How does downtown fit into the mayoral conversation?

For the past several years, The Forum has been kind enough to allow us space to talk about the thing nearest and dearest to our hearts- downtown Shreveport.

Downtowns across the country have been acting as catalysts for improvement, development and “cool” factor and we know our historic city center can do the same for our region. We also know it cannot become all we want it to be without the support of citizens, the business community and Shreveport’s new mayor.

The mayor commands the bully pulpit, sets the agenda for the city, decides priorities, runs city departments that have necessary resources, and works with the City Council on the allocation of the city budget.

Several weeks ago, the Downtown Development Authority and our sister organization the Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation sent out a questionnaire to Shreveport’s mayoral candidates asking for responses to seven questions we feel are important to downtown’s long-term success. There are obviously many important issues – from infrastructure to jumpstarting growth-that a new mayor will be forced to answer in very short order.

We believe that the questions about downtown are just as important to both our community and how we view ourselves and our city. Go to www. downtownshreveport.com to view the candidate responses.

Question No. 1: Former Indianapolis Mayor William Hudnut said, “You can’t be a suburb of nothing.” He knew that his downtown, which during his first term as mayor was suffering from some of the same issues that downtown Shreveport is working to overcome, was a reflection on his leadership abilities, his city and more broadly, the region.

Hudnut, a Republican, was the longest-tenured mayor in Indianapolis history, serving 16 years, and his time in office was largely defined by downtown Indianapolis. His entrepreneurial policies attracted economic development and he aggressively used tax incentives, infrastructure improvements and development projects to attract business to the downtown area, and in turn, all of Indianapolis saw improvement. What does downtown mean to you in the overall importance of the city, and what, if any, plans do you have to create or divert additional funding for downtown needs?

No. 2: In 2012, DDA commissioned a parking study for the city of Shreveport that showed how business expansion, additional residential units and historic building revitalization would be stymied without thoughtful parking additions and improvements.

Explain the steps you intend to take to deal with this issue and how you would pay for it.

No. 3. Developing a 24-hour downtown will depend greatly on expanding downtown residential opportunities. Those cities with the most successful downtowns know this. “The way to have a really vibrant downtown is to have residents there who can support the businesses and provide that life on the street to make the area seem more lively and safer,” Sheila Grant, editor of Downtown Idea Exchange and Downtown Promotion Reporter, said. What are your plans, if any, for encouraging, incentivizing and assisting additional downtown residential?

No. 4. Over the past several years, the city and parish have taken great interest in the nine-block art and culture district called Shreveport Common. Recently, there was another development study begun on Cross Bayou. First, what are your feelings on both areas, and second, do you believe that both can be developed at once, or do you prefer finishing one project first before moving on to another?

No. 5: A number of downtown buildings are suffering from lack of care. Roofs have caved in, and they have sat vacant for years affecting the value of all around them. What are your ideas on how to get these long-term vacant buildings back into commerce?

No. 6: Downtown Shreveport has the lowest crime rate of any area in the city, but the lack of nighttime foot traffic, homeless loitering and panhandling and past fights at some of the riverfront clubs has created a perception of danger. What are your ideas to counter this perception?

No. 7: What is the first thing you wish to accomplish downtown and why? Their responses give you some insight into their priorities and ideas for downtown.

Read over their answers to see if their priorities are the same as yours.

Liz Swaine is the executive director of the Downtown Development Authority. She can be reached at [email protected].