What Shreveport Bossier Projects Will Be Completed First?

Things are hopping in Shreveport Bossier with big plans in both communities. Some of these big projects might be considered pipe dreams, but some of them are approved and moving full steam ahead.

Which ones do you think will be completed first? Which ones will be finished last or never completed at all?

I've been keeping a list of these projects for several years and can tell you one of them can now be scratched off the list. That one is the move of the Confederate Monument in front of the Caddo Courthouse. That monument has been moved to private property in DeSoto Parish.

Confederate Monument Moved from in Front of Caddo Courthouse

The Caddo Commission voted 7-5 to move the Confederate Monument from the grounds of the Courthouse, but the legal fight took several years to finalize. But this one is a wrap.

Amazon Plant to Open for Business

This project is moving full steam ahead. In fact, the company recently held a hard hat tour to show off the work inside the north Shreveport property. The goal is to get the plan open by the middle of 2024 with 1,000 workers.

I-49 Inner City Connector

The NLCOG Board voted to build the I-49 extension through the Allendale Neighborhood. The state has set aside $100 million for this 3.6 mile stretch which would connect the interstate to the section that is now complete north of town. The Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, the Committee of 100 and the North Louisiana Economic Partnership supports this path. But now it looks like the route might have to be adjusted closer to downtown. Will that change the plan and will it get approval?

Cross Bayou Park Built on Riverfront

In 1996, Shreveport voters passed a $5 million dollar bond issue for Cross Bayou development. But what were we promised and what has been delivered since that election. Here's the verbiage that was on the ballot: "Authority to issue not exceeding $5 million in General Obligation Bonds for acquiring and/or improving lands for a public park." We have no public park at Cross Bayou and that's been more than 25 years.

Elio Cars Will Be Built at the Old GM Plant

Caddo Parish bought the plant from General Motors when the auto giant shut down operations. Elio Motors pledged to begin building a 3-wheeled car at the plant, but it's never happened. Most believe it will never happen. The clock has run out on Elio which promised to create 1,500 jobs in Caddo Parish or higher lease payments on the property.

Fairgrounds Field Will Be Torn Down

The Shreveport City Council has ok'd a resolution declaring the old baseball stadium surplus, paving the way for the ball park to be demolished. Last year, Mayor Perkins signed a contract to tear down the stadium and the work started, but it was halted after a lawsuit was filed. Now Mayor Tom Arceneaux has cancelled that demolition contract and it's unclear when the demolition work will continue.

Knight Street Improvements

In 2011, 3 bond proposals passed totaling $175 million dollars. Much of that work is complete but there are some projects yet to be done. One of them is Knight Street which was to be overlaid, sidewalks installed along with lighting. The only work done that I can see is some utility work. It's been 12 years! Residents in the area want to know why it's taking so long.

Rev Entertainment

A big plan is being considered for the property where Fairgrounds Field is located. REV Entertainment is considering a proposal to build and manage a multi-million dollar mixed-use facility in Shreveport. But one big question is where the $75 million dollars will come from the fund the project. Shreveport leaders have commissioned a feasibility study.

Diamond Jacks Casino Facelift

Foundation Gaming recently bought the property but they have now been approved to sell the property to the Cordish Company out of Baltimore. Cordish currently operates gaming and entertainment ventures in Houston, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Philadelphia, among other major US markets. In many of their markets, they utilize their "LIVE!" brand.

Chasing Aces Golf Development in Bossier City

A new sports experience is planned for the Bossier Boardwalk area. Chasing Aces Golf is being built next to the Margaritaville Casino. It will feature interactive swing bays to dining experiences. It also features an exclusive 9 Hole Smart Course designed in collaboration with Arnold Palmer Design Team.

A New Jimmie Davis Bridge

We all know the Jimmie Davis Bridge is in terrible shape. It needs a ton of work. The state is planning to replace the old bridge with a new 4-laned bridge. The projected cost was more than $220 million but the bids came in above $360 million to build the new bridge and turn the old bridge into a linear park. State Transportation officials say they are moving full steam ahead on the new bridge.