We recognize that beautifully designed, diverse housing and retail development are central to the creation of a stable, cohesive community and a thriving, productive, growing economy. Therefore, the City of Shreveport and the Housing Authority of the City of Shreveport, along with our development partner, ITEX Development LLC, are moving forward with multiple new housing developments in the Neighborhood that will add over 300 new housing opportunities.
This strategy is aligned with the HUD-approved Transformation Plan for the Choice Neighborhood and aims to create high quality, energy efficient, mixed-income housing developments that:
- Will attract private investments and new businesses;
- Support a live-work environment near downtown;
- Provide diverse housing for all household types; and
- Uses funds efficiently and maximizes leverage.
Beyond this, these housing investments will also support new neighborhood retail and community space, playgrounds and pocket parks, recreational opportunities, water features, and public art. All these improvements will add value to the surrounding community, will create excitement in downtown housing, and will help meet critical community needs.
Our housing development strategy is focused in two primary nodes within the greater neighborhood:
Bayou Grande
The Choice Housing Strategy intends to develop a multi-phase housing development in the vacant lots surrounding the Millennium Studios film production facility in Ledbetter Heights.
Located within walking distance of downtown, the site has been identified as offering a key opportunity for dense, mixed-use, mixed income development, which will serve as a gateway between the neighborhood and downtown.
This portion of the Housing Strategy will be known as Bayou Grande and will be characterized by an art-deco, modern aesthetic and will be designed with architectural and landscaping details at eye-level. This portion of the Strategy is planned to include over 300 units and 5,000 square feet of retail spave within four development phases.
Heritage Place
Located around C.C. Antoine in the heart of the Allendale neighborhood, the Heritage Place development will offer lower density alternatives by way of duplexes and single-family homes, both for rent and for purchase.
This housing development will be developed in conjunction with new water retention features, trails, and recreation space withing the park. The design of the phase will give nod to the craftsman, shotgun, and bungalow architectural styles that historically have dotted the Allendale neighborhood.
These phases are in addition to the units already developed at the Renaissance at Allendale (40 units) and Cora Allen Townhomes (12 units). By the end of 2020, 44% of the Housing Plan will be complete. The Strategy’s phasing plan can be found in the table below: