(The Center Square) – An uptick in commercial and business development plans for downtown Shreveport have raised concerns about parking, which is ample but not always in convenient locations.
Past studies concluded that parking is sufficient for current demand but the city manages only a small portion of those spaces.
Following the decline of businesses using commercial office space that began in the late 1980s, the downtown landscape is evolving, with a growing emphasis on an urban living experience unique to Shreveport. Urban living attempts to celebrate the historic character of a city.
The organization overseeing downtown development and parking management says it’s time for fresh ideas that reflect today’s realities.
Encouraging demolition of historic buildings for additional parking lots – considered more profitable than vacant buildings – will not be one of them, nor is a new parking garage likely because a citizen-led committee rejected the idea while shaping infrastructure project recommendations for inclusion in the city’s 2024 bond election.
The landmark Petroleum Tower is set to undergo redevelopment, bringing more residential and retail growth to downtown. There is a similar plan at Rubenstein’s, while more buildings are being promoted as prime locations for redevelopment opportunities.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson announced a $124 million plan this year to make downtown a hub for the film and entertainment industry. G-Unit Film & Television plans to redevelop the former Stageworks and Millenium Studios venues and construct a 164-foot tall entertainment dome for performances.
Jackson owns several downtown buildings, including the purchase of three private parking lots. It’s unclear how many spaces those lots contain but it’s clear Jackson’s company acted proactively.
Attendees of G-Dome performances may also utilize parking structures and curbside options that are within walking distance.
There are approximately 9,000 parking spaces in surface lots and garages. The city contracts with the Downtown Development Authority to manage around 900 metered and pay-by-app curbside parking, the most valuable kind of parking in a downtown environment, according to a report.
On-street parking is limited to two hours per city ordinance to encourage turnover for businesses. A third hour is available using the ParkMobile app for an additional fee. Parking is free between 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., and all day on weekends. All parking garages are privately owned.
DDA Executive Director Cedric Glover is looking to update the last parking study, completed in 2012, so it accurately reflects strategic needs based on today’s circumstances.
Many regional banking chains and businesses are gone, and buildings that were once occupied are vacant.
Glover will be recommending to the mayor and city council more effective uses of parking assets based on the area’s projected needs. Further details will be released after his meeting with city officials.
“All of that is in line with our mission to preserve and increase private investment in the downtown,” he said, while looking “to project additional needs that come before us.”
DDA oversees ShrevePark, created to manage ordinance enforcement and collections for the city. Parking revenue goes into the city’s parking enterprise account to fund parking development programs.
The last contract, which ended in 2025, paid $416,700 to DDA for three years of management services. Their new contract is under review.
Recent strategies implemented by DDA include converting fire lanes and other underutilized zones to parking spaces; less reliance on physical parking meters, a capital expense, after switching to a parking app; and a SporTran bus downtown circulator route system so patrons can move around the city without having to walk.
