Shreveport Mayor Proposes New Fee to Fight Blight
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux has come up with a new idea to tackle blight in the city. The budget the mayor has presented to the City Council calls on all residents to help pay for this problem
A Plan to Tear Down Dangerous Buildings
Shreveport residents could soon see an increase on their monthly water bills under a new proposal from Mayor Tom Arceneaux. The mayor’s budget includes a 2% blight surcharge on all water and sewer bills. This money would be used to fund the demolition of the city’s worst abandoned and unsafe apartment buildings.
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If approved by the Shreveport City Council, the surcharge is expected to raise $3 million in just 18 months. That money would go directly toward tearing down large vacant apartment complexes and other blighted properties that have become safety hazards and community eyesores.
Why This Matters for Shreveport
City leaders have long struggled with limited dollars for demolition projects. And this is a problem impacting almost every neighborhood in the city. Blighted properties not only lower nearby property values, but they can also attract crime and pose safety risks.
Supporters of this proposed increase say it could help make our neighborhoods safer and more attractive in the long run. This would benefit the entire city.
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The exact amount you pay will depend on your monthly water usage. We must note the current proposal calls for this fee to last for 18 months.
Mayor Arceneaux Calls for Unity
Mayor Arceneaux says this plan is part of his larger effort to move Shreveport forward.
“Shreveport is moving in the right direction,” Arceneaux said. “We can do great things if we work together. I pledge to work with the City Council and with all our citizens to do just that and to be good stewards of our tax dollars.”
What’s Next for the Blight Surcharge
The City Council must now vote on whether to approve the fee. If passed, demolition work could begin in early 2026, giving Shreveport a chance to finally address long-standing blight issues across the city.