What’s On Wish List for Shreveport in 2023?

You are beginning a new year with some new dreams and goals. Our community is also kicking off the new year with a new Mayor who has hopes of bringing us all together. We will have to wait to see how much success Mayor Tom Arceneaux has with that.

I’m kicking off 2023 with hopes we will see significant changes on several fronts.

5 Things I Hope Happen in 2023 (or at least work begins):

Amazon Plant Starts Hiring

This massive project has been delayed several times. Hiring has been pushed back until the first quarter of 2023, but many are worried that could be delayed even more. Amazon as a company has hit the brakes on massive expansion plans across the nation. But the Shreveport fulfillment center is nearly complete and we hope things move forward. Amazon issued a statement last year saying: “We still plan to launch a new facility in Shreveport, LA, providing over 1,000 full-time jobs starting at $15/hour with comprehensive benefits from Day One.

Shreveport finds a system to keep street lights on and trash picked up.

This is such a frustrating problem for so many local residents. Perhaps our leaders can come up with a plan to use inmates more frequently on our main highways. I would also like to see city leaders put together a team that rolls through the city at night to fix the lights or take notes and send day crews out to fix the lights. This has to be done on a regular basis.

Work Is Started on a New Jimmie Davis Bridge

This project is on the fast track at the state level. It’s being done in what’s called a “design build” approach. This means the design work will be done while the work starts. But the first bids were way off the mark and the project is now being rebid. The goal is to build a new 4-lane bridge over the Red River.

Fairgrounds Field Is Finally Torn Down

I know this is a hot button topic for some who thinks we should still try to save the stadium. But I don’t think our city should do that. We need to clear that property and move on. No one has come forward with the funds and a definitive plan for refurbishing the old stadium. It served its purpose and thousands of us have very fond memories of watching baseball there. But now is the time to say goodbye.

Work Is Started on Knight Street

I know this is not a big issue to most folks. But for me, it’s really more about the principal. Yes, I use this street every day. But you need to know in 2011 Shreveport residents voted to repave Knight Street and add sidewalks and lighting. This specific project was listed on the bond issue that year. Little to nothing has been done on this road. It’s been close to a dozen years. That is unacceptable. And I will lead the charge to oppose any future bond proposals for road work until this project from 2011 is complete.

This is my wish list for Shreveport in 2023. We will wait to see if any of these projects get done or at least started during this year.