thursday for planning a digital music broadcasting center backers say is another step toward their goal of reviving the 'Louisiana Hayride'... The center will be an incubator for the music and film industries in Shreveport...

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu said Shreveport is becoming a leader in the rebirth of the cultural economy. 'It is a wonderful outgrowth of the film tax credit program and an example to the rest of the state of the value of the cultural economy.'"

Here's the article:

La. OKs $500K for digital recording center in Shreveport

Is Mitch related to Mary Landrieu?

[dimebag1980]

Is Mitch related to Mary Landrieu?

Yes, they're brother and sister.

[jcasey]

Hey Brian, have you been to I-220 and Airline lately? I was over there the other night and it looked like they have a tall building going up on the WK side of Airline. It was night time and they were out there working. Do you know what that is?

[dimebag1980]

Hey Brian, have you been to I-220 and Airline lately? I was over there the other night and it looked like they have a tall building going up on the WK side of Airline. It was night time and they were out there working. Do you know what that is?

If it was on the corner where you turn onto Airline from Oak Alley, I believe it's part of Starbucks Plaza.

[jcasey]

If it was on the corner where you turn onto Airline from Oak Alley, I believe it's part of Starbucks Plaza.

I may have to go over in the daytime and look. It looked like it was at least 2 stories high. Is WK building over there too?

[fridayinla]

I found this rendering of the renovated Uptown Shopping Center on LoopNet:

It looks beautiful, and I particularly like the patio area which looks to be around the new Starbucks(?).

[fridayinla]

If it was on the corner where you turn onto Airline from Oak Alley, I believe it's part of Starbucks Plaza.

What's Starbucks Plaza?

[fridayinla]

OK, I have more from LoopNet. Forgive me if this is old information.

This is a 22,800 sf retail center planned to start soon on 2 acres of 4-acre tract next to the Bossier Medical Center (land for possible build-to-suits, ground lease or future phases of retail). The center is called Airline Marketplace. The architecture is pretty much utilitarian in my opinion, but new development is always welcome.

[dimebag1980]

OK, I have more from LoopNet. Forgive me if this is old information.

This is a 22,800 sf retail center planned to start soon on 2 acres of 4-acre tract next to the Bossier Medical Center (land for possible build-to-suits, ground lease or future phases of retail). The center is called Airline Marketplace. The architecture is pretty much utilitarian in my opinion, but new development is always welcome.

Hmmm is that the one that is supposed to be right next to the hospital or just down a couple of blocks? I can't remember their names, sorry. The one next to the hospital was originally supposed to be a big lifestyle center and was supposed to open 2-3 years ago. It's since been reworked but the "new" sign has been up almost 2 years now and nothing has happened. Grass has grown over the dirt that was hauled in.

[dimebag1980]

I found this rendering of the renovated Uptown Shopping Center on LoopNet:

It looks beautiful, and I particularly like the patio area which looks to be around the new Starbucks(?).

Yes, that patio area will be the Starbucks patio seating area. That's a very cool rendering, I haven't seen that on LoopNet! I never search on there like I used to, I just get their emails all the time.

What's Starbucks Plaza?

That's the new Starbucks-anchored strip on Airline, across from the Stirling Bossier center. I don't know if Starbucks Plaza is the official name, but that's what the city is calling it at least.

[fridayinla]

Hmmm is that the one that is supposed to be right next to the hospital or just down a couple of blocks? I can't remember their names, sorry. The one next to the hospital was originally supposed to be a big lifestyle center and was supposed to open 2-3 years ago. It's since been reworked but the "new" sign has been up almost 2 years now and nothing has happened. Grass has grown over the dirt that was hauled in.

This one is certainly no lifestyle center. Here's the location description:

Airline Dr is home to Bossier City's most intense retail development. This site lies next to the Bossier Medical Center, just north of Pierre Bossier Mall and a power center containing Old Navy, Books A Million, Office Depot, Pier 1 and others. Lowes and Wal-Mart are just north of the site. Excellent street frontage, high visability.

If they're actively listing this as available space for lease, then seems to me like it's moving forward.