Donna Fricker, preservation expert and former staff member of the Louisiana Office of Historic Preservation, once said that Shreveport’s historic stock was only second to New Orleans. Over the years, though, Downtown Shreveport has lost numerous properties but now has some safeguards in place to protect its inventory. The 180-day demolition delay, approved by City Council in 2019, requires that “any application for a demolition permit involving a structure in the Downtown Development District, as defined in R.S. 33:2740.38 shall be delayed 180 days in an attempt to secure an alternative purchaser/use, unless the issuance of the demolition permit is approved by the city council by resolution.” (Ord. No. 124.2019, 9-24-29), Sec. 22-3).
Another protection in place is the Shreveport Historic Preservation Commission The seven-member board serves to “protect, enhance, and preserve properties of historic, geographic, or architectural significance located within the City that reflect elements of the City’s heritage. The Commission determines which structures or areas within the City are eligible for designation as possible landmarks and recommends these structures to the City Council. The Commission reviews any activity (i.e., alteration, expansion, demolition, etc.) within any designated historic district and/or landmark and determines the appropriateness of such renovations.”
If you are interested in learning more about the State and Federal Historic Tax Credits or need assistance with the application process, the Downtown Development Authority is available to help. More information and applications can be found here.
