(The Center Square) — The ongoing fight against blight in Shreveport continues with a new “Block by Block” initiative announced by Mayor Tom Arceneaux during a news conference.
The new initiative is neighborhood-based and the city’s next step in fixing the blight issue. It will target resources in high-need areas “one block at a time.”
Neighborhoods throughout Shreveport have a specific improvement plan that includes a tracking system of violations, abatements, legal actions, demolitions and redevelopment status.
A schedule was announced for each neighborhood with June 21 for Ingleside, June 28 for Highland, July 12 for Queensborough, July 26 for MLK, Aug. 2 for Cedar Grove, Aug. 9 for Allendale, Aug. 16 for Pines Road, Aug. 23 for Stoner Hill, Sept. 6 for Southern Hills, Sept. 13 for Mooretown and Sept. 20 for Broadmoor.
“This isn’t just a short-term fix; it’s a fundamental change in how Shreveport addresses neglected and vacant properties,” said Mayor Tom Arceneaux. “The work our team has done with Bloomberg Harvard has been extraordinary, and this initiative reflects the best of what’s possible when we align our people, our data and our purpose.”
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is a global program that only a few cities were given the opportunity to participate which included Shreveport.
This new initiative comes just months after the city and the Shreveport Police Department joined together for a squatters’ initiative and a newly passed ordinance redefining the terms “blighted property” and “abandoned property” that passed last week.
Shreveport’s Highland neighborhood is heavily affected by blight and a frequently visited hot topic during city council meetings. City councilman John-Paul Young and many citizens spoke to the council back in March demanding ordinance enforcement and change in the area.
Since then, several blight-related ordinances have been passed along with initiatives to address the concerns of residents.
