SHREVEPORT, La. — The City of Shreveport and the Downtown Development Authority have launched a public survey to guide the development of a strategic retail plan for downtown, part of a broader effort to align growth with community priorities and ongoing investment.
The initiative is being conducted in partnership with Downtown Strategies, a division of Retail Strategies. The process will include market analysis, stakeholder engagement, a review of existing plans, and the creation of a roadmap aimed at attracting businesses that meet the needs of residents, workers, visitors and investors.
The survey is designed to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders, including residents, business owners, property owners and downtown employees. Responses will help shape priorities tied to business development, tourism, walkability, design, redevelopment and overall quality of place.
City and downtown leaders said the planning effort comes as private investment activity increases in the area. Recent developments include the expanding presence of G-Unit and ongoing growth tied to Bally’s operations in the city.
“Downtown Shreveport is one of our city’s greatest assets, and this is the right time to build on the momentum we’re seeing,” Mayor Tom Arceneaux said. “We want to hear directly from the people who live, work, invest, and spend time downtown so we can focus on practical improvements that will strengthen downtown for years to come.”
The effort also supports an update to the Downtown 2010 Redevelopment Strategy and reflects a broader push to position downtown as a center for commerce, entertainment, housing and cultural activity.
Cedric B. Glover, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said public participation will be central to shaping the plan.
“Downtown Shreveport is at an important point in its development, and this planning process gives us an opportunity to build on the momentum we are seeing today,” Glover said. “The most effective plans are shaped by the people who live, work, invest, and spend time in Downtown Shreveport.”
The survey is available online and anonymous. Officials are encouraging broad participation from anyone with a connection to downtown, with results expected to inform future recruitment and redevelopment efforts.