Shreveport Launches Block-by-Block Blight Initiative Starting Ingleside

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux has launched the "Block by Block" initiative, a citywide effort to combat blight by focusing on targeted neighborhoods one block at a time. This plan, developed over nine months with input from 25 local leaders and supported by the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, aims for long-term neighborhood revitalization through tailored improvement plans and a real-time tracking system for violations, abatements, demolitions, and redevelopment. The initiative will tackle high-need areas such as Ingleside, Highland, Queensborough, and Mooretown, with weekly cleanups and measurable progress designed to restore community pride and enhance safety. While the City Council supports the goal, several members expressed disappointment over being excluded from the planning committee and neighborhood selection process, emphasizing the importance of council involvement given their close ties to residents. The program is a collaborative effort involving multiple city departments, led by city attorney Marcus Edwards, and signals a shift toward sustained investment and enforcement beyond temporary fixes. Recent complementary actions include new ordinances redefining blighted properties and joint efforts with the police department to address squatting, reflecting a multifaceted approach to revitalization.