“The light is green and we’re moving forward,” says Charles Kirkland, Executive Director of Shreveport’s Metropolitan Planning Commission.

Eighteen highly qualified firms from across the country have applied and are being considered. “This is something we once dreamed about and now it’s a reality,” says Kirkland.

Input for the purpose of selecting a short list of consultants to be interviewed has been solicited from the Consultant Selection Committee which is made up of a representative of the Mayor’s Office, City Council, Caddo Commission and the Caddo School Board. “The mission is to whittle the eighteen to a short list of no less than three, but preferably five firms they feel would be qualified to lead the Master Plan process.” The input is due Tuesday October 28, 2008. On Thursday October 30, 2008 at 1:30 PM the MPC will review all input and select the consultants that will be invited to come to Shreveport to make presentations that will be open to the public. The dates, times and location of those interviews will be determined at a later date.

The applications of consultants making the short list will be posted on the city website www.shreveportla.gov and will be open for public review at the MPC Library. To schedule a time call: 673 -6474.

“We’re are extremely excited and ready to chart years of future progress,” says Kirkland. If all goes as planned we look to name the lead consultant in December 2008 and host a public reception to get them connected to Shreveport.”

APPLICANTS:

Brockman & Jones – Tallahassee, Florida

Churchwell & Consulting – Shreveport, Louisiana

Franklin Industries – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Placematters – Denver, Colorado

CDM – Shreveport, Louisiana

Providence – Baton Rouge & Sulfur, Louisiana/Gulfport, Mississippi/Irving, Texas

Wallace Roberts & Todd – Coral Gables, Florida

ACP Visioning & Planning - Columbus, Ohio

Peter J. Smith – Buffalo, New York

EDAW, Inc. – Atlanta, Georgia

Goody Clancy – Boston, Massachusetts

Nelessen Associates – Belle Mead, New Jersey

NRS – Cape Coral, Florida

Siemon & Larson – Boca Raton, Florida

Design Workshop – Austin, Texas

MESA – Dallas, Texas

Vilavaso & Associates, LLC – New Orleans, Louisiana