Take time to “Discover” Downtown…

A walk through downtown Shreveport is a journey back in time where Elvis shook things up and Huddie Ledbetter strummed the blues on a 12-string guitar. Tourists can play a lucky hand and capture the day’s winnings at two premiere casinos, shop for contemporary art, take in an independent film at Robinson Film Center, or launch into orbit at the Sci-Port IMAX Dome Theater.

Downtown is also the seat of local governments and the courts, and is the heart of business and finance. More than 14,000 people work downtown each day and they are seeing the street scene change in front of their eyes. Vacant historic buildings across the city center are under construction as office, retail and apartments, the Shreveport Common Art and Culture District brings thousands downtown for events ranging from giant puppet parades to huge street fairs, and the clean and safe Red River District is welcoming new businesses and exciting events.

Throughout downtown, you’ll find places to dine, art and music to enjoy, movies to watch, and great company along the way.  We invite you to live, work, play and Discover Downtown Shreveport!

More about the DDA

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was created in 1978 by the Louisiana Legislature as the governing body in the special taxing district in the original 120-square block area designated as the Downtown Development District.  A seven-member Board of Directors oversees the agency.  Directors, who serve for three years, are citizen volunteers appointed by the City Council upon nomination by the Mayor.  Nominations are submitted by the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce or its successor, Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation (DSDC), State Senators from District 37 and District 39 and the State Representative from District 4, Downtown Shreveport Unlimited (DSU) and the Shreveport City Council.

Core funding for operations and planning, supplemental services and capital improvements is provided by an 8.64 mill property tax. DDA also works with the city to carry out two core services in downtown Shreveport—the ShrevePark Parking Service (meter patrol and maintenance) and Streetscape street and sidewalk cleaning services.

What We Do

DDA Mission Statement

To actively pursue, support, facilitate, and welcome initiatives that aid and encourage private development, and promote and coordinate public development within the Downtown Development District of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Downtown Shreveport is the area’s premiere location for commerce, culture, and public celebration.  Home to 14,000 workers, the district is the center of technology, banking, law, government, gaming, and the arts.  Unique festivals, special events, musical entertainment, museums, parks, historic architecture, and the Red River combine to make Downtown Shreveport a special place to live, work, and play.

The DDA meets at 3:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month in the DDA Board Room, 416 Cotton Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, unless otherwise noted*.  To see a list of upcoming DDA meetings, please click here.

February 28, 2024 DDA Agenda

For digital access to DDA minutes, please click here.

2024 Program of Work



DDA Staff

  • Vacant – Executive Director
  • Janie Landry – Interim Director
  • Stacie Leng – Bookkeeper & Graphic Design
  • Peggy Hellyer – Graphic Design & Office Assistant

ShrevePark

  • Lorenzo Lee – Contract Services Administrator
  • Monica Rogers – Office Manager
  • Kathleen Eddy – Front Office Assistant
  • Robert McNeil – Patroller
  • Percy Johnson – Patroller
  • Xavier Pearson – Patroller

Streetscape

  • Kirk Black – Supervisor
  • Harrison Coats
  • Lee Otis Turner
  • Kenneth Burgy
  • Alvie Reeves
  • Jaime Brown

2024 DDA Board of Directors

(*Appointing Organization)

Michael Corbin – Chair
(SWEPCO)
*Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce

Drayden Dunn – Vice Chair
(Envision Media & Marketing)
*Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce

Chelette Holden
(Family Services Unlimited)
*City Council

Tim Huck
(The Sandbar)
* Downtown Shreveport Unlimited

Kathy Malone
(Caddo Management Inc.)
*Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation

Terry Moore
(Merrill Lynch)
* Senate 37, Senate 39 & House District 4

Kyle Southard – Secretary
(Pinnacle Realty Advisors)
*City Council


 

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