(The Center Square) – Planning officials propose reversing outdated zoning rules in an attempt to attract reinvestment and stabilize a decaying commercial zone in downtown Shreveport.
Blight is a systematic and citywide challenge. Last year, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux included but later withdrew a proposed 2% surcharge in his 2026 budget as a way to combat blight, which impacts every neighborhood, he said.
The Metropolitan Planning Commission agreed on Tuesday to recommend revising the existing code to allow additional business activities for a commercial mixed-use zone stretching along Texas Street, between Austen Place and Murphy Street.
The change to broaden permitted uses in the area requires City Council approval to amend the Unified Development Code.
“This is to try to get more entrepreneurs or business owners into some of the buildings within that district to try and stabilize the buildings,” said Emily Trant, a senior planning coordinator. “That way we don’t continue to lose these buildings due to blight and deterioration.”
The following new uses would be permitted: brewery, business support services, contractor office, distillery, furniture and equipment sales, industrial artisan space, public park, reception facility and wholesale establishment.
Business owners have inquired about utilizing the area but their proposed uses were not approved under the current code, said Stephen Jean, the planning commission’s interim executive director.
This district is made up of approximately 87 parcels at the south end of the downtown region. At least half of the properties are vacant lots or abandoned and blighted buildings.
It is directly adjacent to the iconic Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, a premier attraction for live music, theater and major public events. The building is a National Historic Landmark where Elvis Presley and Hank Williams performed.
“It’s been a pretty lengthy period of time that nothing has changed there,” Jean said. “We want to see if we can get uses in there to stabilize these buildings. There are trees growing in buildings and some roofs are gone.”
The commercial zone is part of the city’s Downtown Development Authority, a public entity that manages the downtown district, particularly focussing on revitalization and attracting new development.
“We have met with the Downtown Development Authority director and he was supportive of this,” Trant said.
Grants and incentives are available through the authority and the Downtown Shreveport Development Corp., as well as city and state programs designed to support business growth. These include tax abatements, façade improvement grants, low-interest loans and innovation-focused incentives.
