Last Friday, developers, investors, and local and state officials gathered at the Shreveport DDA office to talk about the future of downtown Shreveport. The meeting came together through conversations between LTHP Executive Director Brian Davis and DDA Executive Director Cedric B. Glover, in connection with the 2025 Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conference. The featured guest speaker for the discussion was Brooks Howell, a principal with Gensler Architects’ Houston office and a nationally respected leader in adaptive reuse and urban redevelopment.
The session provided a rare opportunity for local stakeholders to engage directly with Howell on the current and emerging challenges facing Shreveport’s historic banking and office towers. The meeting emphasized the critical role of strategic investment, creative reuse, and policy alignment in driving downtown revitalization.
Conversation highlighted a shared understanding: preserving our history doesn’t mean staying stuck in the past. It was a meaningful step toward aligning preservation goals with practical strategies for downtown renewal. As Shreveport adjusts to changing economic conditions and evolving use of commercial space, the discussion reinforced the importance of local leadership and coordination in planning for the future of its historic core.
