(The Center Square) – Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux recently updated the city about a new effort in place to combat blight in downtown Shreveport.
“This ordinance requires owners, creditors and responsible parties of vacant downtown buildings after notice to register their properties with the city and provide up-to-date contact information for someone who could take responsibility for bringing the property into compliance,” said Arceneaux.
The new ordinance passed was the “Vacant Property Regulation Ordinance” or VPRO. Blighted properties pose a health and safety risk to those living in the area according to city officials, and the mayor believes this new effort is going to be a tool used to protect the integrity and potential of the city.
While the blighted properties pose significant risks, they also contribute to the squatting issue the city has been continuously battling with people trespassing. Recent efforts have been put in place to help in this regard. The Shreveport Police Department has made over 20 squatter arrests, with 17 convictions since the start of their new initiative in April.
“Both these initiatives, our bond-funded projects and the new downtown ordinance, are about more than appearances. They’re about creating a safer, more vibrant and more welcoming Shreveport,” said Arceneaux.
Ordinance 70 was previously tabled legislation from last June that passed two weeks ago during a City Council meeting.
The mayor had some concerns about passing the ordinance because of existing comments from downtown property owners. During the May 13 council meeting, Arceneaux suggested postponing the vote on the ordinance until the comments could make their way to the council.
“My recommendation would be that you postpone this matter,” said Arceneaux in the council meeting. “The assistant city attorney has done a really good job of laying out what those comments are and how they relate to the ordinance… There likely needs to be some amendments to the ordinance.”
Ultimately, the council decided to pass the tabled legislation and revisit it to add any needed amendments.