Light spilling from beautiful display windows at 616 Texas Street.
There are a few things that make everyone feel safer. Having people around you. Knowing that law enforcement is nearby. Walking in well-lit areas. Would you rather be strolling in this block?
One of the dark spots downtown.
Or here? We know the answer, and we agree. Lighting that flows over into the public space is good for not only for safety and security, but for business.
Vastly more welcoming and much safer-feeling!
The Downtown Development Authority is taking a two-pronged approach at encouraging more light downtown. We will continue to work with our partners at the City of Shreveport and SWEPCO in making sure that the ‘Streetscape’ (fancy light poles on the sidewalks) and cobra head (the tall plain poles, mainly at intersections) lights owned and maintained by the City and SWEPCO are in working order.
We also want to encourage business and property owners to add LED lights and keep them on from dusk until dawn so that our sidewalks are not plunged into gloom after dark.
The Downtown Development Authority is rolling out a Facade Improvement Micro Grant for lighting that impacts public spaces. You could get up to $2,000 to light up your building or business in a way that it spills onto the sidewalk in front. This could mean converting interior lights to LED and leaving them on from dusk to dawn, adding lighting to your window displays, adding lighting to the front of your building or any/all of the above.
Lights vs no lights.
Lighting is good for business. Buildings in the dark, no matter where they are- look more foreboding and unwelcoming and with the improvements in lighting technology and the lower cost of LED lighting, now is a great time to light up your space!
No lighting. Definitely more foreboding.
The funds in our Downtown Lighting Micro Grant are limited, so take a look at the grant requirements and current grant boundary, and if you qualify, fill it out and get your application into us! We will get an answer back to you quickly.
Here is the paperwork and grant application
We’re looking forward to helping our business and property partners brighten up downtown!
